By Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed Many pastors are taught in seminary that a church should never hire one of its members to serve on staff, for reasons explained below. That said, ministers might enter a new-to-them context where a member is already in the role of Administrative Assistant or Director of Christian Education. And there might … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed A few years ago, I was a regular guest preacher at a church in the city where I lived after the minister there had submitted his resignation and as the church awaited the arrival of an interim. On the first of those Sundays, a woman stood up during the announcement time and … Continue reading
March 4, 2020 By Carrie Harris KNOXVILLE, Tenn.—Two Cooperative Baptists were honored March 3 at ChurchWorks, CBF’s annual conference for CBF Clergy and CBF Networks, held at Central Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. Churchworks is a three-day event for practitioners of education and spiritual formation in the congregational setting. Charles Qualls, Senior Pastor of Franklin … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed Recently a peer learning group convener contacted me with a dilemma. He facilitates a long-standing, close-knit group, but over time some of the members have moved away to take new ministerial positions. His PLG members have been eager to add to their diminishing ranks, and they invited a local clergyperson to join … Continue reading
The following post comes from Bill Wilson, president of the Center for Congregational Health. Nearly all observers of the 21st century church in America agree that the next generation of leadership is a cause for concern. Many write, blog, tweet and generally lament the state of leadership cultivation and training, or lack thereof. Far too … Continue reading
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