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CRG – Blog

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Finding the right resources for your congregation. June 7, 2016. Leadership is leading people to the place they’d go if they only knew how. This is the definition of leadership I learned from my friend Dr. James Rafferty. Such leadership happens in the small exchanges between people in hallways, on the phone or as the work day ends. Congregational leadership happens in these subtle connections…. May 4, 2016. The Challenge of Partnering. Cooperating with another congregation. April 19, 2016. March 29, 2016.

blog.thecrg.org

Leadership Temperament | CRG – Blog

http://blog.thecrg.org/leadership-temperament

Finding the right resources for your congregation. June 7, 2016. June 7, 2016. Leadership is leading people to the place they’d go if they only knew how. This is the definition of leadership I learned from my friend Dr. James Rafferty. Such leadership happens in the small exchanges between people in hallways, on the phone or as the work day ends. Congregational leadership happens in these subtle connections as much or more than in grand pronouncements about mission and vision. If you are more non-directi...

blog.thecrg.org

The Challenge of Partnering | CRG – Blog

http://blog.thecrg.org/the-challenge-of-partnering

Finding the right resources for your congregation. The Challenge of Partnering. May 4, 2016. The Challenge of Partnering. Cooperating with another congregation. May 4, 2016. The Challenge of Partnering. Congregational partnerships can be challenging. The advice to partner can be counterproductive for two reasons. If you are entering a partnership, keep this primary hint in mind: Partnerships are most effective between equally yoked congregations or entities. 2017 Center for Congregations.

blog.thecrg.org

Faith and Money | CRG – Blog

http://blog.thecrg.org/faith-and-money

Finding the right resources for your congregation. September 7, 2016. September 7, 2016. When I was young, I went to worship with my parents and six siblings. My stepfather prepared our offering envelopes the evening before worship. He placed a dollar in each envelope. The moment of truth. In many different ways, those who worship at your congregation wrestle with a similar moment of truth whether they are conscious of it or not. How much shall I give to the congregation? Stories of generosity are freque...

blog.thecrg.org

Appreciative Inquiry | CRG – Blog

http://blog.thecrg.org/appreciative-inquiry

Finding the right resources for your congregation. June 21, 2016. June 21, 2016. What does marriage have in common with congregational life? There is one thing in particular: both flourish when the ratio of positive validation to negative criticism is five to one in favor of the positive. The same is true for congregations. Members of a worship team from a midwest congregation talked about worship. Someone said, Our worship has become stale. Where’s the joy? The leader of the worship team had been traine...

blog.thecrg.org

Your Congregation is Not in Decline | CRG – Blog

http://blog.thecrg.org/your-congregation-is-not-in-decline

Finding the right resources for your congregation. Your Congregation is Not in Decline. August 25, 2016. Your Congregation is Not in Decline. August 25, 2016. Your Congregation is Not in Decline. In October 2012, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reported that, based on new data, 19.5% of Americans register no religious affiliation. This is an almost five percent increase over the last five years. My experience with any particular congregation is almost always positive. Every day I observe co...

blog.thecrg.org

The Special Meaning of the Word “Practice” | CRG – Blog

http://blog.thecrg.org/the-special-meaning-of-the-word-practice

Finding the right resources for your congregation. The Special Meaning of the Word Practice”. July 12, 2016. The Special Meaning of the Word Practice”. July 12, 2016. The Special Meaning of the Word Practice”. Congregational life evokes emotions. If you are active in your congregation, you are going to feel joy. You are going to feel sadness. You may find yourself angry. Or you may be in worship overwhelmed with a feeling of gratefulness. Many vibrant congregations pay attention to behavior. Not just...

blog.thecrg.org

Conflict | CRG – Blog

http://blog.thecrg.org/conflict

Finding the right resources for your congregation. November 8, 2016. November 8, 2016. The pastor could not sleep after the team meeting. It didn’t help that the meeting wasn’t over until 10:30 pm It also didn’t help that he kept replaying the moment when he lost his temper. As long as I am in this congregation, we will never hire a full-time musician. That’s what a long-time member said during the meeting. For my pastor friend, it was the word never that made him react. Thankfully, we can learn all kind...

blog.thecrg.org

In Praise of Slow | CRG – Blog

http://blog.thecrg.org/in-praise-of-slow

Finding the right resources for your congregation. In Praise of Slow. July 28, 2016. In Praise of Slow. July 28, 2016. In Praise of Slow. Congregations learn well when they slow things down. Creating a sense of urgency makes sense when striving to get ahead in a capitalistic economy, but it isn’t always helpful for congregational discernment. Slowing things down is a way for your congregation to allow its thinking catch up with its praying and its praying to catch up with its thinking.