"Church vitality is more about spirit than size, and small churches across the country often serve as hubs of connection for small towns and rural areas." — Teri McDowell Ott
Budgets and worship numbers matter — but they are not everything, Phil Blackburn believes.
A church can be viable without a pastor, writes Catherine Neelly Burton. Once we embrace this, churches can go about their work of being Christ’s body.
Looking at Psalm 121, Karie Charlton reflects that we are all called to respond to each other and participate in the Universal Heart.
How can we acknowledge pain while still celebrating the call? Carol Howard and Martha Mitchell discuss the very real problem of clergy burnout and the hope-filled responses of clergy care.
The history isn’t always right but ‘The Crown’ is always a good family story. And there are lessons for the soul in the telling.
In each issue of the Outlook, we include a discussion guide to further reflect on the issue. We recommend using this guide in your Bible study, small group or book club. It's our invitation into a faithful conversation.
Asking "Where is Jesus?" can help us find love and light in unexpected places and people, writes Bobby Hulme-Lippert.
You've seen the crowd-favorite Outlook articles of 2023. This list includes the articles we love, but maybe you haven't seen yet!
In the woods, writes Karie Charlton, we find doors to new beginnings, even in the depths of winter.
A tritina form poem by Nadine Ellsworth-Moran on Madeleine L'Engle's Christmas quote: "Love still takes the risk of birth."
'Do not let death rejoice in its victory over us,' said one writer.
Whether it's in the magazine, on the website or in our monthly book newsletter, Book Review Editor Amy Pagliarella always has a reading recommendation. These are the top 10 books our readers decided to purchase in 2023.
From Taylor Swift to a "text of terror" to Robert's Rules. See the Outlook's top 10 stories from 2023.
There is no sure-fire recipe guaranteed to produce faith, Ronald Byars writes. Maybe that’s why so many testify that their faith came as a gift.
How can the peace offered by God and the chaos of the world exist at the same time, wonders Maggie Alsup?
Eliza C. Jaremko shares some wisdom on the incarnation through the eyes of her 4-year-old.
Every Advent, I wonder: What is it like to truly live in peace? — Dartinia Hull
Lydia Griffiths maintains there is rich diversity among Protestant religious thinkers when it comes to a transforming relationship with God.
“This is no time for a child to be born ... [yet] love still takes the risk.” Teri McDowell Ott reflects on this Advent quote by poet Madeleine L’Engle.
Liz Cooledge Jenkins reflects on Elizabeth, Luke's Gospel, and Audre Lorde.
In an unexpected casting of Drosselmeyer, Matt Rich finds – in life and in ministry – the role you think you are going to play might not be the role you get.
In any community, there is likely one person ensuring all the plates keep spinning. How can we acknowledge this and ease the load, asks Elana Keppel Levy? How can we work together?
Being intentional in your question-asking can reinvigorate a Sunday school or small group, writes educator Donald Griggs.
Is your church paying for something that it could get for free (or a discount)? Julie Raffety, a pastor and website developer, shares five resources every church should know about.
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