Center for Congregations

Servant Leadership for Change

jane — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:58:00 GMT

Congregations are invited to explore leadership, growth and change at this unique and exciting workshop....(read more)

Amazing Race Conference Features Best Practices, Innovative Solutions for Nonprofits

jane — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:15:00 GMT

The Indiana Nonprofit Capacity Building Conference is 8:15 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 12, 2010, at the Indiana Government Center South, 402 W. Washington St., Indianapolis. At this year's event, The Amazing Race: Prepare, Measure, Succeed, participants will ...(read more)

Building a Better You Ministry Begins August 30

jane — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:40:00 GMT

Building a Better You Ministry is 3-6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, August 30-December 16, 2010, at Virtue and Praise Ministries, 2989 W. 71st St., Indianapolis. The mission of Virtue And Praise Ministries’ Building A Better You Ministry (BABYM) is to clean up our communities through education. ...(read more)

Violinist Sonya Hayes Performs at St. John August 29

jane — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:31:00 GMT

Great Composers in Concert begins at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 29, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 151 S. Capitol Ave., Indianapolis. The evening features a violin performance by Sonya Hayes,...(read more)

Mental Wellness Speaker Series Begins October 9

jane — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:22:00 GMT

The Mental Wellness Series begins October 9 at North United Methodist Church, 3808 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis. ...(read more)

Patriot Day Celebration and Blood Drive is September 11 at Mt. Olive Lutheran

jane — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 17:04:00 GMT

Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Greenwood hosts a blood drive in its parking lot 8 a.m.-noon Saturday, September 11, 2010, as part of a Patriot Day celebration. A free pancake breakfast will be offered from 8-10 a.m., and a celebration of freedom continues until noon. ...(read more)

Speaker Series starts September 15 at Zionsville Christian

jane — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:10:00 GMT

Zionsville Christian Church presents the speaker series Presenting on the Path at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, September 15, October 13 and November 17, 2010. The speaker series, held at the church at 120 N. 9th St., Zionsville...(read more)

Local Musicians, Artists Remember September 11 at Earth House Café

jane — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:01:00 GMT

What is possible in a post-9/11 world? A new artistic community called The Worship Studio invites the public to explore this question in an event open to people of all faiths and no faith at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 11, 2010, ...(read more)

Second Presbyterian Features Soul Feast

jane — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 13:49:00 GMT

All are invited to a new intergenerational spiritual growth event at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 N. Meridian, Indianapolis. Soul Feast is 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2010 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, September 25, 2010. ...(read more)

Matthew Kelly Speaks in Bloomington on October 18

jane — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:33:00 GMT

Inspirational speaker Matthew Kelly talks 8-9 p.m. Monday, October 18, 2010, at St. Paul Catholic Center, 1413 E. 17th St., Bloomington. Reflections with Matthew Kelly invites participants to...(read more)

St. Luke's Presents Program about African Women

jane — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:22:00 GMT

Putting a Face on African Women is at 6:30 p.m. October 4, 11 and 18, 2010, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis....(read more)

Developing Congregational Generosity

jane — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:52:00 GMT

Developing Congregational Generosity is a long-term learning program for northeast Indiana congregations to improve their capacity to talk about money in faithful ways, to understand the religious and spiritual motivations of givers, and to invite generosity from their members....(read more)

Sustainable Youth Ministry

jane — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:30:00 GMT

Sustainable Youth Ministry is a four-session learning program for southwest Indiana congregational teams to grow significantly in their capacity for ongoing youth ministry. Participating congregations will learn and implement systems and structures needed ...(read more)

Exploring Technology Issues

jane — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:07:00 GMT

More than 50 persons gathered for a terrific lunch and conversation about all things tech related on August 5 in the northeast region. Aaron Spiegel, information technology director of the Center, presented a lively and spirited conversation...(read more)

Children and Your Congregation's Ministry

jane — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:50:00 GMT

Children and Your Congregation's Ministry with Carolyn C. Brown is November 3, 2010 in Indianapolis and November 4, 2010 in northwest Indiana....(read more)

Congregations Take a Look at Marketing

jane — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 16:51:00 GMT

There was a time when “marketing” was a dirty word in congregations. Too corporate. Not spiritual. But the Center is finding more and more congregations who are serious about marketing and not afraid to use the word....(read more)

An Evening with Brad Stevens is September 15 at Clowes Hall

jane — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:27:00 GMT

Butler University Men’s Basketball Coach Brad Stevens speaks to the student body of Butler at 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at Clowes Memorial Hall. Sponsored by Butler’s Center for Faith and Vocation, ...(read more)

CROP Walk Happens This Fall

jane — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 17:15:00 GMT

The annual CROP Walk fundraiser happens this fall. Organized through Church World Service, neighbors and communities walk together to raise awareness and funds for international relief and development. ...(read more)

Congregations and Taxes

jane — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 17:49:00 GMT

"Congregations" and "taxes" are not words we’d normally associate with each other. But congregations do need to be aware of many tax-related issues. ...(read more)

Ken-ya Help Us? Carnival Fundraiser is September 4

jane — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 14:13:00 GMT

The 3rd annual Ken-ya Help Us? fundraiser is 2-6 p.m. Saturday, September 4, 2010 at Second Presbyterian Church, 7700 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis....(read more)

Diversity and Congregations Podcasts Available

jane — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:59:00 GMT

Check out podcasts from the presenters of the Diversity and Congregations workshop....(read more)

Marketing 101

jane — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:50:00 GMT

June Miller of the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network offers basic marketing tips for identifying audience and making a plan....(read more)

Community Day is September 18 at Calvary Lutheran

jane — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:13:00 GMT

Calvary Lutheran Church, 6111 S. Shelby St., Indianapolis, hosts a community day 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Activities include a car show ...(read more)

Thinking About Congregations

jane — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 06:05:00 GMT

Congregations magazine article explores the Bowen Family Systems Theory and how congregations can learn learn and grow using theory principles. Bowen Family Systems Theory resources are often recommended to congregational leaders to provide a framework for understanding behaviors....(read more)

Welcoming and Nurturing: Retention and Assimilation of Newcomers

jane — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:50:00 GMT

This southeast Indiana luncheon series is Thursdays, August 26, September 30 and October 21, 2010. Participants will explore newcomer welcome, retention and assimilation....(read more)

Is your copier your biggest security threat?

Aaron Spiegel — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:17:00 GMT

Almost every copier built since 2002 has a hard drive built into them. Those hard drives store a digital image of every item copied, printed, scanned or faxed from them....(read more)

Check Out Summer Centerpiece Newsletter

jane — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 17:23:00 GMT

The Summer Centerpiece newsletter is on the website and ready for download. Click here to see the latest news from the Center's quarterly newsletter. ...(read more)

Summer Reading Recommended

jane — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 11:42:00 GMT

“Summertime and the reading is easy.” Ah, my apologies to George Gershwin for rewording his song lyrics, but it is that season when many of us are taking a break and catching up on reading – both for fun and professionally. ...(read more)

Feast of the Holy Cross is Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction

jane — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:24:00 GMT

Holy Cross Catholic Church presents Feast of the Holy Cross at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 11, 2010...(read more)

Any Congregation Can

jane — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:50:00 GMT

Rather than providing quick fixes, the Center for Congregations walks alongside congregations helping them to help themselves. Faith and Leadership recently posted a Q&A-style interview with Center President Tim Shapiro ...(read more)

Online Lectionary Provides Array of Resources

jane — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:15:00 GMT

The Center for Congregations helps congregations find and use resources to address their opportunities and challenges. One such resource is the African American Online Lectionary. The African American Online Lectionary features free, in depth resources to strengthen and assist worship in Black churches. ...(read more)

Map Your Money

jane — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:25:00 GMT

At a recent Center for Congregations workshop, leaders of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving suggested that congregations can learn a lot by mapping their sources of donations. ...(read more)

Externally Focused Quest: Beyond the Walls Ministry

jane — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:41:00 GMT

At this one-day event, author, consultant and speaker Eric Swanson will tell new stories of the amazing things congregations are doing and will also give participants a framework within which they can think and plan to launch themselves into their communities....(read more)

Congregational Leadership: Applying Systems Thinking for Effective Direction

jane — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:20:00 GMT

Why do some congregational leaders succeed, when others do not? Grounded in Family Systems Theory, Israel Galindo will challenge congregational leaders to consider a different perspective in thinking about the nature of congregational leadership....(read more)

Governance and Ministry

jane — Wed, 19 May 2010 13:55:00 GMT

Good governance starts with clearly defined roles and authority; it succeeds when lay and professional leaders conduct ministry together as collaborating partners. ...(read more)

Congregational Redevelopment

jane — Sun, 02 May 2010 23:44:00 GMT

We work with many congregations that have significant challenges. It is not unusual to receive a call from a congregational leader who says, “We have 20% less in worship than we did two years ago, and we can’t meet our budget. We need to try something new.”...(read more)

Southeast Congregations Look at Building Projects Strategies

jane — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:09:00 GMT

This spring, the Center for Congregations-Southeast office hosted an Effective Leadership for Building Projects educational event at Christ’s Community Church of the Nazarene in New Albany, Indiana. Those attending the event were privileged to learn building project strategies...(read more)

What's the Plan?

jane — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:14:00 GMT

There’s an old saying that if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else. At a recent workshop on church building projects, ...(read more)

Center's Education Program Reaches Statewide

jane — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:19:00 GMT

In the past few months, the education program took on an even greater statewide character. For instance, events that are held in northern Indiana draw the attention of congregations in southern Indiana....(read more)

Resource Consulting and Slowing Down

jane — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:02:00 GMT

Resource Consulting is at the heart of the Center’s work. Our mission is to help congregations find and use best resources to address their challenges and opportunities. Often in that process we encourage congregations (through their leaders) to SLOW DOWN....(read more)

New Insights into Religion Website Introduced

jane — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 14:35:00 GMT

Check out the Insights into Religion website! This new portal is a single source for religious research, articles and information from more than 20 sites supported by Lilly Endowment's Religion Division. The site will include contributions from the Center for Congregations website....(read more)

Exploring the Longevity Revolution: Ministry with Older Adults

jane — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:53:00 GMT

Richard Gentzler helps resource congregation leaders in their ministry with older adults. The workshop is Thursday, October 21, 2010 in the Fort Wayne area, and Friday, October 22, 2010 in the Indianapolis area...(read more)

Essentials of Church Finance

jane — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:41:00 GMT

Essentials of Church Finance is September 22 & 23, 2010. Vonna Laue, co-author of Essential Guide to Church Finances and partner with the accounting firm Capin Crouse, will lead congregational leaders through workshops covering topics of church accounting practices, planning and budgeting, internal controls and risk management, and financial reporting....(read more)

Flourishing Congregations Northwest

jane — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:37:00 GMT

Congregations in northwest Indiana are coming together to look at the positive. The Center for Congregations presents Flourishing Congregations on Thursday, October 14, 2010 ...(read more)

New Faith Communities Today (FACT) Survey

Aaron Spiegel — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:24:00 GMT

The 2008 FACT survey results and new website, http://faithcommunitiestoday.org/ launch this month. Faith Communities Today (FACT) is an interfaith research report that provides key information on a range of subjects...(read more)

First Safety

jane — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:05:00 GMT

Church Safety website provides information to help congregations treat people with dignity and safety by highlighting various groups and ministries they might engage. ...(read more)

SE Indiana Congregations Welcome New Center Office

jane — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 15:59:00 GMT

Southeast Indiana congregations, businesses and community members warmly welcomed the Seymour Center for Congregations office...(read more)

Practices and Your Congregation

jane — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:30:00 GMT

Every congregation participates in certain activities that are common to any number of human communities. Congregations make decisions. They help others. They sing. They tell stories. Congregations offer hospitality. They make choices about money....(read more)

Faithful Finances: When to Adopt New Technology

Aaron Spiegel — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:43:00 GMT

Alban senior consultant Dan Hotchkiss writes about his congregation's move from a printed to email delivered newsletter....(read more)

Your Church Web Site Matters!

Aaron Spiegel — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:13:00 GMT

A friend forwarded this November 2008, Church & Worship Technology Magazine article to me, "Your Church Web Site Matters!" written by Lauren Hunter. ...(read more)