The Ministry Lab is here to invigorate the life of your congregation.
Please complete our short survey so we can serve you better!
Your responses will help us gain insight in how existing resources are utilized – and where we can improve what to offer and how we offer it. Responses will also inform our in-the-works antiracism toolkit for rural and smaller congregations.
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Here you’ll find resources for:
- Emerging from Covid-19
- Vision & Mission
- Developing Leadership
- Volunteers & Teams
- Stewardship
- Pastoral Care
- Congregational Health
- Personal Care for Leaders
- Spiritual Direction
Please see our Engaging the World page for resources on Vision & Mission, Outreach & Hospitality, and Social Justice.
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Registration for ConNext Summit 2022 is OPEN!! Learn more and register here!
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Emerging from Covid-19
It’s on everyone’s mind and is presenting both opportunities and challenges. We’re here to help:
Our Re-Imagining Church: Post-Covid Church lib guide has the latest books, blogs, and webinars for inspiration and how-to’s.
Helpful webinars and training on reimagining church and reopening are found in our Blue Whirl Webinar list.
Vision & Mission
Constantly shifting realities can be an opportunity to rethink who we are and discover anew where God is leading. Find resources for the journey of:
- Embracing the Community’s Identity
- Casting a New Vision
- Living into Your Mission
- Reimagining Church
- Post-Covid Church
Dying
For congregations contemplating closing their doors or decidedly moving in that direction, please find hopeful and helpful resources in our Dying lib guide.
Developing Leadership
Let us help you identify and develop leaders for a more sustainable congregation.
Support yourself, staff and volunteers with trainings found in our Blue Whirl Webinars and Continuing Education lists.
Or, find frequently updated hard-copy and online resources in our curated lib guides:
Volunteers & Teams
God’s work requires all God’s people! Support your community workers—both individuals and groups—with resources for encouraging:
- Effective Volunteers and Teams
- Leadership Development
- Developing Young Leaders
- Leading through Change/Conflict
Congregations are proving exceptionally resilient and creative in meeting the needs of individuals, families and their communities. Sharing these Great Ideas is part of The Ministry Lab’s work.
Stewardship & Giving
Stewardship can be a challenging topic in the best of times—in times of transition and uncertainty, even more so. Lean on the wisdom of others to guide your conversations and stewardship decisions. Access our stewardship and giving resources for tips on:
Pastoral Care
Pastoral care is a unique role for church leaders. It can be isolating with its necessary boundaries, protocols and cautions, yet also highly gratifying when one is able to help a struggling soul. This dichotomy can take its toll on the caregiver’s body, heart and soul.
Congregational Health & Wellbeing
Our congregational health and well-being resources include:
- State and regional mental health resource centers
- Talking about grief and trauma with:
- Contemplative and mental health practices to share with children and youth
- Supporting In-Reach and Congregational Care Teams
Personal Care for Leaders
Check out The Ministry Lab’s many resources for self-care and renewal, along with guidance for best practices and tools for offering pastoral care in evolving realities in our Personal Care for Leaders lib guide.
Find additional self-enrichment opportunities on our Continuing Education page.
Group Spiritual Direction
Take care of yourself – personally and professionally – with the guidance of a Spiritual Director.
We recommend: Shalem Institute’s Nurturing the Call: Spiritual Guidance Program and Leader Wise’s Spiritual Direction Groups.
Great Idea
Generated by The Ministry Lab’s partners, congregational leaders and director. If you’ve got a Great Idea to share, let us know!
Learn More
Have something you’d like to discuss? Need to check out resources? Share questions, interests and ideas with The Ministry Lab’s Executive Director, Rev. Emily Meyer or search our site.