Wednesday's Catch: 'Misogyny in Evangelicalism and the War on Empathy' And More

Misogyny in Evangelicalism and the War on Empathy
Does the church have a misogyny problem? Is feminization "ruining" culture? Is empathy actually dangerous? Russell Moore and David French discuss.

Watch the full interview: David French on Faith, Fear, and the Future of the Church

Mohler joins the war on empathy and takes on Hillary Clinton
Al Mohler doesn’t believe empathy is a real thing, but he does believe Hillary Clinton has ruined the idea of social justice.

Conservative influencers don't actually believe empathy is toxic
Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney just want to make sure you're empathizing with those they deem worthy of empathy.

Empathy
Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately....

How might we do justice and love kindness in times like these?
Burning the homes of your neighbors is not the Christianity Jesus taught.

After Synagogue Fire, Jackson Parish Supports Jewish Neighbors
“St. Philip’s has a long, loving, and collaborative relationship with Beth Israel,” the Rev. Les Hegwood told The Living Church. The current rector of St. Philip’s grew up about a mile from the parish and synagogue, and said that for generations, both “have gathered together, learned together, prayed with and for each other.”

Pope Leo faces crisis as a traditionalist group plans bishop consecrations without consent
Pope Leo XIV is facing his first major crisis with traditionalist Catholics, after a breakaway group attached to the traditional Latin Mass announced plans to consecrate new bishops without papal consent in a threatened revival of schism.

‘The Vanishing Church’ Makes The Case For Both Belief And Belonging
This may be the decade’s most important book on the state of American religion.

Scientists Have Found A New Human Sense And It's A Bit Mystical
It turns out that humans have a form of ‘remote touch’: the ability to sense objects without direct contact which is actually a sense that some animals have, such as sandpipers (a type of bird).

Delegation as a Tool for Leadership Development in the Local Church
Delegation is one of the most underutilized yet biblically grounded tools for leadership development in the local church.

10 Often Overlooked Questions Churches Should Ask Before Hiring Staff - Part 1
Most churches spend weeks crafting job descriptions and reviewing résumés. Very few ask the right questions.

Also See: 10 Often Overlooked Questions Churches Should Ask Before Hiring Staff - Part 2

How Did Churches Start Using Grape Juice for Communion?
Adriel Sanchez explains the surprising history behind the modern movement of churches using grape juice instead of wine for communion, and how it was spearheaded by Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch of Welch’s Grape Juice in the 1900s.

Let’s Stop Praying “in your name”
I generally steer clear from critiquing the personal prayer lives of other Christians. However, public prayer is a separate issue, and I’ve got a small bone to pick.

Children aren’t learning to speak properly. Parents are to blame
I suspect that this phenomenon is also affecting children's spiritual development.

8 Reasons Most Churches Do Not Do Outreach - Part 1 

In this episode of The Church Answers Podcast, Thom and Jess Rainer begin a two-part discussion on the widespread neglect of outreach in local churches. They unpack the foundational barriers that keep churches from obeying the Great Commission.

Also See: 8 Reasons Most Churches Do Not Do Outreach - Part 2

Tuesday's Catch: '7 Signs Your Church is Dying' And More

7 Signs Your Church is Dying
Is your church quietly slipping into decline?

Reports of persecution and church raids in Russian-occupied Ukraine
Russian authorities have continued to raid religious worship services in parts of eastern Ukraine, warning congregations that unregistered churches could face repeated disruption unless they comply with Russian law.

Some Considerations for Speaking Up
In times of public tragedy and social tension, church leaders are often left discerning whether and how to speak in faithful response. Recent events in Minnesota have sharpened these questions, prompting many leaders to search for answers. Lewis Center Director Jonathan Page offers five guiding principles for speaking with wisdom, humility, and conviction.

VOICES: 7 false teachings about Jesus and salvation
Dan Delzell identifies 7 false teachings that have kept people from trusting Christ alone and His sacrifice on the cross as the complete and perfect payment for their sins.

False Teachers: How to spot them, according to the New Testament
What does the New Testament actually say about who ‘false teachers’ are and what should be done about them?

Trading the Cross for a cause
We can let the good work of the church replace the good news of the church. We can become people who do good in Jesus’ name while drifting from the message that makes us Christian in the first place.

Lead Today—God Holds Tomorrow
Worry doesn’t change yesterday. It can’t control tomorrow. It only drains today.

Take a Tech Break
How many times do you grab your phone and check it – for anything – over the course of a day?

AI isn't making us smarter — it's training us to think backward, an innovation theorist says
Used as a partner, AI can enhance human thinking. Used as a shortcut, it can quietly weaken it.....

This might be the best age to give kids a phone — and reduce mental health risks
The right age to give a kid a phone remains a hotly contested debate, but a new study is making the case for a specific milestone age as risky for a child to get a phone.

5 Keys to a Faith That Carries Into the Next Generation
How children view their parents’ faith is significant. How can you increase the likelihood of passing your faith to the next generation?

Monday's Catch: 'Six Reasons Churches Experience the Doldrums' And More

Six Reasons Churches Experience the Doldrums
Thom Rainer identifies and explains six common reasons churches find themselves in the doldrums.

How Polarization Tore a Hole in America’s Mainline Churches
What happened to America’s religious moderates, and why does it matter to our country’s future?

VOICES: Jesus is not God,' says the billboard
Like me, you may have recently seen that a group who believe the earth is flat is publicly proclaiming through billboards around the country that Jesus isn’t God. No, I’m not making this up....

Also See: Man paints over heretical billboard to read 'Jesus is God' in viral video; Man Goes Viral for ‘Evandalism,’ Changing Billboard’s Message That ‘Jesus Is Not God’

Churches urged to be ready amid reports of growing Bible curiosity among young adults
A sharp rise in Bible sales and reports of growing spiritual curiosity among young adults in the UK has prompted calls for church leaders to be ready to respond.

Surveys showing Christian resurgence among young adults in UK may be 'misleading': Pew
Analysts claim surveys indicating a Christian resurgence among young adults in the UK may be misleading.

154 Bishops Call for End to ICE Raids
More than 150 bishops of the Episcopal Church urged the suspension of immigration raids in Minnesota and “any community where militarized enforcement has endangered residents or destroyed public trust.” They conveyed their message in “A Letter to Our Fellow Americans,” released as both a statement and a video on January 31, on the eve of the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, when the Old Testament reading was Micah 6:1-8.

For traditional Catholics, Charlotte Communion dispute is a battle line
The edict from Charlotte’s Catholic bishop came just before Christmas with a benign title: “Pastoral letter on norms for Holy Communion.” Bishop Michael Martin decreed parishioners could no longer use kneelers and altar rails during the sacrament. It was an effort to “foster unity,” Martin’s letter said, and make clear the modern way is standing for Communion.

There was nothing benign about the reaction.

The Christian Churches and the Nazis
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds Christians that they are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” (NRSVA) That “cloud” has continued to grow in size since then. In this monthly column we will be thinking about some of the people and events, over the past 2000 years, that have helped make up this “cloud.” People and events that have helped build the community of the Christian church as it exists today.

What Is the Trinity?
Addressing the Trinity is particularly critical today. Recalling these truths prepares you to help your church answer questions about God.

Why Pastoral Ministry Is Worth Pursuing Today
Paul’s defense of his ministry in 2 Corinthians 2:12–3:6 offers a much-needed corrective to our contemporary tendencies to either despise the pastoral office or measure it by worldly standards. He reminds us that those considering pastoral ministry must think neither too little nor too much of this calling. We must see it as God does.

Phones in the Pews: Threat or Discipleship Opportunity?
How can we shepherd our people to receive the preached Word with humility amid a culture where instant verification has become instinctive?

Bringing Scripture to Life
I do not want to hear another dull, lifeless reading of Holy Scripture in worship. If it is another mumbled reading from someone who obviously hasn’t practiced the reading, I find myself thinking: Oh, please! Not so fast. Please breathe!

Evidence grows that AI chatbots are Dunning-Kruger machines
If using an AI chatbot makes you feel smart, we have some bad news.

New Study Examines How Often AI Psychosis Actually Happens, and the Results Are Not Good
Yikes!

Experts growing worried about world in which AI takes your job and you have no way to provide for yourself
As the tech moguls talk a big game, financial experts are in a frenzy about AI coming for our jobs, thereby threatening to leave many of us without any way to make ends meet.

US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations
All vaccine recommendations are being reconsidered by the US’s vaccines committee, according to its top adviser, who in recent interviews slammed vaccination requirements for attending school and said vaccines should be taken on the advice of an individual’s doctor.

Also See: Florida Republicans advance bill to weaken vaccine protections for children

Don’t run 

I wonder what you think of on a Sunday straight after the Benediction. You have received by faith God’s declaration of blessing…then what?

Sundays at All Hallows (February 1, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. There are only two more Sundays of Epiphanytide remaining before the first day of Lent

This Sunday’s message is a meditation on Micah 6:8.

Readings: Micah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; and Matthew 5:1-12

Message: What Kind of Person Does God Want Us to Be?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-february-1-2026.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'SNAP will have new work requirements starting Feb. 1 and many could lose benefits' And More

"O brave new world
That has such people in it"
The Tempest

SNAP will have new work requirements starting Feb. 1 and many could lose benefits
"Millions of people will unnecessarily be kicked off the rolls," Joel Berg, CEO of the nonprofit Hunger Free America, told ABC News. "They will lose the food they need, and sometimes family members need. ... More Americans will go hungry. Soup kitchens and food pantries and the food banks that supply them will not have the resources to meet this need."

Thousands demonstrate in Minnesota and across US to protest ICE
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis and students across the United States staged walkouts on Friday to demand the withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.

Texas governor Abbott orders investigation after students stage ICE protest
Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the state’s education commissioner to investigate Austin Independent School District (AISD) after students joined a nationwide walkout protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Fremont student hit in apparent hit-and-run during student-led ICE demonstration
A driver hit a student during a student-led protest in Fremont on Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson with the Fremont Public Schools district said.

Also See: Fremont Police: Young driver found who hit protester with SUV flying Trump flag; County attorney weighing evidence in Fremont student protest pedestrian crash

Evangelicals divided over what faith demands as immigration tensions deepen
Evangelicals have long supported some US immigration reforms. But efforts to help have come under fire from those who view immigrants with suspicion.

Hundreds attend California church's workshop on responding to ICE raids

Approximately 800 people attended a workshop on responding to ICE raids at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California.

Also See: World Relief urges Trump admin. to stop policy of re-interviewing Biden-era refugees

Trump team’s secret meetings with group plotting to break up Canada exposed
“Very, very senior” officials in the Trump administration have had secret meetings with far-right Canadian separatists trying to shake the foundations of the country.

Also See: Canadians strike back on Trump as breakup plot emerges

Christian nationalism isn't limited to US, say scholars meeting in Chicago
A conference at the University of Chicago Divinity School will look at the tension between Christianity as a moral force and as a weapon for politics around the world.

Conservative denomination excommunicates pastor for supporting kinism, white supremacy
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America excommunicates Rev. Samuel Ketcham for advocating kinism.

7 Things Many Pastors Don’t Know About Unrelated Business Income
Unrelated business income tax (UBIT) is an income tax on the unrelated business income (UBI) of churches and other tax-exempt charities.

UBI generally is income from the operation of a trade or business that is regularly carried on.

Struggling with Prayer? Ask God for Help.
One of the most important things I’ve learned about growing in prayer is that the best place to start isn’t finding a new note-card system or journal—it’s admitting our struggle to God and asking him to help us pray.

"We're in the singularity": New AI platform skips the humans entirely
The tech world is agog (and creeped out) about Moltbook, a Reddit-style social network for AI agents to communicate with each other. No humans needed.

This cute AI-generated schoolgirl is a growing far-right meme At first glance, Amelia, with her purple bob and pixie-girl looks, seems an unlikely candidate for the far right to adopt as an increasingly popular meme.

Yet, for the past few weeks, memes and AI-generated videos featuring this fictional British teenager have proliferated across social media, especially on X. In them, Amelia parrots right-wing, often racist, talking points, connecting her celebration of stereotypical British culture with anti-migrant and Islamophobic tropes.

What South Carolina’s soaring measles outbreak means for the rest of the US
South Carolina is battling the country’s largest measles outbreak since the disease was eliminated from the United States more than a quarter century ago, with more than 840 cases overwhelmingly in unvaccinated children and adults.

Also See: US vaccine changes lead some parents to question other newborn care

Thousands quarantined after outbreak of 'pandemic potential' virus as WHO speaks out
The World Health Organization has finally addressed the global chaos caused by a rampant virus. The Nipah virus, which currently has no known vaccine, has prompted numerous Asian countries to bolster their border security.

Friday's Catch: 'How Churches Grow Without Gimmicks or Burnout' And More

How Churches Grow Without Gimmicks or Burnout
...churches do not thrive by running faster. They thrive by growing healthier.

The Church Number: 60% The Power of a Personal Invitation
A surprisingly high number of churchgoers attend because someone simply invited them. In this episode, Sam and Thom unpack why 60% might be the most overlooked and powerful number in church outreach today.

Where Do you See God at Work in Your Church?
Are there times when you struggle to sense God’s presence and power in your ministry?

How Trump’s Greenland threats amount to an implicit rejection of the legal principles of Nuremberg
The claim that national security can justify territorial acquisition marks a sharp break from the principles the US championed after World War II.

Which threatens American Christianity more: ICE or Cities Church protesters?
American Christians need a more robust sense of sacred connection to one another.

If I wasn’t Methodist, I might be Buddhist
My Methodist heart was 'strangely warmed' in the dead of winter in North Carolina by a stalwart group of Buddhist monks walking for peace.

Finding Satan: The Origins of the Evil One
n recent years, interest has resurged in the role of heavenly beings in the Bible, including the “backstory” of God’s adversary (variously known as the Devil, Satan, and the Evil One). Much of what is said and written alludes to a series of key Old Testament texts—but what do those passages actually say?

You're not the World's CEO
Pastors, especially those serving congregations in transition or decline, often believe—sometimes unconsciously - that they must be everything to everyone: preacher, teacher, administrator, counselor, fundraiser, visionary, community activist, custodian, and friend. The truth is that you are not the CEO of the world.

A Liturgical Theology of Preaching—When is the Sermon?
This is the second essay is a special series by the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings, Professor of Liturgics at Seminary of the Southwest. There will be eight installments in this series presented in intervals through the winter of 2026. A “round up” with links to all eight essays will be available in the spring.

How Much Church Tech Is Too Much
At what point does technology in worship stop serving the church and start shaping it?

Concerns raised over theological bias in AI Bible chatbots
Concerns about the theological influence of AI-powered Bible chatbots were raised at a conference held earlier this month and hosted by the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Divinity.

The conference followed the publication of new research by Bible Society into how artificial intelligence interprets Scripture.

Small Group Leader Burnout Is Real and It Is Preventable
Burnout is not a character flaw. It is often a leadership systems problem. And the good news is this. It is preventable.

Thursday's Catch: 'The Best Ways to Encourage a Discouraged Church' And More

The Best Ways to Encourage a Discouraged Church (Your Next Three Steps)
n this episode, Josh and Sam explore what happens when a church becomes discouraged and how God restores hope in a congregation that feels stuck, tired, or overwhelmed. Discouragement drains energy, distorts reality, and slowly turns a church inward. Encouragement is both spiritual and strategic. It starts with leaders who refuse to catastrophize and instead cast vision. Pessimists predict failure. Realists describe what is. But optimistic, faith-filled leaders show what could be.

Also See: Ten Practical Ways to Encourage a Discouraged Church

Burge’s Vanishing Church shows high costs of politicized churches
Ryan Burge, perhaps our top “quantitative scholar of American religion,” makes numbers speak, and in his latest book they tell the sad story of how politics trumped creed in evangelical churches, leaving “no place for moderates,” many of whom departed.

What Causes Some to Stay With Their Faith While Others Leave?
The churches that help their youngest attendees recognize the lifelong relevance of their faith will keep the next generation.

12 Theses on Church Buildings
I would have added to this list that the function of a building should determine its form and not the other way around.

What Is Arminianism? The History, Beliefs & Myths
Arminianism is controversial. Some devout and scholarly Protestant Christians firmly oppose it. Many have misunderstood it and even misrepresented it.

A Defense of Percy Dearmer and his ‘British Museum Religion’
It has become something of a sport, almost since his death in 1936, to accuse Percy Dearmer of fostering “British Museum religion.”

A Liturgical Theology of Preaching—What Is a Sermon?
This is the first essay is a special series by the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings, Professor of Liturgics at Seminary of the Southwest. There will be eight installments in this series presented in intervals through the winter of 2026. A “round up” with links to all eight essays will be available in the spring.

How to Derail a Bible Study
We’re vulnerable to being led astray by statements in other sources that have a Christian ring to them but lack a solid biblical foundation.

Preteen Ministry Tips for High-Impact Outreach
Preteen ministry tips help you understand these kids and serve them most effectively. Use these insights to reach tweens and preteens at your church.

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (January 29, 2026) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

This evening’s service is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Rosa Ann McGarr Crass who entered the nearer presence of God on January 18, 2026. Rosa was a longtime member of St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Benton, Kentucky and more recently a member of Christ Chapel (Anglican) in Fairdealing, Kentucky. She was a kind and generous soul who loved flowers and church music.

This evening’ message is a distillation of what J. C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool wrote about John 14:1-3 in his Expository Thoughts on John, an exposition on John’s Gospel, Like many of Bishop Ryle’s works it was written to be read aloud to a Sunday school class or other gathering.

Reading: John 14: 1-11

Message: In My Father’s House

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows-january_29.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you

Wednesday's Catch: ' Small Church Leadership: Serving as Both Watchman and Shepherd' And More

Small Church Leadership: Serving as Both Watchman and Shepherd
Small church leadership requires discernment to determine when and for how long a pastor should lead from the tower or the field.

Pew Research challenges claims of revival in the UK
Recent headlines suggesting a revival of Christianity among young adults in the UK may overstate the picture, according to a new analysis by the Pew Research Center, which says the evidence depends heavily on how surveys are conducted.

Sarah Mullally officially confirmed as Archbishop of Canterbury
Dame Sarah Mullally has been officially confirmed as the Archbishop of Canterbury in a special ceremony held at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Also See: Sarah Mullally confirmed as 106th archbishop of Canterbury

Lone Anglican church in Moscow suspends worship services
The only official Anglican congregation in Moscow, Russia, has suspended worship services amid a reported internal dispute over who controls the church.

US Catholic bishops make urgent pleas to rein in ICE after recent deaths
‘We ask — for the love of God and the love of human beings, which can’t be separated — vote against renewing funding for such a lawless organization,’ Cardinal Joseph Tobin said.

Now some Republicans are weary of Trump’s immigration plan
Even some Republicans are growing weary of President Donald Trump’s harsh campaign against immigrants, and Catholics are among those losing faith in the president, according to new polling from Navigator Research.

Church Leaders Show ‘Revolutionary Love’ After Minn. Shooting
Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and at least five bishops across the Episcopal Church released statements after a second deadly shooting occurred in Minnesota on January 24, killing Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse. In a bystander video, Pretti was seen in a confrontation with federal immigration officers before being pinned to the ground and shot in the back.

Also See: Episcopal priests share experiences protesting as immigration raids continue in Minnesota; Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe: Support emergency migration ministry

What Gen Z Deconstruction Is Teaching the Church Right Now
Deconstruction is often framed as rebellion. In many cases, it is something closer to grief. A generation is trying to reconcile inherited faith with lived experience, and the church is being invited into a moment of honest reckoning.

Preach for Action, Not Just Information
To expound a text requires a double task: exposition and exhortation.

Pope Leo XIV warns against unchecked use of AI, overly ‘affectionate’ chatbots
Pope Leo XIV has joined a growing list of influential voices warning against the unchecked use of artificial intelligence, as studies indicate rising global concern about the risks it poses to humanity, including privacy, jobs and security.

ChatGPT can embrace authoritarian ideas after just one prompt, researchers say 

Artificial intelligence chatbot ChatGPT can quickly absorb and reflect authoritarian ideas, according to a new report.

Neighborhood Ministry 101: Listening First, Serving Second, Speaking Clearly
If your church wants to serve its community well, the order matters. Listen first. Serve second. Speak clearly.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Quiet Quitting Church: When the Numbers Reveal Everything and Explain Nothing' And More

Quiet Quitting Church: When the Numbers Reveal Everything and Explain Nothing 

Ryan Burge calls it 'trying to put smoke in a box' — mapping religious decline when people can't explain their own choices and churches won't die on schedule.

Study finds ‘Quiet Revival’ report has boosted evangelicals’ confidence in sharing faith 

A new survey suggests that UK evangelicals are feeling more confident about speaking openly about their Christian faith, with the greatest impact seen among younger adults and black British Christians.

Winter storm prompts cancellations, online services as it brings precipitation to over half the country
A winter storm that spread snow, freezing rain and sleet across the United States from New Mexico to Maine prompted the cancellation of Sunday services, events and annual meetings for Episcopal churches in its path.

GSFA Primates Reaffirm Anglican Communion Ties
The primates of the Global South Fellowship of Anglican Churches (GSFA) reaffirmed their commitment to the Anglican Communion and worked on a strategic plan to become “an increasingly effective instrument for the reform of the Communion.” They met in Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles, on January 14-17.

Pastor in Mexico jailed, expelled for refusing to participate in Catholic ritual
Officials in a village in southern Mexico’s Oaxaca state detained for five days and then expelled a Protestant pastor for refusing to participate in Catholic church rituals, according to a U.K-based advocacy group.

Freshers' fair organisers back down after blocking church stall
A company that organises the freshers’ fair at Goldsmiths University has backed down from its decision to ban a church from the event, following an intervention by The Christian Institute.

Foreign aid cuts leave Gen Alpha increasingly exposed to leprosy, Christian aid charity warns
Children in some of the world’s poorest communities are facing a growing risk of leprosy, as reductions in overseas aid undermine efforts to detect and treat the disease, according to The Leprosy Mission Great Britain.

Varieties of Gifts: Applying Strategic Thinking in the Parish
Too often parishes try to decide what to do before they have discerned who they are becoming. The strategy must come first.

The 5 Myths of Church Building (and Why They Cost Churches Millions) - Part 1
Thom and Jess are joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this two-part series, we discuss the five myths of church building and why they cost churches millions.

Also See: The 5 Myths of Church Building (and Why They Cost Churches Millions) - Part 2

When ‘Equipping’ Isn’t Enough
“Equipping the saints” is vital for a church’s multiplication efforts. As we train future planters, pastors and missionaries to go from our churches—and frankly, as we train small group leaders, Sunday school teachers, deacons and every other role in our churches—we must transition our equipping efforts from being merely formative to being transformative.

The Art of Clear Teaching and Preaching
Murray Capill suggests nine things to work on if you want to be clear in your Bible teaching and preaching (whether that is a sermon, a Bible talk, a devotion, a lesson for kids, or any other ministry of the word).

J. C. Ryle was the first Bishop of Liverpool and a leading nineteenth century Evangelical in the Church of England.

How to Coach New Worship Leaders: A Repeatable Path from ‘Helper’ to ‘Leader’
If you want to train a worship leader, the process usually starts long before anyone hands them a microphone. It begins when a faithful helper shows up early, stays late, and quietly learns how ministry really works. Most churches don’t lack talent. They lack a clear pathway that turns willingness into leadership.

Making Sense of Praying With Faith
Few means of grace are so well known and yet so misunderstood as the “prayer of faith” or the act of “praying by faith.”

Why Volunteer Recruitment Requires Repetition
Volunteer recruitment is one of those tasks where repetition is key.

Following Jesus in the Age of Influencers
How can Christians leverage the power of digital tools to serve the purposes of God, not conform to the patterns of social media influencers?

Monday's Catch: 'Episcopal leaders call for action after latest federal killing of Minnesota resident' And More

Episcopal leaders call for action after latest federal killing of Minnesota resident
Episcopal leaders are amplifying widespread calls for the Trump administration to de-escalate its deployment of federal immigration authorities to American cities and for Congress to block new Homeland Security spending after those authorities on Jan. 24 killed a second U.S. citizen in three weeks in Minnesota.

Amateur video of the latest killing shows 37-year-old Alex Pretti using his cellphone camera to record federal agents patrolling a Minneapolis street. Those agents can be seen roughing up residents at the side of the street and attacking them and Pretti with pepper spray, then tackling Pretti to the ground and, seconds later, opening fire on him.

Also See: From Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe: Death and despair do not have the last word

Kristi Noem is a liar
Kristi Noem is a liar, but so is everyone else who keeps propping up the Liar in Chief.

I have written extensively for years about the corrosive effects of Donald Trump’s lies and how they are infecting entire populations of people and now the world order. And I have warned there are deadly consequences to these lies.

I am not alone. Many others — journalists and politicians and pastors — have issued similar warnings that have gone unheeded.

Murdoch paper tears into ICE Barbie and Miller after nurse killing
The Rupert Murdoch-owned Wall Street Journal blasted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller for trying to paint a Veterans Affairs nurse killed by ICE agents as a “domestic terrorist.”

The administration’s massive deployment of ICE agents to Minnesota has become “a moral and political debacle” for President Donald Trump after a second U.S. citizen, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, was shot and killed while trying to help a woman who had been pepper-sprayed by federal agents, the Journal’s editorial board wrote.

Trump’s favorite newspaper tears into his handling of nurse shooting
A typically sympathetic Murdoch‑owned outlet, the New York Post, broke from its usual stance to sharply criticize the Trump administration’s handling of the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis.

The day after the public execution of Alex Pretti
This is the world we’re living in now: The government puts out propaganda and attempts to destroy evidence to maintain its lies.

Alex Pretti tributes: colleagues, friends call death "cold-blooded murder"
Friends and colleagues have paid tribute to Alex Jeffrey Pretti after the 37-year-old was shot dead by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

Pretti, an ICU nurse and U.S. citizen, was shot and killed while attending a protest event on Saturday, January 24. His death has intensified tensions as ICE and other law enforcement agents carry out President Donald Trump‘s deportation operations in Minnesota. Now friends, colleagues and organizations associated with Pretti have taken to social media to pay tribute while also criticizing the Trump administration.

Maine Episcopalians respond to surge in immigration enforcement operations in the state
Episcopalians in the Portland-based Diocese of Maine joined thousands of faith leaders and pro-immigration advocates at rallies in Portland and Lewiston over the weekend to protest the recent surge in federal immigration authorities in the New England state.

Human warehouses should spark ‘fires of injustice’
U.S. society will be “consumed” by the “fires of injustice” if Americans remain silent about federal plans to hold huge numbers of immigrants in warehouses across the country, Rabbi Kimberly Herzog Cohen said during a clergy press conference in Dallas last Friday.

The Clergy League for Emergency Action and Response in Dallas-Fort Worth, or CLEARDFW, and Faith Commons held the livestreamed briefing Jan. 23 to decry the Trump administration’s increasingly violent immigration enforcement tactics and to generate opposition to its plans to store 9,500 human beings in a 1 million-square-foot warehouse located south of Dallas in Hutchins, Texas.

Be Willing to Learn from Gen-Z
Leslie Schumucker explains why 18,000 Gen Zers caused her to rethink her attitude toward them.

What Can Women’s Ministry Do to Address Young Adults Leaving the Church?
Both the young women who leave and those who stay voice similar needs that should anchor your women’s ministry activities.

Female Pastors: 7 Men You Should Watch Out For
Women in pastoral ministry navigate a complex landscape. They face questions about their authority, assumptions about their availability, and sometimes encounter men who confuse pastoral warmth with personal invitation. The challenges don’t always mirror what male pastors experience. They’re often different, sometimes more subtle, and occasionally more dangerous precisely because they’re unexpected.

Right Gear, Right Time
Buying tech gear for your church can be overwhelming, and with the new year upon us, you might have some hard decisions to make if you’re on a tight budget. Take heart, because any pastor worth their salt has been where you are.

The Biggest Tech Mistakes Churches Make with Volunteers
Helping someone run sound, slides, or livestreams can feel like trying to teach someone to swim by tossing them in the deep end. Church technology has amazing potential to strengthen community and extend your reach, but only when the people who serve are equipped, valued, and supported. If your volunteer experience mostly consists of crossed cables, confused faces, and quiet exits after service, you’re probably making some predictable missteps with your church tech volunteers. Let’s walk through the biggest ones and practical ways to fix them.

Ten Nonnegotiable Rules for Student Safety in Churches
Student ministry is often where rules about minors break down in the church. Student ministries don’t need fewer rules than children’s ministries. They need different rules. Though rebellion seems to be a rite of passage for many teenagers, they are far more receptive to guidance than you might think. Young people need leaders to shoot straight with them. About life. With biblical depth. We don’t need to wade in the shallows and soft peddle the Christian faith. Instead, we must shepherd our youth through the depths of Scripture and the valleys of life. Be clear and honest with them.

One sure way to confuse the younger generation is to set expectations and then not hold anyone accountable. A lack of transparency from adults is frustrating to teenagers. The younger generation tends to follow leaders who are transparent rather than distant or detached. And they want to know they’re not alone in their struggles. Consider the following best practices for building better student safety systems in our churches.

Could stained glass still have a role in modern-day mission?
When the Bible Society’s Quiet Revival report was published last year, the headlines rightly focussed on the numbers of young people being drawn to church.

But, within the report’s pages was another, perhaps surprising, finding. It was that one of the top three places for people with no religion, or non-practising Christians to encounter the Bible was while sightseeing in a cathedral or church.

This underlines the importance of churches making available good printed material and displays explaining the Christian gospel.

Yet it also may show the importance of a form of Christian communication that many modern-day evangelists may have ignored. The enduring appeal of stained glass.

Evangelism for Introverts: A Relational Approach That Doesn’t Feel Fake
If the phrase evangelism for introverts makes your stomach tighten, you are in good company. Many faithful believers love Jesus deeply but freeze at the idea of cold conversations, scripted pitches, or awkward door-to-door encounters. They want to share their faith, but they do not want to become someone they are not.

The good news is that the Bible never requires extroversion. It calls for faithfulness, love, and honest witness. Evangelism does not have to feel loud to be effective. It can be quiet, relational, and deeply authentic.

Sundays at All Hallows (January 25, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Third Sunday after the Epiphany. Here in western Kentucky, it is snowing and it is expected to keep snowing throughout the night. Churches in the region have cancelled their Sunday services due to the severe weather. An extreme cold warning has been posted for Monday.

The topic of this Sunday’s message is Peter, the Galilean fisherman whom Jesus called to be an apostle and made a fisher of people.

Readings: Isaiah 9:1-4; 1 Corinthians 1:10-18; and Matthew 4:12-25

Message: Pursued by God’s Love

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-january-25-2026.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'ICE raids turn life into a daily terror for Minneapolis schoolkids" And More

ICE raids turn life into a daily terror for Minneapolis schoolkids: 'This is a generational trauma'
In south Minneapolis, a special education student logged on for their online class from the basement. They were hiding because immigration agents were banging at the door.

A second grader started having a panic attack in the middle of art class because agents had arrested his dad. His teacher had to ask a colleague to watch the other students, bring him outside, and hold him for half an hour to help calm him.

Also See: ICE detains four Minnesota children including five-year-old, school officials say; Minneapolis residents shelter immigrant children separated from parents and sought by federal agents

Are we OK with children going missing?
A child was taken. Taken from routine. Taken from familiarity. Taken from the quiet assumptions that adults would keep him safe.

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, moved across state lines, shipped to Texas and placed into a system that does not know his favorite color, his bedtime ritual or the sound of his parents’ voice when he is afraid.

This is not an unfortunate side effect. It is the cost of a system we have learned to tolerate. And here is the question Christians on both sides of the aisle must stop dodging: Are we OK with children going missing?

Inside the effort to organize clergy nationwide to resist ICE
Hundreds of clergy from around the country gathered in Minneapolis to learn from Minnesota faith leaders how to protest against ICE enforcement. Then they took to the streets and helped block the city's airport.

Also See: On the ground in Minneapolis: It’s an occupation; Hundreds of clergy descend on Minneapolis and go on lookout for ICE

One year after she urged Trump to have mercy, Bishop Budde leads clergy protests in Minneapolis
'I don't think a year ago we could have fathomed how quickly and how dramatically this country would change,' Budde told RNS in Minneapolis.

Also See: Episcopal clergy travel to Minneapolis to march in ‘ICE Out of Minnesota’ day of action

'Human rights emergency' a year into Trump's term, Amnesty warns
The human rights organization's report listed 12 'alarm bells' of the administration’s practices a year since Donald Trump began his second term.

Also See: ICE officers rounding up legally resettled refugees in Minnesota; Border czar Tom Homan says US citizens can be detained on ‘reasonable suspicion’

MN sociologist: Careful who you blame for ICE tensions
Republicans who back the operation have said it's community members who are making things dangerous. However, Minneapolis-based sociologist Nicole Bedera said research shows the opposite.

"And the reality is that things like 'ICE Watch' and mutual aid are de-escalation tactics – that they are ways of reducing violence," she said, "and that even though they do come with some risk, those risks are minimal in comparison to the risk of doing nothing."

Calls to defund ICE go unheeded in House vote
A coalition of civil and human rights organizations is demanding members of Congress oppose legislation that would boost the scope and cruelty of President Donald Trump’s immigration detention and deportation programs.

Nevertheless, that funding passed the House of Representatives Jan. 22 as seven Democrats joined Republicans to support the measure opposed by all other Democrats.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., and his top leaders joined rank-and-file Democrats in voting no on the DHS funding bill, saying it lacked guardrails and accountability for ICE.

Why evangelical Christians need to start talking about immigration reform
Evangelicals are not anti-immigration; they are anti-chaos and anti-disorder.

Friday's Catch: 'Setting—and Reaching—God-Honoring Goals' And More

Setting—and Reaching—God-Honoring Goals (Part One)
Research shows something surprising: Most people don’t struggle with accomplishing goals; they struggle with setting them in the first place.

Also See: Setting—and Reaching—God-Honoring Goals (Part Two)

‘Crazy Lorenzo’ joins other fictional Methodists
A new novel, “The Deliverance of Barker McRae,” is set in the world of circuit preaching in the early 19th century. The author of the book is Stacia Pelletier, a graduate of United Methodist-related Candler School of Theology at Emory University. The fictional character Lorenzo McRae is based on real-life evangelist Lorenzo Dow, who was rejected by the Methodist church for ordination because of his appearance and speaking.

Also See: Lorenzo Dow’s ‘crazy’ life

Review: The Lectionary of 1662
Isaac Rehberg reviews The Lectionary of 1662, a eucharistic lectionary designed to introduce the historic one-year lectionary to congregations who are accustomed to the modern three-year lectionary and to provide Psalms and Old Testament lessons to those who already use the historic one-year lectionary.

Finally! Seminary Training for Co-vocational Church Leaders: An Interview with Andy Miller 

Thom and Jess interview Dr. Andy Miller, the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, about seminary training for co-vocational church leaders.

Also See: From Near Closure to Incredible Growth: The Story of Wesley Biblical Seminary – An Interview with Andy Miller

From Performance to Pastoral: Lead Worship Like You Actually Shepherd People
The deeper calling of anyone who wants to lead worship is not to produce a flawless set. It is to guide real people toward real engagement with God. That shift from performance to pastoral leadership changes everything about how you prepare, how you lead, and how you measure success.

Also See: Leading Worship Is Worship

We Don’t Sing for Fun
Singing is serious business! It is as serious as preaching and prayer and communion.

How we plan the songs for our Sunday morning worship services
This video shows the process of how we select the songs and plan the worship sets for our Sunday morning church services. In fact, through a few time-lapse videos, you get to see the actual process from start to finish. We start by listing a bunch of potential songs to use over the next few weeks, then using a dry erase board we begin selecting songs and trying to create a flow for each service.

Also See: How to introduce new worship songs to your church congregation; 5 tips to find new worship songs for your church services; and How often should I reuse songs in my worship sets

How to Lead a Small Group When No One Does the Reading
Ever opened a small group to expect a lively conversation about the week’s passage only to be met with blank stares and shaky “umms”? You’re not alone. Facilitating rich dialogue when no one has done the reading feels like trying to start a campfire with wet wood—but it’s possible. These small group discussion tips will help you shepherd the conversation forward without shaming anyone, building trust and engagement even when people come unprepared.

Winter Retreat Planning Tips for Youth Ministry
This article provides practical insights to help you plan, promote, and pull off a winter retreat that changes lives.

From a San Antonio Sidewalk, a Congregation Blooms
Every Saturday morning near a sidewalk in San Antonio’s historic Monte Vista district, scores of people gather for an 8:30 a.m. Eucharist celebrated by clergy from Christ Episcopal Church. On average, 60 to 70 people receive Communion. The Rev. Justin Lindstrom, the church’s associate rector for community formation, has helped lead the outreach event called Sidewalk Saturday for over seven years.

Thursday' Catch: "Ryan Burge on ‘The Vanishing Church’ and how polarization is reshaping American faith" Andd Mre

Ryan Burge on ‘The Vanishing Church’ and how polarization is reshaping American faith
Social scientist Ryan Burge discusses what polarization means for congregations, community life and the American civic landscape.

Republican politics is killing the modern-day church: analysis
Over the years, traditional religious practice has declined in both the United States and globally, according to one political scientist.

Speaking to The New York Times' "Interesting Times" podcast, Ryan Burge, an ordained Christian minister who became a professor, analyzed data trends for his new book, "The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us."

Young adults driving renewed interest in Christianity, research finds
A new set of supplemental reports from the Evangelical Alliance suggests that young adults are emerging as a significant group among those coming to Christian faith in the UK, with authenticity, Scripture and community proving decisive factors in their journeys.

The findings form part of the wider Finding Jesus research project published last year, which surveyed 280 adults who became Christians within the past five years.

Middle East Christians warn rapid growth in faith is outpacing discipleship support
Christian leaders working across the Middle East say a surge in spiritual openness is leading thousands to explore faith in Jesus, but warn that a lack of local discipleship structures risks leaving many new believers unsupported.

Speaking to Church Mission Society (CMS), regional Christian leaders described unprecedented levels of spiritual searching, emerging from years of war, displacement, political instability and global upheaval.

It Takes Everyone
Recently Lifeway Research released the 2025 Rural Churches Today study that not only documents many helpful descriptions of rural ministry, but also raises good questions about ministry anywhere. This comprehensive survey of over 1,000 pastors serving rural areas and towns with populations under 10,000 was co-sponsored by the Rural Church Institute at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, the Rural Home Missionary Association, and the Center for Rural Ministry at Grove City College.

One of the important elements the survey uncovered is how these pastors feel about the work of ministry in the local church and who is doing it.

How to Deal with a Censorious Spirit
The title of this column is deliberately vague. By dealing with a censorious spirit, I mean both watching out for the temptation to adopt this posture toward others and knowing how to respond to people who adopt this posture toward us.

What psychologists have labeled the "negativity bias" or "negativity affect" may encourage us to adopt this posture toward others.

5 Ministry Game-Changers for Building a Team-Based Leadership Approach
Even the strongest pastor can’t do it alone. Moses had Aaron and Hur, Jesus sent disciples in pairs, and Paul never went solo. Yet too many churches still rely on a single leader. Kim Jenne gives us five practical ways to build a culture of shared, team-based ministry—and empower your congregation to step into their God-given calling.

What Kind of Sermon Did I Just Preach? The 5-Axis Audit
Why do we preach the kind of sermons we preach? Are we mere products of our environment, adopting whatever is trending?

Why Bible Reading Plans Fail (and What We Can Do About It)
How can we lead our churches to find success in following Bible reading plans that help them spend time in God’s Word in a meaningful way?

Preparing the Heart for Prayer
There is a wrong way to pray, and there is a right way to pray.

Give the Mic Away: The Team-Based Shift That Grows Faithful Youth
What is the key to a vibrant, growing youth ministry? Many churches assume it’s finding the right youth director and offering programming so entertaining it can compete with every other option in a teenager’s life. But Laura Heikes shares how youth ministry in her congregation has grown in a different way—not by doing more for young people, but by choosing to do ministry with them.

A Spiritual Warfare Reason that Evangelism is Hard
Evangelism is hard for most believers. Sometimes fear stops them from speaking the good news. Most believers have no strongly evangelistic role models. Many have never been trained in evangelism in the first place. Frankly, some Christians are also simply apathetic about the lost. In this post, though, I want to talk about another hindrance to evangelism we seldom consider: a supernatural enemy who fights against us.

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (January 22, 2026) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

In the United States truth is becoming a scarce commodity due to a variety of reasons. This makes what Jesus teaches on the matter more important than ever for Christians. The topic of this evening’s message is Jesus’ teaching about lying and deceitfulness.

Reading: Matthew 5: 33-37

Message: “Let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes and your ‘no’ be ‘no’.”

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows-january_22.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Rethinking Church Growth' And More

Rethinking Church Growth
Why are ministry leaders rethinking church growth? And how can gospel-centered principles cultivate faithful, lasting growth in churches?

Want to Reach The Next Generation? The New Rules of Cultural Influence with Ruslan KD
YouTuber Ruslan KD sits down to explain that ambiguity from preachers on cultural issues is costing them more than they think. The next generation is looking to the church for what to think and how to think. In this episode, we do a deep dive into how the next generation is leveraging YouTube and social media to preach the Gospel.

How Big is the God Gap on College Campuses?
New data from over 68,000 college students reveals how faith still shapes political identity.

From Online Attender to Disciple: The Next Step Churches Keep Missing
Many churches are grateful for online engagement, but quietly frustrated by what comes next. You stream services, post clips, host online prayer, and still wonder why viewers are not becoming disciples. Digital discipleship is often discussed as a strategy problem, when it is really a formation problem.

The gap is not technology. The gap is intentional next steps. Churches have gotten good at gathering online attenders and far less clear about how those attenders are invited into a shaped, accountable life of following Jesus.

Minnesota Church Responds to Immigrants’ Fears 

On January 19, for the first time in almost 20 years, no immigrants of color attended the worship service at Messiah Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. “Not one of Messiah’s African nor Southeast Asian members was willing to risk coming in person,” said the Rev. David Langille, the parish’s rector.

The congregation averages 157 people on Sundays, and usually around 40 of these—sometimes more—are people of color.

Immigration officers assert sweeping power to enter homes without a judge's warrant, memo says
Federal immigration officers are asserting sweeping power to forcibly enter people’s homes without a judge’s warrant, according to an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement memo obtained by The Associated Press, marking a sharp reversal of longstanding guidance meant to respect constitutional limits on government searches.

Leaked Trump admin doc shows DHS considers Americans the nation's main threat
America faces significant threats to our nation's infrastructure from hostile actors like Russia, China, and others. But a leaked security threats assessment from President Donald Trump's administration says the greatest threat America faces is within its own borders, according to a new report.

Faith leaders call for end to ICE aggression in communities  

The tactics of masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents hunting down people of color evokes memories of the oppression Black Americans have faced throughout U.S. history, said Boise Kimber, president of the National Baptist Convention USA.

Cities Church in Minnesota is considering legal options after anti-ICE protest
Southern Baptist leaders say the protest was a violation of religious freedom and called on federal officials to protect churches.

Let’s talk about how Cities Church treats women
While those who lean toward the left have a variety of takes on the protest, conservatives are playing the persecution card by casting the pastors of Cities Church as poor, faithful victims.

Survey: Catholicism continues sharp decline in Latin America
The survey found the religiously unaffiliated nearly doubled or saw even larger gains in every country.

Deacons included in new Episcopal, ELCA clergy exchange guidelines
Marking a quarter-century of full-communion partnership, The Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) now welcome the exchange of deacons in updated clergy exchange guidelines.

Local historic landmarks aid emotional stability and wellbeing
A new report has suggested that churches and other local historic buildings can improve general wellbeing and provide people with emotional stability.

How to be an extraordinary Christian during Ordinary Time
During Ordinary Time, the church invites us to immerse ourselves in the Scriptures from both the Old and New Testaments.