It’s not nearly so important as to whether a small plant is given or gift certificates or perhaps a luncheon – the important thing is that it happens! Not only does this acknowledge and express appreciation to the individual but lifts up the importance of ministry of the baptized.
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Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: administration, hospitality, ministry, teacher appreciation, teacher training 
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We know there are children in our communities. But why aren’t they coming to OUR church? There could be many reasons – different denomination, parents work on Sunday, sports, etc. But is there also a subliminal message your congregation is giving to the community or visitors who do come with children?
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: children's ministry, Christian formation, family ministry, hospitality No Comments »
I’ve worshiped in parishes where The Peace has taken so long, I could have gone out for a cup of coffee, drank it, returned, and not missed a thing. But turning it into a parish-wide love-in is surely not the point. It’s not a liturgical cocktail party where everyone mingles and greets everyone else in the entire church.
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Health ministry should be a vital component of church life for many reasons. Obvious benefits of a healthier congregation can include better pastoral care, increased fellowship among members, fewer hospital visits and clergy who feel energized and physically well enough to take care of others.
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In Holy Week (April 1-7 this year) the church dramatizes the events leading up to and including the suffering of Jesus on the cross. At Easter we dramatize Jesus’ resurrection. We live in a very pluralistic society, but many people still recognize the significance of Holy Week and Easter even if they don’t attend a church.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Easter, evangelism, Good Friday, Holy Week, hospitality, Maundy Thursday Comments Off
Start by being clear about your purpose: the formation of hearts and minds and souls in community. From this will follow intentionality about the content of the service. For me, the “stuff” of Christian family liturgy is hospitality, compassionate loving, mystery, inclusivity, social justice and servant leadership.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: adults, children's ministry, Christian formation, family ministry, hospitality, intergenerational, parents, prayer, worship, youth ministry 1 Comment »
For many people, the Christmas holiday season does not bring with it the joy and happiness that is constantly advertised on television, in shopping malls, in catalogs or in greetings cards. The constant refrain of the happiness of the Christmas Season, about getting together with family and friends reminds many people of what they have lost or have never had.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Advent, Blue Christmas, Christmas, hospitality, mission, worship Comments Off
There will be a lot of people in most of our churches on Christmas Eve, and perhaps at special services in Advent and Epiphany. Certainly, some will be out of town family and friends. But equally certainly, some will be in-towners worshipping at Christmas and perhaps seeking, if only unconsciously, a church home.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, evangelism, hospitality, worship 1 Comment »
In the classic Las Posadas, a group of “pilgrims” from a church goes out into the neighborhood, accompanied by a costumed Mary and Joseph (or carrying Mary and Joseph images).
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry, Service |
Tags: Advent, Christian formation, Christmas, Hispanic Ministries, hospitality, Las Posadas, resources, traditions Comments Off
It did not come as a surprise that there has not been much study of our Emerging Adults because they do not self-identify as “devout” or “religious” – rather, if they identify at all with religious beliefs they name themselves “spiritual, but not religious.”
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: adults, Christian formation, emerging church, evangelism, future, hospitality, young adults Comments Off
You’ve probably heard it before, often as a complaint:“20% of the people are doing 80% of the work.” The truth of the matter is that too many people in our congregations are not engaged with the mission and ministry of their congregation and their own spiritual growth.
| Posted in Community, Featured, Ministry |
Tags: communication, evangelism, hospitality, mission, newcomers Comments Off
Often times stories go around the internet that really strike you. Sometimes it turns out they are urban legends and have no ounce of truth, or at least they have been shared so much that the essential story is nothing like the truth it once was.
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