The anxieties that individuals bring separately to the worship space are transformed by a communal encounter with the divine’s life-giving energy … and with each other.

“God makes all things new” … What does that look like? Churches become stymied if they simply close their eyes (and minds) to the cultural changes that are already affecting a congregation’s ability to live out its mission.

Churches of tomorrow won’t look like churches of yesterday. But if they are generous in spirit, seek divine presence, and give people courage to face the world, then they are living into their purpose.

People of faith are once again raising their voices and putting their bodies on the line as an expression of their deepest Christian values. A question looms with renewed urgency: What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus?

It’s good for the soul (and the intellect, the nerves, and American democracy, too) to try a church that offers different viewpoints in the pulpit and in the pews—a congregation that doesn’t check all the boxes on your wish list.

For a youth minister, there’s no short cut: helping young people to spiritual maturity means spending time with them, hearing their questions or doubts, and letting them take initiative and ownership in the life of the church. 

An exhausting search for a communal worship experience leads to a welcome discovery: alignment with God doesn’t depend on perfectionism but on commitment and grace.