
This edition is sponsored by Gloo
Dear Pastor,
Not every family in your church is whole. Some are waiting for children to come home. Others are stepping in to care for children who’ve had to leave home.
This week, we’re sharing two pieces that help pastors walk alongside both.
In Pastoring Parents of Prodigals, Chad Bird reflects on his own long road home—and how your presence can sustain those grieving a child’s departure.
And in Mobilizing Your Church for Foster Care, Jessica Mathisen shows how every congregation can support vulnerable children and the families who welcome them.
Both are reminders: the church is at its best when it loves like the Father.
Praying for you!
Chris Poblete
Editorial director for CT Pastors
paid content
Imagine if every doctor measured blood pressure differently… Why should the Church measure its health differently? The free Gloo Church Health Dashboard, incorporates the new common church health metrics of the 15 Dimensions of Church Thriving (based on research from Barna) and 7 Dimensions of Human Flourishing.
Your dashboard populates through an easy-to-deploy assessment, where you’ll gain actionable insights to strengthen your ministry and support your congregation’s spiritual growth.
Ready to measure the health of your church? Create your free Gloo account and start leading with confidence.
| Advertise with us |
More pastoral resources
Wendell Berry’s “Jayber Crow” reveals what pastors risk losing when they trade presence for productivity.
Despite fewer pursuing pastoral roles today, the vocation provides the unique privilege of making a profound impact by sharing oneself with others.
Ministry momentum doesn’t always come from working harder. Sometimes it starts with thinking differently.
Pastors don’t need hype to lead their churches in mission. These four rhythms can shift a church from evangelistic intention to evangelistic instinct.
Related newsletters
Building Church Leaders: Each issue contains new articles and insights on leadership training, updates on what’s been added to BuildingChurchLeaders.com, and other practical help to build faithful and effective leaders in your church.
Church Humor: Enjoy some laughs with this weekly newsletter! You’ll receive hilarious videos, cartoons, and more—the internet’s best humor about church life.
Preaching Today: Fresh sermon illustrations and updates on new sermons, preaching articles and much more!
CT pastors
Each weekly CT Pastors issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry.
Delivered free via email to subscribers weekly. Sign up for this newsletter.
You are currently subscribed as no email found. Sign up to more newsletters like this. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe.
Christianity Today is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
“Christianity Today” and “CT” are the registered trademarks of Christianity Today International.
Copyright ©2025 Christianity Today, PO Box 788, Wheaton, IL 60187-0788
All rights reserved.



