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: Finding unchurched people as Google changes business models + The Backlash against porn
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, Google is changing its business model and that means it’s harder for people to find your church, plus a secular Gen Z woman lashes out against porn, Seth Godin on marketing, and Nick Cave on why hopefulness is an act of war. How Will Unchurched People Discover You in the Future? Google is changing its business model, fast. Here’s the question...
How to finish well in life and leadership.
Hi Reader, If you’ve ever wondered how some leaders actually finish well, this episode is for you. Ray Johnston is in his 70s, leading one of the largest churches in America, and is still more hopeful and energized than leaders half his age. In this conversation, Ray shares how he broke 140 years of dysfunction in his family tree, built a church that empowers other leaders, and stayed encouraged over four decades of ministry. You’ll learn: 👉 Why cynicism is an addictive drug—and how to beat...
This is how leaders ruin their lives
Hi Reader, Sadly, we've all seen the headlines about pastors and church leaders: Inappropriate DMs... Secret addictions... Emotional affairs... Raging at staff members... Those headlines? They’re the final chapter in someone's downfall. What we don't often see is how things started. One late-night text.One “just this once” moment.One habit you keep telling yourself you’ll deal with later. Pastor after pastor has lost their influence, not because they weren't gifted, but because their private...
On The Rise: Gen Z has a worship war, AI job loss & the path to misery
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, some more insight on what appears to be a growing gap between Gen Z men and women, and how to reach them. Plus, potential AI job loss coming soon to a congregation near you, James Clear on the difference between mastery and misery, and a few other gems. The Gen Z Worship War The gender divide widens. So, as you may have noticed, there’s a...
10 hidden struggles that undermine generosity
Hi Reader, Last week, I announced the release of the Fund the Future masterclass—new, practical insights from me, Craig Groeschel, Chris Hodges, Ashley Wooldridge, and Dan Clark. Just a quick note that special introductory pricing ends this Friday, July 25, at 11:59pm (Eastern). You can use the code FUNDTHEFUTURE to save, but after that, the price goes up. Click here if you're ready to join. I don’t want you (or your church) to miss this. Why? Because the Scripture is packed with so much...
Stuck under a bad boss?
Hi Reader, Ever find yourself thinking, “I love the mission, but I’m exhausted by the culture?” Or maybe you’re a leader who's quietly wondering, “Am I the problem?” In this episode of the podcast, I sit down with Bree Groff—change consultant, TED speaker, and someone who’s on a mission to make work actually work. Bree has helped organizations from startups to Fortune 100 find more joy, connection, and agency in their culture. And her advice? It’s practical, actionable, and surprisingly fun....
When sermons sound more like therapy sessions…
Hi Reader, How vulnerable should you be as a leader? And as a preacher? On the one hand, we're in a world of spin and polish: People only post the best version of themselves on Instagram and TikTok. There are piles of "fearless leaders" who only ever talk about their successes (and forget to mention what's broken). And on the other... People are literally grabbing their phones to record themselves crying and posting it on social media. You've probably heard a sermon or two that sounds more...
On The Rise: Should you launch that 3rd service? + 1000 True fans updated
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week. Today, lots of church leaders I talk to are experiencing rapid growth, but how do you know when to add a third service? We’ll cover that. Plus, Seth Godin talks about which ‘fans’ to pay attention to, Andy Stanley casts a clear vision, and some laws you’ve never heard of that make total sense of life. Why Launching a Third Service Isn’t Always a Great...
2025 Church Trends UPDATE! 🚨
Hi Reader, Every January, I release my annual church trends report—but this year, something unusual happened. Midway through 2025, the landscape shifted so dramatically that I knew I needed to update the trends in real-time. In today’s podcast episode, I walk you through brand new data that shows something most of us didn’t expect: Gen Z is driving a quiet revival. Church attendance among young men in the UK has quintupled in six years. Bible sales are skyrocketing. And for the first time in...
For most churches, THIS quietly limiting their entire ministry. You, too?
Hi Reader, Too many church leaders get trapped in a cycle of thinking small, acting small, and—eventually—staying small. Especially when it comes to funding your church's mission. Look, I get it. Carrying the financial weight of a church isn't a glamorous job. No one in your congregation ever sees the pressure, but it's always there... lingering in the back of your mind during every meeting, every decision, every Sunday. Sure, you don't really notice the underfunding day-to-day, but over...
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.