News and Thought

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• Computers and Technology
• Past Ed Events

• Exploring Technology Issues

  More than 50 persons gathered for a terrific lunch and conversation about all things tech related on August 5 in the northeast region. Aaron Spiegel, information technology director of the Center, presented a lively and spirited conversation Posted Aug 16 2010, 05:07 AM with Filed under: News and Thought, Past Ed Events

• Congregations Take a Look at Marketing

  There was a time when “marketing” was a dirty word in congregations. Too corporate. Not spiritual. But the Center is finding more and more congregations who are serious about marketing and not afraid to use the word. Posted Aug 05 2010, 11:51 AM with Filed under: News and Thought, Past Ed Events

• Thinking About Congregations

  Congregations magazine article explores the Bowen Family Systems Theory and how congregations can learn learn and grow using theory principles. Bowen Family Systems Theory resources are often recommended to congregational leaders to provide a framework for understanding behaviors. Posted Jul 12 2010, 01:05 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Check Out Summer Centerpiece Newsletter

  The Summer Centerpiece newsletter is on the website and ready for download. Click here to see the latest news from the Center's quarterly newsletter. Posted Jun 28 2010, 12:23 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Online Lectionary Provides Array of Resources

  The Center for Congregations helps congregations find and use resources to address their opportunities and challenges. One such resource is the African American Online Lectionary. The African American Online Lectionary features free, in depth resources to strengthen and assist worship in Black churches. Posted Jun 14 2010, 07:15 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Southeast Congregations Look at Building Projects Strategies

  This spring, the Center for Congregations-Southeast office hosted an Effective Leadership for Building Projects educational event at Christ’s Community Church of the Nazarene in New Albany, Indiana. Those attending the event were privileged to learn building project strategies Posted Apr 28 2010, 08:09 AM with Filed under: News and Thought, Past Ed Events

• What's the Plan?

  There’s an old saying that if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll probably end up somewhere else. At a recent workshop on church building projects, Posted Apr 23 2010, 12:14 PM with Filed under: News and Thought, Past Ed Events

• Resource Consulting and Slowing Down

  Resource Consulting is at the heart of the Center’s work. Our mission is to help congregations find and use best resources to address their challenges and opportunities. Often in that process we encourage congregations (through their leaders) to SLOW DOWN. Posted Apr 12 2010, 09:02 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• New Faith Communities Today (FACT) Survey

  The 2008 FACT survey results and new website, http://faithcommunitiestoday.org/ launch this month. Faith Communities Today (FACT) is an interfaith research report that provides key information on a range of subjects Posted Mar 12 2010, 08:24 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• First Safety

  Church Safety website provides information to help congregations treat people with dignity and safety by highlighting various groups and ministries they might engage. Posted Feb 18 2010, 08:05 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• A Resource for Working with Volunteers

  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 Posted Jan 25 2010, 01:17 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Looking at Technology in Churches Large and Small

  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 Posted Jan 06 2010, 10:12 AM with Filed under: Computers and Technology, News and Thought

• Congregation Celebrates Completion of Flourishing Grant

  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. Posted Dec 14 2009, 08:50 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Moving Day in Seymour

  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. Posted Dec 02 2009, 01:02 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Economic Impact Study Results Released

  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. Posted Nov 04 2009, 10:53 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Accessible Information at Your Fingertips

  Did you ever wonder how many Methodists there were in Mooresville? Or Baptists in Brownstown? Or Pentecostals in Peru? Well, there’s a site that can help you find out – thearda.com. Posted Oct 19 2009, 12:56 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• The Alban Institute's Top Ten Articles of 2009

  The Alban Institute releases its ten most-read Alban Weekly articles published in 2009. Topics range from ministry during difficult economic times to prayer in board meetings. Posted Sep 21 2009, 08:38 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Twitter and Discipleship

  Check out this commentary piece by Leonard Sweet, titled How Twitter has helped me be a better disciple. Posted Aug 27 2009, 12:23 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Poets and the Northeast Expansion

  I have dabbled in poetry most of my adult life, even though much of it was written as prose and delivered as sermon. Lately I have been more given to verse, which I find a greater challenge and a different kind of satisfaction. Posted Aug 17 2009, 09:35 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Generational Differences Impact Congregational Relationships

  For the first time in history four distinct generations are active and interacting with one another in the workplace . . . and in our congregations. Posted Aug 03 2009, 01:24 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Social Networking and Congregations

  A recent YouTube video titled “Social Networking in Plain English” claims networks are only as valuable as the people and connections one can see. If I think about real “friends” and connections in my life this makes perfect sense. Posted Jul 14 2009, 09:54 AM with Filed under: Computers and Technology, News and Thought

• We're Listening: Fall Events Feature Topics Congregations Requested

  The core work of the Center for Congregations is resource consulting. This kind of consulting takes shape through the initiative of congregational leaders who approach the Center for Posted Jun 17 2009, 07:59 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Network of Faith

  The Evansville Courier Press recently featured an article on congregations and social networking, highlighting information from local congregational leaders and from Wendy McCormick, director of the Center for Congregations' southwest office. Posted May 18 2009, 09:52 AM with Filed under: Computers and Technology, News and Thought

• Mark Chaves: Congregations embrace technology

  Of everything that we measured in both the 1998 and 2006-07 National Congregations Study (NCS), by far the largest change we registered was in congregations’ use of computer technology. Posted May 12 2009, 03:10 PM with Filed under: Computers and Technology, News and Thought

• Church Aid in Elkhart

  Religion and Ethics Newsweekly did this special report on how congregations in Elkhart are helping people weather the financial crisis. Posted Apr 20 2009, 12:25 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Making the Connection

  A group of local congregational leaders recently gathered at the Southwest Center for Congregations in Evansville to talk about using social networking tools in ministry. Though most confessed inexperience, several see these tools as opportunities Posted Apr 06 2009, 11:43 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Link Partners with Congregations

  Link Federal Credit Union here in Central Indiana is seeking to partner with congregations in offering the Freed Up financial living course from the Willow Creek Association Posted Mar 18 2009, 01:15 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Do You Twitter?

  I Twitter. Do you? If you don’t, then maybe it’s because you don’t even know what Twitter is. Twitter is a free, social networking service Posted Feb 23 2009, 01:56 PM with Filed under: Computers and Technology, News and Thought

• Creativity, Dedication Helps Congregation Reach Out to Those in Need

  Victory Chapel is a fairly new congregation in Indianapolis, but it is making a big impact in the community. With many of its members living below the poverty level, Victory Chapel leaders and members have a heart for helping others and a challenging job to find the funds and resources Posted Feb 11 2009, 11:55 AM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Religious Giving in Tough Times

  The Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University has released the paper, Religious Giving In Uncertain Times: Insights for Congregations and Faith-Baised Nonprofits. Posted Dec 16 2008, 12:34 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Bible Geography

  Ever want to locate someplace mentioned in the Bible on a modern day map? Here’s a website that allows you to do just that, Posted Dec 16 2008, 11:07 AM with Filed under: Computers and Technology, News and Thought

• Social Networking and Congregations

  Social networking (the grouping of individuals into specific groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision, mostly done online) has become a phenomena. We want to know if you're using these tools and if so, how. Posted Nov 19 2008, 12:07 PM with Filed under: Computers and Technology, News and Thought

• Small Congregations, Vibrant Communities

  “People don’t realize we’ve been doing ‘small group ministry’ for 150 years!” Posted Oct 20 2008, 01:30 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• And the Money Came

  A capital funds campaign that has topped 160% of its goal and is still rising – it’s happening in an unlikely place. Posted Oct 14 2008, 01:09 PM with Filed under: News and Thought

• Center Director Begins New Evaluation Job

  Susan Weber is moving from her position as Director of Evaluation and Learning at the Center for Congregations to a new position at the Center as Evaluation Project Coordinator for the Religion Division of Lilly Endowment Inc. Posted May 01 2008, 01:57 PM with Filed under: News and Thought