Congregations

Composting the church offers flourishing in the shadow of decline

As with a garden, so with the church — the remnants at the end of one season enrich growth for new opportunities in the next, writes a Presbyterian pastor.

By McKenna Wallen Pastor, Maryland Presbyterian Church

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How do you care for federal workers losing their livelihoods and vocations?

Soup, a reserve fund and protests — these are some ways that a church in Atlanta is responding to families reliant on jobs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

By David Lewicki Co-pastor, North Decatur Presbyterian Church

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The hard and surprisingly hopeful lessons for churches five years after COVID

Pastors share what they’ve learned about their congregations, about the work of the church and about themselves five years after the pandemic forced most to close their doors.

By Edie Gross Journalist

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William H. Lamar IV: It is our victory

The pastor of a historic Black church in Washington, D.C., reflects on a recent court ruling that gives it control of the name and logo of a far-right hate group.

You’ve decided to build affordable housing on your church property. What’s next?

The “predevelopment” phase is crucial in faith-based efforts to develop church property. An expert in urban planning helps demystify the process.

By Nadia A. Mian Senior program director, Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement

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Allen T. Stanton: What do small churches do well?

Small churches aren’t just waiting to grow or to die but are vibrant and healthy places with particular gifts, writes the author of “The Gift of Small.”

Disrupting spiritual abuse requires modeling Jesus and pursuing accountability

The teachings of Jesus combined with some underlying principles of the legal system provide guidance in addressing church trauma that spiritually hurts the marginalized, writes an attorney and author.

By Robert G. Callahan II Attorney and author

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Five tips for churches considering property development

Churches are learning how to get started well with adaptive reuse and property development, writes the co-founder of a nonprofit that has worked with hundreds of churches.

By Mark Elsdon Social entrepreneur, strategic executive and author

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How do you manage frustration?

With frustration rising, there are possibilities for containing the contagion and harnessing the energy generated for hope, writes the executive director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

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

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Is your church ready when things go right?

Congregations and their leaders are often conditioned for problems. A North Carolina pastor suggests that they also prepare for success.

By Bankole Akinbinu Senior Pastor, Baptist Grove Church

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Going beyond just keeping the peace to becoming ambassadors of peace

In the months before the 2024 presidential election, the Purple Church Initiative helped members of hundreds of UMC churches in North Carolina talk with fellow congregants with whom they disagreed.

Beth Crissman Kenneth H. Carter Jr.

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