A Swing and a Miss for Faith Formation
Ministry and mission were humming in the congregation. Average weekly worship attendance was booming, and we had just completed a capital campaign during the worst economy in
Author: cstarchenko
Pruning, Vitality, and Abundance in Ministry
It seems counterintuitive, but the abundance we see in all aspects of our lives has as much to do with strategic deletion as it does
Change and Conflict Part 2
In my previous article, I focused on change and how it affects our lives. I also mentioned that change and conflict are important, if not
Change and Conflict – Part 1
After years of helping congregations understand the importance of change, and the unavoidable conflict that comes with it, I wrote a book about it—Thriving In
If You Get Kicked…
All of the Christian story gathers in the space between the cross of Christ and his empty tomb. The story we are told in this
8 Ways to Reinvigorate your Ministry
I don’t know about you, but in Minnesota we’re excited for Spring. It’s been a long and snowy winter—the prospect of warmer weather reinvigorates me
How Daylight Saving Time & Reconciliation Are Related
We’ve just moved through the collective jet lag we call Daylight Saving Time, and we’re all adjusting to life in exhaustion-overdrive. We know it’ll all
What I’m Learning In Vibrant Faith’s Coaching School
I’m four weeks into Vibrant Faith’s Ministry Leadership Coaching School, led by Jim Ladoux and Dr. Felix Villanueva. Mondays and Wednesdays are a full in
Listening Well
Are you an other-centered listener or a self-centered listener? One approach leads to “rich soil” for conversation, connection, and reconciliation. The other undermines the safe
Midwinter Sabbath Rest
February is a dark, gray, slushy time of year in the Midwest. In my hometown Chicago, the days seem longer than they were in January,