Retirement comes in phases

Reflective Leadership Grants offer a step back

“The ability to slow down ... allowed me time to listen, explore and be more impactful for the communities I am called to serve.” — Nathalie Nelson Parker, Civitas Consulting Group

Christian leaders from a variety of roles are welcome to apply. The grants provide “balcony time” to reflect on accomplishments, broaden perspectives and discern next steps.
 The application deadline is May 28, 2024.

Is church membership a privilege to enjoy or a responsibility to fulfill?

By Chris Aho

Church membership should not reflect the exclusivity that often comes with membership in our culture. Instead, it should embody the generous hospitality of God’s love.

‘Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems and Meditations for Staying Human’

By Cole Arthur Riley

In her newest book, Cole Arthur Riley offers reflections and spiritual exercises while curating the wisdom of Black leaders who have gone before.

Retirement comes in phases

By David L. Odom

Retirement can be a tool to help discern God’s call into a next season, writes the executive director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity.

‘The Asbury Outpouring’ one year later

By Henry Zonio

An academic at Kentucky’s Asbury University reflects on the connection that students were seeking in the 16-day spiritual event that captured the world’s attention.

‘When God’s Call Is Bigger Than a Building’

By Ashley Goff

The Rev. Ashley Goff reflects on her congregation’s long — and sometimes contentious — process of building 173 apartments for low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities in this excerpt from “Gone for Good.”

How the church can serve society by changing the way it handles property

Q&A with Mark Elsdon

As many as 100,000 buildings and billions of dollars in church-owned property are expected to be sold or repurposed by 2030. With planning and thoughtful stewardship, those assets can continue to serve communities, says Mark Elsdon, the editor of the new book, “Gone for Good?”