How to Handle a Difficult Church Member: A Pastoral Guide
By Brent Lacy Every small church has at least one. The person who dominates every meeting. The person who complains
Church Leadership
Church leadership. Articles and resources for pastors and lay leaders on leading small and rural churches effectively.
How to Start a Small Group in a Small Church: A Step-by-Step Guide
By Brent Lacy Small groups are the engine of discipleship in a small church. Sunday morning worship forms the congregation.
How to Grow a Small Church Without Gimmicks
By Brent Lacy Most church growth advice is written for churches that already have momentum. It assumes a marketing budget,
How to Write a Church Mission Statement That Actually Guides Decisions
By Brent Lacy Most small churches have a mission statement. Most of those mission statements are displayed on a wall,
What to Include in a Church Membership Covenant
By Brent Lacy A church membership covenant is a written statement of the mutual commitments between a person and a
How to Run a Church Annual Planning Meeting
By Brent Lacy Most small churches do not have an annual planning meeting. They have a series of reactive conversations
How to Officiate a Wedding: A Practical Guide for Small Church Pastors
By Brent Lacy Officiating a wedding is one of the most significant pastoral moments in a small church pastor’s ministry.
How to Build a Church Budget for a Small Church
By Brent Lacy Most small churches do not have a formal budget process. Money comes in, money goes out, and
MinistryPlace vs. AlignedAI vs. Noonday vs. ChurchAIToolkit: Which Church AI Resource Is Right for Your Church? (2026)
An honest comparison of the top church AI resources in 2026. MinistryPlace, AlignedAI, Noonday, FaithStack, ChurchAIToolkit, and ReachRight compared on content, tools, pricing, and small church focus.
Effective Volunteer Management in the Small Church: Practical Strategies for Engagement and Retention
Discover practical strategies for building a thriving volunteer team in your small church, from recruitment to retention. By Brent Lacy