It was an awkward moment. I stood in a glorious stone room with the remnant of a once-large congregation, doing my best to play the neutral as I facilitated their planning conversation. We went round and round, till finally an…
Read MoreThe Congregation as Resource Center
A recent phone conversation with a pastor revealed a unique ministry. The pastor told me about their “teacher’s group.” “Do you mean your Sunday School teachers?” I asked. She explained “No, this is our group of elementary public school teachers….
Read MoreChurch as Wikipedia
At some level, the notion of a “Wikipedia church” —or “Wikicclesia”— makes a lot of sense, even if we have never thought of it before. Wikipedia: The encyclopedia that anyone can edit Wikicclesia: The church that anyone can edit It…
Read MoreROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD PURCHASES BOOK PROGRAM OF ALBAN INSTITUTE
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, January 9, 2014 Contacts: Jed Lyons, jlyons@rowman.com, 301-731-9538 Kathleen Cox, kcox@alban.org ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD PURCHASES BOOK PROGRAM OF ALBAN INSTITUTE Rowman & Littlefield of Lanham, MD and the Alban Institute of Herndon, VA announced…
Read MoreCongregations Magazine, Issues 3 & 4, 2013
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…
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Joseph and the Development of the Visionary Leader
At prayer services each week synagogues around the world chant the same selection from scripture. Starting right after the Jewish New Year, we work our way through the Torah scroll to complete the five books of Moses in time for…
Read MoreIs “Stay Away” the Only Way?: How Former Pastors Relate to Congregations They Previously Served
by Trish Greeves A colleague once told me about interviewing some years ago for a campus ministry position. His eligibility was expressly predicated on his not talking to any of the clergy who had previously served in that position. Another…
Read MoreThank You from The Alban Institute
Thank you for making 2013 another well-read year. These 10 articles were accessed the most during the year. Click on the link to read the article, and don’t forget, if you like the article, you will love the book. Thanks…
Read MoreA Call for Support
As the Chair of Alban’s Board of Trustees, I write this letter during an important time of transition at the Alban Institute. At the end of this year, James Wind, Alban’s President for more than eighteen years, will complete his…
Read MoreBack to the Future
At a workshop I was leading, a woman stood up and said, “If 1950 were to return, my congregation would be ready.” Succinctly, she summarized a nagging problem for many churches. The context in which congregations now find themselves is…
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