Something is lost in the daily grind; pastors need to be replenished after a time of hard work. | more »
Council member
As budgets are being prepared and financial stewardship programs take shape, be bold, nimble and purposeful in your planning. | more »
Help families move beyond denial; acknowledge the devastating impact of the abuse on all family members. | more »
No one expects a medical emergency at a congregational function, but everyone should be prepared. | more »
Plan for the future with an ELCA Mission Investment Fund consultant. | more »
The goal should go beyond merely raising enough money to pay the bills. | more »
Neatness counts; what message is your congregation sending to the neighborhood? | more »
Congregations need to reassure their members who are affected by the difficulties of unemployment or job transition. | more »
You have 168 hours each week at your personal discretion. How you spend those hours makes all the difference. | more »
We are responsible not only for our own keeping of sabbath but also for how our actions affect the ability of others to keep sabbath. | more »
Important insurance coverage is often overlooked in congregations. | more »
We like to fantasize about pews packed with believers in total agreement. That's not going to happen until the second coming of Christ. | more »
We will become increasingly reliant on smaller, informal, grass-roots groups for learning and sharing.
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While these leaders can help congregations and individuals experience tremendous growth, when they leave it can be difficult to fill that’s leader’s role. | more »
People over 55 will soon make up over a third of the U.S. population, but few congregations focus on this emerging area of ministry. | more »
Most vandals and arsonists are opportunists, so the No. 1 deterrent is to make it as difficult as possible to gain entry to your facility.
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To help counter the odds in today's culture against a successful union, our ministries must address each situation's unique needs and circumstances.
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I believe that the only thing that assures permanence is God's will embedded in our plans and actions. | more »
The ELCA Archives may be able to help ELCA congregations struggling to compile the names and dates that mark their history. | more »
A simple piece of wood is changing the way Maurice Webster worships.
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Some of us, even long-time Christians, are sadly uncomfortable with creating our own prayers and moments of devotion. | more »
Call on Faith offers multiple channels that feature inspiration, encouragement and information. | more »
Worrying about the size of a denomination wouldn’t really matter except that organized churches get caught up in worldly things such as utility bills. | more »
Rather than speculate about what keeps others away from worship, the question should be, what brings us to church, and then, how successful we are in communicating that to others? | more »
In spite of the tension and strong disagreements among those present at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly, there was no “meltdown.” | more »
Answers found in the gospel are the foundation for bridges to be built between people ripped apart by disagreement, hatred and violence. | more »
People don’t want to hear about a new congregation, they want to experience it.
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For me, the term “membership” conjures up images of Sam’s Club or Costco. And while the idea of membership works for some businesses, it is simply not a healthy model for the church of Jesus Christ. | more »
We had to experience a net increase of our membership by 10 percent yearly or we ought to be planning for our demise. That seemed overwhelming. Although we knew membership was declining, we never thought we were dying. | more »
I am background checked, baby.
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Without his pastor's encouragement and synodical support, he wouldn't be a church leader, says Sam Schlouch.
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Members of ELCA congregations who serve on the board of a Lutheran social ministry organization will be happy to know that Lutheran Services in America has resources for social ministry organization boards of directors: a study guide, a series of... | more »
Many ELCA congregations are finding that it makes good sense to regularly assess their ministries. “Pastor and People: Making Mutual Ministry Work,” one of the volumes in the Congregational Leader series, features a model for annual ministry review and performance... | more »
If inquiring minds want to know, then information-overloaded brains want to scream. That’s what happens to our minds in a world in which too much information is chasing too few brain cells. Because our brains are beset by information at... | more »
Online there are a variety of practical and inspirational resources to promote stewardship as a response of gratitude to God's abundant generosity. | more »
The course addresses basic questions and problems confronted daily by the pastor or lay administrator of a parish. | more »
Recent Comments
Tom McCray: “Why does the ELCA partner with left wing radical groups” | more »
Tom McCray: “Obama and many in his administration are RACISTS. Oh I'm” | more »
Tom McCray: “Where is the church when homosexuals with their radical gay” | more »
Brian Beckstrom: “You're welcome Marcus. Thanks for reading.” | more »
Marcus Kunz: “Thanks for a great post, Brian.” | more »