Melissa Spas
web resource
Communities of Salt and Light: Reflections on the Social Mission of the Parish
On this site, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provides a wide variety of resources for implementing the social teaching of the church within the life of the local parish by helping parishes "find resources about living as communities of salt and light".
web resource
Reconciliation Ministry
The Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is an acknowledgment of the division and misshapen self-understanding that racism has caused within the church. It is a resource to congregations that are seeking to build just communities and work toward unity and reconciliation.
web resource
ChristLife: Catholic Ministry for Evangelization
The ChristLife website provides a curriculum for evangelism training, seeking to equip and prepare Catholics to reach out from their parishes to bring in new members, including those of no faith, as well as baptized Catholics who may have little experience practicing the faith.
book
Searching for Sunday: Loving, Leaving and Finding the Church
This book reflects on what it means to belong, leave, and rediscover the church, particularly for millennials. By drawing insight from the author's personal story in addition to others, this resource addresses topics like communion, baptism, and marriage.
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To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World
This book examines the complex relationship between culture, identity, belonging, and the role of Christians. Ultimately, this book will help congregations consider how they interact in the wider world they inhabit.
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The Millennials: Connecting to America's Largest Generation
Written from an evangelical perspective, this book outlines the results of a large-scale survey of millennials, offering an interpretation of its findings and outlining recommendations for congregations seeking to reach this generation.
web resource
Meet the Nones: We Don't Need Your Labels
This web resource provides a series of thoughtful articles on different facets of life among religiously unaffiliated Americans and gives an accessible glimpse of the diversity, sophistication, and perspective of “nones” . Sojourners has compiled perspectives from atheists, unaffiliated ethnic Jews, political strategists, and sociologists in order to better illustrate the perspective of Americans without a religious affiliation or identity.
book
Updated
Lessons in Belonging from a Church-Going Commitment Phobe
This memoir recounts one millennial feminist's approach to life in the Christian community and her struggle to find a sense of belonging, touching on universal themes like the importance of showing up, vulnerability, and illusions in community.
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Vision: Lost and Found: The Story of a Church That Got Stuck but Didn't Stay There
Based off the experiences of megachurch Granger Community Church, this book details its journey from a start-up church with tremendous growth to a period of organizational struggle. This book equips readers with the same tools and processes Granger used to shift internal culture.
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Change and Conflict in Your Congregation (Even If You Hate Both): How to Implement Conscious Choices, Manage Emotions and Build a Thriving Christian Community
This book frames conflict as a tool to move congregations forward if used positively. In this resource, conflict can spark changes that will allow your congregation to tell a new story about its identity, purpose, and future.
web resource
Social Justice & the Union for Reform Judaism
This web resource provided by The Union for Reformed Judaism has compiled a variety of resources for congregational work on social justice, including worship materials, texts, blessings, and resources on particular topics and for community organizing.