By Pablo R. Diaz

While the Bible is not exactly a book about leadership, the author contends that it can be a rich resource for pastors and others of what genuine leadership entails. He uses Moses, Gideon, and Mary as examples of people who became strong leaders despite their own insecurities and offers useful leadership concepts drawn from the bible.

By Kevin Yoho

With the current news of the mainline churches facing crises of diminishing membership, the author offers many fresh ideas for changing the focus and looking at church in a whole new way as well as offering concrete suggestions on how to become more relevant and effective, to help stem the exodus.

By Deirdre Good

This article is useful to develop strategies for Bible Study in Christian Churches. The author shares different approaches including techniques for enriching the experience plus comments by pastors on how bible study has enhanced the life of their churches and congregations.

By Flora Wilson Bridges

The focus here is to recognize that mainline churches are transitioning out of archaic organizational models to become more inclusive, more diverse, and more open to God’s transforming grace though sound, energetic biblical engagement. Rev. Bridges is urging clergy to reaffirm and reclaim the power of the Spirit that speaks to us through the Bible.

By Rebeca Radillo

This article focuses on two expressions of ministry crucial to the health and wholeness of the life of a faith community. These are Pastoral Care and Pastoral Counseling. Care is a sacramental expression of tending to parishioners in distress when crises interrupt their lives. This is an article about reality and expectations.

By William J. Sappenfield

A caregiver is a utilitarian without credentials who has an objective but no way to measure progress in achieving it. Therefore, whether the care is for a person, the environment, or God, without a measurable objective, it is a source of frustration for a goal-oriented society. This article offers a profound definition of care giving and receiving: to accompany a person into the presence of God.

By Martha R. Jacobs

Our call is to care for so many with compassion and grace. None of these “calls” are easy, but the hardest is caring for ourselves. As Christian clergy, part of our work involves actively building relationships with others, but if we haven’t provided for our own circle of support, our boundaries can get wobbly. We must be on our guard to maintain our boundaries. There is no wiggle room with our boundaries. This article explores some of the dangers clergy may face.

By Kirkpatrick G. Cohall

In recent years, many mitigating have contributed to institutions emphasizing an ethic of care in educational practice. Education at its best, results in individuals making significant contributions to society’s overall welfare for the benefit of our common humanity. Pastors can bring people together inter-denominationally for community building. This article offers ideas on how to achieve that.

By Anne Lane Witt

Parish life encompasses so many facets that a cleric can become exhausted if not grounded in faith, service to God, and care for God’s people. “In my four years serving (in southern, rural) parishes, I have found that preaching, whatever the occasion, works best when it is an extension of caring for the congregation,” says the author of this insightful look as to how she has creatively approached getting to know and serve elderly congregations effectively.

By Donald L. Odom

Caregivers are often guilty of not practicing what they preach. They make sure appointments are kept; and point out the little things that could be overlooked to ensure everything is in order. We ministers as caregivers and may find our plates overflowing and yet unable to say no, or to ask for help. To achieve maximum efficiency, we need to take care of ourselves beyond our responsibilities to the church and ministry

By Michael Gorman

Whether we think of the first century or the twenty-first, the resurrection is both a central and a controversial part of Christian theology and experience. Today, however, we often hear about those who challenge the possibility of resurrection—whether Christ’s or ours—both outside and inside the Christian church.

By Earl Kooperkamp

A crucial question is whether resurrection can make a difference in our world and our lives. Paul’s witness gives insight on resurrection as powerful transformation or transformational power. Resurrection is standing for solidarity in the midst of struggle—perhaps even the Occupy Wall Street Movement…