Congregational Stress
A helpful look from the Alban Institute at dealing with stress in congregations:
Congregational stress, like the personal and professional varieties, can both help and harm. Too little stress often means a congregation is not adequately experimenting, taking risks, or exercising creativity about its potential for ministry. A congregation under too much stress is overwhelmed and irritable; over time it can become demoralized and unhealthy. The result in either case is diminished effectiveness in ministry. Clearly the key is keeping the creative pressure high enough to maintain the healthy stress needed for effective ministry, while managing the stress to prevent it from leading to despair and burnout. Continued...
Also see this address by Kathy Smith on congregational leadership for worship renewal.
Next entry: Preparing to Pray 11/11/05
Previous entry: Preparing to Pray 11/2/05