Church boards have returned from a summer hiatus only to find that the more things change, the more things are the same. Plans are uncertain. Stewardship committees are uncertain. Pastors’ energy and resilience is uncertain. Everyone’s ability to navigate the divisions of our polarized society...
Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Carmelle Beaugelin (BeauFolio Studio) about why it's difficult for congregations to innovate, why it's important for them to do so, and what artists can bring to the flourishing of congregations. Carmelle's article in Faith & Leadership can be found here....
In his 2018 TheoEd Talk, “Resurrecting Church,” activist Shane Claiborne remarks that none of the significant problems facing our communities can be solved from a distance. Social and spiritual change requires taking the risk of getting close and making connections. We see this message playing out...
Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the author and practical theologian Dorothy C. Bass about her latest book Stepmother, the 25th anniversary of her seminal Practicing Our Faith, and how reflecting on her calling as a stepmother helped her understand God's grace....
I’ve had recent conversations with several dozen pastors serving congregations in diverse settings. Their descriptions of their ministry challenges were what most of us could expect these days. One by one, they all raised the same daunting concern: broken connections. Broken connections within the congregation...
Program Director Adam Borneman speaks with Dr. Dustin Benac (Truett Theological Seminary) about his forthcoming book Adaptive Church and the importance of collaboration and community in a changing world....
45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter7 said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!”[1] Luke 8:45 We are years into a global pandemic, and we have witnessed the resiliency and creativity of Christian communities all...
The Ministry Collaborative program staff (Jennifer Watley Maxell, Mark Ramsey, and Adam Borneman) talk about how trust is being targeted, the problematic way our society views faith as a hobby, and the unique position of the church for building trust across differences....
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength. But you refused” Isaiah 30:15 NRSV Our pursuit of our best life will not save us. Nor will it satisfy the deep...