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: Transgenderism is Declining + Delightful writing and chasing respect
Published 2 days ago • 4 min read
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week.
Today, new data shows that the number of college students identifying as transgender has dropped, some of the best writing I’ve discovered in ages, a book that isn’t funny but very important, and how to get respect (finally).
The Number of Young Adults Identifying as Transgender has Dropped
This has implications beyond gender identification, as trends and ‘acceptability’ are changing faster than ever in multiple directions.
Historically, trends take years or decades to catch on, but the Overton window— which refers to the ideas considered socially acceptable to discuss or support in public at a given time — continues to speed up in real time. What was considered ‘normal’ or acceptable three years ago isn’t anymore, and vice versa.
Opinion can turn on a dime. Which requires more nuance and thought from leaders than ever before.
Why Pastors Can't Please Anybody in 2026
The rising impossibility of keeping everyone happy…
As digital discipleship accelerates, people are being shaped more by algorithms than by local church communities—creating hyper-personalized expectations no pastor could ever meet.
In February, I’m unpacking why even your most faithful attendees are becoming harder to lead, why every sermon seems to offend someone, and how online echo chambers are quietly discipling your congregation all week long.
On the 60-minute Live Coaching Call, we’ll explore practical ways you can lead with clarity and courage in an age where consensus is disappearing.
Bring your questions and get ready for an honest, hope-filled conversation!
The Most Hilarious, Delightful Writer I’ve Discovered in Ages
Have you discovered Adam Mastrioanni’s Substack?
I’m a fan of great writing and great laughter. By contrast, your feed and my feed are filled with short-form content mostly devoid of meaning, so this discovery literally made my day.
Adam Mastrioanni writes a Substack blog that’s a rare combination of brilliant insights into human nature and life, and deadpan-absurdist humor that I thought had gone extinct. Thank goodness it didn’t.
In the tradition of Mark Twain, David Foster-Wallace, and Tim Urban (Wait But Why?), along comes Adam. He’s kind of joking, but he’s not. Here’s a snippet:
I played a lot of Call of Duty in high school, and I used to roll with a gang of bad boys who would battle other gangs online.
We weren't very good. Whenever we lost the first round, which was almost always, we would regroup in the pregame lobby—basically the online locker room—and decide what we really need to do in the next round is "try harder." As if the reason we had all just been shot in the head 25 times in a row was that we were not sufficiently dedicated to avoiding getting shot in the head. Armed with the most dimwit plan of all time, we would march into battle once more and lose just as badly. As our virtual corpses piled up, we'd yell at each other, "Guys, stop dying!"
This is the try harder fallacy. I behold my situation and conclude that, somehow, I will improve it in the future by just sort of wishing it to be different, and then I get indignant that nothing happens. Like, "Um, excuse me! I've been doing all of this very diligent desiring for things to be different, and yet they remain the same, could someone please look into this?
Enjoy this post on getting unstuck and de-bogging yourself.
And here’s to more writing like this.
Tax Season is Here
No need to stress.
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If you were looking for something uplifting to read, see above (Adam Mastrioanni). If you’re looking for something sobering and important, read this. In researching my new book on AI and the Future Church, I came across this book.
It’s incredibly difficult to think AI could wipe out humanity, but that’s a very real possibility, and it’s a big motivator in why I’m writing my book now. Not for the faint of heart, but a must-read. There’s so much at stake right now.
When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.
-Lao Tzu
Cheering for you,
Weekend Watching
John Mark Comer
John Mark Comer talks about his 21-day venture into the desert and a silence unlike any he's known in his life.
Plus, he clarifies where he stands in terms of the left or the right (and the Christian past), discusses some of the major challenges for modern discipleship and the church, and adds his own church trend.
Leadership Is Better Shared. Invite Your Friends!
Know someone who would benefit from The Art of Leadership Academy? Invite them to join by visiting your Invitation Hub.
Carey Nieuwhof Communications, PO Box 160, Oro Medonte, Ontario L0L 2X0
Carey Nieuwhof
Where 100,000+ leaders get top insights to thrive in life and leadership.
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.
