Our Church Leadership Podcast, regular blogs, and deep library of discipleship resources encourage and educate church leaders to continually seek Christ as they serve the body.
Featured content
Podcast
How to Prepare a Sermon
About this episode In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee sits down with Watermark's teaching pastors Timothy "TA" Ateek and John Elmore to discuss their methods of planning when it comes to sermon preparation.
PodcastBuilding Effective Teams
About this Episode Could you be wasting your most valuable resource? On this week’s episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, special guest Jonathan “JP” Pokluda of Harris Creek Baptist Church shares how to maximize your ministry’s potential by building a healthy team.
PodcastFinding Rest in the Middle of Ministry
About this Episode Who is the sufficient one in your ministry? In this mainstage session from the Church Leaders Conference 2026, Timothy Ateek, Elder and Lead Pastor of Watermark Community Church, teaches through Matthew 11:28–30 and points weary church leaders to Jesus’ invitation to come to him and find rest. Learn how ministry should always be an overview of our dependence on Christ's sufficiency. Church Leaders Conference 2027 - We would love to see you in the room at CLC27!
Church Leadership Podcasts
A conversation with church leaders, for church leaders. Streaming on all podcast platforms and available to watch on YouTube.
Episode 207Aug 19, 2026
Is the UK Becoming Pre-Christian? | Stephen Foster
About this Episode What if the next generation is more open to Jesus than we think? In this episode of the Church Leadership Podcast, John McGee shares an extended interview with Stephen Foster, leader of of St. Aldates Church in Oxford, England. Stephen talks about the shift he’s seeing in the UK, why churches should intentionally invest in younger leaders, how an invitational culture can change a church, and what it looks like to trust the Holy Spirit as people explore Christianity. Watch the full film on YouTube here: Awakening in the UK
Church Leaders Conference
Church Leadership
Next Generation
Evangelism & Missions
Church Culture
Episode 206Aug 8, 2026
Finding Rest in the Middle of Ministry
About this Episode Who is the sufficient one in your ministry? In this mainstage session from the Church Leaders Conference 2026, Timothy Ateek, Elder and Lead Pastor of Watermark Community Church, teaches through Matthew 11:28–30 and points weary church leaders to Jesus’ invitation to come to him and find rest. Learn how ministry should always be an overview of our dependence on Christ's sufficiency. Church Leaders Conference 2027 - We would love to see you in the room at CLC27!
Church Leaders Conference
Church Leadership
Episode 205Jul 22, 2026
A Conversation with Chuck Swindoll
About the Episode At Church Leaders Conference 2026, John McGee sat down with Chuck Swindoll for a meaningful conversation on ministry, faithfulness, and finishing well. With decades of pastoral leadership behind him, Chuck shares memorable stories, hard-earned wisdom, and honest encouragement for church leaders who want to remain faithful for the long haul. This conversation is a timely reminder to serve with humility, joy, and endurance wherever God has called you. Whether you joined us at CLC 2026 or are hearing it for the first time, we believe this interview will encourage and strengthen your ministry. Church Leaders Conference 2027 - We would love to see you in the room at CLC27!
Church Leaders Conference
Discipleship
Spiritual Formation
Church Leadership
Teaching & Theology
Articles
Our articles offer encouragement and practical advice for church leaders.
Feb 3, 2026Nate Graybill
Is Your Care Ministry Making Disciples?
The best place to make disciples Pastoral care ministries are the best place in your church to make disciples—better than Sunday services, better than equipping ministries, better than bible studies, and better than mission trips. Do you believe me? Where else in your church does everyone walk through the door humbled, broken, and ready to listen? Pain creates captive and willing audiences. People desperate to get well are willing to do some of the hardest spiritual and relational work of their lives.
Care & Recovery
Discipleship
Jun 30, 2025Watermark Resources
How To Grow Your Marriage
4 ways you can strengthen your marriage When you said, “I do,” you meant it. You looked the love of your life in the eyes and promised that you would cherish and respect them, put them first, and forsake all others to choose them, even in poverty or sickness. But when the hard times actually come, you might wonder if your promise was premature. You didn’t know it would be like this.
Marriage
Discipleship
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