filtered by Leadership, Hospitality, Small Churches + 3 other(s)
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 Cathy Hornberger
This month we offer five resources on community outreach.
By Greg Syler
Would your small church be better off in collaboration with another small church? In his latest blog, Greg Syler proposes that the Episcopal Church use some multisite thinking. He presents statistics to show that the movement towards multisites is growing and that its practitioners are happy with the model.
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 Lisa G. Fischbeck
Many have used metaphor to teach about the Church, the church as a mother, etc. In her blog, Lisa Fischbeck compares small and mid-sized churches to corgis, agile little dogs that have the fortitude of big dogs but with small dog advantages.
By Nick Sollog
ECF Capital Campaign Consultant Nick Sollog relates his experience with a church that was in the middle of a feasibility study when their rector was elected Bishop of another diocese. All hope was not lost! The vestry found two chairs to lead the campaign, which not only reached its primary goal but its challenge goal too.
By Lisa G. Fischbeck
In A Celebration of Life to Prepare for Death, Lisa Fischbeck explores the bright side of being given enough time to prepare for death. She gives the example of a founding parishioner’s cancer diagnosis and how his family and the church came together to host a celebration of his life.
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.
By Lisa G. Fischbeck
The Episcopal Church of the Advocate lost its best loved greeter and mouser this spring. Smoke the Advo-cat came initially to take care of a pernicious mouse problem but soon began to make himself an indispensable part of the church community.
By Lisa G. Fischbeck
Lisa Fischbeck figured the Memorial Day concert and cookout would be a good way for folks to experience the hospitality of the church. It also proved to be a much easier entry point for newcomers than Sunday mass.