in Vital Posts and filtered by Outreach, Pastoral Care, Stewardship + 3 other(s)
By Ken Mosesian
Ken Mosesian takes stock of our new reality and encourages us as lay and clergy leaders to continue moving forward towards the light, creating virtual resources that will sustain our congregations until we can be physically together again.
By Greg Syler
Why can’t a group of great people grow their church? Greg Syler posits that it might have to do with the Vestry. Please see below for more.
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 Annette Buchanan
Annette Buchanan tackles vestry shortfalls in communication and knowledge. Here she shares her church’s recommendations for a strong, transparent vestry.
By Richelle Thompson
A church coloring book? Sure, why not? It’s a creative and accessible way to teach both children and adults about the church and its traditions. Using drawings done by artists in the congregation also honors their talents.
By Melissa Rau
Melissa Rau writes our latest blog from the viewpoint of young parents who are interested in getting involved, but are ultimately turned off by their church. They are welcomed, but not welcome to change anything.
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 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.