Mandy Smith

Finding our words with images.

The importance of contemplation—listening, watching, and waiting—in the life of the preacher.

Something remarkable is possible when the Holy Spirit is welcomed into a human life.

Do we always have to find a new spin on the Christmas story?

Some people need warnings to avoid the spotlight. Others need encouragement to step up.

Can those who lead congregations receive ministry from them as well?

How I’m learning to lead God’s people one basket of manna at a time.

Doing God’s will, even in ministry, isn’t always fun and flourishing.

Can your church be honest about heartache this Advent?

Crafting sermons that evoke images, movement, and emotion.

10 ministry leaders respond.

Put the ministry back in your administration.

Using the Lectionary for your sermon planning.

Five tools to help your people combat the lie that they aren’t loved by God.

How strong leadership and vulnerability work together.

Ministry is filled with at least four different kinds of relationships.

The preacher functions as a midwife; helping others through their pain because they have known pain themselves.

The Book of Jeremiah and my longing to see beyond the veil in a local coffee shop.

Resilience in ministry requires being open to hurt, for ourselves and for those we care for.

How the world’s ways of leadership have seeped into the church—but not in the way you might expect.

4 practices for leading with healthy childlikeness.

How a church can heal.

When ministry expectations draw blood.

Are we facing a leadership crisis in the church?

… just might be a sign that you’re called to ministry.

Shifting culture and dwindling funds have many pastors rethinking the task.

There are better ways to motivate than should, ought, and must.

What if we recommended fiction alongside non-fiction when discipling others?

How two churches in Cincinnati responded to the shooting of Sam DuBose.

When there’s no wind in your sails.

When I resisted trying to solve problems, something beautiful happened.

5 pastors share how they react when a high-profile Christian leader has a moral failing.

Why do we believe ‘There’s no crying in ministry’?

To lead is to take a walk with your Lord.

Not if we want to bless and to continue to bless.

Or why pastors need naps!

Can I keep it biblical and interesting without becoming TOO interesting?

Church services can still be attractive when we stop being attractional.

How do we handle the disappointed expectations of ministry?

An interview with Esther Lightcap Meek

A conversation with Bible storyteller Joe Boyd.

Dancing into truth beyond cultural either/or spectrums.

Sometimes, sharing people’s lives is quieter than we’d like. Maybe that’s ok.

Could your leadership “weaknesses” really be your strengths?

An interview with Chris Smith and John Pattison

I don’t fit the typical definition of a “strong” leader, and I am glad I don’t.

Spiritual angst is so 2013.

On publishing scandals and a pastor’s heart to be heard.

What happens to worship when questions overwhelm?

Losing cultural power can point Christians to Jesus.

An artist/pastor responds to the new Rich Mullins film

When perfectly clear vision isn’t there, how does a leader move forward?

How do you lead without a role model?

How rediscovering artistic freedom changed my leadership.