Click above video screen to play. Click "Channel" in the lower right corner of video screen to see other videos (if available).
Congregational Vitality
Welcome to the Office of Congregational Vitality
It is a pleasure to welcome you to this portion of the Church Center website, where we offer a wide variety of resources and materials for developing and maintaining vital congregations. I am often asked, “What do you mean by a ‘vital congregation’”? This is the working definition which I use:
“Vital congregations are faith communities which invite individuals to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ, which offer opportunities for personal and corporate transformation, and which equip people for Gospel mission in the world.”
Vital congregations, then, are means to an end… and not just ends in themselves. It is with that in mind that we offer these resources for your use, that our congregations might become places where people’s lives are changed, and where we are empowered to share with God in the transformation of all creation.
Find a Church
There are more than 7,000 Episcopal churches, so how do you find the one where your grandparents got married, to visit when you're on vacation, or to consider joining?
Church After Dark
Tue, 01 Jun 2010
Grace Cathedral in San Francisco has not always been known to be on the "cutting edge" when it comes to engaging the wider community in meaningful ways. But here's an article from the San Francisco Chronicle website which gives a taste of how "church" can mean something different than just the stuff that happens on Sunday morning. I think this is just one example of how every congregation in every community is going to have to figure out ways that are contextually appropriate to expand into the world around it. What are ways that your local church can express itself in new ways to reach portions of your community who have not yet been reached?http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/05/30/PK9L1D15M1.DTL
The Rise of Episcopal Village
Tue, 01 Jun 2010
Here's a link to an article by Becky Garrison, where she explores the "what next" question for churches... Episcopal and otherwise... as we continue through the 21st century.http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/editorial/2623/rise_of_episcopal_village_/Where do you see new expressions of community arising in your world?
What if Worship was like an NBA Game?
Wed, 12 May 2010
So... it's funny, a bit irreverent, and says a lot about what does and doesn't work with worship today. Check it out!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piZq6aX4wDQ
Virtual Church Choir
Mon, 10 May 2010
Lots has been pondered about the creation of a "virtual community of faith" where people are connected not because they sit next to one another in the pew, but because they find that connection through the mystery/magic of cyberspace. This morning I came across this link (thanks, "Episcopal Cafe") to a fascinating YouTube video featuring Eric Whitacre's virtual choir.http:///www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/church_20/forward_this_to_your_choir_dir.html Not only is the music lovely (in an old-school Latin sort of way), but it brought to my mind another example of the ancient/future sythesis which lies at the heart of much emergent church theology/praxis today.Let me know what you think of it.
Read Diana Butler Bass in the Huffington Post
Sat, 08 May 2010
Diana Butler Bass, who is not only one of the most insightful Episcopal authors of the day is also a prolific essayist on the Huffington Post. If you like her books, you will likely enjoy her shorter pieces as well. I encourage you to check them out at:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diana-butler-bassI hope you enjoy!Peace,Bob
30 Minutes that will Change your Life
Wed, 05 May 2010
I just got done watching a half-hour video entitled "Jubilee". It tells the story of an Episcopal Church in Dallas TX that experienced a moment of transformation, where the life of that congregation and its members, and the life of the world around them were changed forever. If you want to see a great example of how the Church can partner with the neighborhood and partner with God in an effort of holy work, I encourage you to click on the link and see for yourself.http://episcopalchurch.org/multimedia/jubilee/Take a look, and tell me what you think of it.Peace,Bob
Unapologetically Episcopalian
Mon, 03 May 2010
If you hang out on Facebook (and who doesn't these days?) you might want to check out a brand new group (founded May 1) called "Unapologetically Episcopalian". It's full of great bits about why people are glad and proud to be a part of the Episcopal Church. Enjoy!
Managing Polarities in Congregations
Mon, 03 May 2010
There's a new book out through the Alban Institute entitled, "Managing Polarities in Congregations: Eight Keys for Thriving Faith Communities" written by Roy Oswald and Barry Johnson. I'll tell you now that I haven't read the book yet, so I'm only basing my comments on what I've read ABOUT the book. While I'm not one who tends to set my world up with a somewhat oversimplified set of "either/or" or "both/and" extremes (as though there are only 2 options in life to every situation), I am intrigued by some of the advance press about this book. The authors identify some of the major "challenges" of leadership in congregations, and offer some creative pathways forward. I invite you to look over the info on the book athttp://www.alban.org/bookdetails.aspx?id=8488Any thoughts on your own experiences dealing with some of these situations?
Welcome One and All
Mon, 03 May 2010
Welcome to this new blog called "The Vital Church". I'm Bob Honeychurch, and I serve as the missioner for Congregational Vitality with the Episcopal Church Center. The goal of this blog is that it will become a forum for discussing the joys, the challenges, the possibilities, the hopes and dreams of people who want to build and maintain vital churches. I look forward to the conversation!
