Courageous Church Leaders Walk a Tightrope

For congregational leaders, courage is lived out on a rope held taut by the priestly function of the clergy on one end and the prophetic function of the clergy on the other. Rudolph Giuliani’s popularity suddenly escalated, as well, as he bravely tackled the...

Rituals Matter for Christians, Congregations

One of the reasons that rituals are so important is because they mark seasons of change. We remember change by recalling the ritual. Someone once said, “We give ourselves permission to change only through the form of ritual.” With that in mind, should we...

Dealing With Conflict in Congregations

Conflict is a natural part of the changing identity and ministries of a congregation, and in many instances it can be managed appropriately. When the conflict becomes unnatural, however, additional interventions become necessary. The key to working with conflicts in...

Why Conflict Occurs in Congregations

Why are so many congregations experiencing conflict these days? The answer is simple. By design, conflict in church life is unavoidable. The very nature of a congregation brings it into conflict with individuals and groups outside of the congregation and also creates...