Blogs are not new. Many of the first ones started as online journaling, people blurting out feelings, opinions without facts, moods of the day. It was a way of expressing yourself.
The beauty of it is that blogs progressed and evolved to become agents of change, thought-provoking writings and now, some of the best-known personalities / companies have their own.
People blog because they want to make a difference in this world (Red Letter Christians, for example). Some write articles based on their knowledge and expertise (Vanderbloemen). Another reason could be that bloggers love writing and want to share their passion.
With so many blogs in existence, how do you know who to follow? To help guide you, we’ve compiled a list of 67 blogs that we think are casting influence on pastors, church leaders, and the Church as a whole.
First off, these blogs “are changing the way we think,” which means two things. 1) (many) people read them (they have a following) and 2) they’re either challenging the status quo or bringing a different perspective on subjects related to church leadership or culture (thought-provoking), thus bringing influence. As John Maxwell says it, “Leadership is influence. Nothing less, nothing more”.
In regards to some blogs on this list, you may have differing opinions. We may have also missed some that you feel are essential to your personal growth. Even when opinions differ, they may still be thought-provoking. We based our list on these criteria:
- Faith-based: It is a Christian blog, in the large sense. It talks about faith.
- Church leadership: it talks about church leadership / culture / theology / pastoral practices, etc.
- Pastor-read: pastors and church leaders tend to read these blogs.
- Leader-known: leaders within the church will be influenced by these bloggers.
- Their basis is inspiration, information, and transformation
All these directly or indirectly pertain to church leadership. Directly because leaders are aware of the blogs and indirectly because the writing of these blogs affect what church members or leaders believe. If it affects their values and convictions, church leaders will have to deal with the issues or questions raised in these blogs.
A list this vast will include a wide array of styles, approaches and religious backgrounds. In order to better catalog these blogs, I’ve also decided to divide them in these sections.
- COLLECTIVE: many people participate in the elaboration of the blog and it offers variety.
- PASTORS: written by active or retired pastors. They have experience and know what they’re writing about.
- CHURCH CONSULTING / CHURCH / COMPANIES: the agencies or companies act as pastoral talent seekers. In the business world, they’d be called head hunters or recruiters. They’re at the forefront of what may be coming in the church world.
- CULTURE: these blogs will talk about church culture, or culture within the church or church in the culture (you get the point!). Culture is not something you write on walls, it’s how you live out what you believe.
- INDIVIDUALS: These writers are none of the above but still fill the basic two requirements. Church members may know (of) them and they bring influence, maybe not from the pulpit or the board room, but definitely for their keyboard to their readers screens.
- NON-FAITH BASED: these blogs will be included even if they don’t have the “Faith” prerequisite. Why you ask? These leaders, speakers or writers are often quoted by Christians leaders or they keynote in influential Christian conferences for example.
Now that all is clear, go discover the 67 leadership blogs that change the way you think!
COLLECTIVE BLOGS
1. 4 Word Women
The site is a collection of more than 1000 articles, specifically designed for women in the workplace. Empowering them is a very good thing and their blog is one part of helping women “reach their God-given potential with confidence.” If you’re a woman in church leadership, this is a great resource for your leadership development.
Who hasn’t heard of Christianity Today? it is known, the website and blog are listed thousands of times a day. Well, that’s a lot influence right there. Since its authors come a variety of place, the blog allows for a multitude of viewpoints.
3. Propel Women
Propel Women is lived out though their website, conferences and a blog of over 600 posts. Founded by Christine Caine and her husband, they’re allowing the Propel Woman to “make an impact in her world for the Kingdom”.
I’ve taught one of their curriculum (https://growingleaders.com/habitudes/) a few years ago. The program is still being widely used. Any blog intended for students will shape their mind. Universities, churches and companies use their services and programs.
This blog for Christian men is from the United Kingdom. 25 writers, hundreds of posts. A different culture forces someone to adjust and adapt. Just for that, men should read it.
6. Pastors.com
Any blog that goes to tens of thousands of pastors will shape what leaders, churches, fellowships believe. Rick Warren is the founder and most prolific writer.
7. Relational Discipleship Network
Many contributors from pastors of churches of all-sizes. Their goal is to help churches and individuals to develop disciple-making relationships.
Perhaps a mix and match of blog, articles, podcasts and so many other things. It’s in the list because it is article-based. The variety of subjects and collaborators makes it a unique blend. They post about twice a day!
Many professionals and respected church leaders write for this blog, led by Thom Rainer. The posts answers questions pastors have, leaders wonder about and church members think about.
10. Rethink Now
This blog could also have been in the pastor or individual sections. The particularity of this one is that there’s many theology posts and addresses the subject from a biblical perspective.
11. Church Source
This one changes our thinking because it has articles from these respected leaders: Louie Giglio, David Jeremiah, Jess Connelly, Philip Yancey, Chris Hodges. Need I say more?
12. Babylon Bee
Why put a humorous and satire blog in this list? For starters, its following is huge. Secondly, they make fun of many Christian quirks and trending subjects. And lastly, it’s trying to prove how illogical, weird, unusual (or use another adjective if you prefer) some situations are.
I know what you’re thinking: this is a magazine, not a blog. I agree and disagree. It is a magazine first and foremost. Yet, its collaborators and articles are posts and/or blog content. It is conservative most of the time and offers great think-content.
14. Courage To Lead
Shawn Lovejoy has done it all: pastor, business man, life coach, CEO. And he brings a team of great coach and writers to “coaching leaders through what keeps them up at night”. That is a tall order the people at CTL post about and succeed at it.
“Taking the word of Jesus seriously “is their tag lines. The blog covers many subjects, tied to the idea of Jesus and Justice. The posts are often counter-cultural, and writers come very diverse backgrounds, like they say, “Diversity and collaboration make us stronger, not weaker.” Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne are the founders of RLC.
16. Joy of It
So many readers and so many more writers for this blog for women. These bloggers are pastors, theologians, leaders, and the list goes on. JOI changes the face of churches by empowering women in ministry.
17. Lifeway
That blog is on many people’s list of blogs to follow…with a reason. It really comes through its purpose of “enlightening the church with relevant research and insight”. The seriousness of the actual posts begs to be read.
Variety of writers, known and lesser known, who write specifically on leadership within the church. Many of the posts try to awaken people’s critical thinking without going into criticizing.
19. Christian Today
Not to be mixed with Christianity today, even if the form and format seem similar. The blog posts about situations that happened around the world, so it isn’t only American content. Brings some context to life.
The Church (with a capital C) is very diverse in thought, practice and even in beliefs. This ecumenical blog tends to be on the progressive side of things.
21. Desiring God
The site posts every day on subjects that matter to most people. They challenge the status quo and every post gets shared thousands of time. With over 3.5M readers, Desiring God is on a mission to help individuals to discover that, “you were created for something greater than yourself.”
TGC’s goal is to bring back historic Gospel belief into modern day living within churches. With prominent writers and pastors being part of it, it forces people to rethink how they live their values, beliefs and faith in our society.
PASTORS’ BLOGS
23. Tony Morgan
His blog and also the UnStuck Group have some very fine material to offer. Why is it changing the way you’re thinking? How about the fact that Morgan wants churches to become more active? That’s without mentioning his podcasts and books.
24. Carey Nieuwhof
Nieuwhof is all over the place: major conferences, SXSW, TV, podcasts and he meets with all the big names. He connects with people from the church world AND the business world as well. Did I mention he has a DAILY post on his blog?
25. Ron Edmonson
His blog is a collection of thoughts that reaches hundreds of churches. One of the reasons of his influence is that he writes openly about subjects and topics we don’t often want to talk about!
26. Brandon Kelly
You may not know his name or heard about his blog, but that only means you haven’t need what they offer: advice for rookie preachers. And those are way more numerous than you think. Over 15,000 students completed their seminary studies READ IT HERE in 2019. This blog is for many of them.
27. Karl Vaters
This one follows the other. The vast majority of churches, many studies say, have fewer than 200 attendees. That’s somewhere between 80-90% of them, and before COVID. His blog is intended for those churches.
28. Dan Reiland
He is known as the pastor’s coach. Executive pastor for one of the most influential churches in the USA, he writes on church, leadership, ministry and more. His blog is all about what he has learned over the years.
29. Brandon A. Cox
Until a few weeks ago, he was pastoring a great church. If this last year has been rough on pastors, it wasn’t any different for him. He keeps writing great content, soul filled, spirit lead and influence-fueled.
30. Kevin DeYoung
The Gospel Coalition has many writers, in and from many countries, that alone is a force to be reckoned with. Kevin deYoung is one of their best content writer and as he says it, he’s “restless and reformed”.
31. Joe McKeever
The man has decades of experience in leadership. When he puts all that wisdom in writings, it produces gems.
CHURCH CONSULTING, CHURCHES and COMPANIES
32. Vanderbloemen
Vanderbloemen has been finding and placing pastors and leaders in some of the most influential churches (Willow Creek, Mariner’s, Life.Church to name a few) but also in every area of the US, thus expanding their reach. Their blog has hundreds of posts on leadership, hiring and culture.
33. Orange / rethink
It is hard to know how many people read the articles but because it presumably offers some of the most used curriculum for kids and youth ministries in the USA, its influence is deep and wide. The blog offers “writings and findings from pastors, researchers, thought leaders, and experts on the future of family ministry.” Plus, our kids are growing their faith learning from their principles!
34. Life Church
Arguably the biggest church in America. Whether you like its approach to ministry or not doesn’t matter, Life.Church gives sooooo many resources for free, answers questions, shares its knowledge and wisdom. Pastors love to follow success stories.
This blog has tons of writers with one focus: helping churches to get back on the track of movement, get unstuck like they say. Having that many talented authors led by Tony Morgan makes the blog very thought-challenging.
This blog is compiled of ideas and guidance for the local church in the areas of creativity, worship, church media, and communications. This is a great place to get practical tips on how to choose the right software for your church to creating powerful worship experiences.
37. Logos
This company uses technology to help churches grow and reach people for Christ, so the angle it uses is different than many others. Posts are aimed at helping people to live a better life.
38. Willow Creek Community Church
One of the most influential American churches which hosted the Global Leadership Summit over the longest time. It has gone through some major changes in the last years and its bog is as relevant as ever.
39. Hillsong Church
The influence this church has is immense, and not only through its numerous worship albums. In the Christian arena, who hasn’t heard of Hillsong Church? Its blog is full of encouragement, stories and posts.
40. Vous Church
Rich and DawnChere Wilkerson pastor Vous Church in Miami. They reach a generation of young adults that change the world, or at least the Miami area! They reach many communities through their aesthetically phenomenal blog.
This one is all about technology that churches (should) use. The writers, who are expert in their field, produce a lot of content that is useful for the online church.
CULTURE
This magazine and blog are read by a very wide demographic. It has an opinion and shares it with its readers. The blog covers subjects like faith and life, but not only on church specific subjects. Posts hits close to home to any church member, millennials specifically.
43. Church & Culture
The main writer is James Emery White. PhD. Professor and former president of the Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the Harvard of seminaries as many call it. He tackles culture questions with biblical truth.
44. iBelieve
This site provides cultural and inspirational guidance intended specifically for women. It will help tackle current social topics and help you look at them with a faith-based perspective.
45. Brian McLaren
He has been on the forefront of many Christian reflections, thoughts. He is a big advocate of a new form of Christianity. If you’re looking for a different kind of read, outside the norm of the “christianese” lingo, go for it!
46. Team Jesus
Based on magazine type, you will read many diverse posts regarding the faith and culture. By changing what church member know, believe and think, it forces indirectly church leadership needs to adapt to it.
47. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission
Sponsored by the Southern Baptist Convention, this blog will explain various cultural, religious and political position from a conservative viewpoint. Very thorough and well written.
48. Bethany Hamilton
You know her as the Soul Surfer. She doesn’t speak much into church leadership, honestly. But she has millions, literally, followers. What she says adds weight to what many millennials and Gen Z think.
49. Sadie Robertson
She has been part of many of the biggest conferences in the last couple of years like the Global Leadership Summit. She has a voice and uses her “fame” to influence a community. And if you’re part of the Global LEADERSHIP Summit, you do speak on church leadership, whatever the angle is.
50. Tim Tebow
He has spoken (some would say preached) at some of US biggest stages. He’s a big deal, has a huge following in and outside the Church and his life is a success story.
INDIVIDUALS
51. Ann Voskamp
Her website IS a blog and has categories attached to it. She has been on TV, she has written a few bestsellers and she speaks directly to the soul of women. Artistic, personal and relatable. One of the most popular blogs.
52. John Maxwell
He could have been placed in other categories, but this blog is his personal one, not his company. He has been shaping the minds of leaders for decades now and he hasn’t stopped. Still very relevant.
53. Lysa Terkeurst
Her personal blog turns into a devotional (www.proverbs31.com) and is followed by thousands of women.
54. Aaron Smith
Perhaps not your usual blog. 240K followers, the vast majority being men. “You are the pastor of your home” he says. Good job, bro.
They decided to live out dreams by moving to Hawaii…and build a ministry online, directly reaching their peers and families. People feel the proximity because of their accessibility and the normalcy of their lives.
56. Brian Dodd
Brian serves for Injoy Stewardship Solutions. The company has served some of the biggest churches in their financing campaigns. He blogs on leadership lessons that he gleans for all horizons (movies, news, books, meetings, etc.).
57. Joe Lalonde
Joe is all about helping young leaders with very down to earth and practical posts. His following is one of the biggest ones. He influences students in leadership, plans events for them, works for a church. He could have been placed in the culture section too.
58. Rich Birch
Birch has been a main speaker at many conferences where the crowds appreciated his talks. The beauty of his blog is that it aims at what you don’t learn in school. Plus, many churches have used his Masterclass series to grow, to pivot in this new season.
59. Doug Wilson
His blog relates to all things postmodern with some theology that bites, like he says. His wide range of Calvinist thought is believed all around. With over 1500 posts, he touches every subject.
60. Tim Challies
When calculating “popularity” of blogs, this one comes in top 10 almost everywhere. He lives in Toronto Canada, which offers a different perspective and he posts SOOOOOO of the that he says, “I have now blogged for 6,428 consecutive days” and counting.
61. Ed Stetzer
He could’ve been in other sections too. Pastor, author and so much more, his blog on Christianity Today is followed by a myriad of folks. Since he is a church missiologist, he writes about it whites our Christian mission.
NON-FAITH BASED
62. Michael Hyatt
Values-based leadership, former CEO of a big corporation, Hyatt often keynotes at major conferences, both Christian and non-Christian.
63. Seth Godin
He is read by more than 1M people daily. Christian leaders quote him, follow him, read his books. He writes daily. For some, his word is (almost) equal to the Gospel (I may be a little exaggerating here…just a little).
64. Thought Leader
Many church leaders get their leadership skills from the business world. This blog has tons of followers from the church world.
65. Ken Blanchard
He is often invited to conferences, his companies thrive and is so often quoted in Christian leadership books. His blog offers practical posts that are applied in just every US church.
66. Tim Ferris
When he wrote, “Tools of the Titans”, it was quoted in every church conference and book-to-read list. Since then, Ferris has garnered millions of followers. Including church leaders and elders who work in the business world.
67. Robin Sharma
One the most recognized names in leadership in the world! He has been featured on Christian TV channels, quoted for his amazing life story and his books have sold in the millions.
Many of these blogs will change the way YOU think, possibly not all of them. Some actually believe the same exact things you trust and value. Leaders in your church will be influenced by them more than you think.
