One of the trends in congregational life we have been following for a while is how communities of faith relate to buildings. We’ve watched as some congregations deal with the issues that come with aging structures and deferred maintenance. Other…
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For several years now, I have been fascinated by the instincts leaders develop over time that come to serve them well — how one leader knows just when to approach a congregational member about a major gift, how another gains…
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Powerless. Helpless. That’s how many of us have felt during the long months of the COVID-19 pandemic. What can we as congregational leaders do beyond providing pastoral care, supporting connections that come from being part of a faith community, and…
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No doubt you’ve seen the statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau reported in December 2020 that an estimated 14 million adults living in rental housing were behind on their rent. An additional 11.8 million adults lived in households that could not keep up…
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What does it mean for a congregation — particularly a predominantly white congregation — to participate in the work of racial justice? In this week’s Weekly, we begin with the stories of three congregations that are excavating their pasts and finding…
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Responding to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic has been taxing for congregational leaders. Even in December as many congregants were able to take vacation from work responsibilities, many clergy and other ministry leaders found ourselves with more work than…
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For some Alban readers, December 31 will mark the end of their full-time professional ministries. January 1 will bring the gift of retirement, even if not the end of their ministries. In this week’s Weekly, we consider what ministry can…
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Even with dire warnings about what the next few months of the pandemic will bring and new restrictions in place around the US, it is hard not to feel some hope when watching the video of Margaret Keenan, a 90-year-old woman…
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Faith communities play a vital role in responding to the mental health crises that impact our communities. This was true before the COVID pandemic, but it is especially true now. In this week’s Weekly, we begin with an article by…
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Consider this Weekly an invitation to the inner work of Advent. Even in 2020, it’s the season’s outer work that dominates many congregational leaders’ calendars. There’s worship to plan, pageants to adapt to Zoom, virtual holiday parties, Christmas Eve online…
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