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
Falwell, Liberty, & Evangelicalism’s Conundrum
On August 7, the executive committee of Liberty University’s board announced that the school’s President, Jerry Falwell Jr., would be placed on “indefinite leave” after posting a picture on Instagram from his yacht, pants unzipped, drink in hand, with his arm around a...
Being the Church – Four Requests
This Sunday, August 23rd, is Homecoming Sunday. Obviously things look different this year because of the ongoing pandemic. We will not be packed into the building, pancakes will not be served, and the Kids Commons will not be overflowing with children running around....
Living With Purpose During A Pandemic
Life is still very different in so many ways. The virus has not gone away. Many kids are not back in school and are doing distance learning. It has taken its toll on marriages, families, mental health, and businesses. Recently, Arthur Brooks wrote an article in The...
Church in a Brave New World
When the Covid pandemic started back in the spring, everybody assumed it would be an inconvenience for a few months and then things would return to normal in the summer. This has proven to not be the case. Life is still very different and we are all having to adapt....
Reflecting on the Two Halves of Life
I’m about to turn forty. For some that seems old. For others that’s still very young. The truth is not a single one of us knows how long we will get to live on this earth. We don’t know when we reach our midway point. I lost a close friend in December to colon cancer...
Supporting the Church During a Pandemic
Woodmont just celebrated its 77th birthday. Our church was planted on July 18, 1943. I am glad to report that we finished last fiscal year (ending June 30th) in a healthy financial position, in the black. This is certainly a tribute to the generosity of Woodmont...
Healing Words for Troubled Times
In this age of moral outrage, polarization, and contempt, how can we strive to live a life of humility that seeks to heal deep pain and division? How can we heed Micah’s timeless words to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God?” How can we keep from...
Faith, Partisanship, & Moral Leadership
In the spring of 2016, I published a book titled “Preaching Politics: Proclaiming Jesus in an Age of Money, Power, and Partisanship.” The book resulted from significant research on the intersection of faith and politics, paying special attention to the moral...
Covid-19 Update – Indoor Services Begin July 12
Our church has now unanimously approved the nominating slate and 2020-2021 operating budget. Thank you to everybody who submitted their vote online. We will install our new leaders this coming Sunday, June 28th, at the 9:15 drive-in service. I am grateful to those who...