For decades, researchers have been studying the qualities that mark a maturing Christian faith. From the Search Institute’s early work in the 1980s to more recent insights from Barna Research, consist...  Read More

The first element of lifelong faith formation is establishing a clear vision of maturing in Christian faith. Faith is a gift from God, guided by the Holy Spirit, and formed over time in families, rela...  Read More

By Jim LaDoux Thriving congregations pay attention to the shifts taking place in life and ministry and find ways to successfully navigate their way toward a preferred future of being church in times o...  Read More

By Jim LaDoux In today's society, finding moments of rest and rejuvenation has become a luxury rather than a necessity. In his enlightening book, Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Bus...  Read More

By Jim LaDoux “Lectio,” it is often called, is an ancient practice of reading the Bible and praying. It is a practice that assumes God’s Holy Spirit inspires the Scriptures and that the Holy Spirit al...  Read More

By Dr. Nancy GoingDirector of Research & Resource DevelopmentIn 2017, Vibrant Faith began working with 24 churches from seven different denominations to help them embed and explore the theological ide...  Read More

A great way to pray is to look for God's presence in your life. More than 400 years ago, St. Ignatius of Loyola encouraged prayer-filled mindfulness by proposing what has been called the Daily Examen....  Read More

By Rev. Dr. Mark SlaughterVibrant Faith Coaching TeamEvery repetitive thing we do in life is in danger of a dulling descent into rote. And our ministry rhythms are not immune. Week after week we plan ...  Read More

By Jim LaDoux As leaders of churches, it is easy to get caught up in the day-to-day running of our congregations. We can become so focused on programs and initiatives that we forget to take a step bac...  Read More

“A Visioning Team is a small, cohesive group within an organization that provides leadership throughout the transformation process. It's guided by a capable leader who builds a positive, proactive tea...  Read More

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 ESVThe Sabbath moments of the soul are those brief glimpses we all have of unexpected wonder, unlooked for su...  Read More