A new survey by the Leadership Network offers insights for church bookstore managers wanting to strengthen the all-important relationship with their church's senior pastor.

The study of around 250 pastors leading megachurch congregations found that almost a third (31%) pointed to books and magazines as being most helpful in their continuing education, while 51% identified conferences and 43% said personal relationships achieved the same result.

Eighty-one percent of those questioned-leading churches with average attendance of more than 2,000-said they viewed their role as being "preacher/teacher," while 51% saw themselves as a "directional leader." Only 16% identified themselves as "pastor, shepherd or spiritual guide."

Most respondents (79%) rated themselves strongest in preaching, with a third also giving themselves high marks for thinking about and promoting a vision and goal for the church (77%). Around a third thought they were best at teaching people about faith and training others for ministry. Just 10% cited pastoral counseling and spiritual direction as greatest strengths.

"Overall the survey responses indicate that large-church senior pastors have a very positive outlook," said Warren Bird, the Leadership Network's director of research. "They show high levels of satisfaction ... they get to spend many work hours doing what they think they're best at, and most of them have the privilege of leading congregations that are growing in both number and conversions."

Source: Christian Post