In some traditions, the story of Thomas’ encounter with the Risen Christ, following upon his earlier missed opportunity, is suggested for the Sunday after Easter. You’ll notice careful construction in the previous sentence to avoid the word “doubt.” In the clear proclamation of John’s Gospel, the...
Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Revs. Arthur Christie and Peter Neilson from the Church of Scotland about Celtic wisdom, the blessing of soul friends, and the gift of closing a centuries-old church building....
As we enter the Lenten Season for the next few weeks, The Ministry Collaborative staff will be inviting you into conversation with us on topics that we’ve seen bubbling under the surface of our work and experience as ministry leaders. Our goal is to use...
A quick survey of recent church-related emails yields one prominent word: return. “Return to in-person worship.” “Return in time for Easter.” “Return of regular programs.” “We know you are all wondering, when can we finally return after these long, hard 13 months?” What does the word “return” mean for your...
The Ministry Collaborative program staff (Ryan Bonfiglio, Jennifer Maxell, Adam Borneman, Adam Mixon, and Mark Ramsey) discuss the importance of de-centering pastors, the increasing professionalization of faith, and the problem with wisdom gate keepers. Links mentioned in the podcast: Ryan Bonfiglio's Christian Century article AIJCast podcast ...
We’ve all heard it before, and probably even have said it ourselves: The church is dying. This diagnosis is based on troubling symptoms we’ve seen in recent years. Worship attendance is down, fewer people are participating in church programming, and an alarming number of congregations have...
Executive Director Mark Ramsey speaks with the Rev. Pat Bacon (pastor, Calvary Presbyterian, Asheville, NC) on the changes she has seen in her thirty-one years of ministry, how COVID has made us more real, and what she - a Black Presbyterian - would say to...
As we enter the Lenten Season for the next few weeks, The Ministry Collaborative staff will be inviting you into conversation with us on topics that we’ve seen bubbling under the surface of our work and experience as ministry leaders. Our goal is to use...
Content Curator Adam Mixon and Program Director Adam Borneman speak with the Rev. Dr. Dave Barnhart (St. Junia, Birmingham) about his new book Church Comes Home and what the house church movement can teach the broader Body of Christ about faithful ministry in the margins....