Congregations want to support their pastors, but don’t know how. Pastors love their congregations, but they don’t know what to ask of their congregations to garner needed support. Everyone wants to thrive together, but so often we get stuck. This clear and engaging guide helps pastors and congregations bridge communication gaps and set mutual goals and expectations. Reverend Keck grounds his framework of expectations on both scholarly research and on interviews he’s conducted with pastors and lay people. He finds many common difficulties in churches arise from failing to discuss priorities and expectations, and from not effectively working through the problems that arise when expectations aren’t met. For pastors and congregants to arrive at common expectations, they need to understand each other—their respective needs, hopes, and distinctive callings. This book provides concrete steps to aid congregants and pastors communicate their mutual expectations. Keck presents fifty “expectation statements”—examples of what pastors and congregations can expect of one another; a vital resource to anyone who seeks to initiate a discussion of expectations in their own church. Elucidating goals and expectations allows congregations and pastors to support one another and flourish, and fosters church health and harmony.

Thirty-eight percent of pastors have given serious thought to leaving full-time ministry in the last year. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the unpredictable, never-done work of the ministry, is it any wonder that many pastors have contemplated resigning? Add to this church members' unrealistic expectations and a knack for criticism, and we see the toll this has taken on pastors and in one area in particular: preaching. Empty preachers are filling pulpits. Is there anything church members can do to help their pastors with burnout and the essential stress of preaching week-in, week-out? After extensive research on the subject, ninety-seven pastors were asked: What can your church members do to help you preach well? Each chapter in this book is a commitment--a clear, concrete action--developed from the study that church members can take to help their pastors preach well. Each chapter also includes a section entitled "A Word to Pastors" that offers encouragement to those in ministry to help reduce their stress and become better preachers.

A veteran pastor answers the questions that today's pastors are asking In 40 Questions about Pastoral Ministry, veteran pastor Phil Newton provides trustworthy answers to 40 of the most common and pressing questions relating to the life and work of the pastor. Covering five major categories--such as development, practices, and preaching--Newton equips pastors to successfully handle everyday duties and challenges, including: • Remaining spiritually healthy • Strengthening your marriage • Dealing with discouragement • Avoiding pitfalls • Leading elders' meetings • Mentoring future leaders • Preaching through books of the Bible • Conducting marriages and funerals • Practicing church discipline • Leading change and revitalization, and much more Basing his answers on Scripture, theological reflection, and personal experience, Newton serves as a mentor and guide for pastors at every stage of ministry. The questions and answers are self-contained, and topics of interest can be easily located. Pastors will want to consult this volume often for authoritative advice on all aspects of pastoral ministry.

When a pastor has served at one church for a long time, they are considered “legends.” They are held in high regard for having conducted marriage ceremonies, presided over funerals, and led congregants through their most difficult moments. But when a new pastor is called to serve, they are often met with skepticism or unfair expectations. Many times, they find congregants who are unwilling to be challenged or change. The Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Allen draws on questionnaires of African American Baptist congregations and interviews with ten pastors called to lead churches in this guide for new pastor’s intent on making a difference. Learn how to: • navigate the transition process in a smooth fashion; • energize and encourage congregations to move to the next level; • help the church regain confidence and overcome the challenges of transition; • lead congregants in mourning a former leader who has died or been called to serve elsewhere. Each pastoral call comes with various transitional challenges, and it’s important to be ready for whatever is ahead. Get guidance to inspire others and achieve success with the lessons in I Got Next.

This book lays out an application-intensive approach to seeking out and developing qualified church leaders. Thoughtful analysis of key passages in Acts and 1 Timothy are balanced with practical action points in a contemporary context.

"A wonderful tool that I recommend to every church that is serious about being purpose-driven." -Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Church Now available in trade paper, Becoming a Healthy Church illustrates the ten most important characteristics of church health. Based on extensive surveys, this helpful volume is designed to encourage the creation of a healthy climate for your church and its ministry.

Planting new churches is a dedicated response and reasonable service to fulfilling God's mission. This critical church planting is not only the focus of today's Christians, but it is also the theological and practical subject of numerous Christian studies that tout scripturally based work for shoring up today's church. Nakia Melecio is answering God's call to support local churches, both old and new, and the outcry of God's people in a heartfelt attempt through conferences, workbooks, websites, and many other substantive pathways for spiritual founding and healing. Church planting is necessary, but it is no easy feat. Nakia Melecio's ministry will help struggling churches to reinvent themselves and new churches to plant firmly and deeply on solid rock. Through steadfast diligence and unwavering faith, God's mission can and will be fulfilled. Nakia Melecio shares the vision of how to build a legacy and ultimately claim the victory-methodically, effectively, spiritually, and graciously.

This book aims to examine the mission and ministry of six mainline churches in Somerset County, New Jersey, and their efforts to grow healthy and faithful churches while reaching out to families, children, and youth in the community. The six congregations include First Baptist Church, Somerville, New Jersey, Saint Martin Episcopal Church, Bridgewater, New Jersey; Saint Thomas A.M.E. Zion Church, Somerville, New Jersey; Trinity United Church, Warren, New Jersey; New Horizon Christian Fellowship, Hillsborough, New Jersey; and Fountain of Living Water, Somerville, New Jersey. Given the need for congregational growth, insights into the Church Growth Movement and the missional approach to church growth are examined in relation to the historical, cultural, and social ministry contexts of six congregations of different faith traditions. A methodology combining demographic data, congregational surveys, and focus groups is used to determine the historic and present contexts of the congregation. The results of these efforts will inform and guide a congregation’s efforts to develop a missional vision and a strategic growth plan and restore spiritual vitality to its members by participating in the mission of the Kingdom of God (one result of which will be to attract families, youth, and children to the church).

It's no secret: churches are dying. Tragically, thousands of churches in the United States are shrinking, some closing their doors forever. The key to reversing these trends, argues Bill Henard, is for a local church to recognize where it is in the church life cycle. Unless churches intentionally do something about it, many of them will follow the same pattern: from birth, to plateau, and eventually, to death. But if a church learns to identify its place within the life cycle and embraces the necessary processes, it can return to growth. In a day when church membership has decreased, evangelistic zeal has cooled, and budgets are disappearing, ReClaimed Church is the tool that struggling churches need. Having previously written and taught seminary courses on church revitalization, Bill Henard uses his expertise to provide all the practical insights and instructions needed to reclaim your church.

Shepherding the Pastor helps new and upcoming pastors understand the common challenges and pitfalls that arise in the early years of ministry and to face difficulties with faith, wisdom, and patience.