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.
Are you willing to come clean before you’re caught?
Hi Reader, What do you do when a leader you’ve trusted fails you? In one of the most personal and powerful episodes we’ve ever recorded, I sit down with Max Lucado to talk about the hard stuff—disappointment, moral failure in church leadership, and how to navigate the long road to healing. Max shares vulnerably about his own struggles—including a quiet moment in a parking lot that could’ve gone very differently—and what kept him from crossing a line that would’ve disqualified him from...
How to lead your church through economic uncertainty
Hi Reader, When the economy gets shaky, most church leaders do what feels safe: Pull back.Cut the budget.Wait it out. But what if that instinct is actually holding your church back? In November of 2007, we were getting ready to plant what would become Connexus Church. Our financing was in place, and we were about to order all the necessary gear for a portable church. Then the stock market crashed, and a few days later, our vendor pulled the funds back. No money. No gear. Nothing. And our...
On The Rise: Changing multisite, search is dead, and Johnny Cash
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, some new trends on multisite ministry and how it’s evolving in the mid-2020s, RIP SEO, John Crist’s crushingly honest confessions (we all need more of this), and a Johnny Cash video that has brought me to tears again and again this year, in the best way. I love writing this newsletter, and today I hope you’ll find a curious, eclectic, beautiful...
How the church can lead in a lonely, distrusting world
Hi Reader, What if the country's biggest crisis isn’t political—but spiritual and moral? In this week’s episode, I sit down for the first time ever with David Brooks, longtime New York Times columnist, leading cultural analyst, author, and friend of the late Tim Keller. We cover a lot of ground—from David’s own journey to faith, to the erosion of empathy in our culture, to what leaders can do to rebuild trust and deepen connection in a polarized world. We talk about what it was like to be...
The secret of the two-hour "vacation."
Hi Reader, Do you fall into the trap of thinking that time off has to be big? That to truly destress, you need a trip, three weeks off, or even a sabbatical? Well, if you haven't learned this lesson already, it's only a matter of time until you do. “ Your time off won't heal you when the problem is how you spend your time on. The solution to your stress, busyness, and overwhelm isn't that next big break (that's too far away). No, the key is to create simple, repeatable rhythms that help you...
On The Rise: Why non-denominational churches keep growing + Fake experts
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, 5 reasons non-denominational churches keep growing, the difference between true expertise and imitators, clear thinking, and what your body language says about you. Why Do Non-Denominational Churches Keep Growing? Here are 5 reasons. If you’re following the trends, by now you know that 'non-denominational' is the biggest ‘denomination’ in...
When your marriage struggles, your ministry feels it.
Hi Reader, Every leader has a backstory. And some of the most powerful ones aren’t just about leadership—they’re about marriage, money, conflict, and calling. Last episode, Ashley Wooldridge shared how Christ’s Church of the Valley became one of the fastest-growing churches in America. But today? Ashley’s back—this time with his wife, Jamie—for one of the most raw, honest conversations we’ve ever had about marriage. (It all works out, but if you've been there, you will be able to fully...
Why do churches keep making the pastor the product?
Hi Reader, Why do churches keeping making the pastor the product? Especially large, growing churches? Doesn't that just put too much pressure on everyone? Especially the lead pastor and preacher? Those are just a few of the surprising questions and insights arising from my conversation with Ashley Wooldridge, Senior Pastor of Christ’s Church of the Valley, one of the fastest-growing churches in America. With over 50,000 people gathering each weekend, Ashley opens up about what’s really...
Healthy leaders flee this kind of culture.
Hi Reader, The culture you’re creating as a leader runs deeper than you realize. If you create a healthy culture, toxic people tend to leave. Good, right? But if you let your culture go even the slightest bit toxic, the healthy people leave. I talk to leaders every week who struggle with their church culture. They can't get enough good leaders, and the staff and volunteers that do stick around are less-than-optimal. Why does this keep happening? What do you do about it? If you don’t decide...
On The Rise: It’s time to break your own rules + Right or happy?
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, Craig Groeschel on why great leaders break their own rules, young adults are rivalling boomers on cruise ships, a less than $10 purchase that will change your life, and a quote explaining what it takes to be happy. Why Great Leaders Break Their Own Rules What rules should you break this summer? Few leaders challenge or sharpen me like Craig...
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.