Michael Kruse is chair of the General Assembly Mission Council
This blog is for General Assembly Mission Council leadership. Others are welcome to observe, but comments and discussion are limited to GAMC members and individuals designated by Mike Kruse.
We hope that by raising our awareness of the GAMC ministry context we will provide even more effective governance as GAMC elected members.
Linked articles and commentary on this blog do not necessarily reflect the positions of the GAMC or the PC(USA). They are presented here as information and for the purposes of fostering discussion.
Short-Term Missions
Baylor research team determines short-term mission trips have positive effects on participants but better efforts need to be made with follow up to achieve lasting change.
Researchers study return on short-term missions
Multicultural Congregations
A prominent sociology of religion scholar says more congregations need to move away from being ethnic niches to being multi-ethnic, multi-cultural congregations.
Michael O. Emerson: Demographic revolution and the church
iPhone/iPad Band
Some say that digital organs can now deliver the same quality of music as traditional organs at a fraction of the price and with greater reliability. Now musicians are creating music using …
Here are this week’s links. Grace and peace to everyone on this Easter weekend.
Giving Trends
A new survey on congregational giving. Developing trends include members being able to make contributions with credit cards at a kiosk in the church, allowing them to designate giving.
Personal Finance at Church
Programs helping people manage personal finances is becoming a popular congregational ministry. The author of the article is probably a little cynical but the article is still informative.
Why churches are a hotbed for finance education
Clergy Communities of Practice
A piece at the Faith and Leadership …
Church Draw
Lovet Weems notes that Sunday School was the primary entry point for church life. Then it was the worship service. Now it is service and mission work.
Mission as the Emerging Entry Point for New People
Biblical Illiteracy
A group of theologians have taken to cyberspace to address biblical illiteracy.
Theologians Launch Blog to Tackle Biblical Illiteracy
Presbyterian Congregational Trends
In case you missed it, while we were meeting in Louisville last week, Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce released a report on Trends unfolding in Presbyterian Congregations.
Looking inside Presbyterian congregations
Church Trends
Eileen Lindner …