“Atmosphere” may not be as tangible as plans and priorities, buildings and budgets, but it’s even more fundamental.
Everybody wants “community” these days. What makes it so elusive?
In today’s society, with groups fragmenting into smaller and smaller niches, how can leaders keep things from flying apart? One element essential to sustaining community is atmosphere.
“Atmosphere” may seem intangible, but you can’t live without it.
“With the right spirit, a clumsy church structure will work,” said long-time pastor Malcolm Cronk. “Without the right spirit, an ideal structure won’t work.”
This issue of Leadership focuses on a subject that combines spirit and structure: keeping your church’s climate conducive to spiritual growth. Every church desires faithful and effective ministry. So we offer ways to affect the atmospheric forces that so profoundly influence your community of faith.
This issue’s theme makes this a natural opportunity to give you a behind-the-scenes look at Leadership’s efforts to build community—a community of those who minister. As the journal begins its 20th year, let me review our essentials and introduce some upgrades you’ll notice in this issue.
We have always blended two emphases:
- Sharpening ministry skills. A “practical journal,” Leadership covers the range of what you must “do” as a church leader. We help you do ministry well—from preaching to decision making to mentoring to pastoral care.
- Strengthening the minister’s soul. You can’t “do” ministry long-term unless you deepen who you “are” in Christ. We address such internal issues as calling, identity, ambition, temptation, character, and your on-going relationship with God.
While we’ll continue to meld skills and soul in our articles, here are some of our new features.
Foundations. A number of our readers and editorial advisers have asked for more theological orientation to the situations we face in ministry. Our task isn’t just keeping up with the times; it’s staying in touch with the timeless. So we’re introducing this feature (see page 31) that will set the issue’s theme on a biblical foundation.
We will regularly offer elements that focus on theological questions you can’t avoid in ministry. For instance, on page 13, we offer a biblical perspective on church membership—reasons people should join (not just attend) a church.
Departments. Each issue of Leadership offers these recurring elements, some old favorites, some brand new.
“Download”—a sampling of the buzz—trends, tips, and new information that’s worth filing.
“To Illustrate Plus”—our readers’ all-time favorite section—stories, quotations, and statistics that’ll preach.
“Growing Edge”—reviews of books, software, and other resources that can sharpen you and your ministry.
“Building Your Leaders”—a brand new department in response to the overwhelming interest we’ve seen among pastors wanting to develop their key people. This department offers help in team building and leadership training.
“Ministry Staff”—another new department for the growing number of people who head ministries but are not senior pastors. This department will reflect the needs and perspective of staff and volunteers who carry significant leadership responsibility.
You’ll notice some other changes this issue, too. For instance, the contributor’s address is included with each article or cartoon, making it easier for you to make contact if you want to follow up with a question or comment.
All these things keep the atmosphere of Leadership warm and invigorating. We hope you’ll help us keep building the community of church leaders.
Marshall Shelley is editor of Leadership
Copyright © 1999 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or contact us.
