As you head into 2025, what trends should you pay attention to as a church leader?
More Evidence Christianity Is No Longer in Decline
The decline of Christianity in the U.S. is currently paused, but the future trajectory will begin trending downward again if nothing changes.
PRRI: Growth of the religiously unaffiliated is slowing
The growth of the “nones” may have decelerated but has not stopped, according to a new study by Public Religion Research Institute.
Meet Gen Alpha
Generation Alpha, those born after 2010, is a cohort growing up in a world unlike any other. If you haven’t spent much time around preteens lately, it’s easy to form preconceived notions about their experiences and challenges. The Generation Alpha Report, completed by our research team, surveyed more than 450 young people in the U.S. between the ages of 11–13. If you unpack the report, you may be surprised or affirmed in your initial opinions about this age group.
South African bishop thanks Episcopal leader for declining to resettle white Afrikaners
‘Our government implements affirmative action on the lines of that in the United States, designed not to discriminate against whites but to overcome the historic disadvantages Black South Africans have suffered,’ the Most Rev. Thabo Makgoba wrote.
Related: Southern Africa archbishop thanks Episcopal Church for opposing Trump’s selective refugee resettlementUMC Partner Urges Administration to Resettle All Refugees
Church World Service, the United Methodist Church's partner in refugee assistant, expressed deep concern over news that the Trump Administration will admit Afrikaners and other racial minorities from South Africa to the United States as refugees, while simultaneously delaying compliance with court orders to resume the life-saving refugee resettlement program. In Pacito v. Trump, the U.S. Government was ordered to process and provide resettlement support to approximately 12,000 refugees who were conditionally approved and had travel scheduled before January 20.
Thousands voice support for New Jersey Episcopal church against town’s plan to seize its land
Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River and the Diocese of New Jersey are ramping up efforts to defend the church against the mayor’s effort to seize its 11-acre property downtown and turn it into a park.
Here’s the back story on the 26 people Trump named to Religious Liberty Commission advisory boards
A Southern Baptist megachurch pastor and a controversial Baylor University professor are among 26 people named by President Donald Trump to serve on three advisory boards of his Religious Liberty Commission.
Calvin Robinson, dismissed for Nazi-like salute, has priestly license rescinded, again
Related: Calvin Robinson stripped of license in Reformed Episcopal Church after 9 daysDon’t Let the ‘Friend-Enemy Distinction’ Derail Your Faith
At the heart of the friend-enemy distinction is the way we view our political opponents. Christians have traditionally appealed to Jesus to answer the question “Who is my neighbor?” In contrast, the Dissident Right increasingly turns to Schmitt to answer a different question: “Who is my enemy?”
If Small Churches Are Essential, Why Are We Not Fulfilling Our Potential?
Small churches are vibrant, active participants in the current work God is doing in the world. We want to do better. We can do better. We will do better. But we can’t do it alone.
Shouldn’t Every Church Try To Grow? (The Quick Answer Is “No”)
Nowhere did Jesus, Paul, or any of the disciples even hint that striving for greater numbers should be a goal of Jesus’ followers.
It is difficult for a body of believers with limited resources to begin to tackle all of the unique situations that could come through the doors of the local church. Some describe American culture as postmodern, post-Christian, and post-family. Therefore, the people showing up at our churches have limited resources and significant needs. Where do we start?
Letting Go of This Pastor and Preparing for the Next
Church consultant Susan Beaumont shares four leadership practices that can help a congregation prepare when their pastor is getting ready to leave. Approaching the situation honestly and communicating openly can help a church understand that times of loss, experienced openly and fully, lead into times of promise.