Preaching is usually thought of as something ministers do, but what would happen if we turned things around and considered preaching to be something listeners do? If we were to re-think preaching as the center of a unique form of…
Read MoreAnswering in Unison: How Six Congregations Supported the Called
The Alban Institute has been interested for some time in the connections that exist between active participation in a congregation and what people do in the world. Specifically, we wanted to know how participation in a congregation assists people in…
Read MoreCalled to Life, Called to Love
Today, as many members of congregations seek deeper meaning in their lives and, more specifically, in their work, it is becoming increasingly important for pastors to be able to communicate in meaningful ways about vocation. To do so may require…
Read MoreLooking Forward: Theological Education, Young Adults, and the 21st-Century Church
Many young clergy believe they have something valuable to offer the church, in particular, insights into what is needed to attract young people to the church, to support them once they are there, and to support those who are ultimately…
Read MoreA Profound Sense of Mission: One Man's Call to Work in the World
Robert “Bob” McLean is someone who knows what it’s like to be powerfully called to work in the secular world. An Alban Institute board member and retired real estate broker, author, and the driving force behind a number of initiatives…
Read MoreRe-Centering Congregational Life around Members’ Daily Missions
Rather than a single “vocation” or calling to some specific work or task in Christ’s name, experience has led me to see that each person has many vocations or tasks and that they are in constant change. We need to…
Read MoreRabbinic Transition: A Time of Trial and Testing
The story of Abraham has much to teach the rabbi assuming the leadership of a congregation. Rabbinic tradition teaches that Abraham was subjected to 10 trials. God’s call to Abraham to “go forth” was not without its challenges, and Abraham…
Read MoreA Profound Sense of Mission: One Man’s Call to Work in the World
Robert “Bob” McLean is someone who knows what it’s like to be powerfully called to work in the secular world. An Alban Institute board member and retired real estate broker, author, and the driving force behind a number of initiatives…
Read MoreLeading into the Promised Land: Lessons Learned From Resilient Congregations
Much of the literature in the field of congregational conflict is focused on what causes conflict, how to prevent it, and what to do when a church is already in conflict, but little has been written about congregations who have…
Read MoreThe One Thing Necessary in Pastoral Colleague Relationships
I have concluded that there is one thing necessary for a marriage to succeed,” my father used to say. Now that I am 50 years old I am ready to hear him. This wasn’t always the case. My father was…
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