A learning resource for Christian leaders and theirNed Barnett is the editorial page editor of The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina, with previous experience as a freelance writer, wire service correspondent and newspaper editor and reporter. A native of Philadelphia, he is a graduate of Fairfield University. He lives in Raleigh.
Staccato Powell has overseen stunning growth in his AME Zion church in downtown Raleigh, which he sees as part of a “new church” that stresses Christian fervor over denominational identity. But his goal, he says, is to revitalize the traditional church, not to reject it.
Staccato Powell, a national leader in the AME Zion church, got his unusual name from a television series. The meaning of the word -- a burst of short, separate notes -- also fits his speaking style.
A PC(USA) program matches new seminary graduates with small churches. For some pastors it means moving from Seattle or Los Angeles to the Dakotas. For the congregations, it means welcoming a leader -- often for the first time in years.
In the heart of tobacco country, a United Methodist church is helping create a new economic future by providing adult computer training. Some members weren’t sure, but most agreed: It’s exactly what the church should be doing.
The Exploring Christian Practices Initiative aims to multiply opportunities and increase access to settings that help individuals from a wide variety of backgrounds explore and engage in Christian practices to address their spiritual interests and questions, find and build community with others, nourish their religious lives and grow in faith.
In this open and competitive initiative, the Endowment invites charitable organizations to submit proposals for grants of up to $2.5 million each that may be used for up to a five-year period to develop new and/or enhance existing programs that present promising strategies for advancing the aim of the initiative and provide compelling and thoughtful responses to its guiding questions. The Endowment anticipates awarding approximately 60 grants and announcing grant awards in December 2026.
The Endowment will host four virtual information sessions (February 17, 19, 24, and 25) to discuss the Exploring Christian Practices guidelines for submitting a proposal. An Interest Form and Letter of Interest are due March 25, 2026. Complete proposals are due May 18, 2026.
Learn More and register for information sessions