Resource Database: 'Staff Writing for Outside Publications'

A New Way of Thinking: Innovative Web-Based CMS Focuses on People

Read about the new trend in congregation management software by Center for Congregations Finance Director Nancy Armstrong. Often promoted as a "people care" system, not just a database, these innovative, web-based programs focus on the individual from first contact with a congregation through their journey to becoming a fully-integrated, spiritually-maturing member.
Date Added: 04/24/2007 12:00 AM GMT
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Analog Thinking in a Digital World

Information Technology Director Aaron Spiegel wrote this piece for the Spring 2008 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 05/5/2008 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 783 times.
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Being the Exception to the Rule

Center for Congregations President Tim Shapiro wrote this article about transcending negative trends and the power within organizations and groups to defy expectations and solve seemingly unsolvable challenges. It appears in the Summer 2008 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 07/8/2008 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 28 times.
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Best Practices for Using Computers in Congregations

Written by Center for Congregations staffers Nancy Armstrong, Brent Bill, and Aaron Spiegel, Best Practices for Using Computers in Congregations appeared in the January 2006 Clergy Journal.
Date Added: 03/5/2007 01:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 1180 times.
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Choosing Technology that Forwards Mission and Ministry

Center Finance Director Nancy Armstrong wrote the piece Choosing Technology that Forwards Mission and Ministry for the Fall 2009 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 09/29/2009 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 41 times.
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Clergy Journal - Analog Thinking in a Digital World

Social networking is a way congregations can lead in the brave new virtual world - connecting, communicating and interacting with their members in all their worlds. Center staffers Aaron Spiegel, Nancy Armstrong and Brent Bill wrote this piece for the March/April 2010 issue of Clergy Journal magazine.
Date Added: 03/23/2010 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 33 times.
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Encountering God Through Shared Silence

Brent Bill wrote this article for the Fall 2008 edition of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 12/10/2008 09:30 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 27 times.
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Homegrown Theology

The article Homegrown Theology by Center for Congregations President Tim Shapiro appeared in Congregations magazine in winter 2004.
Date Added: 03/5/2007 04:52 AM GMT
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How Do Congregations Learn?

Why do some congregations struggle while others thrive? Why do some congregations falter while others face their challenges with the sturdiness of Jesus in the wilderness? At the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, we have discovered that congregational strength is linked directly to the congregation's ability to learn. Center President Tim Shapiro wrote this article, "How Do Congregations Learn?", for the Fall 2010 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 05/26/2011 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 38 times.
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Including Laity In Education Events Empowers Congregations

Center for Congregations Education Director Kara Faris wrote this piece for the Winter 2009 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 01/20/2009 09:57 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 28 times.
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Is there a Jewish mainline?

Staff Writing by Center for Congregations Information Technology Director Aaron Spiegel from Synablog November 2, 2006.
Date Added: 04/6/2007 06:21 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 29 times.
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Leaky Gutters and Sacred Spaces

Leaky Gutters and Sacred Spaces: Practical Tips for Facility Repair appeared in the Spring 2003 issue of Congregations magazine. Written by Center staffers Nancy DeMott and Brent Bill, this article provides guidance on dealing with facilities maintenance.
Date Added: 03/5/2007 04:53 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 36 times.
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Let's Survey the Congregation

Southwest Director Wendy McCormick wrote this piece for Congregations magazine's double issue 3 and 4, 2011. She discusses congregational assessment tools and the importance of communication.
Date Added: 01/24/2012 01:51 PM GMT
This resource was downloaded 41 times.
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Not So Fast!

President Tim Shapiro writes about the importance of encouraging congregational leaders to slow down and move more deliberately when making decisions. This article appeared in the spring 2009 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 04/21/2009 10:44 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 28 times.
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One Size Doesn't Fit All: Selecting Resources Just Right for Your Congregation

Center staffer Nancy DeMott wrote this article for the 2011 second edition of Congregations magazine. Congregations face many choices when deciding what resources to use, whether it is which Bible translation to offer, what curriculum to teach, what software to purchase, what builder to select, what planning process to use, and so forth. There is no one best resource for every congregation. What is best for a particular congregation is best because it is a fit with their values, mission, purposes and intents. The Center helps congregations find the resources that are the best fit for them.
Date Added: 08/8/2011 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 37 times.
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Selecting a Leader for Your Congregation's Planning Team

Center for Congregations Resource Director Nancy DeMott wrote this insightful article for Congregations magazine. She talks about selection, roles, characteristics and skills of leaders for planning initiatives in congregations.
Date Added: 05/24/2011 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 29 times.
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Small is Beautiful

Center for Congregations-Southwest Director Wendy McCormick wrote this article about small congregations for the winter 2010 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 03/26/2010 12:00 AM GMT
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Social Networking and Congregations

The Center's Information Technology Director Aaron Spiegel wrote this piece on Social Networking and Congregations for the Alban Institute's summer 2009 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 07/14/2009 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 327 times.
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Social Networking and Congregations

The Center's Information Technology Director Aaron Spiegel wrote this piece on Social Networking and Congregations for the Alban Institute's summer 2009 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 07/14/2009 12:00 AM GMT
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Social Networking and Congregations

The Center's Information Technology Director Aaron Spiegel wrote this piece on Social Networking and Congregations for the Alban Institute's summer 2009 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 07/14/2009 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 29 times.
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Social Networking for Congregations, RCC2010 Presentation

This PowerPoint was presented at the Religion Communication Congress 2010 by Aaron Spiegel, IT Director at the Center for Congregations
Date Added: 04/13/2010 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 27 times.
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Spiegel on Scripture Software

Center for Congregations Information Technology Director Aaron Spiegel explores the strengths and challenges of various Bible software packages.
Date Added: 03/5/2007 04:56 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 32 times.
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Technology Plan for Your Synagogue

Communicating and Connecting Better with the Help of Technology by Center for Congregations Information Technology Director Aaron Spiegel and STAR Director Hayim Herring.
Date Added: 03/5/2007 05:04 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 86 times.
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Ten Things You Need to Know about Sacred Space Projects

Center staffers Brent Bill and Nancy DeMott provide relevant information congregational leaders need to know when beginning sacred space projects. This article appeared in the Fall 2007 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 10/8/2007 07:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 27 times.
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The Congregation as Author

Tim Shapiro, president of the Indianapolis Center for Congregations, wrote this article on congregations and the importance of sharing stories. The piece is featured in the Winter 2008 issue of Congregations magazine.
Date Added: 05/5/2008 07:47 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 26 times.
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The Tech Commandments

Rev magazine carried this article, The "Tech" Commandments: 7 Guidelines for Using Technology in Ministry, in its May/June 2006 issue. Technology is essential for congregations to remain effective faith communities in the 21st century. This article, written by Center staffers Nancy Armstrong, Brent Bill, and Aaron Spiegel, outlines seven practices that congregations of all sizes and denominations should implement to make their technology use successful.
Date Added: 03/5/2007 04:55 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 33 times.
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Thinking About Congregations: Using Bowen Family Systems Theory

Center for Congregations President Tim Shapiro wrote this article for the Spring 2010 issue of Congregations Magazine.  
Date Added: 07/8/2010 12:00 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 62 times.
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Volunteer or Indentured Servant?

Synagogues reward successful synagogue volunteers with more opportunities to volunteer. For most volunteers, this cycle lasts a few years until they finally decide, often with personal and private embarrassment, that they can no longer work so hard with so little in return. All they really want is a heartfelt “thank you” and a little recognition for their efforts.
Date Added: 05/17/2007 06:33 AM GMT
This resource was downloaded 23 times.
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Your Building Speaks

The buildings housing our congregations communicate. Even if the people themselves are silent, whether in prayer or in doubt, the stones cannot be silent. Center staffers Nancy DeMott, Tim Shapiro and Brent Bill wrote the article "Your Building Speaks" for the Summer 2010 issue of Congregations magazine. 
Date Added: 05/26/2011 12:00 AM GMT
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