Atlantic Northeast hosts ‘Better with Less’ workshop to help churches thrive without fulltime clergy

By Marianne Fitzkee

The Atlantic Northeast District Ministry Commission will host “Better with Less,” a three-hour online workshop designed to help congregations thrive without fulltime clergy. The event will be held Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern time) via Zoom.

Open to all Church of the Brethren ministers and laity, the workshop will explore how part-time ministry models can strengthen congregational vitality, empower lay leadership, and re-imagine ministry for today’s realities.

The featured presenter is G. Jeffrey MacDonald, award-winning religion reporter, United Church of Christ pastor, and author of Part-Time Is Plenty: Thriving without Full-Time Clergy. Drawing from research, case studies, and real-world experience, MacDonald will guide participants through three interactive sessions:

• Vitality Through Empowerment – Explore research on the benefits of part-time ministry and hear stories of congregations flourishing with part-time ministry models.
• Changing Mindsets – Identify barriers to vitality in your own church setting and learn how to mobilize spiritual gifts within your congregation.
• Let’s Workshop It – Apply practical strategies to real congregational scenarios and gain tools to take back to your church.

MacDonald’s reporting has appeared in USA Today, The Christian Science Monitor, The Boston Globe, and The Living Church. He currently serves part-time as designated pastor of First Congregational Church of Rowley, Mass., and leads workshops across the United States and Canada on sustainable ministry models.

This event is presented in partnership with the Church of the Brethren’s Part-Time Pastor; Full-Time Church program and the Susquehanna Valley Ministry Center (SVMC).