Podcasts:
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November 2009
Disaster Continuity Planning
Lewis Saylor, a disaster preparedness consultantant based in Northern Virginia, describes the value of having a disaster continuity plan for your congregation, who should be involved in the plan, and how having a plan in place provides multiple benefits.
October 2009
Time Management
Brad Agry, a consultant and coach, describes the challenges of time management for congregational leaders and offers some tips for changing the way you approach your day.
Conflict in the Congregation, What It Can Mean
Alban senior consultant Susan Nienaber discusses how conflict in a congregation isn't always a negative, plus, what she will cover in two upcoming webinars.
September 2009
Strategic Leadership for Change
Ken McFayden describes the leadership challenges for congregations facing their losses, coping with change, and envisioning the future.
August 2009
Know Your Story and Lead with It
Dick Hester and Kelli Walker Jones share what they have learned about clergy narrative groups and the power of knowing your story. They are the authors of Know Your Story and Lead with It: Narrative in Clergy Leadership.
Getting Unstuck in Turbulent Times
Alban senior consultant Susan Nienaber discusses what you can do to get "unstuck" as a congregation during turbulent times. What are the signs that a congregation is stuck? How do you talk about it?
July 2009
The Toughest Size Transition
In this seven minute video clip, Alban senior consultant Alice Mann describes the toughest congregational size transition: going from pastoral- to program-sized. This is our first video podcast.
June 2009
A Ready Hope
Rev. Dr. Ron Warren of Lutheran Disaster Response discusses the vital role congregations play in responding to natural disasters.
May 2009
Paul Galbreath on Leading from the Table
Paul Galbreath, on a visit to Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church in Shepherdstown, West Viriginia, describes the power and significance of communion prayer as an integral aspect of the communal worship experience.
March 2009
Kim and Gary Shockley on Imagining Church
Authors and church consultants Kim and Gary Shockley discuss their new book, Imagining Church: Seeing Hope in a World of Change. They share their perspectives on how congregations can use the power of imagination to discern what God is calling them to be.
February 2009
Discussion of the Alban Roundtable
Alban's Richard Bass, director of publishing, and Wayne Floyd, education manager, discuss the Alban Roundtable.
January 2009
Creating the Church of the Future
An excerpt from a previously recorded Webinar with Michael Durall, author of Creating Congregations of Generous People.
December 2008
Understanding and Celebrating Our Differences
Dr. William Kondrath, author of God's Tapestry:Understanding and Celebrating Differences, discusses how differences are a source for congregational vitality. He describes the barriers to embracing multiculturalism and an awareness and acceptance of differences in congregations.
Reaching Out in a Networked World
Lynne Baab, author of Reaching Out in a Networked World, discusses her new book, and how congregations communicate their values and identity through their Web site and other communications vehicles.
Redeeming Church Scutwork
Louis Weeks, author of the newly released Alban book All for God's Glory: Redeeming Church Scutwork, describes how faithful church administration—including tasks of drudgery—is vital spiritual work that can be thought of in terms of stewardship and pastoral care.
November 2008
The Ooze
A conversation with Spencer Burke, founder of the Ooze, an online community engaged in an ongoing conversation about faith and the emerging church, and Ooze media and marketing specialist Jon Irvine.
Bethany Beyond the Jordan
David Pratt interviews journalist Dan Wooding on the significance of the Jordan River site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus and how the site relates to interfaith dialogue.
Cross-Shaped Leadership
John Berntsen, author of the new Alban book Cross-Shaped Leadership: The Rough and Tumble of Parish Practice, describes a form of leadership that draws on theology and challenges popular notions of "visionary" leadership.
October 2008
The Transition into Ministry
James P. Wind and David Wood discuss the implications of the Alban special report, Becoming A Pastor: Reflections on the Transition into Ministry.
September 2008
The Practice of Contemplative Activism
Howard E. Friend discusses contemplative activism, what it means and how it can help congregations and their leaders find inner strength and resilience.
August 2008
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Called for Life: Finding Meaning in Retirement
Paul Clayton discusses his new book, Called for Life: Finding Meaning in Retirement. Retirement sounds like an ending, but since as much as one third of life may remain after retirement, it is also a beginning. Clayton discusses how calling is more than vocation.
JULY 2008
Congregational Boards
Alban senior consultant Dan Hotchkiss discusses how congregational boards can be more effective.
MAY 2008
Ministry Greenhouse
Alban author George M. Hillman, Jr., talks about his book "Ministry Greenhouse: Cultivating Environments for Practical Learning."
Narrative Leadership
Alban Research manager Larry Golemon discusses the Narrative Leadership project followed by group discussion on the power of story and the language we use to talk about story.
Mission Catalysts from Down Under
An interview with mission catalysts Adrian Pyle and John Emmett with the Mission Participation Resource Unit of the Uniting Church in Australia.
April 2008
Becoming a Praying Congregation
Alban author and seminar leader Jane Vennard talks about her upcoming Alban seminar "Becoming a Praying Congregation: The Art of Teaching Spiritual Practice." July 15–17, 2008 at the Inn on Broadway, Rochester, New York.
March 2008
Finishing Strong, Ending Well
Alban senior consultant Larry Peers talks about his upcoming Alban seminar "Finishing Strong, Ending Well: Faithfully Completing a Ministry Career." November 11–13, 2008 at the La Casa de Maria, Santa Barbara, California.
Discerning Your Congregation's Call
Alban Senior Consultant Alice Mann describes the benefits of exploring your congregation's unique identities, gifts, and strengths. She discusses what to expect at her seminar: Discerning Your Congregation's Call: Tools for Exploring Identity and Purpose to be held April 1 -3, 2008.
February 2008
Stepping Up to Supervision
Alban Senior Consultant Susan Beaumont talks about her upcoming seminar: "Stepping Up to Supervision: Basics of Leading Staff Teams" and answers some questions about the challenges of supervision.
Appreciative Inquiry
Alban Senior Consultant Larry Peers shares how appreciative inquiry offers a powerful alternative to the typical problem solving mode. He will be leading the seminar "Appreciative Inquiry: A Positive Approach to Purposeful Congregational Change," June 10 -12 at Zephyr Point, Lake Tahoe, California.
Leading Change in Congregations
Gil Rendle, long time Alban Consultant and author, talks about his upcoming Alban seminar "Leading Change in Congregations: Insights, Strategies, and Techniques." The seminar will be held March 4 - 6, 2008 at La Casa de Maria retreat center in Santa Barbara, California. )
Conflicts of Interest
Alban Senior Consultant Dan Hotchkiss reads his article on conflicts of interest. The text version of this article can be found here.
January 2008
Weekday Spirtuality
Alban's education manager, Dr. Wayne Floyd, discusses weekday spirituality, faith and everyday leadership, and an upcoming seminar in Alban's new series of Christian Practices Workshops.
Consulting for Vital Congregations
Alban senior consultant Alice Mann talks about Alban's special in-depth seminar on congregational consulting, covering foundational practices and perspectives. It will be held March 10 -14 at the Palisades Retreat Center in Federal Way, Washington.
December 2007
Building Up Your Staff: Teaching and Learning Teamwork
Alban senior consultant Susan Beaumont talks about her upcoming seminar "Building up Your Staff: Teaching and Learning Teamwork." It will be held February 11 - 14, 2008 at the Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center in Norcross, Georgia.
Conflict Over the Leadership of the Pastor
Alban senior consultant Susan Nienaber talks about her seminar "Conflict Over the Leadership of the Pastor: When the Call is at Risk" that will be held March 4–6, 2008.
Church on the Edge of Somewhere
A conversation with George Thompson, author of The Church on the Edge of Somewhere. George describes a new model for thinking about your congregation's identity and place in the world.
November 2007
Disciple Making Communities
Discover what happens when churches move out of the "membership business" and instead become "disciple-making communities. Alban senior consultant Ed White talks about his upcoming seminar, to be held Jan. 22 - 24, 2008 at the Marywood Center for Spirituality in Jacksonville, Florida.
The Honest to God Church
A conversation with Doug Bixby, author of The Honest to God Church: A Pathway to God's Grace. Doug discusses the concept of imperfect churches, how "I'm not okay, and you're not okay."
September 2007
The Meandering Way
Gary Shockley, author of The Meandering Way: Leading by Following the Spirit, talks about his book, and his journey from success-oriented drivenness to a significance-oriented, meandering style of life and leadership.
August 2007
Emotional Intelligence: Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader
Alban senior consultant Susan Nienaber talks about the her seminar "Emotional Intelligence: Becoming a Conflict Competent Leader" that will be held January 15-17, 2008.
Health, Holiness, and Hospitality: Individual and Community in Congregational Life
Alban consultant Ed White talks about the his seminar "Health, Holiness, and Hospitality: Individual and Community in Congregational Life" that will be held October 1-3, 2007.
July 2007
Finding Balance
Alban consultant Larry Peers talks about the upcoming Alban seminar "Balancing Your Ministry, Renewing Your Life."
A Different View of Retirement
Alban consultant Larry Peers talks about the upcoming Alban seminar "Finishing Strong, Ending Well: Faithfully Completing a Ministry Career."
