Context
About this blog
Michael Kruse is chair of the General Assembly Mission Council
This blog is for General Assembly Mission Council leadership. Others are welcome to observe, but comments and discussion are limited to GAMC members and individuals designated by Mike Kruse.
We hope that by raising our awareness of the GAMC ministry context we will provide even more effective governance as GAMC elected members.
Linked articles and commentary on this blog do not necessarily reflect the positions of the GAMC or the PC(USA). They are presented here as information and for the purposes of fostering discussion.
Recent posts
- Weekly Links for May 6
- News Links for April 29
- Context Links for April 22
- Context Links for April 15
- News Links for the Week of April 4
Categories
- Church Growth (4)
- Ordained Ministry (4)
- Church Development (3)
- Demographics (3)
- Giving (3)
- View all categories →
Archives
Weekly Links for May 6
Short-Term Missions
Baylor research team determines short-term mission trips have positive effects on participants but better efforts need to be made with follow up to achieve lasting change.
Researchers study return on short-term missions
Multicultural Congregations
A prominent sociology of religion scholar says more congregations need to move away from being ethnic niches to being multi-ethnic, multi-cultural congregations.
Michael O. Emerson: Demographic revolution and the church
iPhone/iPad Band
Some say that digital organs can now deliver the same quality of music as traditional organs at a fraction of the price and with greater reliability. Now musicians are creating music using only iPhone/iPad applications that function as musical instruments. What implications might this have for church music?
iPad Orchestra and iPhone band
New Business
Social entrepreneurs are experimenting with new business models that incorporate a range of values in addition to profit.
How a Business Can Change the World
April 29, 2011
News Links for April 29
I hope your Easter weekend was filled with God’s presence. Here are some topics in the news of late:
Wikicclesia
Vice-Moderator Landon Whitsitt has new book a out new models of being the church.
Rethinking Church Mission
An Episcopal congregation in Oxford, North Carolina, has abandoned the “pastor-as-CEO” model and has discovered a new model where parishioners take responsibility for significant portions of congregational life leaving the pastor to do the work he was called to do.
Laity and retired clergy lead together in small congregations
Church Business
Saul Kaplan argues in the Harvard Business Journal ...
April 22, 2011
Context Links for April 22
Here are this week’s links. Grace and peace to everyone on this Easter weekend.
Giving Trends
A new survey on congregational giving. Developing trends include members being able to make contributions with credit cards at a kiosk in the church, allowing them to designate giving.
Personal Finance at Church
Programs helping people manage personal finances is becoming a popular congregational ministry. The author of the article is probably a little cynical but the article is still informative.
Why churches are a hotbed for finance education
Clergy Communities of Practice
A piece at the Faith and ...
April 15, 2011
Context Links for April 15
Here are this week’s links to articles of interest. I should note that if you ever come across articles that you think might be of interest, feel free to send me a link. I can’t guarantee that every article will be included but suggestions are welcome.
Emerging Congregational Model
One example of new models being tried by Presbyterians to reach new generations is Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon. The PNS gives us a window into the work of this church
Hell
Emergent pastor Rob Bell recently published a book called Love Wins ...
April 8, 2011
News Links for the Week of April 4
Church Draw
Lovet Weems notes that Sunday School was the primary entry point for church life. Then it was the worship service. Now it is service and mission work.
Mission as the Emerging Entry Point for New People
Biblical Illiteracy
A group of theologians have taken to cyberspace to address biblical illiteracy.
Theologians Launch Blog to Tackle Biblical Illiteracy
Presbyterian Congregational Trends
In case you missed it, while we were meeting in Louisville last week, Cynthia Woolever and Deborah Bruce released a report on Trends unfolding in Presbyterian Congregations.
Looking inside Presbyterian congregations
Church Trends
Eileen Lindner gave a presentation ...
March 25, 2011
March 25 Links
Here are the links for this week. We will skip next week due to GAMC meetings and pick up with posts the following week.
The Future of Mainline Seminaries
Mainline seminaries are struggling. What is their future and what role should they play in the life of denominations? Frederick W. Schmidt, Jr., Director of Spiritual Formation and Associate Professor of Christian Spirituality at Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology in Dallas, Texas, offers his take.
Is It Time to Write the Eulogy?: The Future of Seminary Education
(Related: SFTS closes Southern California campus)
Social Media and Community
The debate ...
March 17, 2011
Welcome to the Context Blog
Welcome to the inaugural post of the Context blog. Each week I’ll be posting links to news that helps members of the General Assembly Mission Council better reflect on our context for mission. While all are welcome to view the blog, comments will be limited to members of the General Assembly Mission Council and invited guests.
The format will initially be a weekly post with links to news items of interest. We will see if other uses emerge as we go along. Feel free to visit as often as you like or not to visit at all. We are ...