Most teaching plans have a blind spot, and it's probably the same one yours does.

A new article from Lifeway's Laura Magness makes the case that churches consistently avoiding difficult Scripture passages are unintentionally stunting three kinds of growth: theological depth, biblical literacy, and congregational empathy. It's a compelling argument, and the timing matters. With Lifeway's own research showing that only 31% of Protestant churchgoers read the Bible daily and a persistent gap between stated belief and practiced engagement, how churches teach Scripture is inherently a growth question.

Magness identifies a pattern most pastors will recognize: We gravitate toward passages that highlight God's love, grace, and mercy because they're easier to teach and easier to hear. But texts like the lament of Psalm 88, the holy war language in Joshua, or the strange narrative of 1 Samuel 28 reveal dimensions of God's character that comfortable passages simply don't reach. His justice. His patience with doubt. His willingness to meet people in confusion, not just celebration.

Here's why this matters for your church's growth: congregations that only hear the approachable parts of Scripture develop a faith that's wide but shallow. When real suffering, doubt, or moral complexity hits, and it always does, people don't have the theological framework to hold on. Magness argues that wrestling with hard texts builds the kind of empathy and resilience that keeps people connected to one another and to the church. That's what leads to retention. Three steps to act on this week:

Adding Leaders Multiplies Ministry | Outreach Magazine

Eric Geiger highlights a powerful pattern from the early church: growth shifted from addition to multiplication when the apostles stopped doing everything themselves and empowered others to lead. The key turning point came in Acts 6, when leaders delegated ministry responsibility to people of proven character and wisdom. For pastors entering a new year, this is a critical gut check. Healthy growth means identifying and investing in the people around you who can carry the mission forward. Multiplication starts when you stop holding on.

This week: Name three people in your church with leadership potential and schedule a conversation about giving them real responsibility—not busywork, but meaningful ministry ownership.

Fewer Pastors Are Considering Quitting—But Recovery Isn't Complete | Barna Group

New Barna data shows that 24% of U.S. senior Protestant pastors have seriously considered leaving full-time ministry in the past year, a meaningful decline from the roughly 40% who said the same at the pandemic's peak in 2022. The trend signals stabilization, not celebration. Barna's research reinforces that pastors with stronger relational support are significantly less likely to consider walking away, suggesting that retention is shaped by culture and shared responsibility within the church. As you set the tone for a new year, this data is a reminder: the health of your church starts with the health of its leaders. Building systems that sustain you (real friendships, honest accountability, shared burden) isn't a luxury. It's the foundation everything else grows on.

This week: Identify one relationship or support structure you've let slip, maybe a mentor, a peer group, a regular day off, and take one step to rebuild it before the month ends.

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