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 reasons young men are returning to church are ______
Published 7 days ago • 3 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, a piece out of the UK that gives some compelling reasons young men are returning to church, some fresh trends for 2026, which include good news for church leaders, better negotiation, and how to look into deep space for free.
Why Are Young Men Returning to Church
Some reasons out of the UK.
The good news is that young men in particular are returning to church. The question is why. This article looks at what’s happening in the UK and it’s great news for churches. Ironically, while one of the reasons men are heading to church is their desire for IRL relationships, the way they’re discovering church is through TikTok and Instagram. So don’t quit your digital presence quite yet.
It would be interesting to see which reasons resonate with what you’re seeing. Here you go.
Why Vision Outgrows Giving (And What Healthy Churches Do Differently)
A quiet leadership challenge few talk about… but most experience.
Most church leaders don’t struggle with vision.
They struggle when giving stops keeping pace with that vision. Sound familiar?
Momentum slows, decisions get delayed, and sustainability becomes the unspoken pressure in the room.
Over time, I’ve learned it isn’t about better fundraising—it’s about building a healthier culture of generosity.
One where vision is clear, giving is meaningful, and the mission is fully resourced without guilt or pressure.
That’s the focus of Fund the Future—a practical masterclass created with leaders who’ve faced this tension firsthand.
It’s not too late to check out trends for 2026, right? After all, we’re still in February.
McCrindle's 2026 report outlines two trends that are particularly relevant for church leaders. One is a warning to Gen X that Gen Z and Millennials are TWICE as likely to use AI at work, which is not good if you’re Gen X. The second is more hopeful—that with public trust at an all-time low, people are searching for relatable, authentic human ‘elements’. Guess what church leaders can bring? Exactly.
What if you could grow your church without growing your to-do list?
With Cru’s free guide—3 Ways to Grow Your Church Through Meaningful Conversations—you can. Each idea is low-effort, high-impact, and designed to fit naturally into what you’re already doing.
Don’t miss these simple shifts pastors are making right now to activate their congregations and change how their church lives out its faith. Download today!
This perpetual best-seller is chock full of insights. I regularly use little Chris Vossism’s like “Is this a bad time?” when I cold call people to learn more empathy for people on the ‘other side'. It’s a brilliant book and worth reading if you haven’t added it to your library yet.
Check out the Hubble and Webb space telescopes live.
From the James Webb Space Telescope's MIRI (Mid-Infrared Instrument)
I’m not necessarily a space nerd, but a friend sent me the link to this website that gives you direct access to what the Hubble and Webb space telescopes are seeing at any given moment. Fascinating.
Cheering for you,
Weekend Watching
Craig Groeschel & Dr. Wayne Chappelle
Life.Church Senior Pastor Craig Groeschel and his therapist, Dr. Wayne Chappelle, join Carey to talk about a wall Craig hit in ministry, what was at stake, how he got through it, what happens to leaders who don't take action, and how Craig recovered fully from what almost took him out.
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.
