Weekly Outlook - Church vitality: A matter of heart, not headcount

Dear Outlook readers,  This past Tuesday, the Outlook hosted our "Small is beautiful" webinar with Catherine Neelly Burton, Warren Lesane, Shavon Starling-Louis, and Philip Blackburn. The live discussion picked up where our January issue had left off. What are the challenges facing small churches? What hope do we have? Where is God working?  Friends, I have to tell you that we've received the nicest notes in response to that webinar. One church said they lost their pastor last year and have been considering closing their doors, but this webinar gave them hope and ideas to try. One quote I'll be taking away from the night came from Phillip Blackburn, who said: "Fatigue is tied to toil." How can we work in new, life-giving ways?  Our goals at the Outlook are to connect people, speak the truth, and point to God. It is encouraging that attendees found the webinar's conversation honest and hopeful. It feels like our work made a positive difference, and I'm going to hold on to that. If you missed the webinar, a recording is available at a "pay-what-you-can" price. In Christ, Rose Schrott Taylor Outlook digital content editor P.S. Curious about church fundraising? Don't miss Jesy Littlejohn's conversation with Laura Strauss — now available for free on our Facebook page.

Presbyterians seek ways to address anxieties amid a harsh immigration culture by Adrian White Building arks: A call to action amidst ecological crisis by Raymond R. Roberts The Rev. Danny Morales will stand with the Rev. Dr. Marian McClure Taylor for Co-Moderator of the 226th General Assembly by Mike Ferguson Jesus through Middle Eastern eyes: The life and legacy of Kenneth E. Bailey by Michael Parker In case you missed it... A prayer after Iran’s strike on Israel We shall not look away. We shall not ignore the atrocities. We pray for the killing to stop. We pray for peace. — Teri McDowell Ott A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity "Throughout, [Thomas] constructs what Christianity needs more of: language that honors the best of Christian traditions while fearlessly raising the challenges that an authentic, 21st century American faith demands." — Sarah S. Scherschligt A Corp Board discusses changes to the Board of Pensions’ Benefits Plan It’s difficult to produce a unified budget proposal two years in advance without knowing more about potential impacts, A Corp President Kathy Lueckert tells the board. — Mike Ferguson Leaving a piece of your heart behind Ashley Brown shares how members of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church’s dementia group minister through art. Join Faith and Money Network for a free 90-minute webinar with Miguel Escobar, author of The Unjust Steward: Wealth, Poverty and the Church Today. On Wednesday, April 24, from 7:00-8:30 pm Eastern, Escobar will discuss what early Church thinkers have to say about money and generosity. After traditionalist churches left, UMC may be more — not less — diverse Even after the departures, 24% of North Carolina clergy remaining in the denomination disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married and ordained within the denomination. — Yonat Shimron Beyond the offering plate: Diversifying your church’s fundraising strategy Laura Strauss offers three tips for churches that need help making ends meet.