The Church Leadership Pulse

Ministry Week in Review – July 25, 2026. Ted Rhoades (Todd's AI twin) steps back from the week's headlines to look at the bigger story underneath them: three high-profile ministry leaders — Jim Daly (Focus on the Family), Rick Melson (incoming Moody Bible Institute president), and Chuck Swindoll (Stonebriar Community Church) — all planning graceful exits instead of being forced into one. Also covered: new Barna/Gloo research showing pastoral vocational satisfaction has dropped to 52% (down from 72% a decade ago) even as calling-confidence rises; an AI deepfake hoax targeting SBC pastors Willy Rice and Jack Graham; a Texas court clearing Second Baptist Church of Houston's governance restructuring; Dan Reiland's piece "The Unshakeable Leader"; and a good-news story of Bethany United Methodist Church volunteers rebuilding a stroke survivor's home in Summerville, SC through the Salkehatchie ministry. Note: this recap draws on the week's church leadership headlines. Specific source links for each story were not available for this episode's show notes. Get the free daily Church Leadership Radar newsletter, and check out our sister show, the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.

Today on Church Leadership Radar: Chuck Swindoll announces his final sermon at Stonebriar Community Church, closing out decades of pulpit ministry on his own terms. An AI deepfake hoax targets prominent SBC pastors Willy Rice and Jack Graham. New research from Church Answers reveals the number one predictor of whether a church will still be thriving years from now. Plus, a good-news story: volunteers from a Summerville, SC church spend a week rebuilding a stroke survivor's home. Sources & Links: Chuck Swindoll Announces His Final Sermon — ChurchLeaders AI Deepfake Hoax Targets SBC Pastors Willy Rice and Jack Graham — ChurchLeaders The Number One Factor Predicting Future Viability of a Church — Church Answers Summerville Church Rebuilds Homes and Restores Hope Through Service — ABC News 4 (WCIV) Get the free daily Church Leadership Radar newsletter, and check out our sister show, the Healthy Church Staff Podcast, wherever you get your podcasts.

What's happening in church leadership today:Jen Hatmaker says she no longer believes in a literal hell — and it's already in your congregation's social media feedsAn Austin church plans to 3D print its new building — and what that could mean for facility costs everywhereGordon MacDonald turns 80 and shares 15 lessons on life and leadership (must-listen)14 Hispanic Baptist churches in Central Florida see 105 decisions for Christ through Crossover 2026Stories & ResourcesJen Hatmaker Says She No Longer Believes in a Literal Hell — ChurchLeadersAustin Church Plans to 3D Print Its New Building — Christianity TodayGordon MacDonald on the View From 80 — 15 Lessons on What Really Matters — Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast14 Florida Baptist Churches See 105 Decisions for Christ Following Crossover 2026 — Florida Baptist ConventionWhen 'Trusting God' Becomes an Excuse for Poor Performance — Chemistry StaffingYou Can Subscribe to Friendship Now — Church Used to Do It for Free — Relevant MagazineAmericans Less Likely to See Religion as a Positive Influence — Baptist PressThe Return of Evangelism: Why Outreach Is Working Again — Church Answers / Thom RainerSubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter at truenorthchurchgroup.comAlso check out the Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar, Ted Rhoades fills in for Todd with three stories shaping church leadership right now: New Moody Bible Institute President — Rick Melson named as 11th president, stepping in August 17th to succeed Mark Jobe. Melson comes from Southwest Baptist University with roots at Bethlehem Baptist Church under John Piper. Who leads Moody matters downstream for thousands of ministry leaders. Texas Court Dismisses Church Governance Lawsuit — A judge cleared Second Baptist Church of Houston to rewrite its bylaws and eliminate voting members, reaffirming that courts don't pick sides in internal church governance disputes. Important precedent for any church navigating governance restructuring or succession. Pastoral Satisfaction at Decade Low — New Barna/Gloo research finds only 52% of pastors say they're satisfied — down from 72% a decade ago. Calling is up; satisfaction is down. The gap between feeling called and feeling fulfilled is a signal every church leader needs to sit with. The Bright Spot: Justin Bieber led spontaneous worship at the FIFA World Cup Final halftime show in front of an estimated 1.8 billion viewers worldwide. This Week's Question: Is there someone on your team who is deeply committed, clearly called, and quietly running on empty? Calling gets people into ministry. Sustainability is what keeps them there. Source Links: Moody Bible Institute - moodybible.org Barna Research - barna.com Gloo - gloo.us 📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter 🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

What's on your radar today in church leadership? Ted Rhoades fills in for Todd with three stories worth your attention: Jim Daly Steps Down from Focus on the FamilyAfter nearly 20 years, Jim Daly has announced he will step down as president in mid-2027. A nationwide search is underway. The real question: how will they handle the succession process itself? Does Your Church Have an AI Policy?A practical framework — 5 questions every church needs to answer about AI — covering data ownership, congregational trust, and responsible use. Spoiler: AI is already in your building whether you know it or not. Leading with Conviction When the Pressure MountsDan Ryland's latest leadership piece speaks directly to that moment when the path of least resistance looks really appealing. Worth reading before your next hard conversation. Good News: Small Church, Big PresenceWhen a double homicide shook a Columbus, Ohio neighborhood, a 150-member church plant pressed forward with community outreach — running four simultaneous sports camps and showing up for grieving families. That is the Church being the Church. Key Links: Focus on the Family — Jim Daly Succession Announcement Church AI Policy Framework — 5 Questions Every Church Needs to Answer Dan Ryland — Leading with Conviction --- 📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter 🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar, Ted Rhoades covers four stories shaping church leadership this week:LCMS Goes All Nations — The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's 69th triennial convention in Phoenix adopted near-unanimous resolutions centered on multicultural and multi-ethnic ministry — a remarkable pivot for one of America's most historically homogeneous denominations.Compensation Reality Check — If your ministry position is sitting open with no qualified applicants, the problem might not be the job posting. A look at why $42k roles are struggling to attract talent, and practical steps churches can take.Search Warrant at South Carolina Church — A church already under scrutiny for allowing a registered sex offender in children's ministry now faces law enforcement executing a search warrant. Background checks aren't just best practice — they're a legal and moral obligation.Good News: 35 Salvations at a Food Pantry — Friendship Baptist Church in Lawton, Oklahoma has been faithfully running a monthly food distribution. Recently, 35 people accepted Christ right there in the food line. The church doing exactly what it was always meant to do.Today's Takeaway: Compensation conversations are hard in churches — but you can't always close the gap. You can stop pretending it isn't there. That honesty alone changes the conversation with candidates.📧 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Ministry Week in Review — Saturday Edition | July 18, 2026Ted Rhoades (Todd's AI twin) zooms out on the week that was in church leadership. This week's episode covers four major stories plus a genuine bright spot:Barna Research: Nearly 1 in 5 Protestant senior pastors (18%) said they contemplated self-harm or suicide in the past year — rising to 1 in 4 among lonely pastors.Matt Chandler on Carey Nieuwhof's Podcast: Some churches are "all wood and no fire" — every structure in place but missing spiritual vitality.AI in Ministry: Church Tech Today research finds 93% of pastors are now using AI — but most lack a clear policy or framework.Greg Locke: More than 60 federal agents visited the home of Pastor Greg Locke of Global Vision Bible Church (Lebanon, TN) in an investigation related to church finances. No charges publicly filed as of this recording.Bright Spot: Greg Laurie's Harvest Crusade drew 30,000 to Angel Stadium in Anaheim — and 4,200+ people made decisions for Christ in one night.Stories Referenced:Barna Research on Pastor Mental Health — ChurchLeaders.comMatt Chandler interview — Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast93% of Pastors Using AI — Church Tech TodayCarey Nieuwhof on AI and the "Green Zone"Greg Laurie's Harvest Crusade — harvest.org📧 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

It's Friday, July 17, 2026 — here's your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership. Today's stories: Pastor Greg Locke of Global Vision Bible Church issues a public statement following a pre-dawn federal raid of his home — and what every church leader should ask themselves about their own governance and documentation. A group of current and former members of New York's historic Abyssinian Baptist Church file an appellate brief challenging their senior pastor's 2024 election — a bylaws dispute that every church should pay attention to. Churches are adopting AI tools without formal policies — and the legal exposure is real. Copyright questions, privacy risks, employment law implications, and governance gaps your board needs to address. The Bright Spot: 22 people responded to the gospel during a week-long mission trip in Mexico through a partnership between an American church team and local pastors on the ground. Source Links: Greg Locke Federal Raid Coverage Abyssinian Baptist Church Governance Dispute AI Legal Risks for Churches Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar Newsletter: churchleadershipradar.com Listen to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast: healthychurchstaff.com

Today on Church Leadership Radar:Greg Locke Raid: A Tennessee pastor says 60 federal agents raided his home amid allegations of misappropriated funds — and why every church board should be asking hard questions about financial accountability right now.93% of Pastors Use AI: New research reveals the “are we using AI?” conversation is over. The real question: how do you use it well?Hiring Habits That Cost You: Are credential requirements screening out your best candidates? A piece making the rounds this week on over-indexing on seminary degrees.Bright Spot: Georgia Baptist churches reporting major baptism growth through faithful, persistent evangelism.Source Links:Greg Locke / Global Vision Bible Church raid coverageAI pastor usage study (93%)Church hiring & credentials pieceGeorgia Baptist baptism growth storySubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter for daily insights delivered to your inbox.Also check out the Healthy Church Staff Podcast for longer conversations on staff health, culture, and leadership.

Today on Church Leadership Radar: more than sixty federal agents show up at Greg Locke's home, stunning new Barna data on pastor mental health, a simple two-word coaching framework, and a huge bright spot from Greg Laurie's Harvest Crusade. Stories Covered: Greg Locke and the federal investigation — a major financial accountability story for church leaders New Barna research: 1 in 5 Protestant pastors contemplated suicide or self-harm in the past year Dan Ryland's "Fruit and Joy" two-word coaching framework for team leaders Greg Laurie's Harvest Crusade: 30,000 people, 4,200+ professions of faith at Angel Stadium Sources & Links: Barna Research on Pastor Mental Health Harvest Crusade / Greg Laurie Subscribe & Connect: Church Leadership Radar Newsletter Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar: a pastor steps forward to bear witness to a public figure's faith on the national stage, the United Methodist Church wraps up a complicated investigation, and a question worth sitting with — if AI is saving you hours, where are those hours actually going? Stories in today's episode: Senator Lindsey Graham (lifelong Southern Baptist) died July 13, 2026 — his pastor publicly confirmed his faith profession United Methodist Church concludes investigation into pastor previously employed by Jeffrey Epstein — suspension lifted, congregation leadership restrictions remain Carey Nieuwhof: "AI is saving you hours — but are you protecting the margin?" Bright Spot: Baptist World Alliance passes resolutions on disability inclusion and child protection — 175 churches in Honduras alone have served 70,000+ people Source Links: Carey Nieuwhof's blog and podcast Baptist World Alliance --- Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter for daily insights: churchleadershipradar.com Also check out the Healthy Church Staff Podcast with Todd Rhoades for deeper conversations on church leadership and staff culture.

Your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership — Monday, July 13, 2026. In today's episode: "All Wood and No Fire" — Matt Chandler joins Carey Nieuwhof to talk about churches that have every ingredient right but are missing spiritual vitality. A must-listen for summer. Feeding vs. Needing — Dan Reiland identifies a subtle but ministry-killing shift: moving from feeding people to needing people. Five practices to get the order right. Faith-Tech Shift — Pat Gelsinger (former Intel CEO) is now executive chair at Gloo, steering it toward local churches as it moves toward a public offering. What it means for your church's digital tools. The Bright Spot — Six United Methodist congregations in northeast Ohio build Camp No Limits, a week-long day camp for kids with disabilities. The Church doing what it was made to do. Sources & Links: Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast (Matt Chandler interview) Dan Reiland — "Feeding vs. Needing" article Gloo Faith-Tech Platform Subscribe & Connect: Church Leadership Radar Newsletter Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Ministry Week in Review — July 11, 2026Ted Rhoades hosts this week's Saturday deep-dive on what mattered most in church leadership.This week's coverage:Gloo Holdings' $438M Crisis — What it means for churches that built outreach infrastructure on faith-tech platforms. Read moreMark Dever Returns to the Pulpit — Six weeks after a near-fatal cardiac episode on Memorial Day, Dever was back at Capitol Hill Baptist with one line: "Apparently it's not." Read moreBarna: Pastors Are Less Exhausted — But Less Fulfilled — Burnout is down from COVID-era highs, but vocational satisfaction has hit a decade-long low. Read moreDan Reiland: The #1 Blind Spot Stalling Your Ministry — "If you need people more than you feed people, you will soon be leading from empty." Read moreAmiable Autocrats — Church Answers on why some of the nicest pastors are quietly exhausting to work for. Read moreServe Day 2026 — Bright Spot — 3,000 churches in 19 countries mobilizing today on the 25th anniversary of the Servolution movement. Read moreSubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter: churchleadershipradar.comTodd's daily podcast: The Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today's episode covers three stories worth your attention:Gloo's $438M in cumulative losses — The faith-tech platform is attempting a stock sale to stay afloat. If your church uses Gloo for digital outreach, this is worth watching. Religion News ServiceThe Amiable Autocrat — Church Answers names a leadership pattern quietly wrecking staff teams: the warm, well-liked pastor who leads almost entirely through positional authority. Church AnswersChurch Win: Cross Church, Fayetteville, AR — Arkansas's largest church graduated its first seminary class (fully funded by the congregation) inside a church where 1,000 college students show up on Wednesday nights. Baptist PressSubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter at churchleadershipradar.com for daily briefings, resources, and more.Also check out Todd's main show: The Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar:Mark Dever back in the pulpit — Six weeks after a near-fatal cardiac event on Memorial Day, the senior pastor of Capitol Hill Baptist Church returned to preach a full 45-minute sermon on July 5th — and turned the whole thing into gospel witness.Barna research on AI in churches — New data reveals how church leaders are using AI, but the real headline is what's missing: most churches have no formal AI policy in place.Thom Rainer on the staffing pipeline — Church Answers is naming what many leaders feel but can't articulate: the staffing pipeline is genuinely narrowing, with root causes that go deeper than job postings.Serve Day, July 11 — 3,000 churches across 19 countries celebrate the 25th anniversary of this movement by serving their communities.Sources & Links:Capitol Hill Baptist Church — Mark Dever's returnBarna Research — Church AI Usage StudyChurch Answers / Thom Rainer — Staffing Pipeline EpisodeServe Day — July 11, 2026🎙️ Hosted by Ted Rhoades (Todd's AI twin brother), in for Todd today.📬 Subscribe to the Healthy Church Staff newsletter🎧 Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Wednesday's episode covers three stories worth your attention:Craig Hagin & Rhema Bible Church — Felony animal cruelty charges reduced to a misdemeanor after a plea. A reminder that leadership character extends beyond the platform.Dan Reiland on Leadership's #1 Blind Spot — "If you need people more than you feed people, you will soon be leading from empty." The drift from shepherd to approval-seeker is subtle — and worth catching early. danreiland.comUnstuck Group: The EP & Senior Pastor Relationship — New podcast series launching on the most high-leverage (and often most fraught) relationship in any church. theunstuckgroup.comThe Bright Spot: New Heaven New Earth Church in Washington D.C. showed up at Jones Point Park the morning after the Fourth of July with trash bags — 180 lbs of litter gone in two hours. That's the Church being the Church.Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter for daily updates. Also check out the Healthy Church Staff Podcast.

Today on Church Leadership Radar: A hiring practice that may be filtering out your best candidates; the FIFA World Cup and a real pastoral question about allegiance; and why your congregation's AI anxiety is actually a pastoral care moment. Plus a bright spot on disability ministry — Hope Heals Camp and Joni and Friends doing beautiful, quiet work. Stories Referenced: Are churches screening out their best candidates with seminary degree requirements? The FIFA World Cup 2026 across the US, Canada, and Mexico — a pastoral conversation starter AI as a pastoral care issue: shifting from "should we use it" to "how do we care for people living through this" Bright Spot: Hope Heals Camp (serving ~3,000 campers free of charge) and Joni and Friends (250,000 wheelchairs internationally) Subscribe to the Newsletter: churchleadershipradar.com Healthy Church Staff Podcast: healthychurchstaff.com

Church leadership news and insights for Monday, July 6, 2026. Today's Stories: Ezra Jin Mingri Released: The founder of Zion Church, one of China's largest underground congregations, has been freed after 266 days in detention and has arrived in the United States. Eight other Zion Church members remain in custody. Seminary Degree Requirements & Compensation Gap: A growing conversation in church staffing about churches requiring graduate degrees for ministry roles while offering compensation packages that don't cover candidate student loan debt ($100K+). Thom Rainer on Staff Availability Expectations: New piece on how unrealistic 24/7 availability expectations are quietly burning out church staff — and what leaders can do about it. World Cup Bright Spot — Mark McKenzie: U.S. Men's National Team backup defender Mark McKenzie leads post-win prayer circles watched by tens of millions. His posture: "I am the vessel." Source Links: Axios: China Pastor Ezra Jin Freed After 266 Days Thom Rainer: Staff Availability Expectations Sports Illustrated: Mark McKenzie World Cup Prayer Circle Connect: Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar Newsletter Healthy Church Staff Podcast

It's America's 250th birthday, and Ted Rhoades is holding down the fort while Todd celebrates the Fourth with family. This Saturday edition covers the biggest stories in church leadership from the week — including a historic SBC vote, a striking counseling gap among pastors, a growing seminary debt crisis, and what it looks like to lead a patriotic worship service without crossing into nationalism. Stories This Week: SBC constitutional amendment on women in pastoral roles advances — plus Rick Warren sits down with Russell Moore to walk through the theology. A historic inflection point for tens of thousands of churches. LifeWay Research: 90% of pastors recommend professional counseling — only 9% have sought it themselves. 75% report being very or extremely stressed. 1 in 3 has considered leaving ministry. Todd's Chemistry Staffing blog: The seminary debt crisis — entry-level ministry positions requiring credentials that cost far more than the salaries on the other side can cover. July 4th in worship: Christianity Today, Church Leaders, and Thom Rainer on how to lead a patriotic service without letting patriotism become nationalism. PCUSA reports losing 26,000+ members and 128 churches in 2025. Ryan Burge research finds "non-denominational" is blurrier than most assume. Pastor David Hughey (First Baptist, Little Rock) voluntarily steps down amid personal circumstances — a powerful example of self-aware, congregation-first leadership. Bright Spot: Faith leaders on the National Mall, quietly present and prayerful on America's 250th birthday. Source Links: Christianity Today — Patriotic Worship Services Church Leaders — Four Approaches to July 4th Services Thom Rainer — Navigating Political Conversations from the Pulpit LifeWay Research — Pastor Counseling Study Todd Rhoades — Seminary Debt Crisis (Chemistry Staffing) Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter: churchleadershipradar.com More from Todd Rhoades: Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Ted Rhoades sits in for Todd on this pre-holiday Friday edition. Three stories worth your attention:Leadership Integrity in Action: David Hyoo-ee, lead pastor of Guy-er Springs First Baptist Church in Little Rock, AR, voluntarily stepped down after his wife filed for divorce — before any board policy required it. A rare example of a leader choosing the mission over the chair.Operation Holy Rollers: Volusia County Sheriff's deputies in Florida arrested 25+ people in a drug and weapons operation allegedly run from property adjacent to Greater Harvest Ministries Church in Holly Hill, FL. A timely reminder for church leaders to know what's happening on and around their property.Summer Volunteer Retention: With July 4th kicking off summer, there's a practical resource with strategies to keep your volunteer base engaged when schedules get chaotic. Share it with your team leads today.Good News: As America celebrated its 250th birthday, faith leaders gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to anchor the celebration in prayer — including Samuel Rodriguez of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference.Today's Takeaway: Clarity about your own season and your own limitations is one of the hardest things in leadership to develop — and one of the most powerful.Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter | Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar, Ted covers three key stories for church leaders:SBC Constitutional Amendment: The Southern Baptist Convention presses forward with an amendment restricting who can serve as pastor. Rick Warren sat down with Russell Moore to share the theological convictions behind his position. Whatever your church's polity, this moment will shape thousands of churches for decades.The False Urgency Epidemic: Church staff teams are operating in permanent fake-emergency mode — and people are burning out not because the work is too hard, but because everything has been labeled a crisis. A must-read for any leader who suspects their team is caught in this cycle.The 200 Attendance Barrier: A fresh piece on the ten most common reasons churches hit the 200 attendance ceiling and can't break through — with real diagnostics, not surface-level advice.Good News: East End Baptist Church in Columbus, Mississippi took VBS into community spaces this summer. Week one: three people came to faith through Gospel conversations.Key Takeaway: False urgency is a culture problem. Which means it's a leadership problem. Which means it's fixable. This week, name one thing on your team's plate that's been treated as urgent — and honestly ask whether it was.🎙️ Hosted by Ted Rhoades, filling in for Todd Rhoades📧 Subscribe to the newsletter🎧 Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 — Ted Rhoades fills in for Todd on today's episode, covering three key stories in church leadership:Judah Smith & Justin Bieber — Smith says he's learned more about Jesus from Bieber than he's taught him — a rare, counter-cultural statement about reciprocal discipleship.Phil Johnson retiring from Grace to You — After 30+ years as executive director of John MacArthur's flagship broadcast ministry, Phil Johnson steps down today. A significant leadership transition worth watching.July 4th & The Church — Practical framework and language for pastors and worship leaders navigating national identity in Sunday services this weekend as America celebrates its 250th birthday.The Bright Spot: Churches in Mexico are turning FIFA World Cup watch parties into Gospel opportunities — halftime sermons, yellow card gospel tracts with QR codes, and TikTok evangelism built around soccer culture.Source Links:Church LeadershipGrace to YouChristian Post📧 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership.In today's episode:A devastating flood destroys the Million Bible Church building in Richmond, KY — and how Pastor Garland Batchelor's response revealed what great leadership looks like in crisisA new legally-informed guide on AI adoption for churches: what you need in place before rolling it out (data privacy, copyright, staff policies, hidden costs)Ryan Burge and Thom Rainer dig into the data: Are non-denominational churches just Southern Baptists in disguise?A social media tarot card reader publicly announces that Jesus Christ saved their life — a remarkable story of the gospel reaching unexpected placesSource Links:Pastor Garland Batchelor's Facebook post on the floodingAI adoption guide for churches (Ministry Today)Thom Rainer & Ryan Burge podcast on non-denominational churches---Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter for daily insights delivered to your inbox.Also check out Todd's Healthy Church Staff Podcast.

Monday, June 29, 2026 — Your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership. Today's episode covers: Fake Emergency Mode — The culture where everything is urgent, every Sunday feels like a five-alarm fire, and your best people are burning out before you see it coming. Child Safety Beyond the Policy Binder — Four Christian schools with well-written safety policies that still failed to protect kids. Compliance paperwork is not the same as a culture of accountability. The Power of One Conversation — Chuck Lawless reflects on 30 years of ministry and why the conversation you have today could matter to someone 30 years from now. Bright Spot: Missionary doctor Dr. Peter Stafford survived Ebola — and says the fear was part of the faith. Source Links: Is Your Church Staff Trapped in Fake Emergency Mode? — Chemistry Staffing Child Safety in Christian Schools Goes Beyond Written Policies — MinistryWatch The Power of One Conversation — Chuck Lawless Missionary Doctor Survived Ebola — Christianity Today UMC Drops Asbury Theological Seminary Over Marriage Stance — Christianity Today Stay Connected: Subscribe to the Healthy Church Staff Newsletter Healthy Church Staff Podcast

This week on the Ministry Week in Review Saturday edition, Ted Rhoades covers:SBC Annual Meeting 2026 — Willy Rice elected as new SBC president, a constitutional amendment advances, and controversy erupts over comments on the sexual abuse crisis within hours of his election.Glenn Packiam on FrontStage BackStage — A powerful observation about the drift from presence, prayer, and shepherding toward performance, platform, and productivity in ministry.The Unstuck Group Q2 2026 Church Staffing Report — Budget constraints are the #1 staffing challenge for the third consecutive year, and Worship Arts roles are now the hardest positions to fill in any church.Gateway Church Lawsuit Dismissed — A federal judge in Texas rules the First Amendment shields a church's internal decisions on tithe fund allocation (ecclesiastical abstention doctrine).Bright Spot: Trinity Church Aberdeen, Scotland — A 250-person congregation in the most secular city in Scotland spent 7 years and millions of dollars restoring a crumbling 1905 granite church building — and reopened it in March 2026 with addiction recovery ministry, VBS, and community outreach already launched.Source Links:Willy Rice Elected SBC President — Baptist PressFrontStage BackStage Podcast with Jason DayeThe Unstuck Group Church Staffing Report Q2 2026Gateway Church Lawsuit — Ministry WatchTrinity Church Aberdeen📧 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar: AI pioneer Anthropic offers free embedded AI specialists to nonprofits (churches qualify) — but only 9% of churches have any AI policy while 78% of staff use these tools daily. New SBC President Willy Rice faces backlash after describing the denomination's abuse crisis response as "weaponized" against the SBC. And why church leaders unknowingly undermine their own creative and media teams — a control vs. trust problem worth addressing before your next check-in. Plus: a bright spot from Aberdeen, Scotland, where a 250-person church restored a 1905 granite building after 7 years and immediately launched recovery ministry and community outreach.Stories covered:Anthropic AI Fellow Program for NonprofitsWilly Rice elected SBC PresidentWhy Church Leaders Undermine Their Creative TeamsAberdeen Church Restoration: 7 Years, Big FaithStay Connected:Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletterHealthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar: The SBC wraps up its 2026 annual meeting in Orlando — Willy Rice elected as the new SBC president. The Supreme Court issues a RLUIPA ruling that every church leader needs to understand. And author Glenn Packiam on the slow drift from shepherding to performing — and how to name it before it defines you.Plus a Bright Spot: Noah Baptist Church in Centre, Alabama — Sunday School attendance in the thirties, faithfully meeting for 80+ years — just completed their very first mission trip, one thousand miles north to Michigan to support a church plant. That's the church at its best.Sources & LinksSBC 2026 Annual Meeting / Willy Rice Elected President — Baptist PressSupreme Court RLUIPA Ruling — Christianity TodayGlenn Packiam: "When Pastoring Starts to Feel Like Performing" — ChurchLeaders / PastorServe FrontStage BackStage PodcastNoah Baptist Church Mission Trip to Michigan — Baptist PressConnectChurch Leadership Radar NewsletterHealthy Church Staff Podcast

Your daily 5-minute briefing on what matters in church leadership — from pastoral accountability to compensation strategy. In today's episode: Heritage Baptist Church Votes on Reinstatement — A Texas congregation faced a hard decision: does a family member's serious failure, and how the pastor responded, justify permanent disqualification? The vote on reinstating lead pastor Eric Crawford raises important questions about whether your church has a written process for pastoral accountability before a crisis arrives. Emir Caner Sues Truett McConnell University — The former president (17-year tenure) filed a wrongful termination lawsuit after being fired following a third-party investigation into how he handled sexual abuse allegations. His contract reportedly ran through 2031. Courts may draw lines that boards haven't. Is the Minister's Housing Allowance Still Worth It? — A thoughtful piece from XPastor reexamines this long-held ministry benefit in today's housing market. Real implications for how you structure compensation when recruiting or retaining staff. Good News: World Cup Evangelism — American churches have mobilized for what many are calling the biggest evangelism window of a generation — 6.5 million visitors, 104 matches across the US. The Church showed up. Source Links: Heritage Baptist Church Votes to Reinstate Pastor Who Hired Sex Offender Son — Dallas Morning News Former Truett McConnell President Emir Caner Sues for Wrongful Termination — ChurchLeaders Is the Minister's Housing Allowance Now a Bum Deal? — XPastor American Churches Turning the World Cup Into the Biggest Evangelism Event in a Generation — Christianity Today Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter → churchleadershipradar.com Healthy Church Staff Podcast → healthychurchstaff.com

Today on Church Leadership Radar, your AI co-host Ted Rhoades covers three stories shaping church leadership this week:The AI Leadership Gap: 91% of church leaders support AI in ministry, 61% are already using it — but 73% have no AI policy in place. Kenny Jahng's new resource tackles the five questions church leaders whisper but won't ask publicly.Anglican Governance: The Anglican Church in North America sets an October trial date for former Archbishop Stephen Wood following misconduct allegations — a case study in structured, transparent accountability.Summer Mindset Shift: Stop apologizing for summer. The people showing up in July are your most committed, faithful core. Lead them like it.Good News: The US Men's Soccer Team kneels in prayer at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — public faith on the world's biggest stage.Sources & Resources:Kenny Jahng's AI resource: kennyjahng.comAnglican Church in North America update: anglicanchurch.netTodd's post on summer leadership mindset: truenorthchurchgroup.com---📬 Subscribe to the newsletter: truenorthchurchgroup.com🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast: healthychurchstaff.com

Today on Church Leadership Radar:Staffing & Attendance Data: The Unstuck Group's Q2 2026 Church Report shows that churches staffed at healthy levels almost never declined in attendance — data worth bringing to your next budget conversation.Anthropic AI Fellows Program: Anthropic is offering to embed a paid AI consultant inside nonprofits, including churches and ministry organizations — a rare opportunity most churches will never hear about.Staff as Social Media Influencers: What happens when a staff member's personal platform starts to rival your church's online presence? Content ownership, conflict of interest, and how to think through it before you need the answer.Good News: Pastor Ezra Jin and other detained believers in China have been permitted to have Bibles in their prison cells after a legal battle from inside prison.Sources & Links:The Unstuck Group Q2 2026 Church ReportAnthropic AI Fellowships for Nonprofits---📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar Newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

It's Saturday morning — Father's Day weekend — and Ted Rhoades is here with the Ministry Week in Review for June 20, 2026.This week's coverage:Barna Research on Pastors & AI — Only 13% of pastors don't use AI at all, yet 71% say they feel cautious about it. The instinct to use it for prep while protecting the human elements of ministry is exactly the right posture.Trey's Law — A federal bill voiding NDAs in child sexual abuse cases passed the U.S. Senate with unanimous support. Louisiana, Alabama, and Georgia also passed state versions. Church leaders must review their abuse reporting and settlement policies now.SF Giants Pitchers & Pride Night — Three pitchers referenced Genesis 9 on their Pride Night hats and received formal MLB warnings. A conversation-starter for how we equip congregants to express faith in their workplaces.Stop Apologizing for Summer Ministry — The people who show up in July are your most faithful. Honor them. Lead with gratitude for who's in the room.Carey Nieuwhof on AI & the Church — The bigger question isn't which tools to use — it's what AI is doing to the people we're trying to reach. The loneliness crisis and the AI moment are both pointing toward the Church.Bright Spot: Josh Hart & the Knicks Championship — Guard Josh Hart's first words after winning the NBA title: "First and foremost, glory to God." Salt and light in the biggest room basketball has.Sources & further reading:Barna Group — Pastors & AI Research: barna.comTrey's Law — Senate passage coverageSF Giants / Pride Night — MLB reportsCarey Nieuwhof — careynieuwhof.comSubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter at churchleadershipradar.com | Also listen to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership. Today's episode covers:Survey: Half of U.S. Churches Plan to Celebrate America's 250th — New data shows roughly half of U.S. churches plan to incorporate national themes into summer worship, revealing a gap between stated theology and Sunday morning practice.A Fellowship That Pays $85,000 to Help Nonprofits Use AI — A fully-funded, 12-month fellowship places AI-skilled early-career talent inside mission-driven nonprofits (including churches) to build real AI capacity from the inside.Nine Personality Types Shaping Your Staff Team — A breakdown of nine personality types that show up in church staffing, and how understanding them changes your hiring conversations.The Bright Spot: A ship ministry making regular runs to remote Pacific islands, bringing the Gospel to communities with no other access.Takeaway: July 4th is two weeks away. Get your team together this week — even a 20-minute conversation — and decide where your church lands on national themes in worship. Own it intentionally.📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar: A major conference postponed after a sudden health crisis. Why some churches seem permanently wired for conflict. And five conversations every church leadership team should be having about artificial intelligence. In this episode: Sarah Jakes Roberts postpones her flagship Woman Evolve conference after revealing a near-paralyzing spinal injury — and what it reveals about ministry depth and crisis readiness Carey Nieuwhof drops 5 conversations every church team needs to have about AI — practical, non-threatening, ready for your next all-staff agenda Chuck Lawless on why some churches don't just have conflict — they are conflict — and how to diagnose the culture producing it Bright Spot: Churches opening their doors to nations during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Source Links: Sarah Jakes Roberts Postpones Woman Evolve Conference After Near-Paralyzing Spinal Injury — JubileeCast 5 Conversations Your Team Needs to Have about AI in the Church — Carey Nieuwhof 10 Reasons Some Churches Have a History of Only Conflict — Chuck Lawless Churches Are Opening Their Doors to the Nations During the World Cup — Christian Standard Also in today's report: 7 Reasons Your Church Should Help Pay for Your Staff's Education — Chuck Lawless Equipping Staff Leaders — The Unstuck Group (Ep. 453) Leading Children's Ministry in an Age of Anxiety — Christian Standard New Poll: 250 Years In, Americans Prefer Religious Diversity — Religion News Service The Tender Zeal of a Persevering Pastor — Baptist Courier Synod 2026 Provides New Guidelines on Multisite Church Leadership — The Banner --- 📧 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter 🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar, Ted covers three important stories for church leaders:Trey's Law: A federal bill to void non-disclosure agreements in child sexual abuse settlements has passed the U.S. Senate unanimously. Named after Trey Carlock, who experienced abuse at a Christian summer camp, was silenced by an NDA, and later died by suicide. Three more states passed their own versions this year. Churches need to revisit how they handle abuse disclosures and settlements — transparency is increasingly the only defensible path.Ministry Leaders & AI: New research shows only 13% of ministry leaders don't use AI at all. Brainstorming, biblical research, and graphic design lead usage. The share using AI to write or edit messages jumped to 24% (up from 12% two years ago). 71% still feel cautious about AI — a sign of healthy discernment.When Your Staff Member Goes Viral: A growing challenge as staff members build personal online followings that rival the church's reach. Questions around content ownership, team loyalty, and brand direction. Most church handbooks don't address this yet — write those policies before you need them.Good News: A soccer ministry in Medellín, Colombia, started in the 1980s by a seminary professor who moved his family there during the height of cartel violence. Over 35 years, it has served 45,000+ youth, turned former gang members into coaches, and operates in 38 locations. With the World Cup approaching, a reminder that the Church often gets there first, stays longest, and goes deepest.📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar: a pastor's public apology that's turning heads, a staffing situation every church needs a plan for, and a reframe on summer ministry that might change how you lead through July.Stories CoveredGreg Locke's Public Apology — Pastor Greg Locke of Global Vision Bible Church issued a public apology to pastor Daniel Adams, sharing how the recent death of his son Evan opened his heart to reconciliation.When Your Staff Has a Bigger Following Than Your Church — A practical framework for addressing the growing trend of staff members building personal social media platforms that rival the church's official reach.Stop Apologizing for Summer — A reframe on treating summer as a spiritually productive season instead of a holding pattern.Good News: Josh Hart's Championship Moment — The New York Knicks won their first NBA championship since 1973, and guard Josh Hart used the moment to give glory to God in front of millions.ResourcesMinistry MagazineChurchLeaders.comSubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar Newsletter at churchleadershipradar.comListen to the Healthy Church Staff Podcast at healthychurchstaff.com

Your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership — hosted by Ted Rhoades (Todd's AI twin brother).In today's episode:🏕️ Virginia Tent Collapse Tragedy: A church in Moneta, VA was celebrating its 20th anniversary with an outdoor tent service when a severe storm caused the tent to collapse — one person died, dozens injured. The pastor's public response is a model for leading through tragedy. Takeaway: Does your team have an emergency plan before your next outdoor gathering?📚 Leadership Development Done Right: The Unstuck Group published a new framework today — the best leadership development doesn't start with a curriculum, it starts with giving someone something real to lead. If your pipeline feels stuck, this is worth a read.🚪 Why Staff Keeps Leaving: It's rarely about pay. A piece making the rounds breaks down the real drivers — culture, clarity, and whether people feel actually led. Key question: "What makes staying hard?"🎉 Good News: First Baptist Dallas broke ground on a new permanent sanctuary — two years after a devastating fire destroyed their 135-year-old worship center. That's resilience.Source Links:The Unstuck Group — Leadership Development FrameworkVirginia tent collapse coverage (WDBJ7)First Baptist Dallas groundbreaking📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter at churchleadershipradar.com🎧 Also check out the Healthy Church Staff Podcast with Todd Rhoades wherever you get your podcasts.

It's Saturday, and Ted Rhoades is filling in for Todd with a look back at everything that mattered in church leadership this week.This week's stories:The SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando: Willy Rice elected new SBC president, and messengers pass a constitutional amendment restricting the title of pastor to men (74.66% margin) — with a second vote required at the 2027 meetingBarna Group research: 1 in 3 Americans now trusts AI as much as a pastor or clergy member for spiritual guidanceA church in Ocean City, MD faces $1,000/day fines for operating an indoor homeless shelter in violation of city zoning ordinancesNorthview Church (Indiana, 12+ locations) terminates senior pastor CJ Johnson following a law firm investigation — unanimous action by all executive pastors and elder boardBright Spot: Bible translators complete the New Testament for the Notsee people of Papua New Guinea — after 39 years of workSource Links:Southern Baptist Convention — sbc.netBarna Group Research — barna.comNorthview Church — northviewchurch.usVintage ChurchLinks:Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar NewsletterHealthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar: Northview Church fires senior pastor CJ Johnson after a law firm investigation and unanimous elder board action, an update on the SBC women pastors constitutional amendment vote, and a timely resource on elder board micromanagement from Chemistry Staffing.Stories & Links:Northview Church Fires Senior Pastor CJ Johnson After Leadership Culture Investigation — Indianapolis StarSBC Women Pastors Constitutional Amendment Passes 74.66% — Heads to 2027 for Final Ratification — Christianity TodayWhen Elder Board Micromanagement Suffocates Your Ministry Staff (And How to Fix It) — Chemistry StaffingAlso: NFL rookie's public baptism headlines Cleveland for Christ citywide worship event.Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar daily newsletter for the full daily briefing.Check out Todd's podcast: The Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership — Thursday, June 11, 2026.In today's episode:1 in 3 Americans trust AI as much as a pastor — New Barna research reveals a major trust signal about spiritual guidance, technology, and what people are really searching for.Church fined $1,000/day for sheltering homeless people — A church in Ocean City, Maryland is fighting zoning violations to keep its indoor homeless shelter open. What leaders running outreach programs need to know.5 unusual reasons pastors get let go — Thom Rainer's team compiled a list that's both funny and sobering. None involve moral failure — but every leader will recognize these situations.Bright Spot: 39 years of faithfulness — A translation team finishes the New Testament for the Notsi people of Papua New Guinea (pop. ~3,800). Their first Scripture ever.Source Links:Barna: AI for Spiritual Guidance ResearchAP News: Ocean City Church Fined for Homeless ShelterThom Rainer: Five Unusual Reasons Pastors Are FiredWycliffe: New Testament for Notsi PeopleSubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter: churchleadershipradar.comAlso listen to: Healthy Church Staff Podcast

SBC Makes History, Church Accountability Done Right, and AI Ethics Every Church Needs to Hear Today's episode covers three stories that every church leader should be tracking: SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando: Willy Rice elected as new SBC president — and a historic floor vote on women serving on church staffs. Whatever your position, the governance process itself is a story for the whole church world. Rhema Bible Church accountability: Rhema Bible Church in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma removes Craig Hagin — a member of the founding family — from all ministry and leadership roles. A clear example of accountability functioning as it should, even when it's personal. AI Ethics for Churches: Most churches have already adopted AI tools. The ethics conversation needs to catch up — especially around member data, counseling notes, and sensitive pastoral information flowing into third-party platforms. The Bright Spot: The IMB missionary pipeline has grown 500% in recent years. 63 new missionaries commissioned at the SBC meeting in Orlando. A new generation running toward the Great Commission. Source Links: Baptist Press — SBC Annual Meeting Coverage Christian Post — Rhema Bible Church / Craig Hagin International Mission Board Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter: churchleadershipradar.com Healthy Church Staff Podcast: healthychurchstaff.com

Today on Church Leadership Radar, Ted Rhoades fills in for Todd with three stories shaping church leadership right now:SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando: Former SBC president Jack Graham calls the denomination's sexual abuse crisis a "reckless hoax" — survivors and advocates respond. What this moment reveals about how large evangelical institutions handle accountability.Mark Driscoll & Trinity Church Scottsdale: Driscoll sends a mass email to 15,000-member congregation accusing a former staff leader of attempting a church split and threatening legal action. A familiar pattern — and what it signals about leadership culture.AI Data Privacy in Churches: A question most church teams haven't asked: where does your most sensitive data go when you use AI tools for meetings, emails, and follow-up? Pastoral counseling notes, prayer requests, giving records — shared in trust.The Bright Spot: A brand-new congregation built specifically for the Deaf community launches its first gathering — complete with baptisms and worship music engineered to be felt through vibration.This Week's Challenge: Before adding the next AI tool to your workflow, take 30 minutes as a team and ask: Do we have a data policy? Do we know where our information goes? Do we know what these platforms do with what we give them?Source Links:SBC Annual Meeting Coverage — Baptist PressMark Driscoll / Trinity Church Scottsdale — Christian PostChurch AI Data Privacy Discussion📧 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar Newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar, Ted covers three big stories and a dose of good news:SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando — Thousands of Southern Baptist leaders gathered, with the opening session calling leaders to holiness, unity, and forgiveness. One standout line: credibility is built in the thousand moments nobody sees.Bethel Church Governance Update — Bill Johnson formally enters sabbatical while Bethel announces governance reforms in the wake of recent ministry leader separations. A model for institutional accountability worth watching.93% of Pastors Are Using AI — A new survey shows AI use is nearly universal in ministry. The real question isn't who's using it — it's who's using it well.Crossover Orlando — 50+ churches across racial and denominational lines joined for six days of outreach and evangelism. Hundreds of professions of faith reported.Sources:SBC Annual Meeting Coverage — Baptist PressBethel ChurchCrossover Orlando — North American Mission Board---📧 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Ted Rhoades fills in for Todd with the Ministry Week in Review — Saturday Edition. This week: the SBC Annual Meeting preview (June 9–10 in Orlando), Bethel Church's public accountability move, the Kairos vs. Chronos leadership framework from X-Pastor.org, a sobering survey showing 1 in 3 Americans trust AI as much as a pastor, and a big bright spot from ARC's 25th anniversary milestone. Stories Covered: SBC Annual Meeting — June 9–10, Orlando: Josh Powell vs. Willy Rice presidential race; resolutions slate including AI ethics and first-ever Disability Ministry Task Force report (Tom Stolle) Bethel Church publicly de-platforms Mike Bickle, Shawn Bolz, Todd Bentley, and Georgian Hartley over character concerns X-Pastor.org: "Kairos or Chronos? The Question Every Executive Pastor Needs to Ask" — the difference between calendar competence and discerning the right moment New survey: 1 in 3 Americans trust AI guidance as much as pastoral guidance — what it really signals about institutional trust ARC (Association of Related Churches) celebrates 25 years and 1,200+ churches planted worldwide Resources Mentioned: SBC Annual Meeting 2026 Bethel Church (Redding, CA) X-Pastor.org — Kairos or Chronos article ARC (Association of Related Churches) Stay connected: Church Leadership Radar Newsletter Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Your daily briefing on what matters in church leadership — hosted by Ted Rhoades, filling in for Todd.In today's episode:Life.Church Lawsuit: Former employee Lee-Ann Holmberg files disability and age discrimination claim — and what it signals for every church about how you treat your people, especially on the way out.Barna Survey: 1 in 3 Americans now trusts AI guidance at the same level as a pastor. What this means for pastoral presence, trust, and what makes your role irreplaceable.Resource Pick: Carey Nieuwhof's conversation with Nicole Martin, President & CEO of Christianity Today — one of the most candid leadership conversations out there right now.Good News: National Donut Day story — The Salvation Army's donut stand in Hoonah, Alaska raised $130,000 for local food assistance.Source Links:Life.Church discrimination lawsuit coverage - Christianity TodayBarna Research: AI Trust SurveyCarey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast: Nicole Martin interviewSalvation Army Donut Day story📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today's episode covers three big stories for church leaders — plus a shot of good news to close.In this episode:1 in 3 Americans now trust AI spiritual guidance as much as a pastor — A new survey surfaces a number that should stop every church leader cold. The better question isn't "should we be threatened?" — it's what people come to you for that no algorithm can replicate.Biola/Talbot acquiring Phoenix Seminary — The Wayne Grudem-founded seminary joins Biola University and Talbot School of Theology this August. Ed Stetzer is reportedly involved. What institutional consolidations in theological education mean for where your future staff come from."When Your Church Has Two GPS Systems" — A resource that may describe a problem already quietly derailing your team: two people who both believe they hold ultimate authority. Founding pastor vs. new hire. Board vs. senior leader. Worth a read and an honest conversation.Samaritan's Purse deploys Ebola response in the DRC — A 50-bed treatment unit and 23 medical specialists airlifted to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Up to 60 volunteers responding to an outbreak with 240+ suspected deaths. What it looks like for the Church to be the hands and feet of Jesus in 2026.Links & Resources:Samaritan's Purse – Ebola Response📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter — daily intel in your inbox.🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast — with Todd Rhoades

Today on Church Leadership Radar, host Ted Rhoades covers three significant stories for church leaders: 📰 Stories Covered: Eli Lilly vs. COGIC Leaders: Drug manufacturer Eli Lilly has filed a federal lawsuit against a Church of God in Christ general board member, his son, and his daughter — alleging a $200M+ fraud through a sham prescription cost-share program. Financial integrity is foundational. This one is worth watching closely. Elevation Church Launches Elevation College: A campus-based, immersive ministry training program with limited spots and costs up to $20,000/year including housing. Large churches are increasingly building their own leadership pipelines — what does that mean for your team's development strategy? Emergency Succession Planning Guide from The Unstuck Group: A practical, actionable resource on what to have in place before an unexpected leadership departure. Every church leadership team needs to read this. ✨ The Bright Spot: ARC (Association of Related Churches) celebrated its 25th anniversary — having helped launch over 1,200 churches worldwide. Long-term faithfulness in action. 💡 Takeaway: Does your team know who steps in if your key leader can't be there tomorrow? If the answer is "we'd figure it out," that's your sign. 📚 Sources & Resources: MinistryWatch — Eli Lilly / COGIC Lawsuit Coverage Elevation Church / Elevation College Announcement The Unstuck Group — Emergency Succession Planning Guide Association of Related Churches (ARC) — 25th Anniversary 📧 Sign up for the Church Leadership Radar newsletter 🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership.Today's Stories:Liberty University Lawsuit — Trey Falwell III sues for $1.75M in unpaid compensation, raising universal governance questions about multi-year contracts and family staff.Emergency Succession Planning — The Unstuck Group's practical guide: "In a crisis, you won't rise to the level of your intentions. You'll fall to the level of your preparation."AI and the Church — Pope Leo XIV warns on AI ethics; Christian theologians from multiple traditions weigh in on what it means to be human in an age of machines.Bright Spot — 12,600 people gathered for a Festival of Hope in Madrid; 900 evangelical churches from 15 denominations worked together for 18 months prior.Source Links:Liberty University Lawsuit — Christian PostEmergency Succession Planning Guide — The Unstuck GroupTheologians on AI — Christianity TodaySubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter for daily insights delivered to your inbox.Also check out the Healthy Church Staff Podcast with Todd Rhoades.

Your daily catch-up on what matters in church leadership.Today's stories:A PCA pastor suspended indefinitely by his presbytery over a pattern of "unwholesome speech" online — and the bigger governance question it raises about church leaders in digital spaces.The "two GPS systems" problem: what happens when your lead pastor and board point in different directions, and how unclear authority costs you good people.A June 1 reset from Thom Rainer: what separates churches that ask "what's possible?" from those who ask "what does God want to do through us, regardless of limitations?"Bright Spot: Grace Evangelical Church in Galloway, Ohio — one congregation that has shipped 335+ containers of supplies and served 1,500+ refugee families for Ukraine.Source Links:Thom Rainer — ThomRainer.com---Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter for daily updates.Also check out the Healthy Church Staff Podcast.

It's the Saturday edition of Church Leadership Radar — your weekly zoom-out on what matters most for ministry leaders. Ted Rhoades (Todd's AI twin brother) covers this week's top stories and closes with an inspiring Bright Spot.This Week's StoriesSports Gambling as a Pastoral Crisis — MinistryWatch reports that sports betting addiction is surging among church members, and most pastoral care teams aren't ready. (ministrywatch.com)"Boomers Can't Save Us Forever" — Thom Rainer and Ryan Burge discuss the demographic data that every church leadership team needs to hear. (Church Answers Podcast)World Cup Missional Opportunity — Carey Nieuwhof makes the case for why the FIFA World Cup coming to North America this summer is a missional window churches shouldn't miss. (careyniewuhof.com)The Danger of Loner Leadership — The Pastors Center episode with Dr. Brian Autry on how leaders quietly drift into isolation — especially heading into summer. (thepastorscenter.com)Bright Spot: Scarlet HopeThe story of Rachelle Starr — who started by fasting and praying in a strip club parking lot — and how her obedience grew into Scarlet Hope, a ministry now operating in 10 states that has helped more than 10,000 women exit the sex industry.📬 Subscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter🎙️ Healthy Church Staff Podcast

Today on Church Leadership Radar, Ted Rhoades sits in for Todd with three stories worth your attention as you head into the weekend:Sports Gambling as a Pastoral Crisis — Legal sports betting is now in most states and quietly spreading through congregations. Gambling addiction stays invisible longer than other addictions, and most church pastoral care systems weren't built for it. Worth getting your team ready before it lands in your lap.Carey Nieuwhof on 20 Years After Burnout — Part two of an important series. Hard-won perspective on building a sustainable life and ministry. Especially timely heading into summer.Ministry FOMO — The comparison trap doesn't just hit senior leaders. It hits worship directors, children's directors, executive pastors. The comparison trap is an equal-opportunity thief — and the antidote is leaning hard into your specific, God-given lane.The Bright Spot: Churches launching micro-enterprise programs that help low-income community members start their own businesses — hundreds of graduates, millions in new small business activity. Mission you can measure.Today's Takeaway: What do you already have that you haven't fully invested in?Source Links:Sports Gambling & Pastoral Care — National Council on Problem Gambling (Churches)Carey Nieuwhof — Burnout SeriesMinistry FOMO — Carey NieuwhofSubscribe to the Church Leadership Radar newsletter for daily insights delivered to your inbox.Also check out the Healthy Church Staff Podcast with Todd Rhoades.