Church membership numbers wax and wane. When people become less involved or stop attending altogether, it's easy to take it personally as a community leader. You may feel the need to analyze their reasons to see if there ...

Category: Religion Spirituality

There are groups that have been ostracized by churches for many years. Instead of following the call to welcome as many leaders on which faiths are founded admonished, historically churches have sought to isolate and ins ...

Category: Morality Religion Social Equality

As a community of faith, your church likely values good stewardship of the earth. One great stride toward significantly lowering waste production and making more sustainable choices is to reduce the use of plastic. There ...

Category: Religion Science

If you have been a member of a community of faith for a long time, particularly in the American South, you may have heard of conversion therapy. This practice, frequently undertaken not by licensed mental health professi ...

Category: Health and Wellness Morality Religion Social Justice

The practice of faith can be such an intimate experience. Being honest about who you are is important, especially among those with whom you worship. When you are a churchgoer who happens to be part of the LGBTQIA+ commun ...

Category: Morality Religion Social Equality

People of most faiths believe in the power of God or some other cosmic power to provide the things they need or want in life. The phrase "God is in control" is bandied about among churchgoers, often intended as comfort. ...

Category: Religion Superstitions

Most of the planning that a church does involves programs and services it offers. Many hours each week are spent on writing sermons, choosing texts and practicing music. There are many ways to practice faith, though, and ...

Category: Religion Spirituality

Faith communities often express exuberant support of families. They may offer printed devotionals each week for the family to complete together and use familial metaphors in sermons and other presentations. By all appear ...

Category: Religion

As a member of a faith community, you may often feel like you are attending a lot of gatherings but not really making any meaningful connections. As a church leader, it is easy to feel like guiding the congregation is an ...

Category: Religion ULC Books

A welcoming church is one that not only accepts everyone but celebrates who they are. No matter how inviting your website or welcome packet is, visitors are unlikely to return if they don't feel like they will be underst ...

Category: Religion Spirituality