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
New Series – “Timeless Values for a Chaotic World”
Our youth did an incredible job leading worship on Sunday. We are very proud of our graduating seniors and we wish them well as they prepare to head off to college and into their next chapter. Woodmont has helped shape, mold, and nurture them over the years and we are...
An Easter Mindset & How We See the World
First of all, THANK YOU to everybody who has made a commitment to support the mission and ministry of our church for another year. We have had a very strong response to the "Generous Hearts" campaign so far. It is not too late to be a part of this campaign. You can...
Easter, Baptisms, & Commitment Sunday
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter. Woodmont was certainly busy, vibrant, and full of life. You have probably seen that Pope Francis passed away after giving his final Easter address. He leaves a legacy of advocating for mercy and compassion. Prayers...
Easter Brings New Life!
Palm Sunday began the greatest week of the year for Christians – Holy Week. We will have a dinner on Thursday at 5:30 PM followed by a Maundy Thursday service at 6:30 PM in the chapel. We will have a special Good Friday service at noon in the sanctuary focused on the...
Generous Hearts
We are now in the heart of our spring stewardship campaign with the theme “Generous Hearts.” Paul writes in II Corinthians 9: “Those who sow sparingly will also reap sparingly; those who sow generously will also reap generously…the Lord loves a cheerful...
My Upcoming Book – “What the World Needs Now”
I am excited to announce my upcoming book that is being published by Abingdon Press in May titled What the World Needs Now: Virtue and Character in an Age of Chaos. This new book provides antidotes to many of the challenges that our culture is currently facing...
Emotionally Intelligent Christianity
In our spiritual leadership class on Wednesday nights, we are spending some time focusing on the concept of “Emotional Intelligence” or EQ. I have always believed that emotional intelligence and spiritual maturity go hand in hand. It is very hard to have one without...
Humility and the Challenge of Personal Growth
We are now in Lent, a forty-day season of soul-searching and spiritual growth preparing for Easter. It is a time to ask deep, meaningful questions about faith and the bigger picture of life. I hope you will take advantage of the great classes now being offered at...
