Context
About this blog
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.
Recent posts
- Weekly Links for May 6
- News Links for April 29
- Context Links for April 22
- Context Links for April 15
- News Links for the Week of April 4
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- Ordained Ministry (4)
- Church Development (3)
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Posts with category: Ordained Ministry
April 29, 2011News Links for April 29
I hope your Easter weekend was filled with God’s presence. Here are some topics in the news of late:
Wikicclesia
Vice-Moderator Landon Whitsitt has new book a out new models of being the church.
Rethinking Church Mission
An Episcopal congregation in Oxford, North Carolina, has abandoned the “pastor-as-CEO” model and has discovered a new model where parishioners take responsibility for significant portions of congregational life leaving the pastor to do the work he was called to do.
Laity and retired clergy lead together in small congregations
Church Business
Saul Kaplan argues in the Harvard Business Journal that …
- Posted at 5:33 p.m.
- Permalink
April 22, 2011
Context Links for April 22
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 …
- Posted at 3:51 p.m.
- Permalink
April 15, 2011
Context Links for April 15
Here are this week’s links to articles of interest. I should note that if you ever come across articles that you think might be of interest, feel free to send me a link. I can’t guarantee that every article will be included but suggestions are welcome.
Emerging Congregational Model
One example of new models being tried by Presbyterians to reach new generations is Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon. The PNS gives us a window into the work of this church
Hell
Emergent pastor Rob Bell recently published a book called Love Wins: A Book …
- Posted at 2:41 p.m.
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March 25, 2011
March 25 Links
Here are the links for this week. We will skip next week due to GAMC meetings and pick up with posts the following week.
The Future of Mainline Seminaries
Mainline seminaries are struggling. What is their future and what role should they play in the life of denominations? Frederick W. Schmidt, Jr., Director of Spiritual Formation and Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality at Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas, offers his take.
Is It Time to Write the Eulogy?: The Future of Seminary Education
(Related: SFTS closes Southern California campus)
Social Media and Community
The …
- Posted at 9:33 a.m.
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