Small Churches
By Aisha Huertas
How can small churches operate from a mindset of abundance? In Beyond the Numbers, Aisha Huertas shares examples and lists practical ways in which small churches have massive positive impact in the communities around them.
By Audra Abt
What does it look like to prioritize relationships and community in a pandemic? In Pandemic Learnings, Audra Abt shares the experience of her congregation and its multi-racial, multi-ethnic community, their struggle and respo…
By Robert Leopold
COVID-19 has unforgivingly exposed a challenging vision of the future of our church. In Tension and Release in the Church, Robert Leopold uses the analogy of a “wrist rocket” from the Netflix series Stranger Things and shares…
By Dexter Lesieur
Being a small church, doesn’t mean only small things are possible. Quite the contrary, as Dexter Lesieur lists in Inspiration from a Small Congregation, the incredible work his church of 16 has been able to accomplish with en…
By Ellen and Kurt Huber
In this heartbreaking and poignant piece - Showing Up at the Holy Borders - Ellen and Kurt Huber narrate the story of the small community of the Cheyenne River Episcopal Mission who gathered to share in the grief of young par…
By Charis Bhagianathan
In this issue, you’ll hear stories of love, strength and a willingness to evolve – all characteristics that we must lean on as we grow together as Church.
By Gary Cox
The hardest part of the pandemic for many has been the inability to physically gather. In A Small Congregation Confronts COVID, Gary Cox describes his experience as Vicar of Santa Teresa de Avila Episcopal Church and Pastor o…
By Jen Fulton
More and bigger is not everyone’s goal, nor should it be. In The Small Church as Icon, Jen Fulton explains how small and healthy congregations occupy a vital place in our Church and world and stand as icons of ‘Godly counter-…
By Tricia Jones
In small churches with a single clergy person, there is often a need for more caregivers to support the community. In One Body, Many Caring Hearts, Tricia Jones shares the story of St. Francis by the Lake, an Episcopal Church…
By Ken Kroohs
In a rapidly changing worship landscape, what patterns can data on attendance and pledging reveal about what we can expect in the future? In Not Filled Seats but People Served, Ken Kroohs analyzes the numbers and examines the…
By Kimberlee Auletta and Sarah Kooperkamp
Kimberlee Auletta and Sarah Kooperkamp are co-Priests-in-charge at their parish and share how it allows for more time to truly live into their ministry and personal lives.
By Charis Bhagianathan
In this issue, we bring you inspirational ideas from a group of small churches, showcasing how small can indeed be mighty.
By Sandra Montes
Sandra Montes shares examples of how partnerships in diversity can help our Church grow in meaningful ways.
By Susan Elliott
Susan Elliott shares some key takeaways from two online discussions ECF facilitated with part-time clergy of small Episcopal congregations.
By Wanda R. Copeland
What is it like for a small church to carry out a successful capital campaign? Wanda Copeland shares the learnings from St. Matthew's in Horseheads, NY.
By Rebecca Wellborn
Rebecca Wellborn writes about the significance of gathering rural church leaders and the difference it is making in communities across the Diocese of Dallas.
By Nancy Frausto
Nancy Frausto describes how this type of church perseveres against all odds because of people who are fiercely passionate about their church and neighborhood.
By Kelsey Schuster, Susan Daughtry and Karen Olson
Kelsey Schuster, Susan Daughtry and Karen Olson bring us news about the ECMN School for Formation, which is transforming small church communities.
By Herb Gunn
“You are troublemakers,” charged Tom Ray, retired bishop from the Diocese of Northern Michigan, which has been on the forefront of the Total Ministry movement in the Episcopal Church for the past twenty-five years. “This is s…