Blogs

After a time of lecture, presentation and lunch, presenter Melvin Amerson gave a hands-on assignment to participants at the workshop A Celebration of Giving in Columbus.  Having heard creative ways to “celebrate the offering” throughout the year, congregational teams break out their calendars and lay foundations for more meaningful ways to engage those who attend their houses of worship in the area of giving and stewardship.

Marketing Gum gives some very practical advice for organizations with Facebook pages. If you didn't know it, Facebook can remove your page, all the content, and all the contacts without letting you know first. The articles states, "As Facebook says 'We reserve the right to reject or remove Pages for any reason.' And they’re not kidding.

Strategic planning consistently ranks in the top challenges facing congregations.  Like my garden, strategic planning requires some dedication.  Beyond stirring the dirt and planting seeds, I revisit my garden and cultivate it to maturity – if I want to enjoy the delicious results of the harvest!  Much the same could be said for planning.

Check out the stories of four Indiana congregations whose leaders focused on youth ministry, empowering their teens to take active roles in the congregations and to deepen their spiritual lives. These stories are part of the Center for Congregations series Congregational Stories. Each piece focuses on a particular issue and various congregations which have addressed their challenges and opportunities in that area.

Many people with hearing difficulties find it challenging to hear well in public buildings and places of worship.  For ten years or more, public buildings in European countries have been fitted with Hearing Loops. These devices are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. 

Technology is important to congregations. Software, social media, sound and audio visual, networks, computer equipment and websites can be useful tools for leaders, staff, members and visitors. Congregations across the state wanting to explore available technologies and how to use these tools are invited to apply for the Technology and Ministry Grants Initiative (TMGI).

It will happen to so many of us. If it doesn’t happen to us, it will happen to someone we know and care about.   And if it doesn’t happen to someone we know and care about, it will happen to a stranger we meet.  At some time in life the body will not work as it should.  Or, put another way, the body will be, medically speaking, disabled. 

The use of social media by congregations has increased greatly within the past few years.  Some churches have abandoned their regular websites in favor of Facebook groups and Twitter accounts.  And regardless of whether a parish has an official social media presence or not, their members are posting and tweeting each day.  

Did you know that the average size church in America is only 76 people? The average size youth group is 8 students?  Bigger is not always better in youth ministry! 

A number of Indiana congregations are successfully strengthening their youth ministry with Stephanie Caro of Youth Ministry Architects.  Stephanie has more than 30 years of youth ministry experience, and she specializes in youth ministry for the smaller-membership congregation.

Scott Thumma, through FACT (Faith Communities Today) has just released a report on the impact of the internet on American congregations. The report discusses congregations adopting and adapting to electronic communications from email to Web 2.0. From the report: