Sundays at All Hallows (March 8, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Lent. The topic of this Sunday’s message is Jesus’ teaching about worshiping God.

Readings: Exodus 17: 1-7, Romans 5: 1-11, and John 4: 5-42

Message: What Did Jesus Teach about Worshiping God?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/03/sundays-at-all-hallows-march-8-2026.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: '''A lie from the pit of hell': Episcopal leaders push back on rumors of fatal decline" And More

'A lie from the pit of hell': Episcopal leaders push back on rumors of fatal decline
More than 850 Episcopal Church leaders gathered in Charlotte to talk about the future of the church and what the denomination still has to offer.

Orthodox Anglicans pursue path of 'principled disengagement' from Canterbury-led Communion
The Gafcon movement has declared itself to be the true Anglican Communion as it continues its shift away from the historic instruments of communion under the spiritual leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In the Abuja Affirmation, issued at the end of a weeklong meeting in the Nigerian capital, Gafcon Chair Archbishop Laurent Mbanda said that recent Archbishops of Canterbury "have failed to guard the faith" and that the "moral and spiritual authority of the Seat of Augustine" has been "severely compromised" by their embrace of same-sex blessings.

Also See: Conservative Anglican bishops seek 'disengagement' from Canterbury without naming rival leader

GAFCON G26: The Abuja Affirmation
Here is the text of the Abuja Affirmation released by Gafcon.

Number of Americans with biblical worldview remains critically low; Gen Z polls at 1%
A recent survey of American adults found that despite a surge of interest in Christianity and church attendance in the months since Charlie Kirk's assassination, the number of people who adhere to a biblical worldview remains critically low, including just 1% of Gen Z.

Conducted in January by Arizona Christian University's Cultural Research Center under the guidance of researcher George Barna, the latest installment of the American Worldview Inventory asked 2,000 American adults a series of 53 questions to discern if they live consistently with a biblical worldview.

Scott McConnell: The State of Discipleship
Making disciples was the Great Commission Jesus gave his followers before he returned to heaven, but are churches actually helping disciples in our churches to grow?

Recently, Lifeway Research conducted surveys of Protestant pastors and churchgoers to share findings about the state of discipleship in the U.S. today.

A practical way of thinking about local church discipleship is intentionally encouraging believers to follow Christ more closely. The survey of pastors gives us insight into how churches aim to develop healthy, mature Christians.

Why Guests Don't Come Back to Church After a Big Ministry Event
Big events can be a way for churches to reach people, but they often fail to draw people back once the event is done. Thom and Sam unpack what it actually takes to turn community events into gospel opportunities.

Seasonal Outreach Ideas: Refresh VBS, Autism Awareness, Baseball
This spring and summer, engage with those in your church and community in new ways.

Friday 's Catch: 'Gafcon elects council instead of figurehead to rival Archbishop of Canterbury' And More

Gafcon elects council instead of figurehead to rival Archbishop of Canterbury
The Gafcon movement of orthodox Anglicans has opted not to appoint a primus, choosing instead to form a Global Anglican Council.

The council will be tasked with leading the Global Anglican Communion recently created by Gafcon out of frustration with the liberal direction of the Church of England - frustration that eventually led to the movement rejecting the spiritual leadership of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

No primus for GAFCON -- rebrands itself as the Global Anglican Council
A late night “movement of the Holy Spirit” led the leaders of GAFCON to shelve plans to elect a primus inter pares – first among equals – adopting a conciliar or committee style of leadership for conservative Anglicans – and to downplay the name Global Anglican Communion, rebranding itself as the Global Anglican Council.

The decision to avoid a confrontation with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Anglican Communion by not setting up rival structures perplexed the delegates, as the u-turn in structure and strategy appeared without warning.

As missiles fly overhead, Christians in Lebanon are 'exhausted', says bishop
Almost 30,000 people have been forced from their homes in Lebanon after a series of overnight missile attacks struck Beirut on 2 March, bringing an end to the fragile ceasefire that had been in place since late 2024.

Explosions were reported by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) charity staff across the Lebanese capital in the early hours of Monday morning, with over 10 strikes targeting the southern outskirts of the city at about 2.30am local time.

Iranian Bishop of Chelmsford denounces 'unjust and illegal' war
The Bishop of Chelmsford, who fled from Iran as a teenager, has denounced the US-Israeli attack on the country as “unjust and illegal”.

The Rt Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani is the daughter of Hassan Dehqani-Tafti, who served as the Anglican bishop of Iran from 1961 to 1990.

The calling of Christians in these solemn days
The renewed escalation of conflict involving Iran and the wider Middle East has once again unsettled the nations. Air strikes, retaliation and rising tensions – ordinary families carry fears about what tomorrow may hold.

And in such an hour, the church must neither panic nor grow silent. We are called to pray and to proclaim.

United Methodist Church to close facility that manages 65,000 relief kits a year
The United Methodist Church is set to close a 48,000-square-foot facility that houses approximately 65,000 disaster-relief supply kits each year.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief, which is part of the denomination’s humanitarian work, will close its Sager Brown Depot in Baldwin, Louisiana, in January of next year.

A Liturgical Theology of Preaching—Preaching as Pastor
This is the fifth and concluding essay is a special series by the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings, Professor of Liturgics at Seminary of the Southwest. These essays have been presented in intervals through the winter of 2026. A “round up” with links to all five essays will be published tomorrow.

A Liturgical Theology of Preaching: Series Roundup
Through the winter of 2026, the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings, Professor of Liturgics at Seminary of the Southwest has offered a five-part series on a liturgical theology of preaching. Preaching connects God’s word to God’s people gathered. It is a work of pastoral care and a declaration of the Good News. Here’s a round up of the essays.

“Let the Little Children Come”: A Brief Case for Welcoming Children into Corporate Worship
Zack DiPrima makes the case that children should be welcomed into the church’s corporate gathering based on the examples and instructions we have in the Bible. While including younger children may initially have its challenges, the opportunities it provides for evangelizing and discipling the next generation far outweigh any potential costs. The church’s gathering shapes children as they are exposed to God’s Word and the gathered worship of his people.

The Christian Alone
Is solitude part of the Christian life?

Didn't Jesus at times leave his disciples and the crowds and seek the solitude ofa deserted place, setting an example for us?

Thursday 's Catch: 'The Easter Illusion' And More

The Easter Illusion
It’s Easter. The sanctuary is full, the parking lot is overflowing, and the greeters can’t hand out worship guides fast enough. You look around and think, This must be the unchurched finally showing up.

But here’s the surprise: Most of those new faces aren’t new at all.

Is the Gen Z 'revival' in the US skin deep?
Following the assassination of Charlie Kirk last year, anecdotes began pouring in of churches filled with young men and more and more Bibles being sold. Now, however, veteran researcher Dr George Barna has questioned whether what looked like the beginnings of spiritual revival may have been only skin deep.

Dr Barna, of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, said that his own research suggests there are no signs that a biblical worldview has started to take root in America.

Survey: Americans alone in finding fellow citizens 'morally bad'
Still, the findings ‘don’t support that Americans are overarchingly more judgmental or moralistic than in other countries,’ said Jonathan Evans, senior researcher at Pew Research Center.

A Council to Lead the Communion
"Believing that the current Instruments of Communion no longer meet the needs of the majority of Anglicans around the world, the Global Anglican Communion is to be led by a conciliar structure. The Global Anglican Council has discerned that if we are to move past old structures, we must leave behind old titles as well."

Related: Conservative Anglican leaders meet in Nigeria to elect a leader, fueling concerns of schism

EPN speakers press Christians to resist anti-democratic movements as church plans for future
Keynote speakers at the Episcopal Parish Network conference underway here this week emphasized the importance of The Episcopal Church’s faith-based witness in the public sphere. The church, they said, has both the privilege and the responsibility to counter movements toward Christian nationalism, a political ideology that distorts Christian beliefs, and to oppose the Trump administration’s attacks on American democratic norms.

Who was St Piran and why is he the patron saint of Cornwall?
5 March is St Piran’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Cornwall. But who was St Piran, and what do we know about him? This is the story....

Equipping Students for Evangelism and Summer Mission Trips
If you have a summer mission trip planned, begin helping students grow in familiarity and comfort with the gospel now.

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (March 5, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

This Thursday evening’s message is the third in the series on the means of grace, the ways which God meets us and works in our lives. The topic of this Thursday evening’s message is the ministry of the Word.

Reading: 2 Timothy 3

Message: The Ministry of the Word: A Channel of God’s Grace

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/03/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows-march-5.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: 'Gallup Poll: Fewer than half of Americans say religion is 'very important' in their lives' And More

Gallup Poll: Fewer than half of Americans say religion is 'very important' in their lives
President Trump said he was ‘bringing back religion,’ but the latest Gallup Poll shows no evidence of that.

The Real Reason Women Are Walking Away From Church
Beth Moore talks about leaving the SBC a decade ago, how to know when it's time to leave, why so many women are leaving the church, and proof-texting scripture to keep the pulpit and power.

It’s Hard to Find a Progressive Church (and Getting Harder)
Before you read this article, three notes need to be made. First, this post draws heavily on the research of Ryan Burge, who studies the impact of religion on American life. Second, since I don’t have the experience or expertise to speak knowledgeably about the Black church (or other nonwhite congregations), this article focuses on the white American church. Third, at the end of this article, I ask for reader feedback. I hope you will participate.

What are disappearing today are churches that genuinely embody the teaching of Jesus rather than a conservative or liberal political ideology.

US military personnel object to Armageddon talk
U.S. military personnel are being briefed by superiors that ongoing combat operations in Iran are willed by God and will help usher in the end times, according to independent journalist Jonathan Larsen.

Also See: Dispensationalism is going to get us all killed

Is Trump's fight against Iran a just war?
Christians do not need to be pacifists to question Trump’s war against Iran.

MAGA vs. the Teachings of Jesus: The Christian Nationalism Debate 

In this episode of The Bulletin, Mike Cosper speaks with New York Times and The Atlantic author Pete Wehner about his recent argument that “MAGA Jesus” reflects a growing divide between the political imagination of many believers and the teachings of Christ. As Evangelical support for Trump remains strong, Wehner situates the moment within the longer history of the religious right and the rise of evangelicals who embrace Donald Trump.

The conversation explores the ongoing Christian nationalism debate and asks: Is Trump compatible with Christian values? From the Supreme Court and evangelicals’ policy wins to questions of moral character in leadership, Cosper and Wehner examine the tension between political success and spiritual integrity. They also consider cognitive dissonance in politics, the pressures facing pastors to speak out about Trump, and whether Christians should criticize Trump in a time of deepening culture wars in America.

What does it mean to have faith under political pressure, and can the church can resist moral compromise in politics while remaining anchored in the way of Jesus?

Global Anglican Communion meets in Nigeria to elect rival to archbishop of Canterbury
A movement of orthodox Anglicans is meeting in Nigeria this week to elect their own "first among equals" to rival the incoming female archbishop of Canterbury.

The first formal gathering of the Global Anglican Communion began Tuesday in the Nigerian capital of Abuja and will continue through Friday, just weeks before Bishop of London Sarah Mullally is slated to be formally installed in Canterbury Cathedral as the 106th and first female archbishop of Canterbury on March 25.

“Leading Faithfully in a Changing Church” featuring Karen Stewart
How do we lead faithfully in a world that’s changing faster than the church ever expected? In this episode, Lewis Center Director Jonathan Page speaks with Karen Stewart, a seasoned ministry leader and Project Director at the HUB for Re-imagining Ministry at Wesley Theological Seminary. Together, they reflect on Karen’s 30-plus years of pastoral and nonprofit leadership experience, her passion for intergenerational faith formation, and the opportunities and challenges facing today’s church.

The Outside-Inside Parallel of Church Leadership
Lewis Center Director Jonathan Page says that church leadership today requires holding two realities at once: engaging the needs of the community while also forming disciples within the church. He draws on examples from two recent United Methodist gatherings to illustrate how faithful leadership requires movement between the life of the church and the life of the community it serves.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Is the Post-COVID Bounce Over? The Episcopal Church’s Numbers'

Is the Post-COVID Bounce Over? The Episcopal Church’s Numbers
As we move into 2026, where is the Episcopal Church? It showed a limited recovery after COVID, and new data (from 2024) has been released, allowing a sense of the church’s post-COVID trajectory.

YouGov to repeat ‘Quiet Revival’ study amid scrutiny
Plans are under way to revisit one of the most debated religion surveys in recent years, as YouGov prepares to repeat its research into church attendance later this year following growing scrutiny of claims about a “quiet revival” in Britain.

The original findings were published in April 2025 in a report by Bible Society titled ‘The Quiet Revival’. Drawing on two YouGov surveys, the report indicated that the proportion of adults in England and Wales who both identify as Christian and attend church no less than once a month had risen from 8% in 2018 to 12% in 2024.

ACNA’s Acting Abp. Sues Former Bishop for Defamation
The Rt. Rev. Julian Dobbs, acting archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, has sued the Rt. Rev. Derek Jones, former head of the denomination’s chaplaincy jurisdiction, in federal court for defamation.

Bishop Dobbs’ lawsuit was filed on February 17 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama and claims that Bishop Jones repeatedly made false public statements about Dobbs’ previous handling of two financial matters.

US soldiers say commanders told them they're fighting for 'Armageddon'
People are growing increasingly uneasy as President Donald Trump's attacks on Iran are looking more and more like they could be part of a right-wing religious fanatic's fantasy for the apocalyptic.

Also See: The end-times theology driving US intervention in Iran; Greg Laurie Links Death of Iran’s Supreme Leader to End Times Prophecy, Says Rapture Could Be Near

Will killing Iran’s Supreme Leader result in success for Trump?
Award winning journalist Daoud Kuttab doesn’t think so.

United Methodist Bishops Call for Prayer and Peace in the New Middle East War
We urge leaders on every side to turn from the escalation of violence and seek paths toward justice, reconciliation, and lasting peace. We implore them to place the protection of innocent lives at the center of every decision.

7 MORE Signs Your Church is Dying
Many churches don’t realize they’re dying until it’s too late.

In this video, I share 7 MORE warning signs your church may be declining—and what church leaders can do before momentum is lost.

In a previous video, I covered seven early indicators of church decline. But there are additional signs pastors, elders, and board members often overlook—signs that quietly drain health, mission, and impact.

The Iron Law of Church Growth: No Young Adults, No Future
Why Death Is Coming Soon to Many Churches (and How to Prevent It)

Church Answers researcher Ryan Burge recently released a stunning and sobering report on the ages of congregants of various denominations. It's not a pretty picture. Many churches will soon die or become moribund because of one simple factor: their church members are dying and not being replaced. Jess and Thom examine four aspects of this demographic decline and death.

Planned Surgery or Emergency Amputation: Leading with Courage
Why Death Is Coming Soon to Many Churches (and How to Prevent It)

Church Answers researcher Ryan Burge recently released a stunning and sobering report on the ages of congregants of various denominations. It's not a pretty picture. Many churches will soon die or become moribund because of one simple factor: their church members are dying and not being replaced. Jess and Thom examine four aspects of this demographic decline and death.

The Pastor Who Can’t Say ‘No’: The Hidden Cost on Your Family
In the hushed hallways of churches across America, a quiet crisis is unfolding—one that isn’t often spoken from the pulpit, but quietly shapes the homes, marriages, and children of those called to serve. It’s the story of the pastor who can’t say “no.” Beneath the robes and behind the sermons lies a tension many ministry families know all too well: the relentless pressure to be everything for everyone, while saying “yes” far more often than they should.

Easter Sunday Sermon and Service Tips: Avoiding Common Church Controversies
Easter Sunday is the most important date on the church calendar. The resurrection is the foundation of our Christian faith, as we proclaim that Jesus defeated sin, death, and the devil.

For many churches, Easter is also the most significant outreach opportunity of the year. Pews overflow for worship services, and parking lots fill for egg hunts and breakfasts. Families who haven’t attended church in months tend to walk through the doors on Easter.

Monday's Catch: 'Why We Should Build Micro-Churches Instead of Mega Builds' And More

Why We Should Build Micro-Churches Instead of Mega Builds
Church leaders hoping for growth today stand at a crossroads. For decades, the archetype of church growth in many Protestant circles was a large, purpose-built campus with thousands gathered under one roof, a dramatic stage for worship, and a comprehensive suite of ministries. But ministry patterns are shifting. Amid broader institutional skepticism, financial pressures, and renewed interest in relational discipleship, a compelling case has emerged for micro-church institutions, smaller, decentralized expressions of church life, as a wiser investment than costly mega builds.

This shift is not simply architectural; it reflects deeper theological, cultural, and missional realities that leaders cannot afford to ignore.

Embracing the Inefficiency of Small-Church Ministry
Don't sacrifice pastoral care on the altar of efficiency, time management, or chasing the next numerical goal.

The story of St David’s Day
Every year on March 1, people across Wales and Welsh communities around the world mark St David’s Day - a celebration of the country’s patron saint, its culture, and its proud heritage.

But who was St David? Why is the Wales’ patron saint? And how did daffodils and leeks become part of the tradition?

Let’s delve into his story to get these answers.

Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on Military Strike on Iran
As news reports tell us of fear and panic in Iran, I ask you to pray especially for the people of the Diocese of Iran and for all of the Iranian people....

Also See: Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East shares pastoral letter in light of escalating conflict

Amid Attacks, Connecticut Pilgrims Shelter in Jerusalem 

A group of Episcopalians taking part in a pilgrimage organized by the Diocese of Connecticut is sheltering in place at St. George’s College in East Jerusalem after the United States launched an attack on Iran on February 28. The pilgrims were in Bethlehem when sirens blared and are exploring options to return to the United States as swiftly as possible.

Trump condemned for 'flimsiest excuse for initiating a major attack' in decades
Senior Trump administration officials attempted during a briefing with reporters on Saturday to make their case for the joint US-Israeli military assault on Iran that has so far killed hundreds and plunged the Middle East into chaos..

According to experts who listened to the briefing, which was conducted on background, the justification for war was incredibly weak. Daryl Kimball, president of the Arms Control Association, told Laura Rozen of the Diplomatic newsletter that the administration’s argument was “the flimsiest excuse for initiating a major attack on another country without congressional authorization, in violation of the UN Charter, in many decades.”

Also See: As Trump attacks Iran, his 2017 abandonment of the Iran nuclear deal looks even worse

US.-Israeli bomb attacks now targeting second country
The U.S.-Israeli bombardment of the Middle East has expanded as Israel launched a fresh wave of attacks in Lebanon.

Call grows to impeach 'the most dangerous man on the planet'
After the unprovoked bombing of Iran over the weekend by the United States—strikes that included the unlawful assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei—the call for US President Donald Trump to be impeached and removed from office has grown as the straightest path to hold the US leader to account for the attacks which policy and human rights experts have condemned as a serious war crime.

America's moral power is the first casualty in Iran
America's power in the world comes not from its military might alone, but from its moral authority.

The Iran bombing is a religion story for all but one person 

When the United States and Israel bombed Iran Feb. 28, the motivations and repercussions were religious as well as political.

We cannot think of Iran as a modern state unhinged from its religious moorings. And we cannot think of President Donald Trump’s relationship to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without thinking of the religious ties that bind.

Throw in the assassination of Ali Hosseini Khamenei and Trump’s war of choice takes on the mantle of Holy War.

How the Iran war set off a MAGA fight over Charlie Kirk’s legacy
A visible fracture has emerged in President Donald Trump’s MAGA movement in the aftermath of the United States’ latest military campaign against Iran, and many outspoken conservative opponents across social media have rallied around the words of one influential figure to express their concern: the late activist Charlie Kirk.

Updates to the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals Released
The Anglican Communion’s five regional primates could play a more prominent role in its life if a series of proposals, designed to preserve unity amid deep theological disagreement, are adopted by the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) next summer.

Edgelords Won’t Inherit the Earth
Somewhere right now, a young man is watching a 30-second clip of a Christian influencer calling a fellow pastor a coward on a live stream. The clip has 40,000 views. What he didn’t see is that his own pastor posted a thoughtful, Christ-centered reflection that same day. It got 14 likes.

This is the world we’ve built. And a particular kind of man is thriving in it.

You’ll find him on podcasts and in pulpits, but everything he does is for social media. He’s the man who has confused being provocative with being profound, who mistakes the ability to offend for the courage to lead. He is the edgelord. And he’s becoming the dominant model of masculinity for an entire generation of young men.

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

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Second Sunday in Lent, is the first Sunday of March. March is the third month of the year in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars and marks the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere (and the beginning of Fall in the Southern Hemisphere).

Every year, on the first Sunday of March, people across New Zealand celebrate Children’s Day, Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki. This special day honours the joy, curiosity, and potential of New Zealand’s tamariki, the island nation’s children. You can learn more about Children’s Day at this website.

On a more sombre note your prayers are asked for world peace in light of the Israeli-US bombing raids on Iran, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the onset of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the various conflicts in other parts of the world, and for the people in these trouble spots.

The topic of this Sunday’s message is the new birth, the birth from on high.

Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Romans 4:1-5,13-17; and John 3:1-17

Message: ‘You must be born again.’

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/02/sundays-at-all-hallows-march-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: "Voices: 'A lost generation': Readers on why Gen Z are turning to the Bible" And More

Voices: 'A lost generation': Readers on why Gen Z are turning to the Bible
Helen Coffey’s report on the surge in Bible reading among young people sparked a wide-ranging response from Independent readers.

The state of Christianity and the medieval Church in England before the Reformation
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds Christians that they are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” (NRSV) 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.

Your Lenten discipline might be the problem
There's a version of Lent that makes you a worse person.

Catholic bishops: Trump’s assault on birthright citizenship affronts Catholic teaching
'By recognizing children as members of a particular political community, birthright citizenship acknowledges the intrinsic value of every human person,' the brief reads.

Also See: Catholic bishops rebuke Trump order

Angels, witches, crystals and black cats: How supernatural beliefs vary across different groups in the US
Younger Americans are more likely to express belief in witchcraft and luck, as our new research shows.

Also See: Right wingers are more prone to having 'kooky beliefs': study

Humans don’t belong in cities, say evolutionary scientists
Humans are not well adapted to live in modern cities—and this may be having a big impact on our health and wellbeing.

This is the claim of evolutionary scientists from Loughborough University, England and the University of Zurich, Switzerland who say “rapid industrialization” has reshaped human habits so dramatically that our biology may no longer be able to keep up.

After CDC vaccine changes, states push to keep childhood shots free, accessible
As the Trump administration shakes up recommendations for childhood vaccines, a growing number of states are moving quickly to ensure vaccines remain free and health care workers are protected from lawsuits.

Preteen Bible Lesson: God Wants Us To Pray for Each Other
Help kids realize that prayer is a way to talk with God and spend time together. When we pray, not only does God listen but God also shows up in powerful ways. Use this lesson to help kids learn that God wants us to pray for each other and with each other.

Living and Leading Above the Warning Signs
Discipleship is inherently organic but requires organization to reach more than just a few people. It also requires intentionality to move it from merely a human program to a supernatural process..

That represents a significant challenge — how to organize something in the natural realm that inherently belongs in the supernatural realm.

Interruptibility as spiritual practice
A key practice of our House Churches, especially one particular group, is the practice of “interruptibility.” The House Churches meet in public locations, like bars, restaurants, parks, libraries. In these well-traveled public spaces, we sometimes experience interruption by folks on their way to somewhere else....

Campbellsburg Baptist Church: Mailed With Love
Following the pandemic, many attendees didn’t come back to Campbellsburg Baptist Church in Campbellsburg, Kentucky, and those who did felt discouraged. The longtime multigenerational church was declining, and members were mostly seniors. It suddenly became clear that the only path forward would be reaching outside its own walls.

Friday's Catch: 'How to Help Members Feel Like They Belong' And More

How to Help Members Feel Like They Belong
Joining your church does not automatically make someone feel like they belong.

People need more than their name on a membership roll. They need to feel welcomed, wanted, recognized, affirmed, and celebrated. They need to feel special.

When a church is small, you may be able to do this informally. But as your church grows, you’ll need to create intentional moments that say publicly: “You are now one of us.”

Church of England keen to offer 'warm welcome' to new arrivals from Hong Kong
The Church of England has established a new body aimed at welcoming Hong Kongers into its fold after a surge in arrivals in the last few years.

Right-wing authoritarianism is linked to belief in the paranormal, independent of cognitive style 

Recent research published in The Journal of Social Psychology suggests that individuals who endorse certain right-wing political ideologies are more likely to believe in paranormal phenomena. The findings indicate that while a person’s thinking style plays a role in their beliefs, it does not fully explain why right-wing ideologies are linked to accepting the paranormal. This provides evidence that the relationship between political views and supernatural beliefs is driven by multiple, distinct psychological factors.

Why standing in solidarity with immigrants is an act of accompaniment in Catholic philosophy
Accompaniment, rooted in modern Catholic social thought, calls for putting the needs of the most vulnerable first.Josh and Sam tackle a growing and uncomfortable reality for pastors: what to do when one of your own church members becomes an online troll. The cohosts explore how to discern genuine critics from disruptive trolls, protect your church’s unity and safety, and lead with grace even when someone is trying to provoke you publicly. 

The Multitasking Myth
You’ve probably heard this before. But keep reading, there’s a bigger point I want to make here.

When Church Members Become Online Trolls: What Pastors Should Do
Josh and Sam tackle a growing and uncomfortable reality for pastors: what to do when one of your own church members becomes an online troll. The cohosts explore how to discern genuine critics from disruptive trolls, protect your church’s unity and safety, and lead with grace even when someone is trying to provoke you publicly.

6 Actions to Help You Champion Prayer in Your Church
These actions reveal a progression from our own habits to our circles to our congregations. Champions of prayer are built in that order.

A third of Christians trust spiritual advice from AI as much as pastor: study
About a third of practicing American Christians say the spiritual advice they get from artificial intelligence is just as good as that from a pastor, with practicing Christians more likely to agree with this notion than non-practicing Christians and non-Christians, according to new research from the Barna Group.

The data was collected as part of Barna’s "State of the Church" initiative in partnership with Gloo, a leading technology platform connecting the faith ecosystem to advance human flourishing. The latest findings were released at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention in Tennessee last week.

Beware AI-Generated Christian Content
New technologies like AI are bound to usher in new, unexpected problems. Now, I’m personally optimistic about the future of AI. I have been impressed watching it improve even over the last few years as the technology progresses and people find new and creative ways to use it. But any new technology will have growing pains. The internet has been a great blessing to humanity, but it’s also been a source of great evil. As we find ourselves increasingly in the age of AI, we must brace ourselves for new threats we might not even have thought. I want to point one out today: beware of AI-generated Christian content.

Avoid the ‘Fixing Trap’
Jesus didn’t “fix” his disciples. When he met Matthew, who by all accounts was a moral train wreck, he didn’t give him a lecture or a list of next steps. He simply said, “Follow me.” Jesus invited Matthew to walk alongside him, and transformation happened in that relationship.

That’s the essence of relational discipleship: Walking with others is more powerful than fixing them.

The US surpassed 1,100 measles cases in two months. Expect more deaths next
The US has recorded more than 1,100 measles cases so far this year, according to data published Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s a troubling milestone that has many in public health bracing for the worst.

According to the CDC, out of every 1,000 children who are infected with measles, one may develop encephalitis, ​which is a dangerous swelling of the brain. Up to 3 out of every 1,000 infected children will die.

The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best VBS for Your Church
Use our complete guide to choosing the best VBS to ensure maximum outreach in your community and impact in kids’ lives. Choose the best VBS by using the following 20 filters we have used for years in VBS reviews.

Assumed stability has ended and Christian mission needs to adapt
This is a call for Christian leaders responsible for mission strategy and institutional stewardship to lead strategic change. Shifting geopolitical conditions require immediate adaptation of mobilization models, including time-bound global efforts that are now shaping priorities across many Christian networks.

Thursday's Catch: 'Is the Era of Cool Church Over?' And More

Is the Era of Cool Church Over?
Cool church isn’t gone, but its shelf life is limited. Eventually it will collapse under the weight of its own insularity.

Why Small Churches Matter More Than Ever
While big cities often dominate attention and resources, it is the small towns and rural communities where congregations are disappearing fastest and where the church’s presence is most at risk. Thom and Sam explore why revitalizing and supporting small churches is essential for the future of Christian witness and how these congregations uniquely embody relational, community-anchoring ministry that larger models simply cannot replicate.

Are You Marketing Revival? The Problem with Mixed Motives and Social Media in Church Leaders
In this episode, I ask whether we're selling church growth and marketing revival on social media. As leaders, our motives are always mixed, and I offer a framework for checking our motives before posting to social media. Momentum doesn’t need marketing. Don’t sell it. Steward it.

Outside US Capitol, hundreds of United Methodists call for dismantling ICE
‘We demand that ICE and CBP be dismantled,’ said retired United Methodist Bishop Minerva Garza Carcaño at the rally.

Also See: United Methodists lead witness for immigrants

Study reveals how Trump’s 2024 victory made prejudice cool again
A new study reveals that President Donald Trump’s derogatory rhetoric is making prejudice fashionable again.

As some dioceses embrace life together after mergers, others decide against closer partnerships
Several diocesan mergers in recent years have contributed to discussions across the church over how best to structure The Episcopal Church’s local expression of the faith. At the same time, other dioceses have decided to move ahead separately after considering closer partnerships.

Can We Leave the Door Unlocked?
Episcopalians in the United States are sometimes accused of being poor evangelists. Perhaps one method of evangelism, a calling and vocation perhaps, is to offer our sacred spaces to any and all who will walk through that unlocked door and in so doing discover a God whose love for them changes them and makes them new in his son, Jesus Christ.

A Personal Approach to Go and Make Disciples in 2026
What if you quietly prayed for the opportunity to initiate a gospel conversation as a part of your daily morning routine? What if you learned the essential ideas and skills to do so? Would that make a difference in your walk with Christ? And if you are a pastor or church leader, what impact might it have on your church if you were more proactive in encouraging your flock to be witnesses, and to give them guidance in doing this?

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (February 26, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

In this Thursday evening’s message, we take a look at the first of eight spiritual disciplines, which is also a channel of God’s grace—the public worship of God.

Reading: John 4: 1-26

Message: The Public Worship of God: A Channel of God’s Grace

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/02/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows_26.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: ‘This is our 1933’ And More

‘This is our 1933’
If true Christianity is going to mean anything in these days, it’s going to have to be divisive.

Statement urges US Christians to ‘resistance’ and ‘repentance’
More than 400 U.S. Christians of multiple denominations have signed an ecumenical statement urging Christians to stand up for their neighbors, protect vulnerable people and defend democracy as faithful followers of Jesus Christ.

The quiet American? Pope Leo XIV enables Catholic resistance to Trump.
Pope Leo XIV may be less inclined to stick his thumb in the eye of the conservative resistance, but he's no less committed to Pope Francis' agenda.

How Trump's treatment of the vulnerable shifted the US Catholic bishops' politics
The only possible savior of this relationship is the Democrats' ability to push the bishops back into the Republican camp.

Evangelicals promote controversial SAVE America Act
GOP lawmakers and their Christian supporters say the SAVE America Act will keep non-Americans from voting. Critics say the bill’s true purpose is making it harder for millions of Americans — including Blacks, women and the poor — to vote.

Cancelled Sexism Panel Ignites ACNA Conflict
After a week’s controversy, a panel discussion event on preventing sexism and abuse in the Anglican Church in North America has been canceled by the province and revived by one of the church’s non-geographic dioceses.

New IRS Group Exemption Rules Explained: What Revenue Procedure 2026-8 Means for Churches
For nearly four decades, IRS Revenue Procedure 80-27 governed how denominations and other central organizations obtained and maintained group exemption rulings. That changed in January, when the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2026-8—formally reopening the application process after a five-year pause and replacing key parts of the old framework.

Episcopalians and United Methodists mark Wesley Feast Day with prayer for deeper unity 

The ecumenical staff of the UM Council of Bishops offers the following for your upcoming services of worship or to share in your annual conference/ministry setting....

The Lord’s Supper Is the Best Altar Call
Here is why I do not make altar calls on Sunday as well as what I believe is the biblical alternative.

Formed by Song: How Music Shapes the Christian Life
While we should not seek to be defined solely by our musical preferences, we should certainly use them intentionally for our formation. Music is catechesis. If the goal of catechesis is disenculturation and identity formation, we must not overlook music’s powerful influence in shaping composite lives.

You may need to open free account to read this article.

Pope implores priests to stop writing sermons using ChatGPT 

In a closed-door meeting with clergy from the Diocese of Rome late last week, Pope Leo XIV clobbered his priests with a distinctly 21st-century request: to resist the “temptation to prepare homilies with artificial intelligence,” according to Vatican News.

Do Service Trips Matter for the Church’s Future?
How can faith move from theory to action in the lives of young leaders? Brittany Bethel, executive director of Cross Connection, shows how they equip students through service, curiosity, and community to practice a faith that transforms both themselves and their neighborhoods.

Getting Your Missions and Ministries Grant-Funded 

Have you ever considered grant funding for your organization and felt daunted by the process before you even began? Micháela Murray wants to help demystify the process by breaking grant seeking into clear, manageable steps—covering eligibility, readiness, research, and proposal writing—so church leaders can move forward with clarity and confidence.

New Orleans ministry makes plastic-bag sleeping mats for unhoused people sleeping on the streets
Since 2022, volunteers at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in New Orleans, Louisiana, have been turning plastic grocery bags into sleeping mats to help unhoused people avoid extreme heat and cold.

Image Credit: Mark Wingfield,  Baptist News Global

Tuesday's Catch: 'Pastoring Angry People' And More

Pastoring Angry People: When to Speak, When to Stay Silent, and How to Lead Without Losing Everyone
The cultural moment we're in isn't just tense — it's a full convulsion, and it's landing in your church every Sunday. In this emergency panel episode, Ed Stetzer, Adam Mesa, and Sharon Hodde Miller debate when to speak up, when to be silent, how to handle fallout, and how to pastor people in a deeply divided age. This is the conversation many pastors are desperate to have but afraid to start.

Christian leaders denounce Trump actions, warn of 'crisis of faith'
Hundreds of Christian leaders and scholars nationwide are denouncing President Donald Trump’s administration and urging more active resistance among the faithful to “the injustices and anti-democratic danger sweeping across the nation.”

Also See: A Call to U.S. Christians Urges ‘Resistance, Repentance’

Satan’s Game Plan for Spiritual Warfare
“We are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11). We are not ignorant of his devices. Satan’s game plan is spelled out throughout Scripture, detailing his maneuvers, schemes, and wiles to deceive and ensnare....

One group still sees revival in UK although other polls don’t agree
Was the “quiet revival” so quiet it went unnoticed by other demographers?

Also See: The truth behind why Gen Z are buying Bibles

Gen Z and the Search for Status
While many have correctly noted that Gen Z is emotionally, physically, and spiritually falling apart due to social media, I want to take a step further and ask: why are they flocking online? Russ Greene has captured part of this with his "Total Boomer Luxury Communism"—the shifting of material wealth from younger generations to older generations. As America becomes a retirement community, Gen Z is seeking and finding wealth in other places. In other words, as material wealth becomes less and less attainable, young people are thrusting themselves more and more online in the hopes that they will achieve status. Like the robber barons of the gilded age, the modern social Gen Z elite swallows up digital followers through outrageous behavior and views.

Renewal, A Rule of Life, and a Challenge to Men
This recovery of disciplined Christian life may be especially critical for one group the Episcopal Church has quietly failed to form well: men, particularly younger men.

Former US officials raise red flag over looming widespread collapse of American agriculture. Why our farmers can't compete (and what it means)
According to a recent letter signed by a bipartisan group of 27 former agricultural leaders, President Donald Trump’s economic policies risk triggering "a widespread collapse of American agriculture”.

Whatever affects US agriculture affect rural communities and in turn rural churches.

Who was Matthias and why is he called the thirteenth apostle?
24 February is St Matthias’s Day. Matthias is known as “the 13th apostle”, but who was he and what do we know about him? This is the story....

Before we stand on empathy, let's decide what we mean by it
Most Americans believe empathy is foundational to a healthy society. But are we willing to do the hard work empathy requires?

What Is Fasting?
The practice of fasting can be part of this recalibration because it helps us draw near to God. Our famished souls learn that there’s no one more satisfying than him. If you’re worn out trying to capture elusive joy in this world, join me as we explore how fasting can give you the only hunger that leads to lasting satiation.

Christian Discipleship for Dummies We have instituted low expectations as a norm for over three generations and it hasn’t served us well. And in recent times we have lowered the bar to the point where it has dented a groove in the foundation — I am afraid we cannot go any lower.

Discipleship in Divided Times Requires Presence
Jesus modeled a politics of presence. He did not avoid conflict, but he refused to reduce people to their positions. He walked among the people. He looked them in the eyes. He told stories that didn’t always end with answers, but with invitations to reimagine the world.

What We Would Do If We Took Discipleship Seriously, Part 4
Rev. Kathy Neary: Let’s pick up where we left off and finish exploring the alternative approach to centering discipleship, which you shared last week..

The model you suggest is basically the non-denominational “a mother church plants new sites” model… and they have money and people. How do we Methodists align resources, and what sacrifices will some people have to make to make your model work?

Also See: What We Would Do If We Took Discipleship Seriously, Part 3; What We Would Do If We Took Discipleship Seriously, Part 2; and What We Would Do If We Took Discipleship Seriously

Monday's Catch: 'The Growing “Age-in-Place” Ministry for Churches' And More

The Growing “Age-in-Place” Ministry for Churches
A quiet shift is taking place among senior adults.

Instead of moving into retirement communities or assisted living facilities, more are choosing to remain in their own homes as long as possible. The common phrase is “aging in place,” but for churches, “ministering-in-place” may be a better description.

Most Americans believe in God, but many rarely attend worship, study finds
Most adults in the United States believe in God and engage in some form of religious practice, but nearly half seldom or never attend religious services, according to data from the Pew Research Center that offers a snapshot of American faith by scaling the population down to a hypothetical town of 100 people.

From first dropping church attendance, then religious identity: How countries lose religion
For leaders of congregations, understanding how secularization works may point to a central challenge in halting it — how to create religious communities where more young people feel that they belong.

The Challenge of Cultural Attrition in Your Church
What comes to mind when you think of attrition in your church? Perhaps you think about the attrition of membership or attendance. Maybe you think about financial attrition. However, I want to draw your attention to a different and often overlooked category: cultural attrition.

6 Moves Churches Must Make to Reach and Disciple Young Adults
In this moment, many congregations feel stuck, unsure where to begin, unaware of the cultural and developmental complexities shaping young adults, or simply resigned to discouraging trends. But there’s hope. We identified “magnetic churches” across the country—congregations experiencing unusual fruitfulness in their ministries to young adults. Their witness is clear: Reaching emerging adults is possible when churches embrace a prayerful, biblical, and gospel-centered posture.

From this study, we found six strategic moves that offer a path forward for young-adult ministry in your church.

Importance of “Shallow” Christian Friendships
Danny D’Acquisto emphasizes the value of all relationships within the church, including those that are less intimate. While we cannot know every member at a deep personal level, the fact that all members belong to Christ and have committed to carrying out the church’s responsibilities and mission together means that every relationship is worthwhile and spiritually significant.

Trump's new fury farming crusade is pushing America toward the inevitable 

A January 2026 Gallup poll showed that 89% of all Americans expect high levels of political conflict this year, as the country heads toward one of its most decisive midterm elections ever.

Also See: How ‘Rage Bait’ Surged to Word of the Year in 2025

Why Do Faithful Christians Defend Harmful Things?
Russell answers a listener question about how we should perceive seemingly harmful political beliefs in our church congregations.

When Lent feels...empty
The tradition has a word for this—acedia, the ancient monks called it. A spiritual torpor, a flatness of soul, the noonday demon. It's not depression, exactly, though it can feel like depression's quieter cousin. It's the specific exhaustion of someone who has given their life to something holy and temporarily can't feel the holiness of it.

The worst part is the performance. The expectation that because you're the pastor, you have arrived somewhere spiritually that the congregation is still traveling toward. You haven't. You're traveling too. Some years you're ahead of them. This year, you're not sure you're even on the same road.

3 Benefits of Teaching the Hard Passages of Scripture
You’re doing yourself and those you disciple a disservice if you shy away from teaching the more complex passages of Scripture.

Random Thoughts and Tips on Prayer
No one apart from Jesus has ever mastered prayer, and no one apart from Jesus has ever fully understood it, so don’t be discouraged if you find praying difficult or perplexing. Be heartened that almost every book on prayer begins with the author admitting he is overwhelmed by his subject and convicted that he has not yet mastered it. It is more important that you obey than that you figure it out. You can pray with confidence, even if you don’t fully understand prayer.

How (and How Not) to Fast
If we want to seek closer communion with God through this often neglected means of grace, we’ll need to start with the Bible’s instructions about the wrong way to do it. Once we’ve been warned off that path, we’ll see the better way.

Creativity in Context: St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach I noticed a couple of things in particular about this legacy congregation when I gathered with them last fall. This is a church that is leaning into the needs of its context while also leveraging creativity for ministry.

Sharing the Gospel Starts with Meeting the Lost
Here are some practical ideas for how to pop the “Christian bubble” and invite more lost people into your life.

Sundays at All Hallows (February 22, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent. During the season of Lent, Sundays are referred to being "in" the season due to their festal character and the season’s penitential nature. Every Sunday is a little Easter, a celebration of Jesus’ victory over death.

The topic of this Sunday’s message is temptation.

Readings: Genesis 2: 15-17, 3: 1-7; Romans 5: 12-19; and Matthew 4: 1-11

Message: Tempted

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/02/sundays-at-all-hallows-february-22-2026.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: 'Church Turnarounds And The Rewards Of Longevity' And More

Church Turnarounds And The Rewards Of Longevity
Church turnarounds are more about the direction you’re heading than the speed you’re going.

Generations Together for the Glory of Christ
The church isn’t a collection of age-based silos. It is a Spirit-wrought community of young and old, redeemed by Christ and bound together in covenant love. The church’s beauty isn’t in its sameness but in its holy diversity. And one of the clearest demonstrations of that kingdom diversity is when generations walk together in Christ.

Fewer Britons giving something up for Lent as cathedrals invite deeper reflection
The number of Britons giving something up for Lent has fallen sharply over the past decade, according to new research highlighting a significant shift in how the season is observed.

Witchcraft in the Church
There is another form of witchcraft afoot in the church. This type is closer, more subtle, and a greater danger than God's people recognize.

Sacred mysteries: The warrant for making the sign of the cross
On Ash Wednesday this week, many people had ashes imposed on them, in the form of a little cross made on their foreheads. This small sign of the cross is an even more ancient ritual than the large one made from head to breast and from shoulder to shoulder.

How Is AI Shaping You? Three Principles for Wise Use
In this brief article, I want to offer a few diagnostic tests for thinking about, relating to, and using AI in a Christian way. My goal is neither to confirm the goodness of artificial intelligence nor to speculate about its worst potential dangers. Instead, my goal is to synthesize what I believe Scripture teaches about human nature and ultimate truth with a “tech-realist” perspective that listens attentively to how tech affects us as embodied people.

Scientists found AI’s fatal flaw—the most advanced models are failing basic logic tests 

In a new paper that’s making waves, scientists from Stanford, Cal Tech, and Carleton College have combined existing research with new ideas to look at the reasoning failures of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Claude. Those who rely on LLMs for intellectual labor often cite the models’ reasoning ability as a major draw, despite the evidence that this ability is limited, even when dealing with simple questions. So, what’s the truth of the matter?

The US spent $30 billion to ditch textbooks for laptops and tablets: The result is the first generation less cognitively capable than their parents
Earlier this year, in written testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, neuroscientist Jared Cooney Horvath said that Gen Z is less cognitively capable than previous generations, despite its unprecedented access to technology. He said Gen Z is the first generation in modern history to score lower on standardized tests than the previous one.

Professors sounding the alarm as Gen Z arrive to college unable to even read a sentence
With Gen Z facing a literacy crisis, some colleges are being forced to water down their standards.

Rural high school students are more likely than city kids to get their diplomas, less likely to go to college 

How are rural high school students' experiences unique?

Embrace Your Life by Enjoying Quiddity
What if real life is found in receiving and pondering . . . real life?

Spiritual practices are leading people to Jesus
This order of giving it a go before believing or understanding isn’t a new idea; for many people that’s their story. But I do think it provides us with some unique evangelistic opportunities and maybe even insight into some additional ways we can share our faith.