seven marks of vital congregations Archives

Seven presbyteries, solo congregation to begin preparing for Vital Congregations Initiative

Posted April 16th, 2021

Seven presbyteries and one congregation have been selected to be part of the third wave of the Vital Congregations Initiative in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A).

Celebrating congregational vitality on #GivingTuesday

Posted November 20th, 2020

During the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) #GivingTuesday 12-hour digital telethon set for Dec. 1, the Rev. Dr. Kathryn Threadgill and team will celebrate their Vital Congregations ministry. Along with dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty, building congregation vitality are the three foci of the denomination’s Matthew 25 invitation.

Lurkers welcome

Posted August 18th, 2020

The Rev. Nikki Collins has been aware of the concept of empowering servant leadership since her high school days, when a teacher brought in a prominent community leader to speak to Collins and her classmates about what it means to be a servant leader.

Practicing lifelong discipleship formation during COVID-19

Posted July 20th, 2020

As more than 50 pastors and other church leaders recently explored together “Lifelong Discipleship Formation” — which is one of the Seven Marks of Vital Congregations — it became apparent that during the coronavirus crisis they are discovering new ways to help people live out their Christian faith.

Vital Congregations host Zoom conversation on empowering servant leadership

Posted July 10th, 2020

Destini Hodges, associate for recruitment and relationships with the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.’s Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) Program, can see how, early on, her congregation provided opportunities for her to grow as a leader.

Vital Congregations Zoom conversations to resume Wednesday

Posted May 26th, 2020

The Office of Vital Congregations will resume weekly Wednesday Zoom conversations at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on May 27.

Lurkers welcome

Posted May 7th, 2020

The Rev. Nikki Collins has been aware of the concept of empowering servant leadership since her high school days, when a teacher brought in a prominent community leader to speak to Collins and her classmates about what it means to be a servant leader.

An outward focus

Posted April 30th, 2020

Before COVID-19 forced him to work from home, the Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, coordinator of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, was walking in downtown Louisville one day when he came across a man holding a “I’m homeless and I’m hungry” sign. Johnson made eye contact and asked how the man was doing. The man clutched Johnson’s arms and told him, with tears streaming down his face, “Thank you for recognizing that I am a human being.”

Despite the pandemic, churches find they’re maintaining ecclesial health

Posted April 23rd, 2020

The coronavirus has inflicted any number of health crises on Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations — but in some tangible ways it’s also enhanced their ecclesial health.

Practicing lifelong discipleship formation during COVID-19

Posted April 17th, 2020

As more than 50 pastors and other church leaders explored together “Lifelong Discipleship Formation” — which is one of the Seven Marks of Vital Congregations — it became apparent that during the coronavirus crisis they are discovering new ways to help people live out their Christian faith.