Helping Rural Congregations Thrive
Rural congregations are often overlooked yet are vital to their communities, offering relational, volunteer-driven support. They thrive on strong relationships, emphasizing belonging and community well-being.…
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Exploring Spiritual Direction: An In-depth Interview with Eunhyey Lok
How can spiritual direction impact leaders and congregations? In this interview Eunhyey Lok reflects on the role of spiritual direction, its benefits for personal and…
Cultivating Gratitude: A Spiritual Reflection on Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is more than a national holiday; it is a spiritual practice celebrating God’s abundance and expressing gratitude for all that God provides. Lewis Center…
8 Steps for Planning a Dementia Caregiver Support Group
Dementia caregiving is an arduous, emotionally taxing journey filled with constant challenges and a profound sense of responsibility. A support group can provide a sanctuary…
Faithfully Engage Public Policy: An In-depth Interview with Miranda Zapor Cruz
How can Christians faithfully engage public policy? Jessica Anschutz interviews Miranda Zapor Cruz, professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University and author of Faithful…
“Faithfully Engage Public Policy” featuring Miranda Zapor Cruz
Podcast Episode 157 How can Christians faithfully engage public policy? We speak with Miranda Zapor Cruz, professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University and…
Engage Polarization with Kindness: An In-depth Interview with Cathy Bien
How can church leaders address polarization? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center staff interviews Cathy Bien about the Campaign for Kindness and how church leaders…
“Community Partnerships: Moving from a Mindset of Scarcity to Abundance” featuring Mahogany Thomas
Podcast Episode 156 How can congregations cultivate fruitful partnerships with nonprofits that promote human flourishing and abundance? We talk with Mahogany Thomas, chief program officer…
“Community Partnerships: Moving from a Mindset of Scarcity to Abundance” featuring Mahogany Thomas
Podcast Episode 156 How can congregations cultivate fruitful partnerships with nonprofits that promote human flourishing and abundance? We talk with Mahogany Thomas, chief program officer…
Moving from a Mindset of Scarcity to Abundance in Community Partnerships: An In-depth Interview with Mahogany Thomas
How can congregations cultivate fruitful partnerships with nonprofits that promote human flourishing and abundance? Mahogany Thomas, chief program officer of Bread for the City, shares…
“Engage Polarization with Kindness” featuring Cathy Bien
Podcast Episode 155 How can church leaders address polarization? We speak with Cathy Bien about the Campaign for Kindness and how church leaders can lead…
Is There an Ideal Age for Clergy?
Lovett H. Weems Jr. looks at shifting age patterns among United Methodist clergy through the lens of history and newly available clergy age data for…
4 Characteristics of Citizens of the Kingdom of God Who Inhabit the Political World
Christian faithfulness can inspire various political approaches, but they must reflect our primary identity as citizens of the Kingdom of God. Miranda Zapor Cruz finds…
Christians and Public Policy: Be Engaged, Informed, and Conflicted
As we navigate our opinions on public policy and electoral choices, it’s tempting to delegate our critical thinking to others. Miranda Zapor Cruz writes that…
3 Key Principles for Intergenerational Preaching
What does intergenerational preaching look like? David Csinos shares that it is an emergent, experimental, and highly contextual endeavor that disrupts traditional homiletical norms. He…
5 Ways Forward for Very Small Congregations
The percentage of U.S. churches with attendance of 100 or fewer increased from 45 percent in 2000 to 70 percent in 2020. Lovett H. Weems…
11 Simple Ideas to Make Your Church More Intergenerational
A congregation can start becoming more intergenerational by simply inviting one more generation to take part in any congregational event or activity. The authors of…
Moving from Ministry FOR the People to Ministry WITH the People
한국어로 Many congregations actively engage in community outreach activities that provide essential resources to those in need within our communities. While outreach is crucial, we…
5 Benefits of Intergenerational Christian Formation
A family of faith more fully reflects the body of Christ when generations come together, and each individual brings their unique, God-given gifts. The authors…
How to Develop a Social Media Strategy That Enhances Your Ministry
What are the benefits social media can bring to your ministry? Scott Holthaus highlights ways churches can build and boost their social media strategies to…
Leading Amidst Christian Nationalism
Lovett H. Weems Jr. outlines seven strategies for responding to Christian nationalism in measured and faithful ways. Church leaders should try to help congregants put…
Should a Church Close?
Sustainability is increasingly difficult for the ever increasing number of churches worshipping small numbers each week. Lovett Weems captures the dilemma for church leaders and…
Community Transformation and Justice Require More Than Preaching
Community transformation and justice require more than preaching. Kevin Slayton calls preachers to put their faith in action by cultivating relationships and establishing partnerships with…
Trends in Latino Congregations: An In-depth Interview with Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi
How are the trends in majority Latino congregations different from those in non-Latino congregations? Jessica Anschutz speaks with Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi about her report Latino Congregations:…
“Trends in Latino Congregations” featuring Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi
Podcast Episode 143 How are the trends in majority Latino congregations different from those in non-Latino congregations? We speak with Kristina Lizardy-Hajbi about her report…
Helping Youth Form a Lasting Faith: An In-Depth Interview with Brad Griffin
How can your youth ministry cultivate a faith that stays with a young person as they mature through adulthood? Ann Michel of the Lewis Center…
“New Approaches to Help Youth Form Lasting Faith” featuring Brad Griffin
Podcast Episode 140 How can your youth ministry cultivate a faith that stays with a young person as they mature through adulthood? We speak with…
5 Tips for Pastors on Using AI
What is artificial intelligence (AI) and how can it enhance your ministry? Josh Burnett offers five things pastors need to know about AI. He also…
Twenty-Five Percent of Churches Disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church
The Lewis Center has issued a final report on disaffiliating churches in the United Methodist Church covering 7,631 churches approved by annual conferences for disaffiliation…
Some Questions for Further Research from the Disaffiliation Process
The recent disaffiliation process in the United Methodist Church leaves in its wake grief, hope, and many unanswered questions regarding the impact of prior unifications,…