The culture of any congregation will enable priorities, determine intents and drive ministries far more than any other dynamic, says the executive pastor of Marble Collegiate Church in New York City.
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Lisa G. Fischbeck: The Season of Departures
A priest reflects on the perennial season of departures within the life of her mission church.
Read MorePrinciples for Leaders to Keep in Mind in Merging Congregations
Principles for leaders to keep in mind from Brett Opalinski’s story of Rader United Methodist Church: Prepare yourself spiritually. The pastor in this story began with prayer for personal guidance and an attitude of openness to many possible outcomes. This…
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Norman Bendroth: Transitional Ministry Today
In editing a collection of essays that have become a new Alban book, Norman Bendroth learned several key lessons for churches that are considering calling a transitional minister.
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Bruce Epperly: Congregational Leadership as Spiritual Practice
Claiming the pastor’s role as spiritual guide is a matter of seeing God’s presence and then encouraging its emergence within the congregation, writes Bruce Epperly.
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Dan Hotchkiss: Consulting in the Alban Tradition Continues
Alban Institute was known for the strength of its consultants. Here, Dan Hotchkiss reflects on the legacy of and the values inherent within Alban consulting.
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Dave Odom: Alban’s Legacy, Alban’s Future
Alban at Duke wants to honor the people and the work that went before us. Yet we are called to provide services in the current era…a very different time indeed.
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David Odom: Why focus on developing your staff as leaders?
Why effective leadership today requires the development of people at all levels of a congregation’s life.
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Gil Rendle: Ministry beyond aspiration
People are often well-intended. It is moving from intent to purposeful action that remains the hard work for most of us.
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Healthy Churches, Faithful Pastors: Covenant Expectations for Thriving Together
This book provides concrete steps to aid congregants and pastors communicate their mutual expectations. Keck presents fifty “expectation statements”—examples of what pastors and congregations can expect of one another; a vital resource to anyone who seeks to initiate a discussion of expectations in their own church. Elucidating goals and expectations allows congregations and pastors to support one another and flourish, and fosters church health and harmony.
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