“Do not remember the sins of my youth.” But the Internet does.
Charles Hambrick-Stowe is the retired pastor of the First Congregational Church, Ridgefield, Connecticut. In his writings he brings together experience as a local church pastor and in seminary administration and teaching. Before returning to pastoral ministry he was academic dean and professor of Christian history at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illiniois, and director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of two churches in Maryland and Pennsylvania over a 22-year period. Hambrick-Stowe is the author or editor of six books and numerous articles in the field of American religious history.
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“Do not remember the sins of my youth.” But the Internet does.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
Profit is important, but it's not the most important thing.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
The ministry is the best occupation in the world, partly because it’s the last real profession.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
As the boomers age, expect more stories, and listen for how they (faintly) echo the gospel.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
Jesus calls us, surprisingly enough, to be "Scribes trained for the kingdom"
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
But not by Islam.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
Think of the budget as the institution’s ecclesiological self-portrait.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
How does a staff integrate a new person and set her or him up for success?
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
Rick Warren’s inaugural prayer was smart. Sometimes we should say the “J” word more; sometimes less.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
Churches in partnership can straddle divides the broader culture cannot.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
Creativity over time does not burst forth ex nihilo.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
By-Law revision can be a ministry, not just a chore.
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
How do a petroleum engineer, an ophthalmologist, a teacher and an electrician see their work as Christian ministry?
Link to author Charles Hambrick-Stowe
It’s Lent. Performance review has a long tradition in the church.
Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants from the Calvin Institute for Christian Worship are designed for worshiping communities. These grants allow a wide range of Christian worshiping communities to focus on projects that connect public worship with Christian discipleship and faith formation. Funding awards range from $8,000 to $25,000.
The grants support year-long projects that show promise in fostering renewed or strengthened worship practices within worshiping communities in the United States or Canada. Vital Worship, Vital Preaching Grants for teacher-scholars are also available. Applications for the October 15 deadline will open on July 15, 2026.
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