Understanding the Need for Change
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
The understanding for the need to change; the old doesn’t always work.
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
Welcome input without being critical; be open minded. Read more 
Five Cultural Shifts You Should Pay Attention To
Over at Duke Divinity School’s Faith and Leadership blog, Presbyterian pastor Carol Howard Merritt writes about some trends that church leaders should be paying attention to, particularly in relation to younger (emerging) generations. Her top five:
- Younger generations aren’t faring well in this economy. How do we handle money/debt/success, and are giving expectations realistic for them.
- Young workers often don’t have the choice to take Sunday off. Do we have opportunities for them to engage in community and worship at other times? Read more
Pay It Forward
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
Pay It Forward
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
Asking my friends to contribute to the cause and then matching their contributions dollar for dollar. Read more
Advocacy for Veterans
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
Calling attention to the needs of our wounded veterans.
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
Giving money, time, and attention to it. Tell your politicians to help the government to do the right thing. Read more
Gym Night for Community Youth
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
Community is changing; trying to get church more involved.
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
At Immanuel we have opened our gym Friday nights to youth. Read more
Serving Spaghetti
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
Feeding the hungry and connecting the church and community.
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
St. Matthew has a free Spaghetti Dinner the last Tuesday of each month. Read more
Commitment to Tanzania
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
Getting our congregation more committed to Pangani, Tanzania
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
Talking to other congregations; they can invite us to present. Read more
Lay Leaders take Ownership
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
There is a new energy at St. Matt’s. Our lay leadership has taken ownership of the ministries. Where there were gaps in our ministry, volunteers have come forward. I’m not sure yet where this new excitement is taking us. Read more
Goodbye, Hello
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
Saying goodbye to the “old” pastor and entering a transition to a “new” one.
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
I’m the “old” one leaving. I will pray for them. Other congregations can pray for them. Read more
Community Worship
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
The Swarthmore-Wallingford Interfaith Ministry sponsored a Community Thanksgiving Service last year (Sunday before thanksgiving). To be repeated. Read more
Everyone Serves
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
All members of our small congregation are involved in social ministry, dinners, etc.
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
I try to stay involved in intergenerational activities. Read more
Hospital Care Team
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
Creating a pastoral care team at Paoli Hospital.
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
Serving as a chaplain two days each week and as the on-call chaplain one weekend per month. Read more
Getting More Active
What is the “new thing” that you have perceived God doing?
God is working to call me to be more active in my congregation.
How are you cooperating with God in this activity? How can other Christians and congregations help?
Yes – I have volunteered for 2 teams. Read more
Tell Us Your Story
What is God doing in your life? In your church? Your community?
Join the conversation and share your story about the “new things” God is doing in our midst. Tell us what you perceive God is up to, how you’re joining God in the process, and what we can all learn from your experience.
Please use our brief form to tell your story. It will only take a few minutes.
On seeing God
The challenge is to preach a gospel that is livable, believable, and life-giving. Perhaps that is the most simple criterion by which we can discern Jesus’ teaching. It is always a call to death but is always life-giving in the long run. When you see life being created between people and within people, you see God. Where you see God, you will always see freedom. Restraint and passion—that is the paradoxical experience of the Holy. It takes time to learn. You grow into the ability to love another in a way that totally gives yourself and entrusts yourself and yet respects that person and stands back.
– Fr. Richard Rohr