Kenda Dean, a United Methodist pastor in the Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference and Professor of Youth, Church and Culture at Princeton Theological Seminary, shared this list of the Top 10 Characteristics of  a Healthy Youth Ministry on her blog at http://kendadean.com/. What would you add?

Salem UMC in Covington was featured in this week's Romans 12 e-newsletter. Attendance has grown 30 percent in the last year. 

"The Resurgence" website (theresurgance.com) introduces the person who may show up at your church this Sunday. Thanks to Bob Winstead for sharing.

A USAToday article titled, "Entrepreneurs find office alternatives to coffee shops," tells of a new business on the west coast called NextSpace.  It’s a concept where customers can rent a desk, an office, or a conference room, to conduct personal business.  

Could we use a this idea in our churches?

I asked Nanci Hicks to share how her church is implementing Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.

May 14-15 is Change the World Weekend for the entire United Methodist denomination! If you're still thinking of ways to reach out that weekend, or anytime, UMCOM has five ideas in this enewsletter article.

This Lewis Center for Church Leadership article takes a look at the good and bad of endowments.

As soon as a family at McKendree UMC shares that they are expecting a new baby, they are given a card to fill out for the "Great Expectations" bulletin board.

I presented a power point to the Athens District yesterday full of great ideas I've seen around the conference. Feel free to check it out.

United Methodist Communications says that advertising on Facebook is a great idea.

GBOD's Romans 12 Newsletter had an excellent article this week: "Over Sixty -- Under Forty -- All Welcome."

UMCOM (United Methodist Communications) just emailed an article on how to use Google's marketing tools. With clergy email moving to google mail, it's a really good time to look at this stuff.

Covington First UMC does a good job of keeping the congregation connected to college students!

An easy way for people to see where to get connected! Check out the Wall of Small Groups display at Crossroad UMC south of Pittsburg.

Worship Facilities Magazine has an article this month on on electronic giving solutions. Does your church provide a way to give electronically?

Not looking for pity since we are all dealing with increased stress levels, but things have changed immensely for clergy in the 25 years that I have been in ministry.

Another great article on the Lewis Center for Church Leadership's website today.
"It is commonplace to hear references to what it means for churches to function in 'the current financial recession.' But there is another recession going on in the United States that has been affecting churches far longer and more consistently than the economic downturn. It is the worship recession. " -- Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

Read about how one church faced its financial challenges, specifically a serious budget shortfall. Very interesting discussion.