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‘Beautiful and Terrible Things’
In this excerpt from her new memoir, the Rev. Dr. Amy Butler writes about being “unemployed and disgraced” after leaving the Riverside Church in the City of New York — then finding joy in her new project, a fund to help closing churches invest their remaining assets.
Link to author Amy Butler
By
Amy Butler
Founder, Invested Faith
Considering the future of the 'Old First Church'
In this two-part 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?
Observation, interpretation and intervention are key to revitalizing our big downtown churches
Nearly 50 years ago, the authors of “What’s Ahead for Old First Church” examined the strengths and weaknesses of these anchor institutions. The lessons are surprisingly relevant today.
Kenneth H. Carter Jr.
Audrey Warren
The brain, the heart and the soul: How three Catholic churches are merging to create a new type of parish
Three congregations have avoided some of the disruption of a reorganization in Chicago by leaning into their individual identities while forming a new whole.
Link to author Claire Zulkey
By
Claire Zulkey
Journalist
New people can mean new ways of doing things
The last four years have seen an influx of new hires for many organizations. Slowing down to make the changes that turnover requires can benefit everyone.
Link to author David L. Odom
By
David L. Odom
Executive director, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity
Ted A. Smith: A hope-filled end of theological education
The director of the Theological Education Between the Times project talks about the intentional planning behind the effort and his contribution to its book series.
Majora Carter: Don’t leave! We can make low-status neighborhoods better
A real estate developer in the South Bronx works to build attractive spaces and create jobs in her home community and show people they can have beautiful, successful lives in their own neighborhoods.
Empowering teens: Youth learn job skills and serve their community through a workforce development program
Richmond’s Church Hill Activities & Tutoring adapts to a changing neighborhood while preparing young people for their next step.
Link to author Edie Gross
By
Edie Gross
Journalist
Plants can teach clergy a lot about building networks
Gardens grow in ways that are mutually supportive and connected. That’s an underground lesson for pastors, writes the director of the Thriving in Ministry Coordination Program at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.
Link to author Alaina Kleinbeck
By
Alaina Kleinbeck
Director, Thriving in Ministry Coordination Program
Learning from Saddleback, veteran of online church
Saddleback Church’s Jay Kranda explains how the megachurch uses innovative approaches to better serve its members.
Link to author Shari Finnell
By
Shari Finnell
Journalist
