Humanize and Empower

This is more than a Great Idea from Bishop Lanette Playback of the Dakotas-Minnesota Area, United Methodist Church. Following the brutal beating and murder of Tyre Nichols in Memphis, TN, Bishop Lanette encouraged congregations to be in prayer,…

Self-Compassion Empowers Love

Thanks to Mindful Schools for sharing these two related Great Ideas: two practical ways to grow love for self and others in ministries with young people. We're hearing the buzz phrases everywhere: 'trauma-informed'; 'teen mental health';…

Radical Hospitality

This Great Idea is inspired by numerous podcasts and blog posts from various leaders, thinkers, and teachers listed throughout. In a world where supremacy-based 'exclusionary thinking' is part of the air we breathe; where people in all age…

SHROVE TUESDAY PARTY PACKS

Thanks to Shawn Howell for this Great Idea. Building Faith originally posted this in 2020, so watch for an updated link, below. Shawn writes, "Many churches celebrate Shrove Tuesday with a big pancake supper. If your church does not do a…

Diversify Everyone’s Reading!!

Thanks to my cousin, Kelsee Jean Macintosh-Ellig for sharing this Great Idea!! Kelsee invited her Facebook friends to join her in a book exchange that works like this: "Buy your favorite book (just one) and send it to a stranger." She…

Church Culture and Cellphones

Thanks to Paul Lawrence, professor at Minnesota North College/Mesabi Range Campus in Virginia, MN, for sharing Education Next's article Take Away Their Cell Phones: So We Can Rewire Schools for Belonging and Achievement; and to Springtide Research…

Sanity-Keeping Faith Formation Ministry Tip

Thanks to Traci Smith for sharing this Great Idea in her Treasure Box Tuesday. Smith writes, "As you're in the thick of things right now, open up a document on your computer (or a note) and take 30 minutes to write down what's going well,…

What Are You Thinking About?

Thanks to LeaderWise's Cindy Halvorson, MDiv., DMin, for planting the seeds of this Great Idea in our brains! Halvorson asserts that, 'What we think about influences us'. And encourages us to spend time, 'thinking about our thinking, noticing…

Christmas Outreach

Thanks to Ann A. Michel of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership for sharing this Great Idea! In her article, 7 Suggestions for Reaching More People This Christmas, Michel fleshes out the following 7 tips: Equip church members to invite…

Word and Watercolor

Thanks to Rev. Tammy Wilkinson of Beaver Lake Lutheran Church in Maplewood, MN, for sharing this Great Idea through the St Paul Area Synod, ELCA's News & Events letter. Pastors Elizabeth Wilder (Gethsemane, ELCA) and Tammy Wilkinson (Beaver…