Growth & renewal

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The style of worship at Munger Place falls under the “contemporary” category, with rock-style worship and video and casual dress. The building has a traditional feel, so the style seems much more traditional than the typical megachurch in Dallas. Photo courtesy of Munger Place

Congregations, Growth & renewal

Andrew Forrest: Every dying church in America has a community garden

Struggling congregations tend to chase after popular strategies rather than do what Jesus commanded -- make disciples, says the United Methodist pastor of a replanted church in Dallas.

What was once the sanctuary of Asbury UMC is now home to Servant Church, where the Rev. Eric Vogt, left, leads worship -- and the church -- in a new direction. Photos by Brian Diggs

Congregations, Growth & renewal, Innovation, Congregational innovation

A dying Texas church gives life to a new congregation

After years of decline, Asbury UMC in Austin, Texas, faced a question steeped in resurrection theology: Would they be willing to let their church die in order to have new life?

Bread Church participants gather ingredients for an evening of baking and spiritual discussion. Photos by Brian Diggs.

Christian Leadership, Pastoral leadership, Congregations, Buildings, Growth & renewal

A struggling Texas church is slowly rising again, becoming leaven for the community

Despite years of decline and worries about the future, Austin's Memorial UMC is moving forward in ministry, with bread baking, ESL classes and a decidedly Wesleyan model of church focused not on themselves but on their neighbors.

Congregations, Growth & renewal, Laity

Cherry Crayton: Waiting for the words, 'We're glad you're here'

After visiting multiple churches, a potential congregant found the secret of how to choose her new church home: a congregation made her feel welcome.

Reconciliation, Racial & ethnic, Congregations, Growth & renewal

Frederick D. Haynes III: We're not having normal church anymore

After the police shootings in Dallas and incidents of police violence against African-Americans, the church can no longer afford to conduct business as usual, a prominent African-American pastor says in this interview. The church must radically return to what it means to be people of faith.

Photo by Mark Mulligan

Congregations, Growth & renewal, Innovation, Christian Leadership

How to use this story collection in your ministry context

Westbury UMC’s apartment ministry invites you to consider, “Who is my neighbor?” This discussion guide offers tips for studying this and other questions individually or with your colleagues in Christian institutions, congregations and elsewhere.

The addition of a contemplative Saturday evening service was part of a radical change in the worship life of Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church. Photos by Tom Wallace

Congregations, Growth & renewal, Innovation, Vocation, Practices

A Minneapolis congregation finds new life through the ancient practice of keeping Sabbath

Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church has placed Sabbath keeping at the heart of its life together. Two Sundays a month, they take a rest from work and obligations -- and even the Sunday service.

Bigstock/iconvector

Innovation, Congregations, Growth & renewal, Young adults

Mihee Kim-Kort: How can the design process help churches think creatively and attract young people?

In order for churches to be provocative and compelling spaces for young people to encounter God, it is not enough to repackage traditional programs, writes a PCUSA pastor. But how do churches come up with ideas?

Bigstock/ jr4jesus

Technology, Teaching, Congregations, Growth & renewal

Chris Yaw: Every congregation can have an online school

The Internet gives even small congregations the ability to offer vibrant adult education and formation programs, an Episcopal priest and founder of the online learning website ChurchNext.tv says in this interview.

The Rev. Mike Mather walks with the youth at Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis. The church has closed many of its traditional helping ministries and created new ways to connect and support the community surrounding it.
Photos by Kelly Wilkinson

Congregations, Growth & renewal

Death and resurrection of an urban church

Broadway United Methodist Church in Indianapolis has redefined what it means to serve its urban community. The approach is simple: See your neighbors as children of God.

A learning resource for Christian leaders and their institutions from Leadership Education at Duke Divinity