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Andy Stanley Announcement Regarding Joel Thomas As someone who makes his living helping churches hire pastors, you might expect me to see an internal succession announcement as a missed business opportunity. Actually, it brings me great joy. North Point Ministries recently announced that Joel Thomas has been recommended to succeed Andy Stanley as Senior Pastor, with congregational voting results scheduled to be announced November 1. If approved, Thomas will begin leading the overall ministry organization on January 1, 2027. In...Read More

The job search can feel like navigating a winding path, and the interview process is often one of its most challenging moments. At Shepherd Staff, our team understands that people of faith want to approach every opportunity with integrity, authenticity, and confidence. Faith-based interview preparation is about more than practicing answers. It is about seeking opportunities where you can use your God-given talents and skills to make a meaningful impact while honoring your values. So, how do you approach faith-based...Read More

When a church begins the sacred process of discerning its next pastor, it is far more than hiring a pastor; it is a spiritual moment. It is a time to listen carefully, pray deeply, and ask questions that reveal not just competence, but calling, not just experience, but heart. At Shepherd Staff, our team has walked alongside churches through pastoral transitions, leadership searches, and seasons of discernment. One truth remains consistent: healthy pastoral searches are rarely rushed. Too often, churches...Read More

From the outside, everything can look great. Attendance is up. Giving is strong. The staff team seems aligned. Momentum is real, and people are excited about what’s happening. And then, seemingly out of nowhere, something breaks. What looked like a healthy organization suddenly raises questions about its organizational health. A key staff member resigns. A leader is let go. Conflict surfaces. What once felt unified suddenly feels fragile. And the question everyone quietly asks is, How did we get here?...Read More

The Shift From Experimentation to Strategy Artificial intelligence is quickly moving from a tool individual staff members experiment with to a strategic issue church leaders must evaluate. For some of the largest and most forward-looking churches, that shift is already showing up in a new way. They are actively considering whether they need a Church AI Specialist to guide how AI is implemented across the organization. Why Churches Are Considering a Church AI Specialist At Shepherd Staff, we are already...Read More