Father and son fishing on the lake and baiting a hook.

Successful New Beginnings

Join us at the New Beginnings workshop on May 5

My grandfather taught me to cast a deep-sea rod and reel when I was twelve. The rod and reel were large, the line and sinker were heavy, and the hook was big. When I finally mastered casting, my grandfather rewarded me with my very own deep-sea rod and reel.

Collage: Jesus and Mary at the tomb; hand holding hot cup of coffee; mother and son reading a book; young adult holding hand of elderly person; two women laughing on a park bench.

Easter Sunday Is Over! Now What?

The big day is over – or should I say the big week? We just finished celebrating Palm Sunday, the Last Supper, Good Friday, Easter Sunrise, and Easter Sunday Worship. Now what?

Children, ages pre-school through elementary school, seated on the floor, some with hands raised.

The Power of the Small Membership Church

What does the small membership church have that the large church does not? We have the ability to reach out, and children can know, for at least a short time, that they are not lost in the crowd. Let me give you an example.

Group of people seated around a dinner table, laughing and talking.

Change so God's Church Can Thrive

Jesus tells Nicodemus he needs to be born again. We know that Jesus is talking about being born of God’s Spirit. The question we have to answer is: Will we be brave enough to be born again, to change, to grow, so we can help our churches thrive and help others to experience God’s love and grace?

Silhouette of a person with head bowed in front of a large cross with the sun rising in the background and blue sky with wispy clouds.

The Answer Is Love and Forgiveness, Not Anger and Hate

Anger begets anger, and hate destroys us. May we remember what Jesus said as he hung on the cross, “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.” During this Lenten season, may we follow Jesus’ example and be those who love and forgive.

Silhouette of people celebrating with arms raised against a bright sun.

Being the Body of Christ and Working Together so Small Membership Churches Thrive

People of all ages are looking for authentic relationships and communities where they discover the loving support of God. The small membership church, also called the family church, is a place where people of all ages can find the support, love, and grace to help them grow and discover the love of God.

Word cloud of words from article with "local churches thrive" in large text.

Reimagining Networks, Cooperative Parishes, and Multi-Church Charges

Helping Churches Thrive

There are some shining examples of networks, cooperative parishes, and multi-church charges helping the members of churches grow. However, one size does not fit all, and some churches in the above groups continue to struggle. Here is how we might tweak multi-church groups to help small churches thrive.

Illustration of computer power button with text that says "Reboot for Lent."

Lent: A Time to Reboot

Like the computer that is overwhelmed, stops working, and needs to reboot, we also need to stop and reboot.

Etching from 1629 of Jesus healing a man let down through the roof by friends and surrounded by a crowd of people in the house.

The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries: We Advocate, Celebrate, Teach, and Serve

Workshops and classes to help small membership churches thrive.

The Academy believes the Small Membership Church is called to model itself after the disciples in the Book of Acts and offers workshops and classes to help small membership churches thrive.

Three people of different ages sitting in a pew.

Can Old and Young Worship Together?

Is there hope for our aging churches? Can the older members be happy with a new, faster style of worship? Can the younger generation find hope in ancient traditions?