The Alban Institute

When Moses Meets Aaron: Staffing and Supervision in Large Congregations
Gilbert R. Rendle and Susan Beaumont

With the number of large congregations rising in the United States, these congregations are increasingly dependent upon a greater number of staff to meet the needs of their diverse collection of members. As leaders of multi-staff teams, senior clergy must play the dual role of both Moses and Aaron—both visionary and detail-oriented leader—in order for their large congregations to thrive. more

Holy Places: Matching Sacred Space with Mission and Message
Nancy DeMott and Tim Shapiro and Brent Bill

Buildings communicate. Stained glass windows, high altars, multi-purpose worship/gymnasium spaces, Plexiglas pulpits, padded pews—these and all other architectural elements say something about a congregation’s theology and mission. They point to a faith community’s beliefs about worship, identity, purpose, and more. more

Church on the Edge of Somewhere: Ministry, Marginality, and the Future
George B. Thompson Jr.

Most congregations today exist in what George Thompson calls the "middle of anywhere." They live comfortably with their surrounding culture, focusing their energies on serving the needs of the current members. These congregations have many strengths and gifts that they can exercise without changing a thing. But Thompson envisions a deeper, more prophetic call for congregations to explore the meaning of being in the world but not of it—a church on the "edge of somewhere."

Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation
Carol Howard Merritt

Many churches are seeking ways to reach out to the younger generations. Unfortunately this often manifests as either a “come be just like us!” attitude—suggesting an unwillingness to change in order to be inclusive of young people—or as a slick marketing campaign that targets young adults in much the same way secular advertising does. more

The Honest to God Church: A Pathway to God's Grace
Doug Bixby

Doug Bixby knows that many of us have had enough of the liberal vs. conservative battles in the church. In The Honest to God Church, Bixby demonstrates how these extremes have distracted us from our true calling as conduits for God’s grace—both individually and as congregations. more

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Book Catalog

Fall 2007 catalog cover To receive the current book catalog or be put on our mailing list, call 1-800-486-1318, ext. 256 or e-mail cdevine@alban.org. You may also download an electronic version (PDF).

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