This blog post reflects on synagogue vitality and the importance of strengthening engagement with the broader community.
Offerings
data from the Special Report on Vital Congregations from Faith Communities Today (FACT)
Best For
clergy and lay leaders
Cost
free
Suggested Uses
- Read this article with congregational leaders to discuss ways to expand your community impact.
- Consider the differences between a congregation that is surviving and one that is vital by reading this article.
About the Contributor

Tim Shapiro is the Indianapolis Center’s president. He began serving the Center in 2003 after 18 years in pastoral ministry. For 14 years, Tim served Westminster Presbyterian Church in Xenia, Ohio. Prior to his pastorate at Westminster, he was pastor of Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Logansport, Indiana. He holds degrees from Purdue University and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
Tim’s interest in how congregations learn to do new things is represented in his book How Your Congregation Learns. After his extensive work on the Center’s Sacred Space initiative, Tim co-authored the book Holy Places: Matching Sacred Space with Mission and Message. He has also authored several articles, including Applying Positive Deviance and The Congregation of Theological Coherence.