Reflections & Research
Discover what we are learning about what helps pastors thrive
November 10, 2020
Frankly planning for roadblocks is an advantage for pastors
Church leaders can remain focused on their goals by anticipating challenges, naming them, and preparing for them, writes a managing director of Leadership Education at Duke Divinity. This has been a year of roadblocks and challenges — one after another. And they just keep coming. Sometimes they pop up out of nowhere and take us […]
read moreabout Frankly planning for roadblocks is an advantage for pastorsNovember 10, 2020
After the election, faith leaders must fill the vacuum of moral leadership
In the battles over the soul of the nation, faith leaders must bring God’s vision of justice and reject America’s sin of white supremacy, says a theologian and priest. Leading up to Nov. 3, 2020, pollsters predicted a landslide victory for Joe Biden. What actually happened was a closely contested election. As in 2016, many […]
read moreabout After the election, faith leaders must fill the vacuum of moral leadershipOctober 27, 2020
A healing friendship in the aftermath of gun violence
The rabbi of the Tree of Life congregation and the pastor of Mother Emanuel AME talk about their relationship, their shared spiritual heritage and what lies ahead. Rabbi Hazzan Jeffrey Myers and the Rev. Eric Manning have an uncommon bond, born out of unspeakable tragedy. Both faith leaders minister to congregations wounded by mass […]
read moreabout A healing friendship in the aftermath of gun violenceOctober 13, 2020
Money, mission and meeting in person — a new study looks at COVID-19’s effect on churches
More than 550 congregations took part in Lake Institute’s survey about the pandemic. While their finances have been impacted, many faith communities are adapting, which will be critical moving forward. The Rev. Dr. Shelly Wood sat alone in the sanctuary of Orchard Park Presbyterian(link is external) on Easter morning, listening to the sermon she’d prerecorded […]
read moreabout Money, mission and meeting in person — a new study looks at COVID-19’s effect on churches