Ministry Matters - Building for 2026: Strategy and Soul

A Word from the Editor  January brings that familiar tension: the fresh energy of a new year colliding with the reality that you're still tired from December, and your congregation might be too. This is when well-meaning planning retreats can feel more exhausting than energizing, and when "building community" has become such a buzzword that it's lost all meaning.  This month, we're offering tools that acknowledge where we actually are in 2026. Strategic planning needs to be adaptive, not rigid—because none of us can predict what next quarter will bring. And community formation needs to go deeper than programming, addressing the real loneliness epidemic even in our churches. These resources are designed to help you lead with both clarity and compassion as you navigate the year ahead.  —Cameron  From vision to action: Adaptive planning for uncertain times by Ministry Matters "Five-year plans don't work when you can't predict next quarter. Learn how to adapt frameworks like a strategic cascade for church contexts, moving from compelling vision to executable quarterly priorities without getting paralyzed by uncertainty. This practical approach helps you answer: Where will we focus? How will we win? What do we actually need to make it happen?"  Learn More Right Questions to ask as the new year begins by Lovett H. Weems Jr. "Before rushing into 2026 planning, ask the diagnostic questions that reveal what's actually working. Lovett Weems offers seven essential questions about first-time guests, volunteers, community change, glimpses of vitality, finances, and new people that will give you the clarity you need to plan wisely."  Read Now What questions will guide your church's path forward this year? Beyond Christian nationalism by Justin Coleman "Christian nationalism did not arise because Christians suddenly became too political. It arose because Christian spirituality became too thin. That distinction matters. It reframes the problem in a way that neither excuses nor simplifies what we are facing." Continue Reading

Lovett H. Weems, Jr. equips church leaders with field-tested questions organized into 14 categories to navigate personnel challenges, expand ministry impact, and make better decisions in any denominational setting. Leading scholars and practitioners from Duke Divinity School explore how Trinitarian theology provides vital resources for contemporary ministry challenges—from worship and preaching to climate crisis and church renewal—demonstrating that the ancient Nicene confession remains powerfully relevant for twenty-first century faith and practice. Twenty-four ready-to-use sermon series from diverse preachers offer fresh themes, focus Scriptures, sermon starters, and creative ideas for extending each topic into worship, education, and outreach—saving pastors valuable preparation time while bringing meaningful depth to the pulpit year-round.