in Vital Posts and filtered by Conflict, Advocacy, Christian Formation + 4 other(s)
By Richelle Thompson
In our latest blog, Richelle Thompson tells the story of the Good Book Club. In 2018, Forward Movement organized the initiative and brought in partner organizations from across the Episcopal Church. For the first year, they read the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Last year they read Paul’s letter to the Romans and their mailing list doubled. This year, the Good Book Club focuses on the Gos...
By Lisa G. Fischbeck
In our latest blog, John: The Gospel of Glory and…, Lisa Fischbeck explores her initial love of John that becomes tempered by the realization of anti-Jewish bias in his gospel.
By Linda Buskirk
Linda Buskirk addresses a common issue in church architecture – that often it’s not built to be welcome to people of all abilities. In our latest blog, she recommends steps to remedy such situations.
By Greg Syler
How can we have a bold and serious conversation as The Episcopal Church about ways to mobilize our buildings? Greg Syler contributes our latest blog, sharing his thoughts on this question.
By Sarah Townsend Leach
Sarah Leach contributes our latest blog. She wants the Episcopal Church to use the word “stewardship” the way the rest of the non-profit world uses it, not just to mean the solicitation of funds.
By Richelle Thompson
Richelle Thompson shares the story of Graeter’s ice cream’s copy editing error to make a valuable pint, uh, point, that we are quick to cast blame and slow to extend grace. This company’s act of Christian charity is an example of humility for all of us members of the “gotcha!” culture.
By Linda Buskirk
St. John’s of Grand Haven MI uses a personal approach to stewardship that has proved very effective and pleasant for its practitioners. Starting in the spring and continuing throughout the entire year, stewardship team members reach out individually to parishioners on their lists through personal notes. Giving to St. John’s has increased about 25% over the past five years.
By Linda Buskirk
Many faith communities are about to launch annual giving campaigns. Linda Buskirk suggests that thinking of the annual campaign as an invitation rather than an “ask” changes the dynamic and will help more people give.
By Lisa G. Fischbeck
Lisa Fischbeck’s church acquired five acres of land that had once belonged to someone who took good care of it. On talking to people and doing research, they learned that restoring native plants restores the health and function of the local ecosystem. So they cast a vision.
By Jerry Campbell
Jerry Campbell writes about St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and how it will be able to open a new parish center. St. Mark’s story is comprised of four pieces, with the capital campaign facilitated by ECF being the final piece of the puzzle.