Every congregation participates in certain activities that are common to any number of human communities. Congregations make decisions. They help others. They sing. They tell stories. Congregations offer hospitality. They make choices about money.

Alban senior consultant Dan Hotchkiss writes about his congregation's move from a printed to email delivered newsletter.

A friend forwarded this November 2008, Church & Worship Technology Magazine article to me, "Your Church Web Site Matters!" written by Lauren Hunter.

Alban Institute Consultant Susan Nienaber picked her top resources to help congregations as they navigate transitions and challenges. Nienaber talked about common challenges for faith communities

The Center for Congregations is pleased to announce its new major grants initiative, Technology and Ministry

Cumberland First Baptist Church presents prayer services in the style of Taizé at 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 17, 2010 and Friday, April 2, 2010, at the church, 116 S. Muessing, Indianapolis.

The Indy Church Communications Roundtable presents author and speaker Tracey M Lewis-Giggetts (pictured at right), who will discuss Exploring Multicultural Ministry. The seminar is 8:30-10 a.m. Thursday, February 18, 2010, at Ben Davis Christian Church, 701 S. High School Road, Indianapolis.

As the Center for Congregations works with congregations across the state of Indiana, we encounter many who face challenges as they seek to make ministry meaningful for volunteers. Outside resources are often beneficial. One such resource is a national conference, LifeServe 2010

The Art of Faith: Awakening Your Senses to the Wonder of God is 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, February 27, at Lockerbie Central United Methodist Church, 237 N. East St., Indianapolis.

As part of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church’s Lent theme Spiritual Spring Training, author A. J. Jacobs shares his experiences as he attempted to follow hundreds of Biblical laws. Jacobs will speak at St. Luke's at 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, March 2.

Our Shepherd Lutheran Church and School invites the community to an open house at the new ministry facility at 9201 East CR 100N in Avon on Saturday, February 20, from 1-4 p.m.

Are you curious about the cost savings of energy efficient practices? Are you interested in starting a recycling effort at your congregation? Have you thought about encouraging the community around your congregation to take up green practices? Do you want to make your worship facility more eco-friendly? At the workshop Green Ministries

A new resource about to be released provides an opportunity to further explore a way of thinking that has been helpful to many congregational leaders for (amazingly enough!) about two generations now. Bowen Family Systems Theory began

Youth Ministry Architects founder Mark DeVries talked to congregational leaders in Evansville and Highland this month (January 2010) about moving forward with youth ministry.

The second annual Senior University topic is The Sacred Bridge: Our Neighbors’ Experiences with Worship and Prayer. This innovative interfaith program explores the history of worship and musical styles in our communities. This study and worship event is 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 10,

The Youth Departments of Brownstown’s Christian Church and Church of the Nazarene have collaborated in ministering to junior high and senior high teens of the community. Youth Pastors Rob Johnson (of the Christian church) and Andy Inskeep (of the Nazarene church) share their stories

One of our local congregational technology guys, Daryl Cripe from Grace Community Church in Noblesville, was featured in Technologies for Worship Magazine. This on-line article, "Avoid Willow Envy" by Kevin Rogers Cobus

Almost everyone has heard of the site Wikipedia. It's difficult to do a Google search that doesn't include at least one result from Wikipedia. But Wikipedia is merely a site that uses a certain type of web technology called a 'wiki.' So, what in the world is a wiki and more importantly, why should congregations care about it?

Richard Gentzler helps resource congregation leaders in their ministry with older adults. The workshop is Thursday, October 21, 2010 in the Fort Wayne area, and Friday, October 22, 2010 in the Indianapolis area

Renovating? Expanding? Architectural issues? Check out this workshop!

South Wayne Baptist Church in Fort Wayne (now Fort Wayne Baptist) celebrated the conclusion of its Flourishing Congregations grant with a Thanksgiving dinner on November 18. The purpose was to honor the new outreach children’s ministry the grant helped make possible.

For congregations following the lectionary, a new year has begun. For congregations preparing to close out the fiscal year, a new year is on the horizon. And for congregations practicing year-round stewardship

After a day of moving furniture, unpacking boxes and hanging pictures, the Southeast Center for Congregations office at 100 S. Chestnut Street is open. Congregations are welcome to call or visit the office.

The standard congregational pictorial directory has taken a page from today's popular social networking websites. Directory publisher Olan Mills now offers an alternative to the traditional church directory - the My Family Page Bio Directory.

See what is happening at the Center for Congregations.

Essentials of Church Finance (Part 2) is September 22 & 23, 2010. Vonna Laue, co-author of Essential Guide to Church Finances and partner with the accounting firm Capin Crouse, will lead congregational leaders through workshops covering topics of church accounting practices, planning and budgeting, internal controls and risk management, and financial reporting.

Congregations all across Indiana have families whose members are serving in the military. Here in Indiana, we also have an excellent resource that conducts research about, with, and for military families. The Military Family Research Institute at Purdue University develops and delivers outreach activities for the military and civilian infrastructures supporting military families.

Here in Central Indiana we have recently seen three rather public cases involving trusted church employees who embezzled large sums of money from their congregations. In at least one case, no one seems to have suspected anything amiss until the congregation ran out of money. How could this happen?

Congregational leaders gathered in Indianapolis and Crown Point to hear Alban Institute Consultant Dan Hotchkiss discuss Governance and Ministry.

Essentials of Church Finance (Part 1) is led by Vonna Laue on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 in Indianapolis and Thursday, March 11, 2010 in northwest Indiana

Being prepared can help congregations deal with the upcoming flu season, the H1N1 virus and other emergencies. Two free on-line articles explore precautions,

Worship is vital to congregational life. Minister, author and educator Deborah Kapp explores with leaders how the structures and speech of worship can support a congregation in worshiping faithfully, forming community and engaging the world.

More than two-thirds of congregations in the current recession reported that their fundraising receipts increased or remained the same in the first half of 2009 compared to 2008, even as the recession was worsening.

See photos and Diana Garland's top resource recommendations

Join us for a luncheon series about hospitality and welcoming in congregations. Participants will explore the topic from three different perspectives as leaders in hospitality share their stories and engage in interactive conversation