Currently Unbinding the Gospel, 2nd Edition (Church Leaders' Study in the Real Life Evangelism Series) By Martha Grace Reese see related

Arghh!  I've failed in my resolution to post much more often than I have.  What can I say?  We've been closing the books, and getting ready for our Midwinter Convocation.  Convocation is over now.  Our speaker was Paul Nickerson, our congregational vitality consultant, and he introduced all of us to many of the concepts from Unbinding the Gospel, by Martha Grace Reese.  His presentations were well received, and he evoked a lot of good discussion in our midst. 

We're about to receive applications for our second class of Road to Vitality congregations.  Each congregation that is selected will form a team, with pastor and about six lay leaders.  They'll receive a coach to walk the journey with them, and will commit to attending retreats and other events, and forming a vitality plan for thier own congregation.  What might be possible in Penn Central Conference if we have a growing body of vital congregations?  Almost anything I think.

We're living through a scary time in our history right now.  We're in an economic mess, and there is a lot of fear, much of it justified.  I worry about retirees whose pensions are dropping precipitously.  I worry about unemployment.  Who doesn't?  But history has shown that in challenging times, the church is equal to the challenge.  We can have vital congregations no matter what the economic, political, or social upheavals that assail our world.

Those of you who know me know that I am a little bit of a Pollyanna.  I want to see the best in everything and everyone.  But I don't believe my optimism right now is naieve.  The economic crisis is hitting the Conference, and in spite of it, I believe that we can build strong congregations.  Watch us!