In a recent interview project with Christian congregational leaders, I heard repeatedly that they found navigating interfaith spaces a challenge. They worried about unintentionally offending their neighbors. They were anxious about what they did not know about the other person’s…
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It was William Bridges who helpfully named that there is a difference between change and transition — change is situational, whereas transition is psychological. Change can happen in a moment, but transition — adapting to that change — lasts much longer. In…
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In a recent essay in Faith & Leadership, Patrick Reyes concludes with an admonition to celebrate constellations rather than stars. He writes, “As a society, we gaze at those who shine brightest — the glittering star, the influencer, the genius among us….
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Today’s polarized climate often frustrates leaders in their efforts to bring about meaningful and lasting change within their congregations and communities. Opposition can rise quickly and unexpectedly even to seemingly benign initiatives and programs. So how do we help lead…
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My colleague Dave Odom recently wrote that, to begin the process of rehabilitating from the past year, congregations and other organizations need a plan that attends to integrity, mission and morale. In this Weekly, we explore those three focal points of…
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“If your vision is ambitious, you will always need more staff than you can afford, no matter what resources you have at your disposal.” So says Dan Hotchkiss, a former Alban senior consultant and now one of the consultants of…
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have learned a great deal more about the inequities and injustices in American society. As in-person life resumes in much of the country, we are forced to ask how we will live and…
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If you’re like me, you’ve read a lot about generational differences in participation in religious communities. These differences mean that congregations are having to find creative and diverse ways of engaging younger generations in ministry and service. In this edition…
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In the United States, last weekend — Memorial Day — marks the unofficial beginning of summer’s season of vacations, travel, and (hopefully) rest. We at Alban hope that you have something planned that feels renewing and life-giving in the weeks…
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There’s so much discernment happening in congregations right now: discernment about when and how to offer in-person worship; about how to balance the needs of an in-person and an online congregation; about how to meet the physical needs of our…
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