THRIVING CHURCHES tells the story of two United Church ministers who travelled across Canada visiting flourishing United Churches to uncover the reasons for their success. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd, minister at Westworth United Church in Winnipeg, visited urban churches, and Tammy Allan, minister at Olds-Sundre Pastoral Charge, Alberta, visited rural churches. They found these churches shared a number of features that helped them not only survive but also thrive through challenging times. Filled with concrete examples from congregations of all sizes, this book will inspire. Also included is an eight-session study guide on spiritual attributes of thriving churches.

The Rev. Dr. Loraine MacKenzie Shepherd has served rural and urban United Churches in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario for 30 years. She has taught courses in biblical interpretation, United Church theology and history, and social activism at the University of Winnipeg, United Theological College in Montreal, and Sandy-Saulteaux Spiritual Centre. Shepherd is the author of numerous articles, chapters, and books.

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