Ministry Matters

2 months ago | ministrymatters.com | Steve Harper |Michael Beck

In Treasures Old and New we reflect on the never-ending task of blending tradition and experience in ways that give life in the present and hope for the future. Thomas Merton described the task as the biggest paradox of the church—that “she is at the same time essentially traditional and essentially revolutionary.”[1]The same combination is at the heart of Native American wisdom. Edith Woolsey (Eastern Shoshone) writes, “Native American elders often drift freely between current and past events.

Nov 8, 2024 | ministrymatters.com | Glenn Stallsmith

This article is the third in a series on congregational prayer practices. We hope that these articles inspire congregations to correct this imbalance of liturgical priorities, especially as it regards intercessory prayer. You can catch up on the conversation with the second article here. In these articles I am making the case that the church should be interceding more robustly as a part of its gathered worship.

Oct 28, 2024 | ministrymatters.com | Drew McIntyre

To say that things are tense in the United States at the moment is a comic understatement. While the 24 hour news cycle treats the presidential contest as something like a sport, with betting lines changing daily with the latest polls, the cultural anxiety is palpable. From what I observe with friends, on social media, and in news coverage, people on both ends of the political spectrum and from practically every walk of life believe they are genuinely under threat.

Oct 21, 2024 | ministrymatters.com | Glenn Stallsmith

Remember when church was just about opening the doors on Sunday morning? Those days feel like ancient history! Building a thriving church community today is less about choosing between online or in-person worship and more about mastering the art of "both/and."The pandemic might have forced us into the digital space, but here's the plot twist: many of our members actually prefer having online options! And guess what?

Oct 17, 2024 | ministrymatters.com | Glenn Stallsmith

This article is the second in a series on congregational prayer practices. We hope that these articles inspire congregations to correct this imbalance of liturgical priorities, especially as it regards intercessory prayer. You can catch up on the conversation with the first article here. The pressures to cut back on the time given to congregational intercessions have followed the church throughout most of its history.