Young player standing on soccer field with foot on ball.

Want to Be the Body of Christ? Avoid Playing Keep Away!

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

Is the church playing "keep away" in it's worship, music, and programs? Friends, if we want our small membership churches to grow and be around for tomorrow, we must stop playing "keep away" where others are excluded from our community.

Wood carved figures of Mary, Joseph, Jesus in manger in front of Christmas tree with small lights.

Staying Awake This Christmas Season

Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see?

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

This Advent and Christmas Season, let us be present, awake, and aware of the gift of the babe in the manger through our prayers, songs, and symbols.

Painting, oil on canvas, 18th century, showing two men hugging in center. Family members, women, and children are on the left and men with upright spears are on the right.

Esau, the Unsung Hero

Genesis 33:1-11

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

Sometimes, the real heroes in our lives are people we meet for a short time and who teach us how to love and forgive.

painting of Jesus seated on a chair, Mary seated at his feet, and Martha bending over a table serving bread

The Importance of Choosing the "Good Part"

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

When Jesus visited the home of Martha, Mary chose to sit at Jesus' feet while he shared the word with the other guests. Martha was left to prepare the meal without any help. I imagine the longer she worked, the angrier and more upset she became.

black and white photo of a man with white bushy beard in a Boston subway station holding a sign that says "seeking human kindness"

Are We Leaving Our Neighbor Behind?

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

I wonder if we forget that Jesus' love and grace are for all. When we reach out to those in physical or spiritual need, we reach out to Jesus. When we build walls keeping people out and are unwilling to help those in physical and emotional need, we turn Jesus away.

music clef, red candles on dark background with white stars or snow

Let Us Be Eclectic in Our Hymn Singing

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

Remember Rule number IV in Wesely's Directions for Singing, "Sing lustily and with good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength.

Foundations for a Thriving Church

Moving Toward Success: Foundations for a Thriving Church

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries has designed “Foundations for a Thriving Church” to help congregations thrive. The program is designed so that church members and their pastor work together with small membership church coaches and develop a working vision and mission that leads to a thriving church.

man smiling, sitting in a pew, with altar and pulpit in background

If You Might Be God's Answer, and Don't Feel Qualified, We Can Help

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

If you feel God calling you to be an answer to helping churches thrive and are ready to step forward, even if you feel unqualified, I invite you to explore your call and take The Academy for Small Membership Church Ministries Certified Lay Ministry training.

four people standing outside talking to one another

Why I Created the Lay Ministry Training and Thriving Church Programs

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

Numerous people have asked me why I created The Academy's Certified Lay Ministry training to prepare lay persons to serve the church and the Foundations for a Thriving Church program for laypersons and churches.

Because in my life and the lives of millions of others, a thriving church has made a difference, and we want the church to thrive everywhere.

three people sitting at a table outside a cafe, smiling and chatting

Retooling Small Membership Churches for 2023 and Beyond

By Rev. Dr. Carl K. Ellis |

If we want our small membership churches to thrive, we need to retool. The definition of "retool" is "adapt or alter (someone or something) to make them more useful or suitable."