By Kristen Thomason Music plays a central role in worship for most church goers. “[It] creates a pathway so that together we love the Lord with heart and mind and strength,” said Doug Haney, who recently retired from ministry at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas. Yet the church musicians crafting a meaningful worship experience often … Continue reading
It seems hard to believe, but 2023 is nearly in the rearview mirror. In many churches, January will bring a reset of the fiscal year, a deep breath after intense months spent creating and approving budgets and encouraging people to pledge, a brief return to “regular” worship after the heightened experiences of the holiday seasons … Continue reading
By Marv Knox Imagine figuring out how your church can thrive by experimenting with innovation, unafraid to fail in pursuit of transformation. Imagine learning from innovations that didn’t work. Then trying even-newer initiatives that eventually work. Imagine experimenting alongside other churches in situations like yours—learning from and encouraging each other—and guided by a coach who … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed It’s that time again! Many congregations launch stewardship campaigns in the fall to coincide with budgeting for the following fiscal year. Talking about money can be awkward for pastors because the largest portion of most church budgets is devoted to personnel costs. This is not a bad thing, by the way. Staff … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed It seems like every issue in our culture is contentious these days, and it’s not much different in the church. Ideas and practices that once seemed like foregone conclusions are now up for debate. That unsettledness is not totally a bad thing. It means that we are learning and discerning, then applying … Continue reading
By Brian Foreman INTOIT, six letters that show a way forward in a culture of toxic polarization. These six magical letters are an acronym for I Never Thought of It That (way), and the title of a recent book by Seattle journalist Monica Guzman, a left-leaning child of Mexican immigrants in Seattle who vote Republican. … Continue reading
By Jennifer Colosimo About five years ago, Reverend Michael Mills was called to be the pastor of Agape Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. He was a young pastor with enviable energy and an excitement for missions that aligned with this church’s identity. Unfortunately, within that identity, membership was diminishing. Families had started to leave … Continue reading
By Rev. Laura-Stephens Reed When your pastor leaves your church, it is normal find yourself dealing with confusion and anxiety. Among the many questions you might ask is, “Who will lead our congregation while we look for a long-term leader?” It can feel personally and collectively de-stabilizing not to have a steady presence in the … Continue reading
In many churches, this is the time of year when annual reviews of staff take place. For some pastors, these conversations are the only times they hear what is and isn’t working from their congregants’ point of view. That makes reviews somewhat nerve-wracking for clergy. They wonder: What surprises await me when that conference room … Continue reading
Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed Recently I published an article on the CBFblog about the biggest challenges for ministers right now. That data was pulled from a survey I distributed in late August. There was a lot of food for thought in the numbers. But the news is not all sobering! There were many aspects of ministry … Continue reading