Category Archives: congregational life

Five hazards for second chair leaders

Posted on April 16, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Previously we shared some thoughts from Lynn Turner, Associate Pastor of Youth, Career, and Discipleship at the First Baptist Church of Richmond, VA. We asked Lynn to share her thoughts about ministry to seminarians in my course on “Thriving and … Continue reading →

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Book review: Understanding the Church, by Vogl and Fish

Posted on April 9, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Well into this side of the millennial threshold, wading through the deepening waters of change, the issue of reexamining the nature and future of the church is foremost on the minds of theologians, church educators, ministers, and denominational leaders. What … Continue reading →

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Book review: Becoming a Healthy Church, by Macchia

Posted on April 3, 2008 by Israel Galindo

What are the two greatest gifts given to us? According to Stephen A. Macchia in Becoming a Healthy Church: 10 Traits of a Vital Ministry (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books 2003) the Word of God and prayer are the two … Continue reading →

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Roles vs. Function in BFST

Posted on April 2, 2008 by Israel Galindo

I recently received an e-mail from a Leadership in Ministry Workshops participant asking about the distinction between role and function often made in Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST). This distinction is often difficult for folks to make, but I think … Continue reading →

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Book review: The Apathetic and Bored Church Member by Savage

Posted on March 19, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Just about every year one of our doctoral students approaches me wanting to do a study on why church members leave their congregation. About half the time it’s clear about what’s behind the motivation for the study: anxiety from church … Continue reading →

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Book review: Teaming Up, by Holderness and Hay

Posted on February 25, 2008 by Israel Galindo

The move from rigid and isolated “committees” to a “team approach” continues in many congregations. Sometimes that movement is not much more than a re-organization and re-labeling that result in very little change. The fact is, as I like to … Continue reading →

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Book review: The Dynamic Congregation, by Ramey

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Does this sound like your experience of church? Little seems to happen during church services. You eat this bread and drink the wine at communion, even hear in the liturgy that Christ is present, but everyone seems bored. . . … Continue reading →

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Book review: Urban Disciples, by Paris and Eyring

Posted on January 24, 2008 by Israel Galindo

Jenell Paris and Margot Eyring have prepared a most useful tool for those involved in missional efforts, whether leader or participant. Urban Disciples: A Beginner’s Guide to Serving God in the Inner City (Valley Forge, PA: Judson Press, 2000. 99 … Continue reading →

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Leaving Well (If you’re going to go, go!)

Posted on January 22, 2008 by Israel Galindo

I’ve been consulting with several clergy who are contemplating leaving their ministry settings. It’s not unusual for these consultations to come in waves, and it’s always interesting that they do. It seems that issues, crises, and topics have their seasons. … Continue reading →

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