Christian Formation
By Scott Gunn
In Discipleship or Bust: The Church in 2050, Scott Gunn predicts disciple-making will be at the heart of a church that is vibrant and growing in the years to come.
By Valerie Bailey Fischer
As they tried to shake my hand, the father turned to me and quietly said, “see you in five years.” That was almost two years ago and I have not seen them since.
By Mike Michie and Clay Lein
Mike Michie and Clay Lein have been successful church planters with thriving congregations. They share the three tenets they follow to have committed and empowered leaders.
By Sam Portaro
Sam Portaro’s invitation to think about Advent through Joseph’s eyes as he travels to Bethlehem with Mary. In “What Fresh Hell is This?,” Sam challenges us to embrace a form of spiritual leadership that demands courageous tru…
By Karen B. Montagno
“Collect of the Day” by Karen Montagno reminds us of the power of community prayer and reminds us that the freedom to assemble for worship, taken for granted today, was not possible for enslaved blacks during slavery.
By Scott Gunn
Scott Gunn in “Transform Your Congregation: Read the Bible,” invites us to move from the typical Episcopal – and pre-reformation practice...
By Howard Kently Williams
In “Baptismal Covenant, ” Howard Kently Williams offers a look at the way his Brooklyn, NY, congregation lives into the familiar phrase “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself,” by bui…
By Charles LaFond
Stewardship campaign chairpersons may perceive themselves as congregational “nagger” or “scolder.” Might we suggest a self-perception of “coach” or “cheerleader?”
By Armantina R. Peláez
Latin Americans in the United States generously donate money, leadership, and talent to the Church. It’s important for them to see their resources being used prudently and to know that they’re truly contributing to the welfar…
By Angela Emerson
In being good stewards, we advocate giving of our time, talent, and treasure continuously throughout the year. Are pledge cards distracting us from our efforts to practice good stewardship? What alternatives might we use in…
By Ryan Mahoney (as told to his mom, Jan Mahoney)
About ten years ago, parishioners noted that many families requested bicycles for their children and themselves. For many, bikes served as their primary transportation to school and work.
By Liz Luna
Finding people to fill leadership roles can be a challenging. One approach is to provide opportunities for members, including youth and young adults, to develop leadership skills - as helpers, assistants, or committee membe…
By Allison Duvall
In the first year of his episcopacy, Bishop Stacy Sauls was assessing the gifts and challenges facing the Diocese of Lexington. He saw the problems plaguing the Appalachian region: high levels of poverty and rampant illiterac…
By Laurel Johnston
Interviews with ten Latino/Hispanic congregations reveal best practices of stewardship.
By Peter Lane
“St. Paul & the Redeemer is growing because we are really clear about what we are about and that is welcoming everybody to this community: orthodox believer or skeptic, gay or straight, black or white, rich or poor, everyone …
By Fletcher Harper
More and more people believe that protecting Creation is a religious value.
By ECF
A lifelong process, Christian formation involves many things: baptism, church school, prayer, Bible study, life experiences, taking what is learned in church into the world, and being in community with other Christians. What …
By Wayne Schwab
John, a senior warden and computer programmer, finds a colleague, Tim, stealing his innovations.
By Dick Snyder
In congregations that have adopted — or are considering — a program of Total Ministry, (sometimes called mutual ministry, or ministry of the baptized) the church is working at becoming a ministering community rather than a co…