I grew up among ethnic pietistic Baptists who tended to emphasize the emotional and personal aspects of religion over against the liturgical, Traditional, and ecumenical. It was a simple faith that retains enough charm so as not to be off-putting, though I can only take it in small doses nowadays. While conservative in its theological orientation it was not fundamentalist, but there was enough of an influence from the popular fundamentalist milieu and networks so as to leave me with an ability to recognize the language and mentality when I came across it.

[Read more...]

GRACE member Israel Galindo reflects on three things an organization needs in order to be “great”. Read his toughts at the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog site.

Marty Canaday and Israel Galindo have a support blog for readers of Planning for Christian Education Formation (Chalice Press, 2010). You can visit the site here, read their author interview, and ask questions about applying the book in you context. You can visit the site here.

The new book by GRACE members Israel Galindo and Marty Canaday, Planning for Christian Education Formation: A Community of Faith Approach (Chalice Press) is immediately available in print and e-book format.

[Read more...]

Visit the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog for two ideas on bringing about organizational change.

Some thoughts on the necessity of interpreting emotional triangles within the context of the emotional field at the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog.

A question from one of my students in the systems theory class results in a new insight for leaders from the Dog Whisperer.

Brian Gumm offers a well-written review and critique of The Hidden Lives of Congregations.

Some thoughts on why you probably will never be able to fix some of your church committees at the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog.

Check the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog for some truisms worth remembering during times of acute anxiety.