Margaret Marcuson speaks and writes on leadership and works with church leaders nationally as a consultant and coach. Earlier this month, she shared a list of nine indicators of a healthy congregation: Mature leaders, clergy and lay, who know who they are and what they are about in their lives and ministry. Leaders who can articulate their vision and direction. The ability to tolerate difference. Leaders who can take a stand with people (staff or church members) who are Read More …
Discipleship
You Never Know (#1033)
This past Friday Cleophus J. LaRue, Francis Landey Patton Professor of Homiletics at Princeton Seminary, spoke to a group of Southwest Florida clergy. While much of what he said was helpful, one quote was particularly memorable: "We never really know the next big thing just around the corner that will change our lives." So What? We are challenged to live well each and every day. While we can and should plan for the future, we must remain flexible and humble Read More …
Ministry IQ (#1031)
MinistryBriefing.tv is a site overseen by Todd Rhoades and Matt Steen that seeks to connect church leaders with up to date information on what has happened "in ministry in the last month." One of the tools they have developed is a Ministry Current Events Quiz. You can complete the March 2013 version in just a few minutes. So What? As I took this month's quiz, I realized that this survey focuses on Evangelical stories, especially those featuring well known Read More …
Lenten Carbon Fast (#1027)
This is the third consecutive year that the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ is shepherding an Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast. Participants or interested parties can register to receive a daily e-mail featuring a "suggested carbon-reducing activity, "including information about how significantly such an action will contribute to carbon reduction. Additionally, the campaign features weekly themes for congregations. All content is available via the Read More …
Chuck Knows Church (#1024)
Chuck Knows Church is a relatively new educational resource funded by the General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church. Every Thursday, a somewhat goofy yet always personable, pastoral and knowledgeable man named Chuck shares a new 2-4 minute YouTube video on a basic topic related to Christianity. Past topics include liturgical colors, the offering plate, the Narthex, the baptismal font, and Lent. The latest video is on the Lord's Prayer: So What? In Read More …
Core Sermons (#1017)
Have you ever thought to yourself (or perhaps even vocalized the idea to others) "my pastor preaches a different sermon every week but really only has a handful of messages to deliver?" In reality, most clergy gravitate to specific themes. Nanette Sawyer, author and the founding pastor of Grace Commons (Chicago, IL), recently shared her own understanding of the five core sermons she preaches. Be here now. It’s where everything is, including God. God loves you and you are Read More …
Unusual Lenten Discipline (#1014)
In recent years more and more people have chosen to embrace something new rather than give up something for Lent. The list of possibilities for Lenten disciplines is nearly endless. The most unique discipline I have heard this year is that chosen by Shawnthea Monroe. Monroe is senior minister of Plymouth Church - a United Church of Christ Congregation in Shaker Heights, OH. She has chosen to wear a collar for Lent. In doing so, she realizes many she encounters each Read More …
Friendly Churches (#1010)
In small congregations it is easy for long timers to recognize newcomers. In very large congregations, including megachurches, no one knows everyone. While these contrasts may suggest that smaller size is correlated to more friendly congregations, research has shown that how first time guests perceive their experiences is based on far more than just size. Faith Perceptions work finds that, overall, the most effective congregation sizes for positive first time guest experiences Read More …
What Would You Die For? (#1009)
A week ago today, I reviewed Not Less than Everything: Catholic Writers on Heroes of Conscience from Joan of Arc to Oscar Romero (2013). A few days after writing that piece, I received a request from Duane Arnold to take a look at what he and others are doing through "The Martrys Project." The project has released a CD featuring prayers from a “great cloud of witnesses” from across the centuries and around the globe and include Oscar Romero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a child from Read More …
Praise Songs = ? (#1007)
I appreciate a variety of music styles in general and in worship. I do not, however, like praise songs that are little more than a musical excuse to repeat a few lines over and over again or sound like something anyone could have written in five minutes or less. The following video makes fun of what can be seen as the worst of so-called contemporary praise songs. So What? Developing a Christian service of worship around a key theme or Scripture in ways that all elements Read More …