In the latest Craft & Character episode, Steve Carter interviews author, leader and former senior pastor of Connexus Church Carey Nieuwhof about how to get time, energy and priorities for every preacher working in their favor. Carey speaks candidly about what he learned from burning out and the wisdom he has acquired along the way that will help every single communicator to get out of the stress spiral and live well in the thrive cycle.
Carey Nieuwhof is a former lawyer and founding pastor of Connexus Church. Carey’s passion for helping people thrive in life and leadership is evident in his latest book, At Your Best: How To Get Time, Energy And Priorities Working In Your Favor. Pastor Niewhof is also a gifted speaker and the best-selling author of, Didn’t See It Coming: Overcoming the Seven Greatest Challenges That No One Expects But Everyone Experiences.
From Carey: “I met the most amazing woman in my first year of law school. We got married before we graduated. By far…she’s the best thing to come out of law school for me! The second thing that happened was I experienced a call to ministry. Honestly, the call confused me as much as it compelled me. I finished law and out of obedience, enrolled in seminary.
In 1995, as I was wrapping up seminary, I started ministry as a student pastor among three little mainline churches an hour north of Toronto. When I started, one of the churches had an average attendance of 6 (not making that up). Much to my surprise I had discovered a community I’m still a part of over 20 years later.
Our church has changed everything in those two decades…the music, the buildings, our governance, our mission, our vision….everything, really. We even left our denomination and now are a multisite church with three locations reaching over 1500 people each weekend.
Along the way, I developed a passion for helping other leaders lead like never before.”
Steve Carter is the Lead Pastor at Christ Church of Oak Brook and is helping to champion the Preaching Institute to equip pastors on how to preach hospitable and transformational messages. Steve hosts the Craft and Character Podcast, which ignites preachers to grow in their craft while always intentionally working to have their character lead the way. He has also authored two best-selling books, Grieve, Breathe, Receive, and The Thing Beneath The Thing. Steve lives outside Chicago with his wife, Sarah, and their two kids. When Steve isn’t hanging around with his family, friends, or church community, you will probably find him watching a University of Michigan football game.
