Carey Nieuwhof
Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.
On The Rise: Do You Like AI Bots More Than Real People? Um…
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, some fresh data shows that a disturbing number of teens prefer AI chats to actual human relationships. Plus, the state of the workplace in 2025 (it’s not great and could use the church), how to pronounce hard-to-say foods, and being known for what you’re FOR not what you’re against. Teens Think AI Companions Beat Human Companions Youth Pastor...
What's draining your time? If it's this, here's how to change it.
Hi Reader, Have you ever hit Friday and thought, “I worked all week... but what did I actually accomplish?” If that sounds familiar, you might be stuck in what I call the Leadership Time Trap—a cycle where you’re busy, exhausted, and yet not really moving the mission forward. I’ve been there too. In this episode of the podcast, I unpack how to escape that trap and start multiplying your results without adding more hours. I’ll walk you through a brand new but powerful framework I've discovered...
The mental health crisis and a hopeful solution for your church
Hi Reader, You already know the weight of ministry. But what about the weight of carrying the mental health and life challenges your congregation is facing? Most pastors (myself included) find it overwhelming. Every week, people walk through your doors carrying pain—trauma, anxiety, depression—and they’re looking to you for help. But if you’re like most pastors, you feel unequipped, overwhelmed, and definitely out of time. In today’s episode of my podcast, I sit down with Shaunti Feldhahn and...
6 shifts every church leader should be thinking about
Hi Reader, Last week, I shared 7 things churches not (yet) seeing revival can learn—simple and practical shifts that, I believe, will help you stay focused, faithful, and ready for whatever God might do next. If you missed that one, you can catch up here. This week, I’m diving deeper with 6 more shifts every church leader should be thinking about. Faithfulness, prayer, and intentional leadership are the marks of churches that position themselves for whatever God might want to do in the...
On The Rise: College kids and Atheism + How to respond when people leave your church
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, some surprising findings from Ryan Burge on whether college really does beat the faith out of your kids (it doesn’t), how to respond when people leave your church, Steve Jobs, and a quote about the power of good and bad habits. Surprise! Sending Your Kids to College Doesn’t Make Them Atheists It’s time to debunk another myth. You’ve heard it...
Is your church (actually) ready for the next American revival?
Hi Reader, A few weeks ago, I shared some encouraging attendance trends in my Friday newsletter: The most frequent church attenders are Gen Z (1.9x per month). Men are attending church at new levels. And while it's not all encouraging (Why aren't older generations attending as frequently? Why are so many women drifting away from church?), there's A LOT to be more optimistic about than a few years ago. Today, a few more trends that feel hopeful, and some practical advice on how to get ready....
How Comedians handle bombing. Lessons for every preacher.
Hi Reader, Ever wonder how comedians handle bombing, and get better because of it? As a preacher and communicator myself, I sure wonder. In today’s episode, I sit down with Andrew Stanley (yes, Andrew, not Andy). He’s a preacher’s kid who left finance and accounting to pursue stand-up, and he’s built a thriving career as a clean comic. He’s been opening for folks like Colin Jost, Leanne Morgan, and John Crist. Andrew pulls back the curtain on the craft: how he engineers “low-stakes” reps, why...
7 things churches not (yet) seeing revival can learn
Hi Reader, If you're like most leaders right now, you’ve seen the news—baptisms by the hundreds, spontaneous worship nights, and college students packing arenas again. Revival is stirring, which is great news. But what if it's not happening in your church? If you're seeing signs of growth around, but not within? 7 things churches not (yet) seeing revival can learn If there's one message to take away from what's happening today, it's something like this... Celebrate what God is doing...
On The Rise: How much of your life should you broadcast? + Failed apocalypses.
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, some interesting thoughts about how much of your personal life you should put online. Plus, a website that chronicles all the failed predictions of the end of the world, discovering your working genius, and some Booker Prize-nominated authors’ favorite writing spots. Should You Broadcast Your Life? When chronicling everything on social media...
Why some churches are finally growing again (and others aren’t).
Hi Reader, For the first time in decades, the decline of the church might actually be reversing. That’s not wishful thinking, it’s backed by data. My guest this week, Thom Rainer, has been tracking the trends for years, and what he’s seeing is surprising even him. Thom says churches that are growing—especially among Gen Z—have one simple thing in common: they’re doing at least three outwardly focused events each year. Sounds almost too simple, right? But when churches look beyond their walls,...
Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.