October 2015

The Power of Leading by Influence

What I’m learning as Executive Pastor of Willow Creek
The Power of Leading by Influence

Two years ago, Heather Larson stepped into the executive pastor role at Willow Creek—what Bill Hybels describes as the number two position in the church. But the truth is she’d been leading and building the church alongside Hybels long before she ever got the matching title. As executive pastor, Larson leads the executive team and leadership team of the church ...

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Technology Has Changed My Role as Pastor

In 13 years, our church plant has transformed.
Technology Has Changed My Role as Pastor

This week, in conjunction with the most recent issue of Leadership Journal, which explores the state of the pastorate, we're featuring two articles by pastors answering one question: what is the current state of your pastorate? Click here to see all the articles in this series.

What’s the state of your pastorate? Let us know online through tweets, blogs, drawings, ...

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Three Reasons Women Go to Seminary

I asked women across the country: Why are you here?
Three Reasons Women Go to Seminary
Image: bittermelon/Flickr

A little over a year ago, I sat down with women at three evangelical seminaries across the country, and posed this question: Why are you here? I quickly learned I wasn’t the first to ask.

Over half the women I interviewed said they’d been asked, “Why are you here?”—more or less verbatim—by at least one of their male classmates. Some ...

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Six Tips to Stay in Ministry for the Long Haul

In my 15 years of ministry, I've seen too many women come and go.
Six Tips to Stay in Ministry for the Long Haul
Image: infomatique/Flickr

During my first year of campus ministry, a senior minister told me that the average tenure for women is three years. I have observed this to be true. Many young women have a passion to serve in ministry, and do so wholeheartedly and effectively, but few last more than five years.

I’m currently in my 15th year. I was made for kingdom work, and I love pouring into college ...

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The State of Female Pastors

Despite less than groundbreaking numbers, there’s change in the air.
The State of Female Pastors

Female leadership is on the rise in many churches, which has ignited further discussion on the subject. While female ordination is supported by denominations such as American Baptist, Presbyterian USA, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the Roman Catholic Church and the large Southern Baptist denomination remain stiffly against female ordination.

According to a ...

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Sister, You Are Not a Mistake

The church needs you and your gifts.
Sister, You Are Not a Mistake
Image: galerie_de_pioul/Flickr

In Christianity Today’s article “The Seminary Gender Gap,” Sharon Hodde Miller asks why seminaries continue to be predominantly male, reinforcing the impression that men are preferable for ministry leadership than women.

[Several] factors produce a persistent minority of female, evangelical seminarians with a rather tumultuous seminary experience. Evangelical ...
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How to Spot Rising Women Leaders

If we want to see more women leaders in the church, we need to look for them.
How to Spot Rising Women Leaders

I sat in the front row listening intently to a woman who taught from the Bible with wisdom, grace, and knowledge. I was mesmerized by her. Like a sponge, I soaked up every bit of wisdom she poured forth. The impact she had on me and hundreds of other women that day was immeasurable as she encouraged us to be more fully devoted to Christ.

This amazing teacher wasn’t ...

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Pastor Seeking Fame

Are you willing to do God’s work—even if there’s no red carpet?
Pastor Seeking Fame
Image: Flickr/wvs

At a recent conference, two speakers caught my attention and caused me to examine my heart and ministry. The first was a well-known pastor. I'd never heard her speak before, so I was eager to hear what she had to say. My excitement faded quickly, though, when she started.

She was focused on putting on a performance rather than teaching well. She told a story about looking ...

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How Churches Benefit from Co-Pastors

One couple’s story of leaning into their unique gifts and callings as they lead together
How Churches Benefit from Co-Pastors

Many churches choose men for their lead pastor. More and more are choosing women. And some churches are opting for the best of both.

A growing trend termed co-pastoring, has churches hiring husband-wife pairs to lead together equally as pastors. To better understand the benefits and challenges that come with this emerging movement, I spoke with Robin and Marty Anderson, ...

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