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 Laura Stephens-Reed The most vital skill to cultivate in congregations is curiosity. That might seem like a strange claim to make. After all, the gospels tell us that the two greatest commandments are to love God and then to love neighbor. Matthew 25 calls us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit … 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 Laura Stephens-Reed Thirty years ago, author and radio talk show host Gary Chapman published his first book on the five love languages. While the initial volume was geared toward helping romantic partners deepen their understanding of one another, Chapman has expanded the use of his love languages to parent-child relationships, friendships and even to … Continue reading
By Rev. Laura Stephens-Reed In my coaching, I often hear themes across clergy about what is hard and what is delightful about their work. But in late August, I decided I wanted something more than anecdotal information about this season in ministry. I sent out a three-question, anonymous survey to my newsletter lists and posted … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed Thinking in general, I do not like the application of business mindsets to ministry. The Church, after all, is not out to make money for those who have invested in it. It’s not even about the number of people in the pews. Instead, the Church’s function is to grow disciples and to … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed A few years ago, I was a regular guest preacher at a church in the city where I lived after the minister there had submitted his resignation and as the church awaited the arrival of an interim. On the first of those Sundays, a woman stood up during the announcement time and … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed Two years ago the world locked down, seemingly overnight, due to the rapid spread of COVID-19. Many congregations went from having a website and a minimal social media presence, which sometimes included recordings or livestreams of worship, to creating online community wholly through previously utilized and new-to-them media. Churches pivoted again and … Continue reading
By Laura Stephens-Reed Churches are sacred places because they help us feel closer to God. Our spirits are buoyed by the music coming from the choir loft. Sitting in the seats that are just uncomfortable enough to keep us alert, we have heard God’s word proclaimed. We have walked up the steps of the baptistry, … Continue reading
By Rick Burnette Dumping more than two feet of rain over much of the western Florida Panhandle on September 16, Hurricane Sally, a Category 2 storm, left extensive damage across Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties. A CBF Disaster Response survey of storm impacts is currently focused on communities along Garcon Point in Santa Rosa … Continue reading