ST. Alban's Episcopal

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

Should Your Church Live Stream?

Chances are, your church has either started live streaming recently or has considered it at some point. With equipment improvements, lower entry costs, and availability through the web and social media, live streaming is becoming more common in the church. If you are considering adding a streamed service or posting videos for replay viewing to …

Five Questions for Christians Who Believe the Bible Supports Gay Marriage

You've studied the issue, read some books, looked at the relevant Bible passages and concluded that Scripture does not prohibit same-sex intercourse so long as it takes place in the context of a loving, monogamous, lifelong covenanted relationship.

Scientists ponder how to talk to the faithful about climate change

(RNS) 'My entreaty for scientists is to be able to speak publicly about why you care,' said the Rev. Fletcher Harper, executive director of GreenFaith.

What is baptism in the Holy Spirit?

Baptism in the Holy Spirit is the means by which God places new believers into the body of Christ. As the Holy Spirit regenerates and indwells our human spirits, bringing us new life and ensuring our everlasting fellowship with God, the Spirit also immerses us into the universal church.

8 Concerns That Church Members Seldom Tell Pastors

There are some concerns that are harder to bring up than others. Things like: We're concerned about your marriage.

10 Traits of a Great Church Member

What kind of members does God use to build a great church<br>As a pastor, I have noticed some trends among church people who help move the church forward. The following is a list of characteristics of those type of people. Not everyone will have every quality, but it’s the combination of each of them in people that builds a great church.<br>Great church members:<br>Believe and love God’s Word.<br>Joshua 1:8 “Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day…

ID Card Benefits for Religious Organizations

Find out how religious organizations and church groups are using ID card technology to help identify church members and keep them more secure.

10 Tips for Creating Inclusive Religious Organizations

We are a stronger country when religious organizations of all faiths live up to our values -- when we are welcoming, diverse, moral, and respect one anot...

Religious Freedom as Freedom to Discriminate?

Removing religious exemptions will not promote tolerance or inclusiveness. It will forcibly strip religious organizations of their ability to operate as religious organizations.

What TechSoup Offers Religious Organizations

This article provides an overview of the TechSoup product donations and learning resources that can help your religious nonprofit get the most out of its technology.

How Secular is “Religious”?

We don’t know how the ready access to information will ultimately change the human condition, but religions are already feeling the heat. A person today can, with a few keystrokes, discover facts about religions that, when I was young, were assiduously and successfully suppressed—particularly in those traditions common among disadvantaged people such as I was. …

Why Religious Cops Live Longer Than Non-Religious Cops

Most of us serving as police officers have considered our mortality, especially in light of the dangers we face every day. No one is guaranteed a long life, but everyone strives to lengthen the days and years we get to spend with family and friends. All of us are interested in living longer. Recent studies […]

How Religious Are You?

Pew Research has developed a typology of religion based on "how religious" a person is, along with the nature of that religious belief.

Remember that Religious Freedom Law?

The Religious Freedom Restoration Act continues to prove itself adept at flattening government obstacles to religious practice.

Chimpanzees: Spiritual But Not Religious?

Some animals have been observed performing the same rituals over and over, leading scientists to speculate that they might have a sense of the sacred.

How Religious Are The World Religions?

How religious are the world religions? Most “religions” do not conceive themselves as doctrinal systems.

What is Religious Liberty?

The Baptist Joint Committee advocates a “golden rule” of religious liberty: Do not ask government to promote your religion if you don’t want government to promote somebody else’s religion; and do not permit government to hinder somebody else’s religion if you don’t want government to hinder your own religion.

QUIZ: Can You Match These Habits With Their Religious Order?

How the religious typology groups compare

Explore how the seven religious typology groups view a variety of issues.