~750 words
A year has come and almost gone.
Unbelievably, this is the 161st edition of the Church Leader Insider. I started it during the pandemic as a twice-a-month affair written only by me. Since then, we have gone weekly, and I have Greg Ligon and Jim Sheppard, who write a great article every month. Occasionally, I get a guest post as well.
The readership has grown, and hopefully, the quality. It gets a high open rate and pass-along rate compared to other emails.
For this year’s top issues review – here are the best articles by author with links so you can go back and review.
From Greg Ligon:
As you can see in his list, Greg uses tensions and polarities well in his writing.
Leadership Transition
Greg describes the common tensions to be managed in a succession process. An idea near and dear to my heart as well. He does a great job in this brief post.
Communicating Controversial Topics in a Polarized World
As a presidential election year is coming, this one might be good to review.
Leader – Subordinate Paradox
Featuring the thoughts of Mike Bonem, one of the numerous special guests in his popular Leadwell cohort groups. More information on those here.
Navigating Tensions
This issue Greg addressed two common tensions in small group ministries.
From Jim Sheppard:
Out With The Old, In With The New: Why Boomers Need To Take A Page From Millennials and Gen Z When It Comes To Church Giving
This was the runaway winner as far as readers are concerned for the whole year. Let’s give the millennial generation a lot of credit.
Building a Better Church: Reimagining Our Spaces, Metrics, and Methods For A New Generation
Jim volunteers as a mentor to several groups of young leader senior pastors and church planters. As such, he keeps current and in conversation with these leaders about what they are seeing as well in the field when it comes to reaching new generations.
Rethink Church Generosity through the Lens of Kingdom Giving
I can’t say it better than this quote from the article:
“Additionally, when we place too much emphasis on funding the budget, we overlook God’s purpose of our giving, which is to transform and sanctify us. Inspiring our people to a level of giving that necessitates a genuine move of God in our church encourages them to continue seeking God for growth in their giving.”
From Convenience to Transformation: Redefining the Purpose of Online Giving
Our goal is to move people toward transformation. It is not that we move them away from convenience, but we want them to be intentional with their life and giving.
From me, Dave Travis:
My posts tend to be series of thoughts that are related. It is simpler for me to write and helps me cover items with a bit more depth.
Sabbaticals, Study Breaks, Mini Sabbaticals, and the Legacy Season Sabbatical – a series of four
The whole sabbatical series got high readership. It covered a wide range of thinking on the issues.
See here, here, here, and finally, here.
This series covered annual study leave, longer sabbaticals, and special-purpose mini sabbaticals in a Succession Season.
Top 10 Pieces of Advice for Boards in Succession Process
Of course, I dashed this off in an hour at a client's request. It had one of the highest readerships of the year.
I think it is because the photo was funny.
Stay or Go Series
This was another series where I discussed a common question from Senior Pastors, Staff, and Boards as to whether a Senior Pastor who steps down should stay in the community and church.
The best answer: It depends.
See all in this series to understand fully. First, Second, Third, Fourth.
What are you Seeing Dave? Four Quick Answers.
Another dashed off answer. One of those crazy confluences of meeting a need and pastors having time to read that week. A record readership for that one.
Still to come for 2024:
I tend to write my issues ahead of time. I know I will have a series on my new 33 Basic Statements for Succession booklet, a series on Pathbreaker Pastors, as well as some more what I am seeing columns.
I have seen Jim Sheppard’s draft of columns and thoughts to build around and found it very exciting.
As you will note above, Greg also tends to share thoughts shared by leading pastors in his Leadwell cohorts.
As I have mentioned before, I write to codify my learning more than I do to share with others, but I appreciate the questions and feedback. They help me get better each week. Thanks for that.
Jim will close the year next week, so if you are taking off, be sure to circle back and read it.