Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Greetings.

Much has been written about the overall decline in mainline denominations. Tom Ehrich and others are calling for a ‘new way of doing business‘ – and throughout our church, congregational leaders struggle with the reality of declining membership, aging buildings, and limited financial resources.

This month, ECF Vital Practices shares stories of three different approaches to facing the potential ‘death’ of an existing way of being church and exploring ways to transform the underlying vitality into new ways of responding God’s call. Our fourth article offers congregational leaders a model to help worshippers begin to explore ways to stretch their understanding of what God is calling us to do in the world.

Here’s what you’ll find:

• In “From a Death, New Life,” Tommy Dillon shares the story of how the congregation of Saint Aidan’s, San Francisco made the decision to let a beloved program die and the new life, and new relationships, that arose from having the courage to say ‘goodbye’ with dignity.
• Cam Miller’s “Dating the Presbyterians,” explores the possibilities that emerged when a long established church in the community came knocking on the door, asking Trinity Episcopal, Buffalo, if it would entertain the idea of sharing its campus.
• “Real Collaboration” by Greg Syler, offers a roadmap for congregations, deaneries, and dioceses to begin the conversation related to exploring what it means to be church today, opening ourselves up to new possibilities, and finding grace filled ways to let go.
• In “Answering God’s Call,” Peyton Craighill outlines an approach designed to help congregations move from an associative to a missional church. Using familiar Scripture and symbols, Craighill invites us to consider Jesus’ call for his disciples to go out into the world and share the Good News.

Related resources already in the ECF Vital Practices archives include:

• Changing the Scorecard by Nancy Davidge 
• Charting a New Path by Richelle Thompson 
• The Little Church That Could by Anne Ditzler 
• What to Do When a Ministry Outlasts a Church? by Peter Strimer 
• Why Stay the Same? by Miguel Escobar 

I invite you to add to this content by sharing your stories and resources of death and resurrection in the Your Turn section and by posting comments related to our articles, blog posts, or other content.

Faithfully,

Nancy

Nancy Davidge 
Editor, ECF Vital Practices