Resources for “The Power of Story in Local Congregations”
In the February 8 issue of Alban Weekly (“The Power of Story in Local Congregations“) Larry Golemon explains how the capacity to narrate life experiences in coherent and meaningful ways helps people—and congregations—to grow in faithfulness, spiritual maturity, and a sense of responsibility.
Golemon, editor of Alban’s recently published Narrative Leadership Collection, notes that individuals cannot form rich personal narratives without a “sense of spatial location in the world from which direction and agency can spring.” This location can perhaps best happen through participation in the religious life of a local congregation. For it is here that individuals can place the stories of their lives within a larger framework that enhances their understanding of themselves as moral agents called to make a difference in their communities.
At the same time, as Golemon states, “good narrative leadership has the potential to transform congregational traditions, practices, and mission for the current age.”
How have narrative and story transformed the individuals and communities that make up your congregation? What are your thoughts on this topic? And what resources do you suggest? We look forward to hearing from you!
(Be sure to check out the resources listed in the end of the article, as well as additional resources featured in the “Narrative Leadership” section of the Congregational Resource Guide—particularly Mighty Stories, Dangerous Rituals: Weaving Together the Human and the Divine.)
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Resources for “Faithful Finances: When to Adopt New Technology”
In the February 1, 2010 issue of Alban Weekly (“Faithful Finances: When to Adopt New Technology“), Dan Hotchkiss reflects on the challenges that inevitably arise when a process or product involving a technological shift is introduced into a congregation. He makes the important point that adapting to new technologies takes time and that particular technologies [...]
2010 Seminars from Alban
March 9-11 (Ed White)
Disciple Making Communities: Moving from Maintenance to Mission
Marywood Center for Spirituality, Jacksonville, FL
Tuition Cost: $449 ($499 nonmembers)
Room & Board: Single – $226, Double – $171, Commuter – $105
Join Alban consultant Ed White in this practical exploration of what it means for mainline churches to move out of the “membership business” and into [...]
Resources in Response to “The Need for Stress and Conflict”
Let’s face it. Many pastors—and the congregations they lead—cannot stand conflict. They’ll go to great lengths to avoid it. In a culture as conflict-laden as ours, filled with people whose organizational, familial, and personal lives have plenty of (often conflict-related) stress, a church or synagogue should be an oasis of peace and tranquility. Right?
Well, perhaps [...]
Resources in Response to “The Case for Multifaith Education”
“The Case for Multifaith Education,” excerpted from A Lifelong Call to Learn and the topic of the January 18, 2010 Alban Weekly, examines three reasons why multifaith education matters: “the news, the pews, and religious views.” Rabbi Justus Baird, who leads the Center for Multifaith Education at Auburn Seminary, explains each of these reasons. If [...]
Haiti Earthquake Disaster Responses – Commentary and Resources
Many of you, our readers, are concerned, we know, to find appropriate ways to assist in the disaster response for Haiti. So we have assembled the following list of links to websites specifically dedicated to the Haiti earthquake and the responses of religious communities to the vast tragedy that has been inflicted on the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. We want to share those with you, in hopes that this will help you to make contacts with groups through whom you choose to channel your support.
Please Pray for Haiti & Support the Relief Efforts
Please join all of the staff of the Alban Institute in offering our heartfelt prayers for each and every individual victim and survivor of the horrific destruction caused by the earthquake that struck outside Port-au-Prince just 24 hours ago. All of these people — many of whom are among the poorest on our planet [...]
Resources for “Getting to the Heart of the Matter”
Alban Senior Consultant Susan Beaumont explains the kinds of stories that keep congregations “stuck” and prevent congregations from moving forward. In the January 11 issue of Alban Weekly (“Getting to the Heart of the Matter“), she also offers questions that can help congregational groups develop trust and express core values. While some of these questions [...]
Resources for “The Pastor as Narrative Leader”
Happy new year! The January 4, 2010 issue of Alban Weekly (“The Pastor as Narrative Leader“) offers an opportunity to think of congregational life as an ongoing narrative. Author Graham Standish points out that truly excellent leaders are able to both honor the unfolding stories of their congregations and frame those stories in ways that lead to [...]
The December 28, 2009 Alban Weekly
Claudia Greer is on vacation this week. She will supply a “resource blog” for next week’s Alban Weekly.
Please post your comments regarding the December 28, 2009 Alban Weekly here.
Thank you, and happy new year!
