Ministry Matters - What is Lent actually for?

A Word from the Editor  February brings the Lenten season—which means most pastors are simultaneously planning the most theologically dense worship of their year while personally wondering if they have anything left to offer it. That tension between leading others into the wilderness and feeling like wilderness yourself is real, and we're not going to pretend otherwise.  This month we're asking what Lent is actually for. Not as a logistics question—there are plenty of resources for that—but as a theological and pastoral one. The practices of Lent were never designed to make individuals feel more spiritual in isolation. They were designed to reshape how the people of God live together. These articles take that seriously. And if you're heading into this time running on empty—there's something here for that, too.  —Cameron  Your Lenten Discipline might be the problem by Ministry Matters "Somewhere along the way—especially in middle-class American Christianity—we kept the prayer and the fasting and quietly let the almsgiving become optional. We turned Lent into a self-improvement project dressed in sackcloth."  Learn More Acts 4 is possible. We're living it in Minneapolis by Tyler Sit "But as a United Methodist pastor in Minneapolis, I’m witnessing Acts 4-type sharing all around me. While Minneapolis’ incredible activism—including faith-based witness—is in the headlines of the news, the ways people are supporting each other on the ground is just as miraculous."  Read Now Could the Acts 4 church really exist today? When Lent feels...empty by Cameron Merrill "Nobody tells you, in seminary or in the books about spiritual formation or in the annual call from your conference about Lenten programming, that you will spend entire liturgical seasons on the outside of your own faith." Continue Reading

The General Board of Church and Society upholds the Wesleyan commitment to social holiness through witnessing to just social policies and practices. This 100-year commemorative book will utilize archival materials from the agency’s historic publications to tell the story. Experienced administrator Jana Holiday reframes the spreadsheets, meetings, and daily management tasks of organizational life as sacred opportunities for spiritual growth—showing how the practical work of leadership can become a formative faith practice. Whether you're currently part of a Hub for Innovation cohort or striking out on your own, this workbook helps you translate inspiration into movement. With reflection prompts, vision-mapping exercises, and tools to experiment, evaluate, and evolve, you'll gain clarity, confidence, and momentum.

Ministry Matters - Building for 2026: Strategy and Soul

A Word from the Editor  January brings that familiar tension: the fresh energy of a new year colliding with the reality that you're still tired from December, and your congregation might be too. This is when well-meaning planning retreats can feel more exhausting than energizing, and when "building community" has become such a buzzword that it's lost all meaning.  This month, we're offering tools that acknowledge where we actually are in 2026. Strategic planning needs to be adaptive, not rigid—because none of us can predict what next quarter will bring. And community formation needs to go deeper than programming, addressing the real loneliness epidemic even in our churches. These resources are designed to help you lead with both clarity and compassion as you navigate the year ahead.  —Cameron  From vision to action: Adaptive planning for uncertain times by Ministry Matters "Five-year plans don't work when you can't predict next quarter. Learn how to adapt frameworks like a strategic cascade for church contexts, moving from compelling vision to executable quarterly priorities without getting paralyzed by uncertainty. This practical approach helps you answer: Where will we focus? How will we win? What do we actually need to make it happen?"  Learn More Right Questions to ask as the new year begins by Lovett H. Weems Jr. "Before rushing into 2026 planning, ask the diagnostic questions that reveal what's actually working. Lovett Weems offers seven essential questions about first-time guests, volunteers, community change, glimpses of vitality, finances, and new people that will give you the clarity you need to plan wisely."  Read Now What questions will guide your church's path forward this year? Beyond Christian nationalism by Justin Coleman "Christian nationalism did not arise because Christians suddenly became too political. It arose because Christian spirituality became too thin. That distinction matters. It reframes the problem in a way that neither excuses nor simplifies what we are facing." Continue Reading

Lovett H. Weems, Jr. equips church leaders with field-tested questions organized into 14 categories to navigate personnel challenges, expand ministry impact, and make better decisions in any denominational setting. Leading scholars and practitioners from Duke Divinity School explore how Trinitarian theology provides vital resources for contemporary ministry challenges—from worship and preaching to climate crisis and church renewal—demonstrating that the ancient Nicene confession remains powerfully relevant for twenty-first century faith and practice. Twenty-four ready-to-use sermon series from diverse preachers offer fresh themes, focus Scriptures, sermon starters, and creative ideas for extending each topic into worship, education, and outreach—saving pastors valuable preparation time while bringing meaningful depth to the pulpit year-round.

Ministry Matters - Finding Sacred Space in the Season's Rush

A Word from the Editor  December is a paradox for ministry leaders. You're running flat-out with Advent programming, Christmas services, and year-end obligations—and yet it's also when you need to be thinking about Lent, which arrives earlier than you think (Ash Wednesday is February 18).  This month, we're focusing on what December pastors actually need: permission to care for yourselves during the busiest season, a framework for reflecting on the year that's ending, and practical help getting ahead on Lent planning. We know you're stretched thin right now. Consider these resources as gifts—use what serves you, save what you need for later, and know that we're thinking about the very real challenges you're navigating.  —Cameron  Avoiding Burnout During the Holiday Season by Rebeka Simon-Peter   The holiday season brings both joy and intensity to ministry life, and it's easy for self-care to slip through the cracks amid all the congregational demands. Rebekah Simon-Peter offers practical wisdom for establishing healthy boundaries, communicating your needs, and nurturing your own spiritual life during this busy season. This timely encouragement reminds us that caring for yourself isn't selfish—it's essential for the sustainable, faithful leadership your congregation deserves. Learn More 5 Themes for Ash Wednesday by Lucy Lind Hogan   As you prepare for Ash Wednesday, let this guide walk you through five essential themes—preparation, repentance, reconciliation, mortality, and grace—that can help your congregation enter the Lenten journey with open hearts, ready to experience God's transforming love together. Read Now Which of these five themes will resonate most deeply with your congregation as you journey through Lent together? Strengthen Your Team's Prayer Life This Christmas. Buy one copy of The Methodist Book of Daily Prayer for each team and staff member—but act quickly! Limited quantities are available for Christmas gift-giving. For orders of 50 or more, call 800-672-1789 to arrange bulk purchasing and receive discount pricing.   The Church's Commercialization Trap by Cameron Merrill "Here's what's hard to admit: churches have learned to speak fluent consumer. We've absorbed the logic of the marketplace so thoroughly that we can't see it anymore. We think we're being faithful when we're actually being entrepreneurial. We think we're evangelizing when we're actually marketing.." Continue Reading

Drawing on Wesleyan theology, Building Beloved Community from the United Methodist Council of Bishops offers pastors practical guidance and theological grounding to resist authoritarianism and division while fostering congregations rooted in God's radical love and justice. Research shows that people who have a sense of calling are more productive, motivated, and resilient than their peers. But they are also more likely to experience the physical, mental, and spiritual exhaustion of burnout. When they do, the impact is more severe and disorienting. This comprehensive guide interprets financial vocabulary and walks you through essential topics, including budget creation, financial sustainability, the strategic role of reserves, and the vital connection between personal and congregational stewardship.