Alban members receive a subscription to Congregations, our award-winning magazine. Our mission is to provide clergy and lay leaders with practical, research-based information and ideas for effective ministry as they grapple with an ever-changing environment. Congregations is sent quarterly to all members of the Alban Institute. It is the successor to Action Information, published since 1975.

“I cannot recommend this magazine and this institute to you highly enough!” — The Rev. Jan Smith Wood, Dean of Students, Church Divinity School of the Pacific.  

 

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CONTENTS

Choosing to Heal  (Member Only Article)
Susan Nienaber shares insights from her Resilient Congregations study, which followed congregations in the aftermath of clergy leadership collapse.

Leading toward Hope  (Member Only Article) 
Bob Sitze reveals ways to grow from being hopeful into a hope leader.

Spiritual Identity and Worship Planning  (Member Only Article) 
P. Alice Rogers uses Corinne’s Ware’s Discover Your Spiritual Type as a basis for making worship services more effective for each member of the congregation.

So, You Think You’re Friendly?  (READ NOW) 
Tim Dolan reveals that congregations might not be as welcoming to visitors as they think and gives step-by-step instruction on how to improve that ministry.

Leading through Personal Tragedy  (Member Only Article) 
Jean Alexander chronicles her personal struggle through tragedy and offers advice on how to continue ministry in the midst of it.

COLUMNS

The Leading Edge  (READ NOW) 
Alban Institute president James P. Wind discusses the results of the Transition into Ministry Special Report.

CENTERview  (READ NOW) 
Nancy DeMott, Resource Director of the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, outlines aspects to consider when selecting a strategic planning team leader.

Ask Alban  (READ NOW) 
Alban senior consultant Susan Beaumont answers a question about the ideal size of a church governing board.

DEPARTMENTS

From the Editor
Reviews
New and Noteworthy
Recommended Reading