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Essays

Thoughtful personal reflections from a variety of perspectives about issues relevant to Christian leaders

Catalytic organizations inspire

The executive director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity writes about the significance of ministries that renew neighborhoods and congregations and how such catalysts inspire him to live more faithfully.

By David L. Odom Executive director, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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Hurting and healing: What my church did after a mass shooting

After the recent tragedy at Michigan State University, a nearby congregation moved quickly and strategically to contact faculty, staff and students, provide comfort dogs to the grieving, and gather and pray, writes the pastor.

By A. Trevor Sutton Pastor and writer

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Research-based guidelines for leading the church in a new era of ministry

How can Christian leaders adapt to the changes the pandemic has brought? A scholar who has studied pastors and volunteers during the past three years offers suggestions for adjusting to a new reality.

By Eileen R. Campbell-Reed Visiting associate professor, Union Theological Seminary

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10 ways to avoid inadvertent antisemitism during Holy Week

An expert in Jewish-Christian relations offers guidelines for avoiding the implicit and explicit expression of hatred toward Jews in Easter liturgies and practices.

By Elena Procario-Foley Brother John G. Driscoll Professor of Jewish-Catholic Studies, Iona University

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Communication and the congregational leader

The underlying goal of church communication is to foster relationships, and its strategies should be developed with that in mind. A communications professional shares some best practices for improving church communication.

By Natalie Aho Program manager, Wake Forest University School of Divinity

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Supporting female clergy during Women’s History Month and beyond

Much needs to be done to ensure that women and their work are respected, including within the church, writes a communications specialist with Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Emily Lund Director of Communications, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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The gospel lived out in the company of friends

Do we make church more complicated than it needs to be? A social entrepreneur revisits her hometown friends and reflects on friendship and what is holy and enduring about life in community.

By Shannon Hopkins Co-founder & lead cultivator, RootedGood

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Declining volunteerism is changing the church experience

Congregations struggle to maintain educational programs without volunteer support.

By Shari Finnell Journalist

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Struggling with what to do with your church building? Here’s how to find help

Congregations across the country are trying to figure out what to do with buildings that no longer serve their purpose. But there are many resources for leaders grappling with this issue, writes a project director at the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving.

By Elizabeth Lynn Project Director, Shifting Ground

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Public health from the pulpit: First steps for clergy to help create healthier communities

The gap between clergy and health professionals is hard to bridge, but pastors and Christian leaders can begin with some simple steps to help their communities flourish, writes a public health professional.

By Alejandra Salemi Doctoral student, population health sciences

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