Money

Remembering the enslaved Black creators of Negro spirituals

A Massachusetts congregation will be paying “royalties” to local arts nonprofits to acknowledge the musicians who were never compensated.

By Susan DeSelms Music director and organist

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Co-ops are one approach to economic solidarity

Cooperative businesses are worth exploring and supporting, both for their practical benefits and as a way to prioritize the needs of all, writes a managing director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Maria Teresa Gastón Managing director, Leadership Education at Duke Divinity

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If we want to change the climate crisis, we need to put our money into it

Crucial steps toward saving our earth include analyzing our money and divestment, a religious scholar says.

By Grace Ji-Sun Kim Professor, Earlham School of Religion

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My church is a beautiful waste of money

By the metrics of business management and capitalism, the work of churches and pastors is redundant.

By Melissa Florer-Bixler Pastor, Raleigh Mennonite Church

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A seminary program cultivates healthy economies to grow healthy communities

Fresno Pacific University aims to reinvigorate a city through social entrepreneurship

By Cyndee Fontana-Ott Journalist

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‘Crisis and Care: Meditations on Faith and Philanthropy’

In this excerpt from an edited volume, Aimée Laramore describes the difficulties of the diverse economic problems facing congregations — and the opportunities that adapting to them could provide.

By Aimée Laramore Philanthropic strategist

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Mark Elsdon: The church is not broke

Yes, the church is in decline in some ways -- but religious institutions control billions of dollars of assets. What if we invested that money in mission?

Melissa Florer-Bixler: What does it mean to forgive our debtors?

Debt is a crushing issue for many in our congregations, but creative churches are offering a path to freedom, a pastor writes.

By Melissa Florer-Bixler Pastor, Raleigh Mennonite Church

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Why pastors should support labor organizing

Because work problems are common for congregants, clergy have a responsibility to help change work conditions, says an executive director of a church.

By Sarah Ngu Executive Director of Forefront NYC Church

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Money, mission and meeting in person -- a new study looks at COVID-19's effect on churches

More than 550 congregations took part in Lake Institute’s survey about the pandemic. While their finances have been impacted, many faith communities are adapting, which will be critical moving forward.

By Edie Gross Journalist

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Learning about reparations makes clear their need

For newcomers to the call for reparations, understanding the need to move beyond atonement to restitution is a crucial step, writes the director of the Thriving in Ministry Coordination Program at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

By Alaina Kleinbeck Director, Thriving in Ministry Coordination Program

Image link to article: Learning about reparations makes clear their need