Do you know churchgoers who feel judged, disconnected, and more like projects than people? These are sure signs that a congregation that does not care. But Dr. Virginia Todd Holeman of Asbury Seminary says there are things churches can do to help them be the caring places they desire to be. In this interview Dr. [...]

The pastor of the fastest growing urban congregation in the Lutheran Church (ELCA) says what draws people to join St. Paul’s is the energy and vibrancy that hits them the first minute they come through the door. Peter Marty says things were not that way 16 years ago when he arrived to pastor a church [...]

Dr. Elaine Heath prepares her seminary students for ministry not with the latest, but with the oldest. Dr. Heath, a proponent of the New Monasticism, says a tripos of prayer, deep hospitality, and justice may be the only stool upon which effective ministry will take place in this new millennium. Elaine, who heads up the [...]

It may be the best kept secret in North American Christendom… The Congregational Resource Guide.  It’s a 10-year-old publication packed with thousands of useful articles – a free gift, says director Martin Davis, for your church. The CRG is a Lilly Endowment sponsored venture that amalgamates every useful church article, program curriculum, worship guide – [...]

Jesus welcomed everyone, so why do His followers have such a hard time doing it?  Episcopal priest Stephanie Spellers of an emergent congregation called ‘The Crossing’ in Boston says the key is listening. Steph’s ministry first caught my eye when everyone around me began raving about her book Radical Welcome.  In our interview Rev. Spellers [...]

Do you want a congregation filled with people who routinely invite others to church?  Who doesn’t?  Veteran church growth pastor and author Elizabeth Geitz explains what she means by motivation and invitation as she outlines a program that had her adding dozens of new families to her church every year. Elizabeth is the author of [...]