Gaede skillfully weaves together the stories of many congregations and how they faced and dealt with the issue of homosexuality. A helpful resource for assisting congregations that seek to engage in dialogue about one of the most difficult faith issues today, the book does not take a theological stand, but rather draws on the experiences of others who have struggled with how to address this issue from a position of respect for all views.

Congregations that seek growth are often frustrated at hitting a plateau-caught in a transition zone between sizes. The Alban Institute has long been recognized as a leader in size transition research and learning, and this anthology offers an in-depth collection of resources, through new articles developed for the book as well as previously published and highly regarded pieces that inform and provoke.

Why is it we do funerals so well but often balk at even recognizing the death of a congregation? Couldn't we do grief ministry and funerals as well for social groups as we do for individuals?" challenges Gilson Waldkoenig, in his seminary classes. Waldkoenig, associate professor of church in society at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, contributes his special insights on the subject of church endings, in this unique and important book. Ending with Hope grows out of the understanding that although closing a congregation is in many ways about dying, it can also be about new life. Closing a congregation does not have to be about failure but can be about redirecting resources for new ministry. Contributors represent eight denominations and include more than a dozen pastors, lay leaders, judicatory staff, and others who have "been there"-who have helped congregations through the painful closing process. Resources include models for assessing whether a congregation should close; reflections on members' and pastors' experiences during closing; case studies; guidance for deciding what to do with a building; suggestions for selecting and preserving documents and artifacts; rituals for healthy closings; a survey of historical trends regarding closings; and other helpful materials.

Part 1. The First Response Introduction1. Best Practices after Betrayal Is DiscoveredNancy Myer HopkinsPart 2. Models for Understanding What HappenedIntroduction2. Theological Reflection: Naming the ProblemPatricia L. Liberty3. Justice-Making, Ethics: Defining ExpectationsDeborah Pope-Lance4. Power and Abuse: Establishing the ContextPatricia L. Liberty5. Conflict Management: Selecting the Right ToolsE. Larraine Frampton6. Systems: Identifying the RootsCandace R. Benyei7. Grief and Loss: Dealing with FeelingsPatricia L. Liberty8. Trauma Intervention: Planning Strategies for RecoveryDeborah Pope-LancePart 3. Roles and ResponsibilitiesIntroduction9. Afterpastors: Restoring the Pastoral TrustDeborah Pope-Lance10. Congregations: Further Steps in HealingNancy Myer Hopkins11. Victims/Survivors: The Healing JourneyPatricia L. Liberty12. Lay Leaders: Taking ResponsibilityLoren D. Mellus13. Paid and Volunteer Staff: Tending Their Overlooked NeedsNancy Myer Hopkins14. Whistle-Blowers: Persevering Against InjusticeCandace R. Benyei15. Clergy Colleagues: Responding from a Unique PerspectiveDeborah Pope-Lance16. Judicatory Leaders: A Resource for HealingGlenndy Sculley17. Response Teams: Laying a Foundation for RecoveryE. Larraine Frampton18. The Wider Community: Toward Recovery for AllNancy Myer Hopkins19. Attorneys: Finding the Best AdviceRichard B. CouserPart 4. What Do We Do Now?Introduction20. Integrating the ExperienceNancy Myer Hopkins21. Reassessing the Recovery of the Faith CommunityE. Larraine Frampton22. Remembering the VictimNancy Myer Hopkins23. Creating Safer CongregationsNancy Biele24. Responding to the Offender and FamilyE. Larraine Frampton25. Psychological and Spiritual Resources for AfterpastorsCandace R. BenyeiPart 5. Looking Toward the FutureIntroduction26. Managing Situations that Might Never Be GoodMatthew Linden27. Preparing to Call a New PastorDan Smith and Mary Sellon28. What’s Ahead for the Victim?Patricia L. Liberty29. What’s Ahead for the Wider Church?Patricia L. LibertyInviting the Presence of GodCandace R. BenyeiAppendixesResourcesThe Critical Incident Stress Management Method for Debriefing a Trauma

Gaede skillfully weaves together the stories of many congregations and how they faced and dealt with the issue of homosexuality. A helpful resource for assisting congregations that seek to engage in dialogue about one of the most difficult faith issues today, the book does not take a theological stand, but rather draws on the experiences of others who have struggled with how to address this issue from a position of respect for all views.

In If This Is the Way the World Works William O. Avery and Beth Ann Gaede ask two primary questions: First, what principles from science are so broadly accepted that scientists themselves are willing to say, "This is the way the world works"? Second, how do congregations and their leaders behave when they operate in concert with these seemingly universal principles? Avery and Gaede explore five principles form the philosophy of science that suggest an alternative way to view congregational mission and leadership: openness to new information, complexity, diversity, interrelatedness, and process. Their premise is that when faith communities align themselves with the way the world--God''s world--works, they more faithfully carry out their vocations as witnesses to God''s reconciling work and as servants to one another. By following these basic scientific principles, Avery and Gaede argue, we arrive at a different view of leadership in the church. If this is truly the way the world works, leaders will find strength through relationships, hope in diversity, and above all trust in the love of God.

Congregations that seek growth are often frustrated at hitting a plateau-caught in a transition zone between sizes. The Alban Institute has long been recognized as a leader in size transition research and learning, and this anthology offers an in-depth collection of resources, through new articles developed for the book as well as previously published and highly regarded pieces that inform and provoke.

Gaede skillfully weaves together the stories of many congregations and how they faced and dealt with the issue of homosexuality. A helpful resource for assisting congregations that seek to engage in dialogue about one of the most difficult faith issues today, the book does not take a theological stand, but rather draws on the experiences of others who have struggled with how to address this issue from a position of respect for all views.

Congregations that seek growth are often frustrated at hitting a plateau-caught in a transition zone between sizes. The Alban Institute has long been recognized as a leader in size transition research and learning, and this anthology offers an in-depth collection of resources, through new articles developed for the book as well as previously published and highly regarded pieces that inform and provoke.

Why is it we do funerals so well but often balk at even recognizing the death of a congregation? Couldn't we do grief ministry and funerals as well for social groups as we do for individuals?" challenges Gilson Waldkoenig, in his seminary classes. Waldkoenig, associate professor of church in society at Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, contributes his special insights on the subject of church endings, in this unique and important book. Ending with Hope grows out of the understanding that although closing a congregation is in many ways about dying, it can also be about new life. Closing a congregation does not have to be about failure but can be about redirecting resources for new ministry. Contributors represent eight denominations and include more than a dozen pastors, lay leaders, judicatory staff, and others who have "been there"-who have helped congregations through the painful closing process. Resources include models for assessing whether a congregation should close; reflections on members' and pastors' experiences during closing; case studies; guidance for deciding what to do with a building; suggestions for selecting and preserving documents and artifacts; rituals for healthy closings; a survey of historical trends regarding closings; and other helpful materials.

Part 1. The First Response Introduction1. Best Practices after Betrayal Is DiscoveredNancy Myer HopkinsPart 2. Models for Understanding What HappenedIntroduction2. Theological Reflection: Naming the ProblemPatricia L. Liberty3. Justice-Making, Ethics: Defining ExpectationsDeborah Pope-Lance4. Power and Abuse: Establishing the ContextPatricia L. Liberty5. Conflict Management: Selecting the Right ToolsE. Larraine Frampton6. Systems: Identifying the RootsCandace R. Benyei7. Grief and Loss: Dealing with FeelingsPatricia L. Liberty8. Trauma Intervention: Planning Strategies for RecoveryDeborah Pope-LancePart 3. Roles and ResponsibilitiesIntroduction9. Afterpastors: Restoring the Pastoral TrustDeborah Pope-Lance10. Congregations: Further Steps in HealingNancy Myer Hopkins11. Victims/Survivors: The Healing JourneyPatricia L. Liberty12. Lay Leaders: Taking ResponsibilityLoren D. Mellus13. Paid and Volunteer Staff: Tending Their Overlooked NeedsNancy Myer Hopkins14. Whistle-Blowers: Persevering Against InjusticeCandace R. Benyei15. Clergy Colleagues: Responding from a Unique PerspectiveDeborah Pope-Lance16. Judicatory Leaders: A Resource for HealingGlenndy Sculley17. Response Teams: Laying a Foundation for RecoveryE. Larraine Frampton18. The Wider Community: Toward Recovery for AllNancy Myer Hopkins19. Attorneys: Finding the Best AdviceRichard B. CouserPart 4. What Do We Do Now?Introduction20. Integrating the ExperienceNancy Myer Hopkins21. Reassessing the Recovery of the Faith CommunityE. Larraine Frampton22. Remembering the VictimNancy Myer Hopkins23. Creating Safer CongregationsNancy Biele24. Responding to the Offender and FamilyE. Larraine Frampton25. Psychological and Spiritual Resources for AfterpastorsCandace R. BenyeiPart 5. Looking Toward the FutureIntroduction26. Managing Situations that Might Never Be GoodMatthew Linden27. Preparing to Call a New PastorDan Smith and Mary Sellon28. What’s Ahead for the Victim?Patricia L. Liberty29. What’s Ahead for the Wider Church?Patricia L. LibertyInviting the Presence of GodCandace R. BenyeiAppendixesResourcesThe Critical Incident Stress Management Method for Debriefing a Trauma

Gaede skillfully weaves together the stories of many congregations and how they faced and dealt with the issue of homosexuality. A helpful resource for assisting congregations that seek to engage in dialogue about one of the most difficult faith issues today, the book does not take a theological stand, but rather draws on the experiences of others who have struggled with how to address this issue from a position of respect for all views.

In If This Is the Way the World Works William O. Avery and Beth Ann Gaede ask two primary questions: First, what principles from science are so broadly accepted that scientists themselves are willing to say, "This is the way the world works"? Second, how do congregations and their leaders behave when they operate in concert with these seemingly universal principles? Avery and Gaede explore five principles form the philosophy of science that suggest an alternative way to view congregational mission and leadership: openness to new information, complexity, diversity, interrelatedness, and process. Their premise is that when faith communities align themselves with the way the world--God''s world--works, they more faithfully carry out their vocations as witnesses to God''s reconciling work and as servants to one another. By following these basic scientific principles, Avery and Gaede argue, we arrive at a different view of leadership in the church. If this is truly the way the world works, leaders will find strength through relationships, hope in diversity, and above all trust in the love of God.

Congregations that seek growth are often frustrated at hitting a plateau-caught in a transition zone between sizes. The Alban Institute has long been recognized as a leader in size transition research and learning, and this anthology offers an in-depth collection of resources, through new articles developed for the book as well as previously published and highly regarded pieces that inform and provoke.