New for Congregations: From the Alban Institute

Here are recent findings on new and emerging trends and issues—as well as some new resources—all from the Alban Institute!

Becoming a Pastor: Reflections on the Transition into Ministry . An initiative of Lilly Endowment Inc., and involving the participation of more than 800 new pastors, Transition into Ministry (TiM) helps recent seminary graduates prepare for pastorates by immersing them in communities of practice that include the guidance and feedback of senior pastors, peer pastors, and lay groups. Becoming a Pastor examines the cultural contexts from which TiM programs were conceived, reports on the experiences of those who have participated in residency-based and peer-based TiM programs, explains the importance of "reflective immersion" in congregational and pastoral life, summarizes key discoveries surrounding pastoral formation, and poses challenges for those who seek to deepen and expand this transitional work.

Creating the Future Together: Methods to Inspire Your Whole Faith Community. Congregations face many challenges as they adapt to a quickly changing world. Balancing new concerns with core values is a complicated process that can leave many feeling unheard. Loren Mead and Billie Alban have developed Creating the Future Together to explain how congregations can use large group methods to navigate these new waters. Such methods include identifying a preferred future, creating community, and discovering common ground. Drawing on stories from a variety of Christian and Jewish faith communities, this book introduces whole-system approaches and provides a conceptual framework for evaluating the usefulness of these approaches against any given challenge.

Science in Faith and Ministry. Larry Golemon poses some challenging questions for congregational leaders and educators: "How often do the discoveries and practices of modern science intersect with everyday issues of religious practice and ministry? How often do clergy consult with medical practitioners in the community around end-of-life care for families facing chronic, degenerative illness? How prepared are most religious educators or clergy to answer questions brought by young people in a confirmation or bar mitzvah class about the compatibility of evolution and belief in a transcendent God?" This article explains Alban's interest in building scientific literacy among congregational leaders and in fostering collaboration around faith and ministry practice.