The Ministry Collaborative has long been engaged in exploration and conversation about metrics. Metrics of “success” are complex when it comes to church and ministry. How do you measure the vitality of a congregation? was a question posed by staff member Ryan Bonfiglio earlier this...
Like many others, TMC is acutely interested in how leadership models are rapidly evolving, what this requires, and what it might mean for the future of ministry more broadly. A key component in this exploration revolves around spiritual maturity, wisdom, and faithfulness. Developing leaders who...
This week’s prompt focuses on the tension most ministry contexts face as they discern what elements of ministry are fundamental, “anchoring,” and worth sustaining (at least for now!), and what elements might need to be adjusted, shifted, or even dropped. This type of shared discernment...
We asked several dozen ministry leaders from around the country to respond to some key questions TMC has been engaging with in recent months. For the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing with you their perspectives and insights. Through these responses, we hope you encounter...
Dear Friends, The Peace of Christ be with you all. In view of this past weekend’s display of political violence and the continually mounting tensions in many of your congregations and communities, we wanted to share this brief meditation penned by Howard Thurman in his Meditations...
Over the last few weeks, our team has shared with you several signs and examples of vitality we’re seeing in ministry contexts nationwide. With such a diverse network (approximately 1600 pastors, 24 denominations, a majority people of color), it’s a joy to witness surprising movements of...
“There are two questions that we have to ask ourselves. The first is ‘Where am I going?’ and the second is “Who will go with me?’” - Howard Thurman “You have to pick the places you don’t walk away from.” - Joan Didion “If you’re not drowning, you’re a...
“There are years that ask questions, and years that answer them.” ~Zora Neal Hurston I’ve heard and used this quote so many times and I always thought it meant that there would be difficult times that cause us to ask the hard questions of life. These hard questions...
Matthew 13:10-17 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and...