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
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.
The Rev. Mike Mather talks with the youth during a service at Broadway United Methodist Church. Photos by Kelly Wilkinson
A church learns that when it stops asking about a community’s needs and begins asking about its gifts, people learn that what we need is already here.
Denominational leaders must confront the brutal facts and share them with the congregations and clergy in their charge but they also must proclaim something that sounds like real Christian hope.
Daniella Kim, Katey Hage and Jeanie Denman sing at the first service of the merged Quest Church and former Interbay Covenant Church in 2007. Photos courtesy of Quest Church
Seven years ago, one Seattle church sacrificed itself to another for the benefit of future generations in a remarkable story of trust, generosity and grace. In the accompanying Q&A, the Rev. Eugene Cho talks about the details of the merger and how his congregation, Quest Church, incorporated the traditions and gifts of an older church.
The pastor of a church plant in Seattle explains the nuts and bolts of how his congregation merged with an established church in a way that honored both organizations. The key, he says, was a friendship between the two pastors and a shared belief that the assets of the church belong to the kingdom.
A lot of pain lies in the space between 'essential' and 'nonessential.' But it is a distinction the church needs to think about -- and to act upon, says a D.C. pastor.
The Rev. Melanie B. Mullen laughs as she and other Richmond downtowners engage in a session of "pub theology." Photo by Dean Hoffmeyer
The downtown missioner program at a historic Richmond, Virginia, church nudges members out into the community to practice the art of neighboring, asking, What do you need that we could provide?
Today, Hyde Park United Methodist Church in Tampa is a growing, missional church -- but it wasn’t always that way. Under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Jim Harnish, the congregation has pursued its vision in serving the community.
The narrative of decline in the mainline church underestimates the continuing influence of its members, says a religion researcher.
It’s one thing to start a church; it's another to keep it going. As Jacob’s Well has discovered, even the most cutting-edge, creative and vibrant church has to have organization and structure.