Social media has become an echo chamber. Due to complex algorithms and just general personal taste, we often only have exposure to people who look like us, talk like us, and view the world the same as we do. This further deepens our beliefs by enlisting us in confirmation bias.
If we are going to grow as leaders, we must at least acknowledge different perspectives and be humble enough to listen to others.
I do this list every year. This will be my most controversial list. Every person listed is a Christian and significant influencer. Some I agree with 100% on every topic. Some I agree with 90% of the time, this being the core beliefs of our faith. But my heavens can we get upended by and in an uproar over the other 10% we disagree on.
Some of these people you may have blocked or muted because of the 10%. While I may disagree with some vehemently, I choose to put 90% of my energy in the 90% we agree on and not break fellowship over the rest. Whether I agree with some of these individuals on certain topics or not, I at least listen because a large segment of our Christian brothers and sisters think the same way.
And who knows, by being humble and listening I might actually learn something listening from someone else.
The following are The Top 30 Christian Leaders You Should Follow On Twitter in 2021. If one of your favorite leaders does not appear, check back. My list of Top Blogs comes out next week.
- Jon Acuff – In addition to making me laugh more than anyone on Twitter, his YouTube personal growth series created during the pandemic was the best weekly resource I saw in 2020. A must-watch!
- Greg Atkinson – Greg is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and Guest Services & Leadership Coach & Consultant. He is well-know as being the Founder of First Impressions Conference which I had the privilege of being a part of in 2020. To learn more about this and other conferences Christians should be aware of, click he Top 12 Conferences for Church Leaders During 2021.
- Kevin Burrell – Kevin is a professional baseball scout but what makes this man worth following is his incredible passion for discipleship. He is one of the finest disciple-makers in professional sports. For more leadership lessons from this great leader, click The Countless Leadership Lessons From These 8 Questions I Asked A Professional Baseball Scout.
- Dr. Sam Chand – Maybe one of the wisest men in Christian leadership. As a Dream Releaser he serves pastors, ministries, governmental and social organizations and businesses as a Leadership Architect and Change Strategist. Dr. Chand speaks regularly at leadership conferences, churches, corporations, seminars and other leadership development opportunities.
- Dharius Daniels – Simply put, Dr. Daniels is one of the greatest Bible preachers and teachers in the world today. He is a cultural architect and trendsetter for his generation. He is the founder and Lead Pastor of Change Church. Change Church is a vibrant ministry that impacts people of all ages, socioeconomic classes, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Trent Dilfer – Because of his work at the Lipscomb Academy in Nashville, there is not a coach I admire more. As he often says, their athletic department is a human development program, not just a football program. Well know for his work as an ESPN analyst and Super Bowl winning quarterback, there are also few people who are better communicators on the subject of leadership.
- Nate Galloway – Nate may not be as well known as some of the people on this list, but you need to get to know him. He is married to Andrea and together they have four boys, Noah, Jonah, Micah, & Ezra. Nate is the Families Pastor at
@PiedmontChurch. Nate was also the focus of the post 24 Signs Of An Elite Preacher. As he says, “It’s all about JESUS!”
- Derwin Gray – The incomparable Lead Pastor of Transformation Church is Vicki’s husband, Presley and Jeremiah’s papa, and the best-selling Author of The Good Life: What Jesus Teaches about Finding True Happiness.
- Craig Groeschel – Craig is the incredible pastor of LifeChurch.tv. One of the things I appreciate most about him was stabilizing the Global Leadership Summit. Make sure you get his new book Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life.
- Michael Hyatt – Michael is a NYT best-selling author, co-host Lead to Win Podcast, speaker, leadership expert, business coach to 600 Entrepreneurs, and creator of Full Focus Planner. His resources are a must-have for any pastor or church leader.
- Greg Laurie – Greg is an author and pastor who serves as the senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California and its multiple campuses. He is simply an amazing leader.
- Mike Linch – Mike is one of my favorite leaders and people in the world. He is the Senior Pastor of NorthStar Church, host of the “Linch with a Leader” podcast, married to my best friend Ann and dad of two incredible kids! He evens find time to be a high school pitching coach. For more from Mike, click How Do You Reopen For Services? 10 Things NorthStar Church Did With Excellence..
- Dr. Crawford Loritts – I’ve said it often, no one puts more content into 140 words than this Godly man. Crawford is the Senior Pastor of Fellowship Bible Church (Roswell, GA), author, speaker, and radio host of Living a Legacy & Legacy Moment. Crawford preached my favorite sermon in 2020. Click The One Sermon All Pastors And Christians Need To Hear Right Now During This Defining Time In Human History for the details.
- Donald Miller – Donald is an American author, public speaker, and business owner. He is the CEO of StoryBrand, a nationally-recognized marketing company who helps organizations define their message. As he says, “If you confuse, you lose.” Donald is also an author of the new book Business Made Simple: 60 Days to Master Leadership, Sales, Marketing, Execution and More.
- Beth Moore – The human lightening rod herself. Beth loves Jesus and Scripture. She likes people and diversity. She is quick to add, “My interactions and follows do not equal endorsements or reflections of doctrinal alignment.”
- Museum Of the Bible – This is obviously not a person. However, this global museum located in Washington D.C. turns out the best daily posts on the Bible itself and its history. A must-follow!!!
- Perry Noble – Perry is the founding pastor of 2nd Chance Church. Bottom line – he’s my friend and I always stick with my friends.
- Heather Palacios – Mrs. Wondherful herself has become one of the most influential Christian advocates for mental health and suicide prevention. Married to Pastor Raul Palacious of Church By The Glades, make sure you check out her #WondherfulLifeBox, it is saving lives.
- Tyler Perry – Tyler is a world-renowned producer, director, actor, screenwriter, playwright, author, songwriter, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He was also voted one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People of 2020. Let’s be honest, being on this list is more important :-).
- Jason Romano – After being an ESPN producer for 17 years, Jason now has a powerful message about the power of Christ and how he can bring healing to broken relationships. He is the host of the Sports Spectrum Podcast and author of the book The Uniform of Leadership: Lessons on True Success from My ESPN Life.
- Ike Reighard – Ike is the President and CEO of MUST Ministries. MUST is one of the leading organizations in America addressing the subject of homelessness. In fact, their work is of such quality it attracted the attention of Jeff Bezos One Day Fund who awarded them $5 million last month. Ike also pastors Piedmont Church in Marietta, GA.
- Sadie Robertson Huff – Sadie is an author and podcaster. But in my opinion, the next great female evangelist has arrived… and her name is Sadie Robertson Huff.
- Andy Stanley – As leader of North Point Ministries, Andy made news again in 2020 by being one of the first Caucasian pastors to announce the church was providing online-only services until 2021. If I know Andy, there will be another big announcement of some sort this year. Also, make sure you purchase his new book Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets: 5 Questions to Help You Determine Your Next Move.
- Danielle Strickland – Danielle’s aggressive compassion has served people firsthand in countries all over the world. From establishing justice departments and church plants, to launching global anti-trafficking initiatives, to creating new initiatives to mobilize people towards transformational living. Danielle trains, advocates, and inspires people to live differently.
- Albert Tate – Pastor Albert is the co-founder and lead pastor of Fellowship Church in Monrovia, CA. Albert is married to “God’s gift of amazing grace,” LaRosa Tate, and together they have four beautiful children: Zoe, Bethany, Isaac, and Micah. Albert serves on the Board of Counsel for the Global Leadership Network, harambeeministries.org, Azusa Pacific University, Stadia Church Planting, and the Fuller Youth Institute.
- Tim Tebow – Tim is an American professional baseball player, former professional football player, 3x NY Times best-selling author, international speaker, and ESPN sports broadcaster. He played college football for the University of Florida, and in 2007 became the first player to win the Heisman Trophy as a sophomore. Tim is also a 2x BCS National Champion. But his work for special needs children with a Night To Shine is one of the most impactful and heartwarming things I’ve ever seen.
- Bishop Walter Thomas – Bishop Thomas is the legendary pastor of New Psalmist Baptist Church in Baltimore. He is also the Presiding Prelate of Kingdom Assoc. of Covenant Pastors and a certified executive coach.
- Michael Todd – Pastors Michael and and his wife Natalie are the Lead Pastors of Transformation Church based in Tulsa, OK since February 2015. They were entrusted with Transformation Church from the founding pastor, Bishop Gary McIntosh, after 15 years of operation. Their personal philosophy and driving passion is re-presenting God to the lost and found for transformation in Christ. They aspire to reach their community, city and world with the gospel presented in a relevant and progressive way.
- Chad Veach – Chad is the pastor at ZOE Church in Los Angeles. Pastor Chad and his wife Julia have a passion to reach people through the life changing message of the Gospel. They have given their lives to the mission of the local church and have a vision to see all people know God, find freedom, discover their purpose and make a difference. Make sure you get his new book Help! I Work with People: Getting Good at Influence, Leadership, and People Skills.
- Rick Warren – Rick is the iconic pastor of Saddleback Church. If you can believe this, Rick has now been leading this incredible church for 40 years! What a lifetime of faithfulness.
Obviously, the Kingdom of God is so large a list of 300 people would not be sufficient. Who would you recommend?
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