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 latest on Christians, Pastors and AI, and how to get Banned From Flying United
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, Christians and pastors are embracing AI, and the younger you are, the more you worry about its threats. Plus, I give you my rule of thumb on how to know if you’re overusing AI in sermon prep. Also, the best book I’ve read all year (or in many years) and some encouraging news on speakerphone use in public. What Christians (and Pastors) Think...
You didn’t start it, here’s how to lead it anyway.
Hi Reader, What does it take to lead a church you didn’t start and keep it healthy for 14 years? Rich Villodas knows. He took over from Pete Scazzero at New Life Fellowship in Queens at age 32, with Pete staying on staff, and has been leading what is now a church of 80 nations ever since. In this conversation, we dig into what it actually takes to be the next leader. We discuss the skills required, the shadow you’re stepping into, and why ego and insecurity are the real threats to a healthy...
Pastor's AI survival guide
Hi Reader, The challenges with AI aren't just coming... they're here. Teenagers are talking to AI companions instead of real people Someone in your congregation could already be using an AI resurrection app to "talk" to a deceased loved one People are already having theological conversations during the week... with chatbots So, I made something for you. The Pastor's AI Survival Guide: 6 Ways to Prepare Your Church A free field guide—short, practical, and built for the conversations you're...
Sin has a mass-marketing strategy. Here’s how it works.
Hi Reader, I don’t think about spiritual warfare the way I used to. Theologian Joel Muddamalle helped change that in today’s conversation and I think it’ll shift something for you too. The line that stopped me: the dark forces of this world are experts in mass-marketing sin. Not isolated temptations in dramatic moments, but a sustained, sophisticated campaign—and your devices are the primary channel. We cover a lot of ground in this one: 👉 How sin moved from a one-off temptation to a...
People are lonelier than ever — and AI got there before the church did
Hi Reader, 72% American teenagers are already turning to AI for companionship. That's not just extreme cases or the troubled kids; that's three in four teenagers going to a machine for connection. Yeah. I know. And it's happening today. In your church. We're not (just) talking about a guy who married his chatbot. We're talking about the teen who moved to a new town and tells an AI about his day because it's easier than telling a human he's lonely. Or the grieving student who processes her...
On The Rise: Is Revival Coming to the US? + Could You Pass This Test?
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, some recent data from Barna on whether Americans believe revival is coming, plus why colleges are turning back to oral exams (good insight for pastors too), plus is it a better financial decision to buy a house or rent? You might be surprised. Is Spiritual Revival Coming? Gen Z is most optimistic, Gen X not so much Barna recently asked Americans...
16 AI prompts that make you a better pastor
Hi Reader, When it comes to AI, I've split my work into two simple categories: I create, AI assists. AI creates, I assist. Why? Because AI writes and thinks like a machine pretending to be human. You and I actually write and think like a human. And right now, there's still a line in the sand that I won't cross when it comes to certain things. So, today, something I hope will help you keep your unique voice and leadership. 16 AI Prompts That Make You a Better Pastor. Copy-and-paste prompts you...
70 years of church growth history in one episode!
Hi Reader, Every church leader I know is trying to reach more people. Church growth has been in the air in the church for decades, but I'm guessing, you're not entirely sure how we got here, to this moment in the church. What is the church growth movement? What are its best practices and its worst? Why does it get criticized when so many of us do what to reach more people? How did we get to this place in the church today? That's exactly what Todd Wilson and I spent two hours unpacking and...
You Can't Buy Back A Summer
Hi Reader, It's hard to believe summer is almost here, and the problem for a lot of us is twofold: The longer you lead, the more likely you are to embrace whatever you did last year as your summer pattern. Months become years, and years become decades. What this means is your kids will be starting a new school year in a matter of months and you might be thinking "How is she in _______ Grade already?" Yup, time runs on rocket fuel. So I want to encourage you to rethink your summer. What are...
[Academy] What AI will do to your church
Hi Reader, This month kicks off with the question every leader is quietly carrying: "What is AI going to do to the world... and to my church?" No one has certainty right now... But you can lead with clarity, and that's what this month is built around. (Plus, it's a bit of a sneak peek into my upcoming book.) Ready to lead effectively? Scroll down to see what’s waiting for you in The Art of Leadership Academy in May. What AI Will Do To the World (And Your Church) | Tuesday, May 5 🗓️ AI is...
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.