Institution v. Innovation: Can edgy churches grow and thrive within the UMC?

by Arthur Jones February 1st, 2010

“CHURCH DOESN'T SUCK. WWW.GRACEPOINT.COM.” As some United Methodist pastors drove by this laconic sign, they cringed because they knew something about GracePoint that … read more

Incentives to Decline: Why Some Churches Really Don't Want to Grow

by John Flowers, Karen Vannoy February 1st, 2010

Your congregation has been in significant decline for years. Members acknowledge that something must be done to reverse the decline. Plans are discussed and official votes are… read more

Virtual Community, Real Relationships

by Jacqui King February 1st, 2010

God is doing a new thing! That is the proclamation from the prophet Isaiah. In the world of technology, new things are happening every day. New technology offers the church new… read more

Reaching Out Like a New Church, Whatever Your Age!

by Jacob Armstrong February 1st, 2010

As I made the drive from my house to a local city park on the Saturday before Easter, I noticed church after church hosting their annual Easter egg hunts. The parking lots were… read more

Lord, Send Us the People Nobody Else Wants or Sees!: Developing a Heart for the Poor and Broken

by Jorge Acevedo November 1st, 2009

When I was in my last year at Asbury Theological Seminary, I needed one more class to graduate. I was serving as a children's and youth pastor at a local United Methodist church… read more

The Art of the Coffee Hour

by Donna Schaper November 1st, 2008

Incarnationalists, like me, love the way the holy occupies the ordinary. We are most excited at Christmas time when God becomes human, the holy becomes fleshy, eternity becomes… read more