The Parish Paper

What is The Parish Paper?

The Parish Paper is a monthly publication for congregations giving "Ideas and Insights for Active Congregations," to which the Diocese subscribes. The issues (two pages each) are listed by date and are posted as they are published and delivered to us.

Congregations may download the Parish Paper (it's free!) — see the list of Issues and Topics, to the right. 

Distribute them as suits your purposes — perhaps to Vestry/Bishop's Committee members or to particular groups in your church.

Please note the copyright restrictions.

Permissions and Restrictions

Our organization’s purchase of photocopy rights for The Parish Paper includes:

1. Permission to provide copies to our staff and the congregations within our constituency in any of the following ways: e-mail, U.S. Mail, newspaper, newsletter, meetings, training events, and the diocese's website.

2. Permission for each congregation within our constituency to (a) photocopy or electronically distribute for local use as many copies as it needs, (b) post them on its Website, and (c) quote sentences and paragraphs.

Your congregation does NOT have permission (a) to delete the copyright notice on page 2; (b) to re-write, paraphrase, or change the wording of sentences and paragraphs; or (c) to give ANY THIRD PARTY—other than your staff and constituents—permission to photocopy or reprint (in any quantity, no matter how small, whether for free distribution or for sale).

If your congregation uses a U.S. Post Office Nonprofit Mailing Permit to distribute photocopies with its newsletter or other mailings, most local Post Offices require that every item carry your congregation’s name and address. Above The Parish Paper masthead, type your congregation’s name, address, and “Photocopied by Permission.”

current Issues and Topics

2015 Issues
  • June 2015:  Could Lack of Curiosity Kill the Church?
  • May 2015:  Seeking a Bivocational Calling for Pastors and Churches
  • April 2015:  Finding God's New Call in the Same Place
  • March 2015:  What Churches Can Do to Increase Social Media Security
  • Feb 2015:  How to Avoid the Potholes on the Road to Retirement
  • Jan 2015:  Our Future Pastors: Assessing the State of the  Pipeline

2014 Issues
  • Dec. 2014:  How to Make the Most of A Consulting Process
  • Nov. 2014:  Should We Consider Closing Our church
  • Oct. 2014:  How Can we Prevent Suicide
  • Sept. 2014:  How Churches Can Partner with Local Schools
  • Aug. 2014:  Do Your Mission and Method Fit Your Size
  • July 2014:  What Type of Follower Attends Our Church
  • Apr 2014: eGiving: It's about More than Money
  • Mar 2014: When Less Is More: The Consequences of Clergy Turnover
  • Feb 2014: A Parable about Pastoral Leadership
  • Jan 2014: Big Ministry Trends for 2014

2013 Issues

OLDER ISSUES

2012 Issues
2011 Issues
  • Dec. 2011: Successfully Launch a New Project
  • Nov. 2011: Unleash the Power of Congregational Planning
  • Oct. 2011: Why Smart Churches Make Dumb Decisions
  • Sept. 2011: Why People Connect with Christ and a Congregation
  • Aug. 2011: How to Prevent Bad Behavior during Times of Change
  • July 2011: How to Select Quality Staff
  • June 2011: The Pastor's Role in Church Finance
  • May 2011: When Does Success Lead to Failure?
  • Apr. 2011: Incoming Pastors: Building Smoother Transition Bridges
  • Mar. 2011: Does Location Influence Effectiveness?
  • Feb. 2011: Being Smart Is Not Enough!
  • Jan. 2011: What Is Your Unconscious Intent?
2010 Issues
  • Dec. 2010: Fifty Years Later: What Has Changed?
  • Nov. 2010: What Are the Big-Picture Trends in Congregations?
  • Oct. 2010: Why Are Worship Visitors Important?
  • Sept. 2010: Planning for the Unexpected Financial Crisis
  • Aug. 2010: How Much Should We Pay Our Pastor?
  • July 2010: Should Our Congregation Use Internet Social Media?
  • June 2010: Why Does Mentoring Succeed and Fail?
  • May 2010: Generous Givers: A Product of Motivation and Methods
2009 Issues
  • Dec. 2009: Are We a Leader-Sending Congregation?
  • Nov. 2009: Seven Roads to a Multicultural Congregation
  • Oct. 2009: Women Pastors: Are Our Assumptions Correct?
  • Sept. 2009: Do We Sing All Five Worship-Hymn Preferences?
  • Aug. 2009: Shepherding Congregations Through Grief Storms
  • July 2009: Lay Testimonials Strengthen Financial Giving
  • June 2009: One Congregation: Many Locations
  • May 2009: Permanent Endowment Fund: Blessing and Temptation
  • Apr. 2009: What Do People Want in Their Pastors?
  • Mar 2009: Going Into All the World: Church Website Basics
  • Feb 2009: Should Our Congregation Offer More Choices?
  • Jan. 2009: How to Identify Our Church's Unstated Assumptions