The Right Questions for Church Leaders - Print

The Right Questions for Church Leaders

Lovett H. Weems Jr.

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Transform your leadership by asking powerful, field-tested questions that cultivate trust, creativity, and clarity across every area of ministry.

This book will help you:

• Shift from trying to know all the answers toward asking questions that foster insight and discernment
• Strengthen team trust and collaboration through intentional, curiosity-led dialogue
• Navigate complex challenges with clarity using thematic question clusters tested in real churches
• Spark innovation and creative problem-solving by opening conversation, not closing it
• Equip leaders—regardless of size or context—with immediate, accessible tools for reflection and action
• Enhance decision-making, change leadership, and planning through focused questioning
• Foster a culture of reflective leadership grounded in practical theology and adaptability

Features

• Questions developed and refined over years of real-world ministry application
• Organized into 14 thematic categories—from personal growth to innovation to team and community dynamics
• Compact, practical guide ideal for quick reference in meetings, retreats, or personal reflection 
• Accompanied by guidance on when and how to use each question effectively, ensuring immediate usefulness
• Accessible and relevant across denominations and church sizes 

Soft cover, 132 pp
0.94 cms H x 22.86 cms L x 15.24 cms W (0.19 kgs)
ISBN: 9781791037017
Abingdon Press (2025)

Description

In a rapidly changing world, church leaders are often expected to have all the answers – but that's a heavy burden that can stifle innovation and honest collaboration.

This compact guide reframes leadership by encouraging you to lead with questions instead.

Drawing on decades of ministry experience, Weems presents clusters of carefully crafted questions designed to open, not close, dialogue across the full spectrum of church life – from self-reflection and decision-making to innovation, outreach, and personnel management.

Organized into fourteen thematic sections, each set of questions comes with practical advice on timing and usage, making the book more than a toolkit – it’s a living resource for dynamic leadership.

Whether you're leading a small rural congregation or a large urban staff, the simplicity and adaptability of this guide make it readily applicable.

Ideal for team retreats, leadership meetings, or coaching sessions, use the book to launch deeper conversations, assess strategic priorities, or ignite fresh thinking in your church community.

As a readily digestible companion, it encourages reflective leadership and generates immediate impact.

If you're seeking to cultivate clarity, mutual trust, and a culture of shared discernment, this book lights the way by reminding us that sometimes the right question opens the door to the best answer.

About the Author

Lovett H. Weems Jr. is a highly respected voice in church leadership. He serves as a senior consultant at the Lewis Center for Church Leadership and is Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Wesley Theological Seminary. Previously he spent eighteen years as president of Saint Paul School of Theology. A seasoned pastor and educator, Weems has authored pivotal works such as Church Leadership: Vision, Team, Culture, Integrity.

Contents

• Introduction – Why questions matter, and how they shift perspectives.
  
• Personal Reflection & Growth – Deepen self‑awareness and mission.
  
• Gaining Perspective – See your church through fresh eyes.
  
• Questions Build Trust – Cultivate authenticity in teams.
  
• Making Good Decisions – Weigh options with clarity and confidence.
  
• Working with Others – Strengthen collaboration and accountability.
  
• Communicating Values & Priorities – Clarify what really matters.
  
• Making a Difference – Measure impact for real transformation.
  
• Review & Assessment – Honest evaluation without blame.
  
• Competing Values – Navigate tension with grace and discernment.
  
• Leading Change – Guide transitions courageously.
  
• Innovation – Invite creative breakthroughs.
  
• Expanding Reach & Impact – Strategise growth and outreach.
  
• Church Ministries & Community Concerns – Address local needs deliberately.
  
• Personnel & Management Skills – Tough questions for staffing, leadership, and transitions.
  
• In Times of Transition – Steer wisely through change and uncertainty.

Each section includes curated question sets plus guidance on how and when to use them effectively.