A Plea for Public Prayers – Knute Larson

Thoughts on a missing part of church worship, with some possibilities for a reinstatement by Knute Larson It is not that a worship time for a church does not work without a planned worship and requested prayer.  Many churches do very well without it.  And no one complains.  But… All of us who follow God’sContinue reading →

What is ON MISSION Insights

ON MISSION Insights (OMI) seeks to help pastors and church leaders with their ministry through periodic emails by experts in the field of church ministry. 

Key Concepts on Creating a Sending Church Culture – OMI – May 2017

Mark Artrip is the Pastor of Movement Church in Hilliard, Ohio. Movement Church is a part of an interesting chronology of churches planting other churches in the greater Columbus area.

One Pastor’s Approach for Finding & Developing Leaders-OMI – March 2017

Ed Short is a fun guy.  It is easy to have a good time with him because he laughs and smiles all the time.  But he also gets things done. Ed serves as CE National’s Ministry Coach and Consultant for churches as well as for pastors.  He has pastored large churches as well as smallContinue reading →

Equipping Men in Biblical Leadership – OMI – Feb. 2017

If your church is like many, much of the engagement and active participation in ministry is often done by women. Here are some thoughts from Timothy Kurtaneck (TK), staff member at CE National, about how we can encourage men in ministry through various resources that are available to pastors and churches. I’m conflicted.. Over aContinue reading →

Five Thoughts on Being an Encouraging Pastor – By Bill Smith – Feb. 2017

Anyone who knows Pastor Bill Smith can recognize that he understands the art of encouragement! Not one to give false flattery, Pastor Bill always has a smile and an encouraging thing to say with people he comes across. He is the epitome of an encourager—a “Barnabas” or “son of encouragement,” if you will, to thoseContinue reading →

8 Quick Tips for Starting a College-age Ministry

We are often asked, by both leaders in student ministries as well as lead pastors, the question, “What do you do for young adult/collegiates in a local church context?” One of our good friends, Bob Hetzler, has a key interest in young adult/collegiate ministry and has written a very interesting article identifying 8 quick tipsContinue reading →

Churches and Political Action–What Pastors Should and Should Not Do

This is an important election season in our country.  Legally, what can and can’t church leaders do regarding politics?  What should you say and do from the pulpit?  From what should you abstain?  Pastor Don Shoemaker, CE National’s friend from Seal Beach, California, has written the following information to help pastors lead their congregations appropriately—toContinue reading →

Three Reasons You Needed to Do a Block Party Outreach at Your Church Yesterday – Sept 2016

How do you make connections with people in your community? How do you get to know the people and meet them where they are? So often we want the people to come to us—to come and visit our church. But what the Urban Hope Training Center has found is that when you offer opportunities toContinue reading →

Three Things the Senior Saints in our Churches Need to Hear

By Ed Lewis Francis Chan reminds people that in a marathon, as runners get to the finish line, they speed up. He says that as a society, we have it all backwards. We start the race of life in a sprint. When we are a young adult we serve others and do ministry hard. Then,Continue reading →

3 Things a Youth Pastor Would Like Their Senior Pastor to Know

Having people serve in significant roles under a senior pastor’s leadership is necessary, beneficial, and biblical.  A senior pastor needs these key staff members to help equip others to do the work of the ministry. The time and conversations that senior pastors have with these individuals are crucial. But sometimes there are thoughts these staffContinue reading →

3 Things Senior Pastors Should Know About Children’s Ministry

How important do you think children’s ministry is? A children’s ministry is generally viewed as a necessary part of the church’s ministry, but is it? Are the workers who volunteer in this area seen as a valuable part of the church mission? Jon Rauch, a veteran children’s pastor, shares some thoughts on how a leadContinue reading →

How to Minister to a Family Dealing With the Chronic Illness of a Loved One

By: Matt and Julie Leach We have all felt inadequate and even uncomfortable as we try to give support to a family in need.  We may have said some of the dreaded clichés, such as, “God won’t give you more than you can handle!” or “You’re so strong! I wouldn’t be able to do whatContinue reading →

Great Websites for Youth Ministry

We asked two of our experienced friends in youth ministry, Matt Vosberg and Nick Deck, what websites they use for ministry and think are great resources. With so much out there, where do you start looking for good stuff? Here is a valuable list of good sites and sources they recommended. Enjoy! To find moreContinue reading →

Five Keys to Equip Others and Multiply Your Ministry – Tom Julien

A ministry with the greatest harvest is one where there is reproduction—multiplication of the efforts of the leader in the lives of others. But as a pastor you can be very busy with day-to-day ministry. How can you do one more thing? Learn how to multiply your efforts by reading this article by Tom Julien.Continue reading →

The Most Important Things a Pastor Can Do To Connect With His Local Community

Pastor Bob Combs has been in ministry for over forty years.  “For all those who know him,” says Timothy Kurtaneck of CE National, “there is no denying that he is one good looking guy!”  We asked Pastor Bob to share what he has seen to be the most important parts of a pastor connecting withContinue reading →

Three Huge Wins From Doing Ministry Through a Youth Leadership Team

Eric Miller loves using student interns and leaders as a key component in the structure of his youth ministry. Currently in his 12th year serving as pastor of youth at Grace Community Church in Frederick, Maryland, Eric is continually pouring into his leadership level students, equipping them in all aspects of youth ministry with aContinue reading →

The Three Most Important Ways a Lead Pastor Can Invest Himself

This is for my wife, Jeanine, and every other wife, and God also. Shepherd, lead, and teach, are secondary to my relationship with God and then family, and the love work that is attached to them! But when it comes to the church: shepherd, lead, teach. No question.

Ed Lewis Talks About Living ON MISSION

Ed Lewis, executive director of CE National, talks about what it takes for a believer to live ON MISSION. What a joy to see you walking in the faith! I love that you serve Jesus and that you are living for Him. My goal in life has been to stimulate vision for the needs ofContinue reading →

Easy Staff Evaluations

Annual performance reviews can be intimidating for pastors to give to staff. .  But they don’t have to be with the the right tool. Ed Short, CE National’s Church Ministry Coach and Consultant, shared this ministry review he encourages pastors he coaches to use.  Feel free to use this resource, or adapt it as necessary, to best assistContinue reading →