Small Churches
By Charis Bhagianathan
In this issue, we want to share with you all some transformative tools that will breathe life into your ministry and give you ideas and practical ways to lean into the new year with resources to support your important work.
By Kelly Sundberg Seaman
Kelly Sundberg Seaman shares her experience of becoming full-time, the many benefits it brought her and her congregations.
By Louise Fortuna
Sharing our buildings with others can tax a congregation’s resources. “A Ministry of Space” by Louise Fortuna shares how, on a shoestring budget and without a sexton, this downtown church has become a true community hub.
By Cathie Caimano
Across our church congregations wrestle with decisions related to clergy staffing. Recognizing many congregations may associate moving to part time clergy a ‘failure. ‘ Cathie Caimano suggests reframing the conversation by as…
By Beckett Stokes
Several small congregations in the Diocese of Colorado are growing and thriving as a result of their adoption of a shared leadership model.
By Nancy Davidge based on conversations with Jerry Jefferies and Carolynne Fairweather
Four small churches of different denominations have found new energy by working and occasionally worshipping together. Three of these four churches also share a rector.
By Chas Belknap, Michael Butler, Jane Morley, and Judith Rees Thomas
The leadership team of a small church, over the course of a year, moved from being tired and anxious to enthusiastic about the way in which ‘the Holy Spirit is working through us and with us.'
By David Paulsen; Introduction by Nancy Davidge
In 2012, neighbors believed the church was closed. It wasn’t. Four years later, there are visible signs of life at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. “Peace Garden” by David Paulsen, with an introduction by Nancy D…
By Betsy Fisher
St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Amenia Union, New York was a parish of 16 when priest Elizabeth Fisher accepted their call 10 years ago. “Inspired by the Mustard Seed” shares the story of a tiny church with a mission to do gr…
By Estela López
Estela Lopez shares the story of the rebirth of a struggling church in Texas. A shared vision and inviting all members to become leaders are central to the success of this ministry. (Also available in Spanish.)
By Martha Goodwill
Martha Goodwill shares some benefits churches can have through their diocese, like being a part of a strong peer network and learning from each other’s best practices.
By Sharon Richy Turner
Is the Internet the 'Promised Land' for congregational communication? Sharon Richy Turner explores how churches are using Internet based resources to share the Good News.
By Brent Owens
In the first of a two-part series, the Rev. Brent Owens writes that when you're down, you're not out.
By Kevin Spears
Being senior warden is demanding, regard- less of the size of your congregation. In a small congregation, though, the demands are magnified because church staff members are in short supply.
By Tim Schenck
In the Book of Deuteronomy Moses says to the Israelites, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” He holds up the entire life of faith and offers his people a choice — to love and serve the Lord their God …
By Bob Honeychurch
Some congregations are vital and alive; others are not. Why?
By Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows & Sabrina Colman
Many small parishes never undertake capital campaigns because of the difficulties and limitations that come with having few resources.
By Lindsay Hardin Freeman
There are a few myths floating around about small congregations: they reflect the demise of the Church; they are poor; they are troublesome; and they are a minority in the Episcopal Church.
By Janice Ford
For Janice Ford and Peter Kosciusko, their commitment to the full recovery and rehabilitation of men incarcerated in the local county jail was the catalyst for the transformation of the rectory at their Episcopal Church into …
By Jenny Shutt
Jenny Shutt shares her experience of successfully creating and maintaining a Facebook page for her small church.