Resources and Articles
Practical writing and tools on pastoral transitions, church health, and leadership development.
The Church Brain
Every week Aaron publishes a new article on church health, pastoral transitions, leadership under stress, and what it takes to help a congregation move forward. The Church Brain is now 38 weeks in with a full archive of practical, biblical writing for pastors, church leaders, and anyone who cares about the local church.
Topics covered include pastoral transitions, interim ministry, search committee guidance, congregational anxiety, church revitalization, generational dynamics, and leadership development. New articles go out every week.
From The Church Brain
It's Not Your Fault, But It Is Yours
Churches navigating a pastoral transition often feel stuck between grief over what happened and responsibility for what comes next. This article helps congregations and leaders move forward without minimizing either reality.
Read on Substack →The Unbuckling of the Bible Belt
Drawing on Pew Research data, this article examines the accelerating decline of religious affiliation across the South and what it means for churches that have long assumed cultural Christianity as a baseline.
Read on Substack →Five Fitness Checks Churches Need Before Calling a Pastor
Before a church begins a pastoral search, it needs an honest look at its own health. These five checks help congregations assess where they actually are before deciding who they are looking for.
Read on Substack →What Does the Decline in Americans' Religious Engagement Mean for Churches?
Published on Lifeway Research. Drawing on current survey data, this article examines what declining religious engagement actually means for churches and what a biblical response looks like.
Read on Lifeway Research →Tools to Help You Get Started
Aaron has developed practical assessment tools to help individuals and church leaders understand where they are before deciding where to go.
Interim Pastor Assessment
A 60-question self-assessment built around emotional intelligence, communication styles, and leadership frameworks. Designed for interim pastors who want an honest picture of their current strengths and development areas.
Take the AssessmentChurch Leadership Health Assessment
An 80-question two-part assessment that maps your leadership team's dynamics on a 2x2 framework. Identifies whether your team is Controlling, Conversing, Caught, or Clear, and shows you what that means for your church's future.
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The Church in Transition Guide
Your pastor just left. Now what? This guide walks church leadership through the first 30 days, how to form an interim strategy, what interim ministry should accomplish, and the most common mistakes churches make when they rush the process.
The Pastoral Search Committee Checklist
A practical checklist for search committees covering every stage of the process from formation to the vote. Most search committees receive no preparation before taking on one of the most consequential assignments in the life of their church. This gives them a starting point.
Is Your Church Ready for a Pastoral Search?
Before you begin a search, you need an honest picture of where your church actually is. This self-assessment guide helps leadership teams evaluate their readiness before entering one of the most significant seasons they will face. Churches that skip this step often call the wrong pastor.
The Clarity Process Personal Workbook
A short workbook to help you begin clarifying your purpose before you ever book a coaching session. Works through the core questions of the Clarity Process at your own pace. If you are stuck on what is next, start here.
Church Health Self-Assessment
A printable self-assessment for church leadership teams. Work through these questions together before making major decisions. Identifies where your team has alignment and where you have unspoken assumptions that could create conflict later.
Work With Dr. Aaron Summers
If the writing has been helpful, the next step is a conversation. Aaron works with individuals, churches, and organizations nationally. The first call is free.