Browsing Culture
“This Will NEVER Work”— Why Congregations Resist Change (and How to Respond)
Every congregational leader has had this experience: A well-presented great idea — bold, creative, innovative and missional — is met with a tsunami of resistance. This article from ChurchLeaders.com talks about the top pretexts for resistance and how to handle them.
MLK: Beyond the Dreamer
As the country marks Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, a veteran activist explains why it would be a mistake to remember King as only a great civil rights leader. In his final years, he began to move toward an ever-more-profound and radical understanding of what would be required to deal with the nation’s domestic and […]
Live More with Less in 2015
An ever increasing number of people are choosing to live with fewer possessions and as a result are experiencing a better quality of life. Read about the new minimalists, gather some ideas, and use what fits your context to be a better steward of all of God’s creation in 2015. (Photo: storebukkebruse, Creative Commons)
New Year’s Resolutions for the Christian Steward
Although there is nothing in the Bible or notable in Christian tradition about New Year’s resolutions, many good stewards take advantage of this time of year to become closer to the Lord. They may re-commit themselves to pray more, to read the Bible, or to attend church more regularly. If you are looking for some […]
How Churches Can Attract Younger People
It causes church people much anxiety and soul searching that Christmas brings people to church who don’t attend the rest of the year, including the desperately needed younger generation. Though churches are eager to attract a new generation, they often go about it the wrong way, says this USA Today commentator, who has suggestions for […]
Pope Francis Warns Against ‘Spiritual Alzheimer’s’
Meeting with his top leaders for the annual exchange of Christmas greetings, Pope Francis sidestepped a typical genteel and upbeat message to issue a unvarnished critique of their leadership, including a “catalog” of 15 spiritual ailments for them to be wary of. SOLI Editor’s Note: It’s the kind of message that all Christian Leaders need to hear once in a while. Be sure to click on the sidebar listing the ailments. For which of the 15 are you susceptible? (Photo © Christy Thompson – Fotolia.com)
Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating
We’ve all done it — we weigh ourselves in late December and discover we’ve gained more weight than we wanted. Through parties and special holiday meals, overeating is a temptation. On this page from WebMD you’ll find links to a number of articles on how to eat more healthfully this Christmas. (Photo by Kris Krug, […]
10 ‘New’ Traditions for a Holy Christmas
Our culture gives us a lot of holiday traditions around Christmas, but many of them do not bring us closer to God or the miracle of the incarnation. This writer, a pastor, suggests adopting “new traditions” that will help you and your family have a holy holiday. From Pastors. com. (Photo by Picsbyclive, used by […]
Donations are Trending Away from Church
Christians are giving away more money than before the recession. But the parachurch, not churches, is getting most of it, according to the latest reports from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and Giving USA. This article from ChristianityToday.com gives the details. (Photo © June Reed – Fotolia.com)
Congregational Leadership as Spiritual Practice
Congregational leadership involves seeing the holy in the congregation’s members and the quotidian activities of the church and trying to bring that holiness out in partnership with God and others. But in the business of congregational life, it is easy to lose our way, focus on product rather than persons, become overwhelmed by the tasks of ministry, and forget that we are always on holy ground as we interact with God’s beloved children. What can we do? Here are some ideas. (Photo by Lel4nd, used by Creative Commons license)
