Dozens of people work year-round to ensure that one thing happens: you are strengthened.

LEADERSHIP Journal has a clear vision. Our vision statement hangs framed in the hallway near my office; if you stop by our offices someday, you'll see it:

"To strengthen church leaders by producing an honest and practical journal that encourages biblical faithfulness and pastoral effectiveness."

That vision was borne in 1979 when Paul Robbins and others began visiting pastors. At each church, they asked, "What are your greatest practical needs, and how can we effectively speak to them?" Paul got an earful--more than 100 article suggestions in a few weeks.

To make sure LEADERSHIP stays just an honest and practical, we editors continue to visit pastors regularly, sometimes in conferences, but mostly one-on-one in their offices and homes. We ask, "What has been keeping you awake at night?" The answers guide what we publish and how.

In fact, dozens of people--editors, art directors, promotion managers, printers--work ...