Ministry Matters™

Favorite Articles

By jmillerkelley
Created on March 29th, 2011

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Random articles I like.
Clergy Families: Keeping up Appearances

Clergy Families: Keeping up Appearances

By Linda S. Hileman
Mary and Matthew Winkler were, according to members of their congregation, the perfect pastoral couple. At least they seemed to be until Mary, by her own admission, shot Matthew… read more
Will the Poor Always Be With Us?

Will the Poor Always Be With Us?

By Live 58 (External Video)
Dr. Scott Todd believes the church has not only a mandate but an opportunity to end extreme poverty and that this can be accomplished in the next generation. Dr. Todd is… read more
Job: A 6-Week Study

Job: A 6-Week Study

By Ben Reed
The book of Job explores one of the most enduring questions of humanity: Why do bad things happen? Lead your congregation in a church-wide study of this faithful--yet… read more
3 Steps to Improve Your Church’s Financial Health Through Budgeting Practices

3 Steps to Improve Your Church’s Financial Health Through Budgeting Practices

By Lindsey Foster Stringer
Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal reported on the increasing number of churches that are having difficulty making ends meet and are losing church buildings to… read more
Good Growth

Good Growth

By Jessica Miller Kelley
The church I grew up in has doubled in size since my time there in the 80s and 90s. I'm not great at estimating numbers, but I would say there were 500-750 members fifteen years… read more
Institution v. Innovation: Can edgy churches grow and thrive within the UMC?

Institution v. Innovation: Can edgy churches grow and thrive within the UMC?

By Arthur D. Jones
“CHURCH DOESN'T SUCK. WWW.GRACEPOINT.COM.” As some United Methodist pastors drove by this laconic sign, they cringed because they knew something about GracePoint that … read more
Welcoming Visitors with Children

Welcoming Visitors with Children

By Rita Hays
Jeff and Sally Wright are the parents of newborn baby Zack and they are visiting your church for the first time. Jeff and Sally may come away from their visit to your congregation … read more
Angel in a Gray Sweatsuit

Angel in a Gray Sweatsuit

By Brian Erickson
June 2008 There is a woman in a gray sweatsuit screaming “At the Foot of the Cross” into a microphone she does not need. The pianist, whose hair resembles something… read more
From Last Call to My Call

From Last Call to My Call

By Jerry Herships
After more than ten years of on-and-off bartending, I made the leap and accepted my call to ordained ministry. From the time it was suggested to the time the Bishop placed her… read more
Incentives to Decline: Why Some Churches Really Don't Want to Grow

Incentives to Decline: Why Some Churches Really Don't Want to Grow

By John Flowers, Karen Vannoy
Your congregation has been in significant decline for years. Members acknowledge that something must be done to reverse the decline. Plans are discussed and official votes are… read more
Bless the Unemployed

Bless the Unemployed

By F. Belton Joyner, Jr.
The economy is starting to look up, but chances are you still have people in your congregation facing the difficult circumstance of job loss and the demoralizing process of… read more