Susan Nienaber Congregational Consulting Group

What it Takes to Be a Vital Church

From our experience with a wide variety of congregations that have revitalized their ministries in many ways, we see six practices at the core of vital churches.

Revitalization, in a Pastor’s Own Words

by Susan Nienaber

What is the secret of revitalizing a congregation? One pastor’s answer, found at the Big Tent Revival.

What I No Longer Believe about Congregations

by Susan Nienaber

Susan Nienaber
For most of my consulting practice, I “held certain truths to be self-evident.” I used to believe, for instance, that many congregations had declined so far they could not possibly revitalize—but I have changed my mind.

What It Takes to Revitalize the Mainline

by Susan Nienaber

with Bishop Bruce Ough

It is possible to revitalize our mainline congregations and denominational structures. And it is happening all around us, in spite of the numerous challenges we are still facing. It’s true that we are still challenged by an aging population in our mainline churches, fewer younger clergy, seasoned clergy who are struggling to learn new skills and ways of being because what worked at the beginning of their ministries is not working now and recovering from several decades of despair and exhaustion. Despite these challenges, we are bold to say that we now know what works.

Creating a New Image for Our Congregations

by Susan Nienaber

I confess that I’m not much of a professional sports fan. However, I do watch the Super Bowl mainly to socialize with friends and to watch the commercials and the halftime show. Did you notice how different the commercials were this year? Many of them featured cute animals, positive self-esteem, values, relationships and sensitive dads. Given all of the scandals in the NFL this past year I wondered if we were seeing the softer side of the NFL. It was astonishing.

Why All God’s Children Need to Plant New Spiritual Communities

by Susan Nienaber

One of the greatest joys of my new role as District Superintendent (and part-time congregational consultant) is that I am learning so many new and exciting things. In recent years my denomination has placed a strong emphasis on starting new churches. Clearly, congregations that are growing in vitality are the ones who best engage their immediate communities and this is the essence of what a new church start is all about.

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