HealthThe Plateau Is a Leadership Problem Before It Is an Attendance Problem
What congregational research says about why churches stall between 150 and 250, and the three structural moves that get them unstuck.
HealthFind your desk
Every article is written to one leader's actual job. Pick yours and read what was written for you.
I
Senior Pastors
Vision, preaching, elder boards, staffing, and the weight of the whole.
- The Elder Meeting Agenda That Changes Everything
- Casting Vision a Congregation Can Repeat Back
- The Plateau Is a Leadership Problem Before It Is an Attendance Problem
II
Associate & Under-Shepherds
Associates, elders, deacons, small group and care leaders.
- Hospital Visits: A Practical Theology for the Room
- How Deacons Can Carry Care Without Burning Out
- Managing Up: Serving Your Senior Pastor Well
III
Worship Leaders
Praise team leaders, music directors, and production volunteers.
- Setlist Flow: Arranging Songs Around the Sermon Text
- Auditions Without Wounds: Saying Not Yet Kindly
- Congregational Singing Is Down. Here Is What Brings It Back.
IV
Youth Pastors
Youth pastors, student ministry volunteers, and next-gen leaders.
- Parent Partnership: The Meeting Every Youth Pastor Should Hold
- Screening and Safety Policies That Protect Students and Leaders
- Small Group Curriculum That Teenagers Do Not Roll Their Eyes At
Pillar One
Growth
Evangelism, assimilation, multiplication. Healthy numbers that come from healthy systems, not gimmicks.
Explore GrowthPillar Two
Health
Leadership culture, discipleship pathways, conflict, governance, and the pastor's own soul.
Explore HealthPillar Three
Connection
Small groups, guest follow-up, volunteers, and the community outside your doors.
Explore ConnectionLeader Tools
Free tools built for ministry work. Try the Church Health Pulse right here; it runs entirely in your browser.
Church Health Pulse
8 questions · 2 minutesSermon Series Builder
Powered by SermoniTurn a book of the Bible or a theme into a titled, outlined series with big ideas for each week.
Guest Follow-Up Writer
Coming soonDrafts a warm, personal three-touch follow-up for first-time guests in your church's voice.
Setlist Flow Planner
Coming soonSuggests song order, keys, and transitions around your sermon text and service length.
Youth Lesson Outline
Coming soonA 45-minute student lesson: hook, text, discussion questions, and a take-home challenge.
The Leader's Library
Books our editors keep returning to, sorted by the leader who needs them most.
Leading from the Second Chair
Serving well under another leader without losing your voiceView on Amazon
How To Manage God's Money
A Bible-based blueprint for building wealth without compromising your faithView on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, Church Leader Today earns from qualifying purchases. It never changes what we recommend.
Tools we recommend
Platforms and publications worth a church leader's time.
Sermon preparation
Sermoni
Research, outline, and prepare sermons faster, with your study and your voice at the center.
Try SermoniDiscipleship & assimilation
GROWTH
Track every person from first visit to active disciple, so no one slips through the cracks.
Explore GROWTHFaith and business
CP Mag
Christianpreneur Magazine: faith, business, and leadership for those building beyond the pulpit.
Read CP MagLeader Letters from Eric V. Hampton
Nearly 30 years as a senior pastor and executive pastor. Now leading operations for a church of 10,000+ weekly.
Leader Letter · Sep 19, 2026
Stop Recruiting Volunteers: Start Developing Ministry Owners
Learn how pastors can move beyond filling volunteer positions to developing ministry leaders who take ownership, strengthen teams, and build sustainable church…
Leader Letter · Sep 13, 2026Confusion Is More Expensive Than You Think
Poor communication costs churches trust, alignment, time, and momentum. Learn how healthy church leaders use clarity and consistent communication to strengthen…
Leader Letter · Sep 4, 2026People Leave Before They Leave
Church disengagement often begins before attendance declines. Learn how pastors and church leaders can recognize early signs of disconnection and intentionally…
Leader Letter · Aug 29, 2026What Church Leaders Should Measure Before Attendance Declines
Healthy churches measure more than attendance and giving. Learn how pastors can identify leading indicators of engagement, communication, ownership, and…
All Leader Letters at ericvhampton.comChurchLeaderOSChurchLeaderOS: Complete Leadership Development SystemLead yourself, lead others, lead the organization.Pew PatternsPew PatternsWhy the saints are sittin', switchin', and searchin'.Succession GuideChurchLeaderOS: Pastoral Succession GuidePlan the handoff before you need it.Free AssessmentThe Healthy Church Systems AssessmentFree diagnostic for your church's systems.Visit Eric's store
Free Resources
- Hartford Institute for Religion ResearchResearchFaith Communities Today national survey data on congregations.
- Lifeway ResearchResearchPastor and congregation surveys, free reports and articles.
- Barna Group ArticlesResearchTrend data on pastors, Gen Z, and church engagement.
- Carey Nieuwhof Leadership PodcastPodcastWeekly interviews on leadership, culture, and change.
- Planning CenterSoftwareCheck-ins, services planning, and people management, with free starter tiers.
Proven Resource
Feature · Connection
Alpha: Why a 30-Year-Old Course Still Opens Doors
A close look at the meal, talk, and discussion format that churches of every size keep using to welcome people with questions about faith.
- Best for
- Outreach and guest assimilation
- Cost
- Free materials; you supply the meal
- Effort
- 11 weeks, one host team
The Monday Brief for church leaders
One research insight, one practical move, and one free tool. Written for your role, in your inbox before staff meeting.