Sooner or later it happens to us all – we get recruited to sit on – or even chair – a committee.  And too often, we get stuck following an antiquated and unproductive meeting system that breeds frustration and burnout. No wonder churches are simply not as productive as they could be. Leadership guru Hugh [...]

In an age of advertising, hype, and publicity overload – faith communities are often wary of jumping into the fray – and are rightfully apprehensive about ‘marketing’ their churches. However, as we all know, we swim in a water that is ‘the market’ – and our failure to speak up and ‘get the good news [...]

The ethical shortcomings we hear about in the news every day are, unfortunately, not absent from the Church. Whether it be financial, sexual, or some other scandal, not only are they common, but there are ways to handle them that can minimize the pain. Susan Nienaber is a Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute and [...]

Caring for a congregation’s sacred treasures is one of the Church’s most valuable and essential ministries. Yet the work of the Altar Guild is one of the lesser known and more exacting ministries in a church. So what does the Altar Guild do? How does it do it? And would you like to help? In [...]

It’s one of the most obvious ministries Jesus passed on to us – but one of the most challenging for Christians to undertake: tending to those who are ill or hurting. Whether it’s in the hospital, retirement facility, funeral home, or the house across the street, Christians are called to be Jesus’ healing hands to [...]

If it’s true that ‘everything rises and falls on leadership’ (John Maxwell), then one of the best things we can do is help our leaders do the best they can – especially our parish vestries. Every year we welcome our best and brightest to serve on vestries, yet too often they could enjoy some basic [...]