Richard Reinhard shares how some congregations are using their property to develop affordable housing and meet other community needs, as well as local initiatives to lower the barriers to this type of development. Religious institutions face a great mismatch between small, aging congregations and large, deteriorating properties. Thousands are struggling to find new uses for| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
The percentage of U.S. churches with attendance of 100 or fewer increased from 45 percent in 2000 to 70 percent in 2020. Lovett H. Weems Jr. shares relevant data while also considering the distinctive calling of very small congregations and ways they can embrace a more positive future. The Religious Workforce Project of the| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
A sustained decline in worship attendance is afflicting most American congregations. Drawing on findings from the Lewis Center’s Religious Workforce Project, Lovett H. Weems Jr. outlines ways congregations can respond to declining attendance and how the trend impacts the deployment of clergy and other congregational leaders. The Religious Workforce Project of the Lewis Center is| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Delivered every Wednesday, our free e-newsletter Leading Ideas offers articles by thoughtful, cutting-edge leaders on subjects you care about — navigating change, reaching younger people, financing your ministry, communicating effectively — to help you be the leader God is calling you to be. The Lewis Center is committed to helping congregations and denominations thrive and grow by providing ideas, research, resources, and training for vital and fruitful leadership. Through Leading Ideas,...| Lewis Center for Church Leadership
Rural churches are anchors in their communities and can use their property assets to bring new hope to their neighbors. Jennie Birkholz describes how creative partnerships between churches, nonprofits, health systems, and others can respond to critical needs and draw together people who don’t normally interact. Churches can no longer be insular institutions and instead| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Is your church facing the difficult decision to sell or repurpose property? This interview with Mark Elsdon, editor of Gone for Good?, focuses on how congregations can resell or repurpose church property in ways that avoids common pitfalls and propels their missions forward. Listen to this interview, watch the interview video on YouTube, or continue reading.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...
Where is God’s movement taking place in new ways for new times? Cherished narratives, programs, language, and structures are no longer producing the fruit associated with them during past eras. Lovett Weems says innovation is possible if church leaders challenge the assumptions behind what we are doing because they no longer match the current reality.| Lewis Center for Church Leadership - Advancing the knowledge and practice of ...