About the Congregational Resource Guide

The Alban Institute and the Indianapolis Center for Congregations have prepared this Internet-based guide to help congregational leaders connect with resources that will enable them to face challenges and foster vitality in their communities of faith.

Many resources are available to congregations, but it can be difficult to know which ones will be most helpful. For this reason, the Congregational Resource Guide is selective, listing resources that people who work with congregations have told us are the best available. Some Alban Institute books are included, of course, but many listings comes from other resource providers.

The types of information organized in the annotated guide include:

• Books, articles, periodicals, guides, and other printed materials

• Internet resources

• Audio and video resources

• Companies, agencies, and organizations

• Community and civic groups

Entries are substantively annotated to help you determine whether a resource would assist you. We have tried to capture the point of view of the author or creator of the resource, show how that perspective is explored in the resource, and identify when, where, and to whom the resource would be most helpful.

We have also endeavored to create a guide that addresses the resource needs of faith communities in general, and we provide resources specific to Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish congregations, as well as many that are not directed to any particular theological tradition. We are beginning to explore resources for and from other traditions that are growing in America—Islam and Buddhism for example. However, because the Alban Institute has worked intensively with mainline Protestant congregations over its more than twenty-five years, a large portion of the resources listed are directed to approaches that have been found useful in that setting.

How the Congregational Resource Guide Is Organized

Categories: The guide is organized into ten main categories, from Administration through Worship (listed in the menu near the top of the screen). Within each category you'll find subcategories, some of which are further subdivided. (Click on our site map for a full listing.) This organizational scheme allows you to browse through the resources listed on a particular subject area. Resources that address more than one subject area are listed in both places.

When you click on one of the main categories, you will find resources listed in the main window. You'll also see tabs down the left side, showing the names of the subcategory topics. Click on one of the tabs to find the resources for that topic. If that subcategory has any further divisions, a drop-down list of those topics will appear when you click on the subcategory name.

Resources: In addition, resources are classified as "resources" and "in-depth" resources. We have attempted to limit each category or subcategory to four or five "basic" resources—those that have been shown to be particularly useful (especially for those new to a topic). We've classified the remaining resources as "in-depth" resources, which will prove particularly helpful in certain circumstances (especially for those seeking to deepen their understanding of a topic).

How to Search the Congregational Resource Guide

In addition to browsing the subject categories in the guide, you can search for particular terms. The search box is located on the home page. Simply enter words that you want to locate and the guide will search the resource titles, annotations, and hidden index terms for matches. The search engine uses an implied "AND," so by adding more words, you will limit your search to resources that contain all of the words.

Search results include the full annotated resource listing. In addition, the results contain clickable links to the categories that contain the resources. You can click on a link to explore the resources that address topics similar to those that were returned by you search.

How You Can Contribute to the Congregational Resource Guide

We hope that the guide will be a place where users can connect with each other by posting comments about the resources we list or about others they have found helpful. Each resource has a link to a form where you can tell us about your own experiences with the resource or recommend others that should be considered for inclusion. These comments will be posted with the resource after they have been reviewed and prepared for posting. We believe that these comments will be most helpful and encourage you to add your voice to the guide.

We will be adding new resources continually. While constant changes in both available resources and Internet technology will keep this site always in process, we hope you will find the guide helpful in your work and life.

— The Congregational Resource Guide Team