Congregations

A partnership rooted in God’s love builds affordable housing in New York City

The Trinity-Rev. William M. James Senior Apartments is a collaboration offering affordable housing with wraparound services for seniors, intentionally including the formerly incarcerated.

By Genine Babakian Journalist

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What happens when an ‘Old First Church’ needs to change?

Eight years ago, First United Methodist Church of Miami faced the fact that its history and prestige weren’t going to keep it alive forever. It has found a way to honor its past and grow into the future.

Audrey Warren Kenneth H. Carter Jr.

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An underserved neighborhood needed a community center, not another church

After a satellite campus of a large church struggled, a pastor decided to reformat his church into a community center to address needs in his hometown of Blue Island, Illinois.

By Laura Rodríguez

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Long-term adoption of hybrid services represents a major shift from the traditional church model

The pandemic has drastically changed congregational leaders’ attitudes about virtual services, experts say.

By Shari Finnell Journalist

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Why deep listening matters for congregations and disciples

Listening — really listening — is the first step for participants in a program to build relationships between people on university campuses and the congregations near them, writes the program director of The Vinery.

By Alexis Carter Thomas Writer and researcher

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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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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.