Congregations

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.

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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Rural churches are economic powerhouses for their communities

The outsize economic impact of rural churches on their communities calls for a renewed vision of their importance, according to a two-year study in North Carolina.

By Emilie Haertsch Communications manager, Partners for Sacred Places

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People in the pews: Who’s missing, who’s hiding, who’s comfortable on the couch?

Almost three years after the COVID-19 pandemic began, pastors mourn the faces they no longer see and figure out how to serve those they’ve yet to meet in person.

By Edie Gross Journalist

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What can you do with a church building? Support local religion journalism

A congregation in Spokane, Washington, offered its building to a digital news startup, allowing it to grow into a million-dollar organization, writes the founder of the site.