Our articles encourage, educate, and equip church leaders as they serve Christ at their churches.
Jun 20, 2025Watermark Resources
An Encouragement For Hard Seasons
How God uses difficult seasons In theory, we know that the people of God will have trouble in this world (John 16:33). But sometimes the hard times last much longer than expected. Sometimes they even seem to become the new normal. In those situations, it’s more important than ever for the church to hold onto hope (Romans 15:13). We know that “all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28) and that God is always up to something. We can, and should, be thankful always, for everything (Ephesians 5:20), in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It might not always be obvious what God is doing, but here are some ways he can use difficult seasons to bless your church and make it stronger.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Jun 13, 2025Watermark Resources
Sharing The Last 2%
Humans were made for relationships We long for true connection—to be known and accepted for who we really are, not just for an image we project. Honesty. Authenticity. Being fully known. These are some of the core pillars of what it means to live together as Christ’s church. But because vulnerability is scary, it’s easy to settle for sharing most things – say, only 98% - and we pat ourselves on the back for being so open and honest. However, that tiny bit we neglect to share is actually the biggest thing: it is the information that would truly make us known, get to the root of the issue at hand, or require real change in our lives. Whether you're trying to get to the root of a specific issue, learn to trust, start fresh, or simply be known, holding back will hold you back.
Discipleship
Spiritual Formation
Mar 18, 2025John Cox
Three Keys For Being A Successful Ministry Leader
Why self-leadership is essential In ministry, who you are matters more than what you say. Words may make an impression in the short term, but over time, your character and way of life leave a much more lasting impact. I can’t recall, for instance, a single thing the man who led me to Christ when I was a teenager ever said, but I can tell countless stories about how he lived—and how that shaped me.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Mar 5, 2025John McGee
Discover 12 Must-Read Books For Young Leaders
Recommendations from Watermark Staff When it comes to reading, most of us have more aspirations than time, and trying to read every stellar Christian book would be a Sisyphean task. To help you prioritize, we’ve asked our staff leadership which books they would recommend unreservedly to any believer who wants to grow as a Christian and a leader. Wherever you are in leadership or your faith journey, we think you’ll find these twelve books helpful and valuable.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
May 1, 2024Watermark Resources
Life Is Short
Number your days Memento Mori: “Remember you will die.” While it might seem morbid, it’s also profoundly biblical, and it has the potential to change everything about how we live and how we lead. Moses, a man who literally buried a nation, said in Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Encounters with death remind us that life is short, and remembering that life is short helps us to live wisely. These are a few things that will change when you truly take this understanding to heart:
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Dec 9, 2022Watermark Resources
Top 12 2023 Church Leadership Recommended Books
Top recommended books from our staff Friends, are you ready for 2023? We’ve been reflecting on 2022 and gearing up for the year to come. Below are 12 of the top recommended books from our staff. The topics range from theology, to spiritual formation, leadership, and even sociological. We hope these resources will help you as you prepare for another faithful year in ministry!
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Dec 3, 2020Watermark Resources
Draw A Circle Around Yourself
You can only change yourself When conflict arises, is it ever your fault? It’s easy to see the mistakes of others or recognize their flaws. After all, the problem is literally staring you in the face. Your spouse is the reason your marriage is in shambles. Your friend is the one who started the argument. Your child is rebelling against your authority. That church Member is being unreasonable. And so on. It’s always somebody else’s fault; someone else is always the source of the problem.
Discipleship
Spiritual Formation
Nov 22, 2020Watermark Resources
20 Reasons To Give Thanks In 2020
Counting our blessings Does it feel like this year has given you little to be thankful for at Thanksgiving?
Spiritual Formation
Jun 18, 2020Watermark Resources
Resting Well As A Church Leader
Why we need rest For many new to church leadership, the idea of “resting well” can seem silly at first. Doesn’t spending time learning “how to rest” or “why to rest” sort of defeat the purpose? Why would we want to put extra thought or effort into our few moments of rest and relaxation? Our days are hectic enough already. Isn’t the whole point of “the Sabbath” to stop working so hard for a while? Isn’t Sabbath just another word for a church leader’s day off?
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Dec 19, 2019Watermark Resources
The Stack: 12 Books Every Young Leader Should Read
Our essential reads Every year, when the Watermark Institute’s new participants walk in on their first day, each person finds a stack of books waiting for them on their desk.
Church Leaders Conference
Spiritual Formation
Aug 27, 2019Watermark Resources
10 Ways To Improve Your Prayer Life
An essential part of ministry As church leaders, we can sometimes get busy with “doing stuff” for ministry—the planning, teaching, organizing, managing, writing, and other endless tasks that seem essential. We make it all about our efforts, and focus on our work far more than the work that God is doing in the world. We pat ourselves on the back for getting things done, as if we could accomplish anything on our own (John 15:5).
Discipleship
Spiritual Formation
Mar 28, 2019Watermark Resources
Six Reasons Why Retreating Is Essential For Leaders
We all know getting away—whether that’s a vacation, a day with the Lord, or a team retreat—is an essential part of leadership and ministry. And yet if you’re like me, you know how easy it is to let these opportunities slip by the wayside. So in the spirit of encouragement, here are just a few ways that retreating actually sets us and our entire team up for success.
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
