Alban at Duke Divinity School

10/15/2026

Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Serving Neighbors Initiative invites concept papers for collaborations between Christian congregations and nonprofits addressing community needs. Approximately 60 organizations may receive planning grants up to $50,000; implementation grants may reach $5 million. Submit concept papers by January 19, 2027. Explore guidelines on the Serving Neighbors webpage:

Through this initiative, the Endowment anticipates awarding grants of up to $5 million each to up to 60 charitable organizations to develop and implement programs that advance the aims stated above and the four objectives outlined in the Request for Concept Papers. Funding Opportunities Lilly Endowm...

10/12/2026

We must not try to hold on to everything.

Jakob Owens / Unsplash The rich young ruler had a big problem: He loved what he possessed so much that he could not let it go and follow Jesus. As a result of his clinging, he walked away sad (Matthew 19:22).  Think of all the wonderful things he missed by holding on so tightly to what he had. Just...

09/22/2026

What unexamined assumptions do our congregations hold?

Khyati Trehan for Google DeepMind / Unsplash How do congregations work? What factors influence the way a congregation solves problems? The answers to these questions are rooted in the concept of mental models. Mental models are assumptions or deeply held beliefs that influence how we think and perce...

09/14/2026

Seminaries don’t teach you how to plan meetings, but how you run them matters.

Mapbox / Unsplash As church leaders, we convene a lot of meetings. Unfortunately, however, most of us are not trained in how to organize and manage meetings so that they keep everyone engaged and purposefully move the church’s mission forward. Seminaries do not typically offer courses in how to pl...

09/08/2026

Congregations are never conflict-free, so it's essential for leaders to learn how to respond well

Arisa Chattasa / Unsplash People often seem surprised by congregational conflict. But when was the last time you read the New Testament?  Take 1 Corinthians. The Corinthian community was divided over its loyalties to different leaders. Members disagreed about the authenticity of Paul’s apostleshi...

08/31/2026

“Generosity” shouldn’t be limited to meeting the church’s operational budget.

G + L / Unsplash As congregational leaders, we often think about giving and generosity — or at least, we should. Congregations have mortgage payments to make and payrolls to meet, and we need money to fulfill these obligations. We need people to give generously. For some pastors, however, talking ...

08/24/2026

Leaders are at risk of confusing commitment with over-functioning. https://alban.org/2026/08/24/the-danger-of-heroic-leadership/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=alban_facebook

08/03/2026

Good stories are the lifeblood of great leadership.

Joyce Hankins / Unsplash This summer, families will gather in groups large and small for reunions and vacations. Eventually, after a satisfying meal, someone will say, “Do you all remember when…?” That’s the beginning of a story everyone probably knows — yet it will be retold, and people w...

07/27/2026

Delegation requires both humility and discernment

Rodeo Project Management Software / Unsplash Good leaders are often rewarded for their efforts with the opportunity to take on more responsibility. When they learn to excel at those additional responsibilities, they receive more opportunities to do more good work. This positive feedback loop generat...

07/21/2026

Am I laboring at something permanent and enduring? https://alban.org/2026/07/20/graveyard-wisdom/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=alban_facebook

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Image from A. Trevor Sutton Prince is away this week, but will be back in your inbox next Monday, July 27. This week’s guest contributor is the Rev. Dr. A. Trevor Sutton, who serves as the senior pastor of St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lansing, Michigan. His newest book is “Between Hurry and Heave...