Sparking new life in Christian communities
Imagine walking into a church nursery and hearing seven little voices and their parents singing. “Today is the day for singing hello, singing hello, singing hello,” they trill. You see and hear the enthusiasm of the toddlers and preschoolers as they do accompanying motions.… Read the rest
You asked, we listened.
And we’re excited to announce that Sparkhouse Digital will be here on Tuesday, July 10. In creating a new digital platform, our goal was to offer a tool that offers you more resources to develop a program that fits your context.… Read the rest
This is the first blog post in a series offering support to ministry leaders as they support those in their congregations while they grieve. Our next blog post in this series will be published on July 19.
Death and loss are sad facts of life, but those involved in general ministry in their churches are often on the front lines of offering comfort.… Read the rest
Next week, one of the biggest youth events of the year is happening: ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston! If you are attending, you know that – after all, by now you’ve already had countless prep meetings, phone calls with parents, and potentially… a few low-grade migraines.… Read the rest
I have had many joys over my fatherhood and now, grandfatherhood. For all these manifold graces, I give thanks:
For camping trips across much of the lower 48 states and the Canadian Rockies.
For sailing adventures in the upper Great Lakes on my parent’s sailboat.… Read the rest
Your church nursery is more than a room for babies. It’s a sanctuary. One where every infant and toddler who enters should feel safe and secure. Likewise, parents should feel secure leaving their children in the hands of your capable church nursery caregivers.… Read the rest
No matter the time of year, there’s one thing that never goes out of style: books! Following along with your favorite character’s adventures can take you to new places—and even open your mind to different ideas than you’ve experienced before.
For our preschoolers, reading aloud and sharing stories offers several benefits to their development and even, future reading ability.… Read the rest
Teaching faith to others can feel overwhelming—after all, how can you help guide someone in their faith when you are continually discovering about your own? With these five tips, you’ll be well on your way to helping others uncover their own faith journeys.… Read the rest
For many small groups, it can be difficult to open up and talk about difficult topics. Participants can feel overwhelmed, embarrassed, or shy to express their thoughts. Some will get too comfortable to share opinions to the point where feelings get unintendedly hurt.… Read the rest
As we get ready to head to Houston in a few weeks for this year’s ELCA Youth Gathering, we knew that the best perspective for what to expect for the event would best be shared by other youth workers! Check out what other leaders are excited to experience, and what they are looking forward to most for this year’s Gathering!… Read the rest