Congregations and the Future
Contents
IN FOCUS: This Thing Called Church
Noted preacher, speaker, and author Anthony B. Robinson argues for an intensified focus on theology in future efforts to create healthy congregations
By the People, For the People
Pastor Jay Voorhees explores how and why seekers of faith are increasingly taking “church” into their own hands
Leading for the Future
Pastor and author Jeffrey D. Jones discusses the qualities of leadership that are most significant in this time of rapid and profound change
Border Crossings
Reverend Marcia Bailey examines how congregations can move beyond the limitations of their own making and journey freely into a new and promised land
Learning to Work the Trends
Ian Evison, director of research for the Alban Institute, shows us how congregations must find their own way within the major trends affecting congregational life today
The Faces of Change
Freelance writer Marlis McCollum presents the stories of several innovative congregations in Australia, the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom
FEATURES
The Practice of Sermon Listening
John S. McClure, chair of the graduate department of religion at Vanderbilt University, explores the shifts in preaching that can occur when we redefine preaching as an act of listening as much as one of speaking
COLUMNS
THE LEADING EDGE
Alban president Jim Wind calls on congregational leaders to courageously ask the questions that challenge the policies, practices, and beliefs that are out of alignment with core Christian values
ASK ALBAN
Alban senior consultant Gil Rendle offers personnel committees wise counsel about how to make pastoral evaluations all they can be
DEPARTMENTS
FROM THE EDITOR
REVIEWS
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