best selling author
What the World Needs Now
Redefine leadership and character.
Discover a path to a more connected and meaningful life with What the World Needs Now. Written by Clay Stauffer, a seasoned pastor, professor, husband, and father, this book explores moral leadership, character, and values that transcend generational and cultural divides.
With 30 concise chapters covering topics such as love, hope, diversity, and joy, Stauffer invites you to reflect on how we can improve our relationships, reshape culture, and build a sustainable future for generations to come. Blending Christian wisdom with universally accessible principles, the book illuminates the importance of virtues, emotional intelligence, and spiritual growth.
What the World Needs Now inspires readers from all walks of life to embody values of decency, civility, and mutual respect.
best selling author
What the World Needs Now
Redefine leadership and character.
Discover a path to a more connected and meaningful life with What the World Needs Now. Written by Clay Stauffer, a seasoned pastor, professor, husband, and father, this book explores moral leadership, character, and values that transcend generational and cultural divides.
With 30 concise chapters covering topics such as love, hope, diversity, and joy, Stauffer invites you to reflect on how we can improve our relationships, reshape culture, and build a sustainable future for generations to come. Blending Christian wisdom with universally accessible principles, the book illuminates the importance of virtues, emotional intelligence, and spiritual growth.
What the World Needs Now inspires readers from all walks of life to embody values of decency, civility, and mutual respect.
Clay Stauffer
Author
About
Clay Stauffer is the Senior Minister of Woodmont Christian Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and teaches moral leadership at Vanderbilt University. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University (2002), a Master of Divinity from Princeton Seminary (2005), and a Doctor of Ministry from the University of the South at Sewanee (2015). His doctoral work explored the intersection of faith and politics and the growing polarization within American culture. Known for his preaching and leadership ability, Clay is a community leader in Nashville and serves on many nonprofit boards. He is a regular columnist for The Tennessean Newspaper, writing articles about faith, values, spirituality, and culture. Clay is married to Megan, and together they have three children.
My Books
This book addresses the deeper issues that matter most in life: faith, wisdom, values, spirituality, relationships, connection, and self-reflection. As our world becomes more and more secular, people remain restless and hungry to discuss these important topics. What does it mean to grow spiritually? What does it mean to do meaningful soul work? What are the values and priorities that should matter most? What type of culture will our children and grandchildren inherit? Here are a few insights that I believe to be true.
-All human beings long for meaning and deeper purpose in their lives.
-Jesus Christ continues to speak to and challenge our culture.
-Issues of character and integrity are very important.
-Growth in the spiritual life has become much more challenging in this busy age of technology, multi- tasking, and over-commitment.
Religion, politics, and money. Three things you’re never supposed to discuss in polite company. But what if you’re a pastor? Forget red state/blue state divisions, what happens when your church members disagree about politics? In this age of prosperity preaching, how do you preach, “You cannot serve God and money?” Clay Stauffer addresses the challenges that preachers face when serving a politically diverse congregation in Preaching Politics. Money, materialism, and their effects on modern-day faith and spirituality are viewed through the teachings of Jesus, as well as the work of Methodist minister Adam Hamilton and Duke University ethicist Stanley Hauerwas.
Posts from Clay
Navigating Spiritual Obstacles
Most people believe spiritual growth matters, and it certainly does. Even the growing number of people who reject organized religion and all of its baggage will tell you that they believe in the importance of spiritual growth, reflection, and formation. Seeking inner...
Healing After the Texas Floods
We have established a TEXAS FLOOD SURVIVOR FUND to provide counseling for the children who survived the massive floods the weekend of July 4th. They have been through a LOT. Many of them lost siblings and close friends. The devastation and loss of life has been...
Keeping Woodmont Strong for Generations to Come
It has been absolutely heartbreaking to see the devastation from the weekend flooding in Texas and all the lives that have been lost. I have a good friend from college whose two daughters were at Camp Mystic. The younger one did not make it. These families are hurting...
Understanding the American Dream
This Friday, we will celebrate the Fourth of July, the 249th birthday of our nation. We live in the greatest country on earth, despite the challenges that we face. Columbia University professor Andrew Delbanco published a fascinating book in 1999 titled The Real...
A World in Need of Peace
On Sunday, the congregation officially approved our 2025-2026 operating budget and the proposed leadership slate. Our new leaders (Board, Elder, Deacon) will be installed this Sunday, June 29, at the 11:00 service, and our new church year begins on July 1. I am...
Key Challenges for 21st Century Christianity
I often find myself thinking about the future of Christianity in America. What will the church landscape look like five, ten, or twenty years from now? In mainline Christianity, denominational decline and statistics have been depressing for quite a while. Many...
Healing, Growth, & Renewal Over Time
We are now entering the summer months. Summer brings a different pace, an opportunity to slow down and catch our breath after a busy end of the school year. Over the years, I have learned to embrace the rhythms of the different seasons. I also find myself reminding...
Values for Our Graduates
We are continuing our “Timeless Values” sermon series on Sunday mornings. So far, we have talked about the importance of faith, family, friendships, empathy, and trust. We have many more values to explore and discuss in the coming weeks. I address many of these topics...
Leading in the Church
This week's edition of the newsletter contains our leadership nominations for the upcoming church year which will begin on July 1. I want to thank everybody who has agreed to serve in these roles – board, elder, deacon. They are all very important for the life of...