Guatemalan native Juana Luz Tobar Ortega, who was facing deportation, came to live at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Greensboro in May 2017. Photos by Alex Maness
The first church in North Carolina to extend sanctuary to an undocumented immigrant facing deportation finds that the decision to open their doors is just the beginning of the journey.
Volunteers help evacuate people from a flooded neighborhood near Buffalo Bayou in Houston.
Michael Stravato/Polaris/Newscom
The most culturally diverse city in the nation has responded to the floodwaters of Hurricane Harvey by serving and sacrificing for others, writes a Houston church leader.
The chancel of Richfield UMC, where the remaining members have decided to close after years of faithful ministry. Photos courtesy of Zina Risley
A creative new ministry is underway in various UMC conferences to help declining congregations chart their end and leave behind a lasting gift.
Mount Vernon Place UMC was in decline when the Rev. Donna Claycomb Sokol was called as its pastor in 2005; today it is a thriving urban congregation. Photo courtesy of Mount Vernon Place UMC
How do you reverse decline in once-grand urban churches? In their new book, Donna Claycomb Sokol and L. Roger Owens share their experience and suggest a framework for seven crucial conversations that Christian leaders can initiate with their congregations.
Ezra Brewster emerges out of the baptismal waters at Trinity Presbyterian Church. He is flanked by his father, Jed, on the left, and the Rev. Matthew Robbins-Ghormley, right. Photo by Rachel Boisen
Through a modest tutoring program, a congregation discovered its calling in mission to the community. And then it started to grow.
The Rev. Melinda Bobo and parishioner Kerry Sprouse share a hug before Sunday services at St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Photos by John Slaughter
Continuing a long tradition of service and good works, St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Dubois, Wyoming, is an essential part of the town’s religious life -- and its community life as well.
Flynt / Rubio
An effective learning process almost always begins with comprehensively yet succinctly naming the challenge at hand, the president of the Indianapolis Center for Congregations says in this interview about his new book.
In this excerpt from a new book, the president of the Center for Congregations describes how accomplishing new things requires organizational learning.
The centerpiece of Simple Church, a United Methodist congregation, is a Thursday night dinner when 30 to 40 share the Lord's Supper. Photos courtesy of Simple Church
Congregants gather for a sacred weekly meal where the conversation serves as the sermon and freshly baked bread provides nourishment, communion and income. Other churches are using their template to replicate the experience.
Photo illustration Bigstock / Arrant Pariah / Rubio
Many rural communities face decline. The church has a unique ability to stand in the hard realities and still preach hope, writes a rural pastor.