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.
Why young people are (still) leaving the church — And how to win them back
Hi Reader, Why are young people losing trust in the church? And, more importantly—how can we turn the tide? In my latest podcast episode, I sit down with Kara Powell, PhD, the Executive Director of the Fuller Youth Institute, to dive deep into why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are walking away from church—and what we can do about it. Kara shares some eye-opening research:👉 3x more young people say they’ve been hurt by the church than those who trust it.👉 Many young women feel the church is keeping them...
Sermon... or sleeping aid?
Hi Reader, So, I have a confession today. If I get bored, I drift off soooo quickly. Here are two actual stories. I once fell asleep as I was interviewing someone to be my XP (the interview was after a very long day at 9:00 pm, and I was truly horrified when my colleague nudged me awake). And no, the candidate didn't get the job. On more than one occasion, I've visited a church and tried my very best to stay engaged during the sermon... only to nod off part way through. Unfortunately, I don't...
On the Rise: 10 rules that guide MrBeast’s success + Gen X is (not) retiring
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, MrBeast unpacks his success, Gen X turns 60 and is unsure about retirement, Tim Keller on sleepy Christians, and are you trusting God or just being stupid? The Gen X Retirement Crisis Boomers retired. Will Gen X? Probably not. As you pastor your church, here’s something to think about: The oldest Gen Xers are turning 60 this year, and many will...
The data is in. Church attendance is...
Hi Reader, For years, there’s been a lot of depressing news about Christianity and declining church attendance… You've probably seen the signs that things might be turning around—like revivals on college campuses and news headlines saying there's hope. But is it actually a trend? Are things actually getting better? Are we seeing the decline in the church reverse? The data is in. And here's what it's showing... Brand new Barna data from their State of the Church initiative suggests that church...
What happens when Christians become the minority?
Hi Reader, The world is changing fast—and so is the Church. Are you ready for what’s coming? Today on the podcast, I sit down with Warren Bird and Adelle Banks to unpack the biggest shifts shaping the future of the Church. We tackle what happens as Christians become a minority in the U.S. and the real reasons people say they don’t attend church (hint: what changes isn't our theology). Warren and Adelle bring the latest research and eye-opening insights, including: 👉 How today’s younger...
This week: Life lessons from 60
Hi Reader, This month is a big milestone for me: I turn 60. And having started in my first position as a Pastor when I was 30, I've spent half my life in leadership and ministry — planting a church, publishing a bestselling book, hosting my leadership podcast, and equipping leaders to grow their church. What blows me away the most? Meeting leaders who take these ideas and use them to thrive in life and leadership. Every time I meet someone and every story I hear from someone like you is the...
Super Early Bird pricing expires tonight!
Hi Reader, Just a quick reminder—tonight at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern), Super Early Bird pricing for The Art of Leadership Live conference expires. If you want to secure your spot, now is the best time to do it before the price goes up. Here's the link. This isn’t just another conference... ...it’s your opportunity to be in a room with ambitious, future-focused leaders who are serious about growth. And when you surround yourself with other leaders who are hungry to grow, you start asking better...
On the Rise: Is Woke broke? Also, your reputation is spreading and marketing to Gen Z
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, is this the year Woke broke, how the Trump presidency is reshaping the world, Gen Z marketing trends, and insights on your reputation. Gen Z is Turning Marketing Upside Down Some surprising notes for your church’s social media team. We’re still figuring out Gen Z, but these marketing trends will help your social media team better understand the...
What happens when you compromise your character in leadership? (New teaching)
Hi Reader, If you’ve been watching the headlines or scrolling through social media, you might start to wonder—does character even matter anymore in Christian leadership? In this episode of the podcast, I tackle that question head-on. We’re in a moment where many leaders—both in the church and in culture—are prioritizing competency over character, ideology over integrity, and platform over personal holiness. But here’s the truth: character still matters more than ever. In this episode, we’ll...
Build a church that funds itself!
Hi Reader, What if your church could fund its ministry without relying solely on congregational giving? I get that question a lot. So today, a fascinating answer. Mark Batterson, lead pastor of National Community Church in D.C., didn’t just plant a church—he built a sustainable ministry by investing in businesses that fuel kingdom work. In this episode of the podcast, Mark shares how he went from meeting in movie theaters to owning a city block—all while staying debt-free and focused on the...
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.