Why reinvent the wheel? With so many churches doing exciting and inspiring work, Nancy Davidge’s role with the Episcopal Church Foundation’s Vital Practices initiative, has her on the prowl for new and innovative success stories in local congregations. Nancy says the big theme is reaching out – and in this interview tells us about how [...]

When non-church goers defend their behavior by saying they are ‘spiritual and not religious’ they seem to be identifying churches as religious, but not spiritual places – and they’re onto something. Too many churches have evolved into places that no longer ask spiritual questions, intentionally listen to God, and help people figure out who they [...]

More than once, when pastor Bill Bohline has told the congregation at Hosanna Lutheran Church, ‘We believe the Lord has led you here,’ someone has cried. It’s the general feeling of God’s presence that Pastor Bohline believes brings people to his congregation, and keeps them there. Bill started this church 30 years ago, which now [...]

It’s the most important aspect of church leadership today, says Pittsburgh Theological Seminary‘s Susan Kendall: listening. As a graduate school instructor she sees listening, in its three aspects of congregation, context, and God, as standard equipment for today’s effective leaders. Susan also has a passion for Reformed Christian Spiritual Formation, which cuts to the core [...]

In a post-denomination, post-Christian world churches may no longer be able to survive if arrogance and protectionism play very large roles in their communities. That’s why John Shelby Spong, who’s tenure as a liberal Episcopal bishop of Newark and subsequent career as an author and lecturer, is calling believers to act with humility and acceptance [...]

Applying Purpose-Driven principles to a mainline church? Bethlehem Lutheran may be the first mainline congregation to apply Rick Warren’s famous philosophy – and it’s been a great success. Nearly 20 years ago Pastor Chris Nelson attended a conference at the now-famous Saddleback Church in Southern California. When he returned he did not change the music, [...]

Building healthy churches begins with building healthy church members. That’s the thinking behind Forward Movement, a 1930′s initiative of The Episcopal Church, which is best known for its ‘Day by Day’ daily devotional pamphlet, but also includes tract, and book publishing. Scott Gunn is the gifted, energetic, and new face behind Forward. He’s a popular [...]

Celebrating the gifts of young people is one of the best ways to build a healthy congregation. The average age of members of most North American Churches is higher – and sometimes way higher – than the rest of the population. And experts say congregations where a majority of members are age 50 or older [...]

Megachurch pastor Doug Schmidt of Woodside Bible Church in Metro Detroit pioneered a novel way to advance the Gospel: by merging with struggling congregations and investing in them with the intention of turning them loose. It’s not a takeover plan aimed at building a new denomination, rather a way to help declining congregations re-tool and [...]

Nearly 40 years ago founders of The Alban Institute set out to resource local congregations – and it’s current president, The Rev. Dr. James Wind is continuing the task. Since its humble beginnings Alban has branched out into publishing, conferences, and newsletters (both print and email) that share valuable resources with congregations. In this interview [...]

He’s a leader in the New Monasticism movement – and Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove has plenty to say about the blessings of building the church by building up a community. Ten years ago Jonathan and a handful of others started Rutba House, as an intentional monastic community set in a poor area in Durham, North Carolina. The [...]

It’s the classic definition of ‘missional’: participating with God in what God is doing in the world – and it’s Steve Knight’s passion and profession. Maybe you’ve heard of Steve’s popular blog, or heard him speak (or spoken about) at emergent church gatherings. Steve currently serves the Disciples of Christ in their efforts to start [...]

He left Christendom, but kept Christ. And Frank Schaffer, a one-time leader in the Religious Right movement has much to say about what he’s learned along the way, especially regarding the importance of identifying with our brokenness so that Christ may be exalted In this interview, this best-selling author and popular blogger tells us why humility [...]