There are times when all congregations need to reflect upon who they are and where they have been to discern and understand where they are going. At such times, it is important for a congregation to research, create, and present…
Read MoreConstructing Your Congregation’s Story
There are times when all congregations need to reflect upon who they are and where they have been to discern and understand where they are going. At such times, it is important for a congregation to research, create, and present…
Read MoreLost and Found: Responding to the Dynamic Evolution of Call
I received my calling—to preach God’s Word—when I was 13. I didn’t realize it at the time, but the call was so formidable that it became more than the voice of God concerning my future. It became me, and I…
Read MoreGiving up the Myth: How One Congregation Saw Itself as It Was and Created Itself Anew
No congregation will ever enjoy an abundant mission life until they have first discovered who they are. Sounds simple enough—a little history and geography and the job’s done, right? Maybe not. In the case of the church I was called…
Read MoreCongregations Magazine, Jan-Feb 2002
Seasons of Ministry: Marking the transitions from first call to retirement Contents IN FOCUS: Unpredictable Seasons Pastor Lynn M. Baab explores the intersection of the seasons of our lives with the seasons of our ministries A Pathway to Wisdom Rabbi…
Read MoreCongregations Magazine, May-Jun 2002
Self-Care: The journey from burnout to authenticity Contents IN FOCUS: Good-Enough Self-Care Alban Institute consultant Jacqueline J. Lewis reminds clergy to head the true self Committing to Mutuality Pastor David J. Wood speaks with Eugene Peterson about how collaboration with…
Read MoreThanksgiving Special
Dear Readers, The Alban Institute would like to thank you for your positive response to the Alban Weekly. Since our launch in July 2004, our newsletter has been opened over 80,000 times. For our special Thanksgiving issue, we are bringing…
Read MoreCongregations Magazine, Winter 2005
Rethinking the Large Church Contents IN FOCUS: Telling the Better Story Alban senior consultant Gil Rendle explores large church leaders’ increasing use of story as a powerful means of shaping a congregation’s sense of community, identity, and vision Thriving in…
Read MoreCongregations Magazine, Fall 2005
Talking About Faith: How the Words We Use and the Stories We Tell Shape Our Congregations, Our Denominations, and Ourselves Contents IN FOCUS: Becoming God’s Church Pastor Roy Terry describes how Cornerstone United Methodist Church, through practices that transcend time…
Read MoreCongregations Magazine, Spring 2006
Call from God Contents IN FOCUS: Answering in Unison In a series of first-person essays, six individuals from a variety of walks of life describe how their participation in a congregation has affected what they do in the world Called…
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