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10 Encouragements When Ministry Is Hard

Ministry leaders often carry heavy burdens that weigh them down and lead to burnout. But you don’t have to go it alone! Find encouragement in reminders from Scripture: Jesus wants to carry your burdens too; God’s grace, empowerment, and refuge is always there for weary ministry leaders. Discover how embracing…

7 Church Trends That Will Disrupt 2024

The church landscape is shifting rapidly. Carey Nieuwhof shares seven major trends that will disrupt church as we know it in 2024. From generational changes to technology, discipleship, and leadership styles, massive changes are coming that every church must understand and respond to. You’ll discover: 1. Why the era of…

Top Worship Songs for the Year Ahead

“Picking great songs for your congregation and worship band is one of the most important tasks of a worship leader. Great songs have a sense of God’s Spirit on them. Great worship songs make you want to sing them again and again. Great songs cause your spirit to rise in…

Starting on Empty: How to Start a New Year with Little To Give

Feeling empty and uncertain as you start a new year in ministry? Don’t despair – hope can always be found for God’s children. Learn to notice God’s work around you and to reflect on His past faithfulness. Commit to healthy habits. Embrace the new to refuel and strengthen you for…

3 Worship Pastor Goals for the New Year

Ready to boost your worship leading skills in the new year? Here are some great goals for developing a team, writing original songs for your church, and improving communication. Time to get inspired and set your own worship ministry goals to draw you closer to God and serve your congregation…

5 Christmas Posts to Encourage You

Chuck Lawless has put together a list of Christmas resources to encourage you and help you through the week. See Chuck’s 5 picks.

The Intersection of Ego and Under-Appreciation

Have you ever worked tirelessly behind the scenes only to see someone else receive all the praise and recognition? This feeling of frustration is common among church tech team members. We pour our hearts into supporting church services and events, yet the applause typically goes to those on stage. In…

5 Best Practices For Leading Worship For Christmas

Wondering how to lead worship during the Christmas season? It’s that time of year again, where we celebrate the birth of Jesus and the culmination of Advent. Here are some key practices to consider: 1. Follow Advent’s progression, creating anticipation. 2. Discover fresh versions of beloved carols that resonate with…

7 Ways to Slow Down This Christmas

As the familiar frenzy of the holidays descends once more, it meets us still shaking off the weariness of recent seasons of turmoil. Pandemic, unrest, isolation – the early 2020s extracted heavy tolls, leaving spirits longing for respite during Christmas. Yet busyness still beckons as Thanksgiving gives way to the…

8 Christmas Gifts Worth Giving to Church Pastoral Staffs

Pastoral ministry can be demanding. Supportive and joyful relationships amongst church staff teams make the journey well worth it. Certain key ingredients seem to help cultivate healthy staff dynamics that bless both pastors and their congregations. Ahead are 8 incredible gifts you can give a pastoral staff (spoiler, they’re all…

Nine Updated Trends about Christmas Eve Services

The Christmas season brings packed church pews and familiar carols, even for those who rarely darken a church’s doors. And Christmas Eve services – with their traditional and spiritual focus – draw growing numbers of churched and unchurched alike. As pastors and church leaders notice this yearly uptick in attendance,…

10 Rules for Keeping Christmas Simple

The holiday season is a hectic time for church leadership. In our well-intentioned efforts to make Advent extra special, we often overextend ourselves and our teams. Is the excessive stress worth it? Jon Nicol offers practical advice – both “do’s” and “don’ts” – for keeping things simple so Christmas stays…

Christmas Eve on Sunday: The Big Opportunity

Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year – don’t scale back, go bigger! With holiday-minded guests and wandering prodigals likely attending in greater numbers, this rare alignment is a pivotal chance to make welcoming hospitality your best investment. Keep services short and encouraging, solve scheduling dilemmas simply, and leverage…

How A Worship Service Is Like A Meal

Think of planning a worship service like crafting a well-balanced meal – the songs are the courses, each with a unique flavor and purpose. Fill up on Christmas songs alone and you miss the main dishes of declaration and surrender. This year, limit holiday tunes to just a few per…

Getting and Keeping Volunteers for Christmas

Christmas services require extra volunteers, but relying solely on your regular team may leave you shorthanded. Deborah Ike is here to help. She offers practical strategies for recruiting the helpers you’ll need, from identifying roles to personal invites and follow-ups. Feed volunteers and send handwritten notes afterwards to show appreciation.…

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