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: The Bible-reading reversal no one expected + See the actual Roman roads network
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, some helpful data on who’s reading the Bible right now and who’s not (hint: more Boomer dropouts), a helpful word for those of us addicted to success, and a map of the entire Roman road system because you asked for it (kidding, but it’s still cool to see). Gen Z and Millennial Bible-Reading is Surging Boomers are backsliding. You probably heard...
How to reach people who are (very) hard to reach
Hi Reader, What if the very thing you’re praying for—revival, growth, momentum—would actually crush your church if it happened tomorrow? That’s where today’s conversation with my long-time friend, church planter, and thoughtful leader Domenic Ruso takes us. Dom pastors in one of the hardest, most secular contexts in North America, Montreal. He’s leading a vibrant, growing church in a place where most people don’t even have a category for Christianity, let alone a curiosity about it. Dom and I...
How great leaders stop being “Conversational Narcissists”
Hi Reader, If there’s one leadership skill that’s quietly eroding in our culture, it’s this: the ability to ask great questions. And today’s episode might be the most insightful conversation I’ve ever had on the topic. I’m joined by J.R. Briggs, founder of Kairos Partnerships and author of The Art of Asking Better Questions. J.R. unpacks why our digital world has turned so many of us into “conversational narcissists” and how simply recovering curiosity can raise your EQ, deepen your...
The best books I read in 2025
Hi Reader, As the year draws to a close, I find myself reflecting in quiet moments—and asking "What actually happened this year, and what's next?" I'm guessing you're doing the same thing. So, over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing the voices, stories, and moments that helped me grow this year: Books that sparked new ideas Podcasts I listened to over and over again Moments that defined the Church and ministry in 2025 I always love the recommendations friends give me. So hopefully these help...
On The Rise: Gen Z women are very different from Gen Z men + AI’s negative impacts
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 paradoxical data. Gen Z men love the church, but Gen Z women, not so much. Also, new data on ChatGPT and mental health, the art of spending money, and a video that will make you feel good about being human again. Gen Z Women Are Struggling in Faith They pray less and read scripture less than other groups. Last week in this newsletter,...
Church growth vs. maturity
Hi Reader, Do you feel the pressure to keep up with tech... but lack support in the expertise or budget to do anything about it? Church leaders everywhere are asking the same questions: Should we invest in technology? If so, when? And how much? Well, good news. The answer is: Probably not as much as you think. What should really drive your tech decisions as a ministry? Today, I'd love to share a resource from Ben Elmore, CEO of Sevant: Navigating Growth Barriers in Ministry. Are you investing...
Spiritual warfare, calling & curiosity: My deep-dive with N.T. Wright
Hi Reader, Every once in a while, I sit down with someone whose influence will still be shaping the church a century from now. N.T. Wright is one of those rare voices. In today’s episode, we go way back, long before the bestselling books, Oxford lectures, or global influence, to explore the early habits, unexpected turns, and deep formation that shaped one of the greatest theological minds of our time. Tom opens up about his childhood, the moment he first sensed a call to ministry, and the...
You aren't crazy. You're just a pastor in 2025...
Hi Reader, Do you feel like you just can't win right now? No matter what you preach, someone walks out…No matter what you do (or don't) say, someone sends an upset email... You’re not alone. But here's the hope: Maybe it doesn't feel hard because you’re doing it wrong; maybe it feels hard because you're doing it right. A leadership reality check in 2025... Everyone in your congregation is being shaped—day in and day out—by algorithms: One person scrolls hours of politics Another watches...
On The Rise: 45% of young men have never done this + More on attractional church
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, a piece by Scott Galloway and Tim Ferriss on the state of young men today (it’s eye-opening). Speaking of eye-opening, have you seen the latest humanoid robots? They're insane. Also, got some stuff on Jonah and why the attractional church isn’t dead. 45% of Men Ages 18 to 25 Have Never Approached a Woman in Person Thoughts on being a man from...
“I almost died trying to save my marriage” – Lysa TerKeurst on theology, trauma & divorce.
Hi Reader, I’ve been in pastoral ministry long enough to know this: few conversations are more tender, confusing, and theologically charged than divorce. That’s why I invited my friend Lysa TerKeurst back on the podcast. Lysa vulnerably shares the story of her unwanted divorce, the physical and emotional cost it took on her, and how she learned to distinguish between a difficult marriage and a truly destructive one. We talk about Malachi 2:16, what the Bible actually says (and doesn’t say)...
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.