CongregationsInnovationCongregational innovationMissions & Community
Considering the future of the ‘Old First Church’
In this series, United Methodist Church Bishop Kenneth H. Carter, Jr. and the Rev. Audrey Warren reflect on First Churches -- those anchor congregations in American downtowns. How can these institutions, which may be rich in tradition but strapped for cash, adapt to a changing society?
The value of levity in the local church
Play helps us understand God and open new paths for ministry, says a pastor
Through partnership, prayer and perseverance, a small, suburban congregation responds to the community’s need for affordable housing
It took 16 years for Brigit’s Village, a 40-unit, intergenerational apartment complex in northern Colorado, to come to fruition.
Is your organization’s base strong enough to answer God’s call?
A painting must be created on canvas sturdy enough to support it. Likewise, congregations and organizations need a solid foundation if their ministries are to flourish, writes a director of programs and grants for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity
Entertaining angels can be harder than it sounds, but it’s also worthwhile and important
While the Bible encourages us to be hospitable to strangers, the possibilities can be frightening. Some churches provide models for bringing people together beyond weekly services or liturgical ties.
Lessons from Minneapolis for people of faith
A United Methodist pastor in Minneapolis emphasizes the importance of faith communities’ public ministry during a surge of immigration enforcement in his city.
Why storytelling is a spiritual practice
Telling stories isn’t just about consuming them; it begins with reverence and listening, says a professional storyteller.
