The 2020 election is just days away. The CRG has provided resources to keep congregations informed of how they can navigate the stresses of dealing with contentious politics in and around their communities. But what about after the election? What about the possible conflicts that may arise as a result of the election? 

Auburn Seminary hosted a multi-faith conversation entitled, “Faith Leaders Call for Moral Courage Now” with Auburn President, Rev. Dr. Katharine Rhodes Henderson, along with Dr. Keisha McKenzie and Dr. Sharon Groves from Auburn’s program team, in conversation with Auburn Senior Fellows Stosh Cotler (CEO, Bend the Arc) and Rev. Brian McLaren (Activist and Public Theologian).

Watch as these five faith and justice leaders discuss how they prepared for the 2020 election and for its possible aftermath. What will our responses communicate to the world about who we are? How will we leverage the outcome of the election to build a better world? Will relationships and trust really help create change and if so, how can our congregation do the work

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Though the #MeToo movement has brought greater media attention to sexual assault, it is not a new phenomenon. There are countless examples of congregations and denominations acting in ways that proved harmful to victims. Even the most well-intentioned leaders can inflict pain due to a lack of information and preparation. 

The Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault has put together a host of resources for congregations seeking to get ahead of the game. As any great leader will tell you, the best plans are laid well before they’re needed. If your congregation would like information on working with law enforcement and other professionals to form Sexual Assault Response Teams, check out the SART guide. There are also other workshops and trainings offered through ICESA that congregations can take advantage of. Finally, to gain a better perspective on the ways sexual assault impacts victims, watch the Break The Silence video.

 

 

 

A critical presidential election looms before us. Christians want to play a constructive role and make a positive difference, but often are unsure how to get involved and what issues to address. Letters to the Church seeks to help the church:

• to think again about God’s presence and purposes in our lives and in the world
• to shine the light and language of our faith on issues and situations that diminish individuals and threaten our common life
• and to prompt us all to think about what it means to be the church in the face of these particular challenges and opportunities.

Designed for individuals and church study groups, the book begins with a letter to pastors and a letter to congregations. Pastors and congregations share a mutual vulnerability these days that is hampered by an inability or lack of interest in open, honest, faith-informed conversations.

What We Are Experiencing Now - letters in this section address the anxiety of often feeling on-edge and off-balance, the craving for certainty, the revival of deadly prejudices and unresolved grief.

What We Hope - readers can envision an inclusive American family portrait, the hope of trusting each other again, the desire to see courageous leadership exercised and the need for clarity between ethical commitments and political maneuvering.

What We Are Called To - letters encourage acts of confession and justice, careful and critical thinking, the need for allies, recognition of when to support and when to resist and a path for constructive engagement.

Each letter names a specific issue and describes the importance of that issue for our country and for this particular election season. Each letter concludes with reflections on “The Witness of the Church.”

Whatever the outcome of any heavily partisan election where money and shrill voices are likely to dominate, our first calling is to be the church, to be light to the world. Letters to the Church seeks to support the church in that vocation through re-centering ourselves, clarifying our commitments and engaging courageously.
 

This book provides congregations with a way to create a culture of conversation based off a process called the World Cafe.

This book offers a proven model to ensure the success of a church merger, one that looks more like a fresh start versus a last-ditch effort that will only delay decline. Here, a merger is likened to a marriage, and the book provides a step-by-step guide towards commitment.

Based on a survey of young adults, this resource reveals what congregations and parents can do to keep young people from leaving church.

This digital manual provides rich insight and practical considerations to discern about relocating your congregation.

This succinct and practical article outlines an eight-step process for choosing fundraising counsel.

This compilation of essays and interviews looks at seven novel ways that congregations are expressing what it means to be communities of faith.

This United Methodist resource page offers a variety of information and trainings to help churches continue congregational life online.

This article has advice for small congregations to create a right-sized governance system.

This organization hosts template-based websites and allows users to customize their web presence.

This organization provides reports and trainings about software options that are relevant to congregations.

This organization provides annual sabbatical grants for Christian clergy of up to $50,000, including as much as $15,000 for congregational expenses.

This organization provides a variety of leadership development opportunities, including workshops, online classes, certificate programs, an Asian American Ministry Center, and a $1000 grant for churches doing innovative ministry work.

Ideal for congregants at home or at a distance, these video and audio clips engage the senses as healing rituals.

These recorded events support youth ministry leaders and parents during COVID-19 with advice from the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

These poignant guided meditations by Fuller Studio facilitate the calming experience of contemplative prayer.

The Festival of Preaching is an ecumenical event for Christian teens and young adults who discern a call to preaching. The festival offers opportunities for participants to preach, receive feedback, connect with peers, and develop mentorships.

This four-day conference is dedicated to advancing Christian stewardship, Catholic philanthropy, and resource development in North America.

This program for clergy offers a weeklong residential retreat that takes a holistic approach to pastoral self-care.

The quarterly Church Health Reader recognizes the challenge of maintaining spiritual, emotional, physical and social well-being in a world of stress, violence, confusing value systems and social turmoil and offers practical, timely instruction and helpful options.

This e-newsletter covers timely finance topics such as record keeping, business expenses, church office security, internal controls, best practices for donations, and money management.

The Life Long Faith Journal is an online free magazine available in PDF format that covers a wide range of topics, such as: faith formation in a missional age, cultivating a community of practice, the emerging media and the gospel, church leaders and tech visionaries, hybrid networking, drawing children to the center of congregational life, faith formation in small congregations, less talk-more action, infant faith formation and doing children’ s ministry differently.

This company makes online donation software that can be used with computers, tablets, and smartphones, and through credit cards, debit cards, or electronic transfer of funds.

This software offers online giving and electronic financial services for organizations including religious institutions, where donors can give online, use credit cards, have funds transferred electronically, or donate via a text message.

This customizable giving platform provides many giving and reporting options for large congregations.