Will Langford

There is a subtle danger that comes with ministry. I don't think it happens intentionally. It just happens little by little. We spend our days preaching, leading, visiting hospitals, sitting with hurting people, and trying to help others follow Jesus. When trouble comes, people call us. When a decision needs to be made, they look our way. After years of doing that, it's easy to become so accustomed to being the shepherd that we forget a very important truth. We are still sheep. ...

I was 24 years old when I became the pastor of a small church in a growing northern suburb of Cincinnati. For the first few months we averaged between 20–25 people in worship on an average Sunday, and honestly, the church didn’t look much like the community around us. New neighborhoods were going up. Young professionals and families were moving in. The community was changing and growing fast. Our church was growing too. Just not fast. New people were coming, and many encouraging things...

Without a doubt change is inevitable. It is one of those things pastors simply cannot avoid if they want to remain faithful to the Great Commission. Every church will go through seasons of change. Neighborhoods change. Generations change. Churches that were once successful begin to experience decline. New opportunities and challenges arise. And often the church must change just to stay true to the mission. I can say with absolute certainly that leading through change is hard. I...