Sundays at All Hallows (April 19, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Easter, and we continue our celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. This Sunday’s Gospel reading is an account of one of a number of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to his disciples and to other witnesses, his appearance to Cleopas and an unnamed disciple on the road to Emmaus, a village outside Jerusalem.

Beginning this Sunday, we will be using an order of service, adapted from the Church of Ireland’s A Service of the Word. A number of Anglican Churches have made provision for such a service as an alternative to the Daily Offices and Holy Communion.

In this Sunday’s message we offer our reflections upon the appearance of the risen Jesus to Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus.

Readings: Isaiah 43: 1-1,; 1 Peter 1: 17-23, and Luke 24: 13-35

Message: On the Road to Emmaus

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/04/sundays-at-all-hallows-april-19-2026.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: 'New study casts doubt on talk of religious revival in US' And More

New study casts doubt on talk of religious revival in US
Speculation about a possible religious revival in the US has been contradicted by new nationwide research suggesting that little has changed with Americans’ faith habits or identities over the past year.

The latest 2025 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) Census of American Religion finds that religious affiliation has remained broadly stable, with no clear evidence of a widespread return to church life across the US.

Christians in UK feel free to worship but sense growing cultural pressure - report
Christians in the UK can largely practise their faith openly and without legal restriction, but many are increasingly concerned about a cultural shift affecting these freedoms, according to a new report by the Evangelical Alliance.

The study titled, Confident Faith, Contested Culture, is based on a survey of 884 evangelical Christians across the UK conducted in late 2025, alongside additional polling of nearly 1,500 respondents.

Archbishop of Canterbury to 'shine a light' during visit to four dioceses
The Archbishop of Canterbury will make pastoral visits to four dioceses before the end of the year "to shine a light on where God is at work in local churches and communities."

Most Rev Dame Sarah Mullally will meet clergy and congregations in parishes, chaplaincies, schools, healthcare settings and church-run projects across the Church of England.

No mystery: Long Island church is the place to be this week for Hamptons Whodunit festival
If you’re visiting East Hampton, New York, this week and want to find out “whodunit,” the plot twists and suspenseful storytelling likely will lead you to the parish hall of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

For the third year, the congregation is hosting a series of events as part of the Hamptons Whodunit, a four-day international celebration of mystery writing that bills itself as “the premier boutique mystery and true crime festival in New York State.”

Albert Mohler Says Trump’s AI Image Was ‘Blasphemous,’ Regardless of Intent
Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a prominent voice in the Southern Baptist Convention, called an AI-generated image posted by President Donald Trump “blasphemous.”

On Sunday, April 12, President Donald Trump posted an image of himself as Jesus Christ on Truth Social. The image sparked “blasphemy” claims from many Christians.

Why Trump’s delusions are so dangerous: Psychologist
President Donald Trump has crossed from grandiosity into full-blown psychosis, psychologist Dr. John Gartner has warned.

Gartner, a former professor at Johns Hopkins University, told The Daily Beast Podcast that the 79-year-old president is engaged in “magical thinking,” as evidenced by his belief—as reported by Dr. Mehmet Oz—that Diet Coke kills cancer cells.

At SBC seminary, Hawley says USA founded on covenant with God
U.S. government and society must be remade to conform with a 17th-century pact made by Protestant settlers to establish a Christian colony in America, Republican U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley said.

“This country was founded on a covenant, and I don’t mean primarily our Constitution — I mean something older than that,” Hawley said during the 2026 Duke K. McCall Leadership Lecture delivered April 16 at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.

ln England the Puritans sought to replace the monarchy with a theocracy from the reign of Elizabeth I to that of Charles II. Early in Charles' reign non-conforming Puritan ministers were deprived of their livings, ejected from their churches, and were prohibited from holding conventicles, meetings of people with similar views as theirs. The Puritans were not champions of separation of church and state but objected to the Book of Common Prayer, episcopacy, and religious beliefs and practices other their own. Interestingly the early Baptists (not to be confused with the Anabaptists) were the ones who championed the separation of church and state

Why some U.S. conservatives want Catholicism to shape the country
The Hill's Bill Sammon and Chris Stirewalt discuss the tension between conservatives like Vice President JD Vance and the Vatican. What is Catholic integralism and how does it play into the divide?

Dallas City Council mulls plan to regulate churches feeding homeless
Councilman warns proposed ordinance 'raises serious concerns, especially when it comes to religious freedom'.

Sacred Music Composer Raquel Mora Martínez Dies at 86
This is the official obituary of Raquel Mora Martinez, musician, composer and sacred music scholar, most noted for the creation of The United Methodist Church’s first Spanish-language hymnal, “Mil Voces Para Celebrar.” It is republished from the website of Mission Parks Funeral Chapels and Cemeteries, San Antonio, Texas.

Also See: Raquel Martínez Embodied Legacy of Immigrant Women on Worship

Anxiety around AI is growing rapidly in the US, research shows
People are increasingly anxious about artificial intelligence and the impact it is having on their lives, according to a new report.

More than half of the people surveyed in Stanford University’s 2026 AI Index Report said that products using artificial intelligence made them fell nervous, while excitement surrounding the technology has fallen over the last few years. 

The Memory Maker

OpenAI’s Sora allowed you to deepfake yourself. Users started to remember things that never happened.

Campus ministry helps students find connection and purpose
Offering connection for students is a vital part of campus ministry. As the Anglican Journal reached out to Anglican chaplains and students at universities across the country, those who responded highlighted the ability of this ministry to provide fellowship and meaning for students at a transitional time in their lives.

The 5 Love Languages of Volunteers (and How to Use Them!)
Become fluent in the five “love languages” so your volunteers feel just how much you appreciate them!

Image Credit: Church of the Holy Trinity, Georgetown, Kentucky

Friday's Catch: 'How Church Leaders Can Combat Cultural Attrition' And More

How Church Leaders Can Combat Cultural Attrition
My last article explored the reality of cultural attrition in the church. It is a genuine problem, and real problems call for intentional solutions. So, how do we prevent cultural attrition in our churches? Here are eleven ways to fight cultural attrition in your church.

Also See: The Challenge of Cultural Attrition in Your Church

More US young men than young women say religion is important to them
Young men are now more likely than young women in the US to say religion plays a major role in their lives, according to the newest findings from Gallup.

CoE launches worship initiative to engage more children with faith
The Church of England has announced a new programme aimed at creating new worship communities for primary school aged children.

The Church’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) has invested half a million pounds into the programme, which will see churches partner with iSingPOP.

Canadian Anglicans prepare to weigh in on Nairobi-Cairo Proposals
The Anglican Church of Canada has convened a panel of clergy and bishops to study a pair of proposed reforms to the structure of the worldwide Anglican Communion, known as the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals.

Gafcon, the Abuja Affirmation, and a Future to Fret
his essay concludes a series running April 13-17. A Series Round Up with links to all the essays will appear later this spring.

Evangelicals 'need prayers' after Church in Wales votes to make same-sex blessings permanent
The Church in Wales Governing Body has voted to make same-sex blessings permanent following a five-year trial period in which they were allowed on a temporary basis.

The vote during a meeting in Llandudno on Thursday is likely to lead some Welsh Anglicans to leave the Church or seek alternative episcopal oversight.

Also See: GAC chairman responds to Welsh same-sex marriage vote

Are you suffering from "cognitive atrophy" due to AI overuse?
As an expert on how new technology reshapes society and the human experience, I have observed a growing phenomenon which I and other researchers refer to as “cognitive atrophy”.

Essentially, AI is replacing tasks many people have grown reluctant to do themselves – thinking, writing, creating, analysing. But when we don’t use these skills, they can decline.

We also risk getting things very, very wrong....

The Paradox of the Brightening Path
There’s a paradox you’ll encounter the longer you walk with Jesus. The more you experience the light of his love, the more clearly you see the remaining spots and stains in your life. Progress seems lacking. Stumbles continue to mark your journey. The more you know the Lord’s love for you, the more you feel your unworthiness and your dependence on his grace.

This doesn’t mean you’re going backward. I call it the paradox of the brightening path.

Thursday's Catch: 'Against the Algorithm: In Praise of the Parish' And More

Against the Algorithm: In Praise of the Parish
Local church communities can appear as retrograde curiosities in the age of increasing technology and globalisation. We may say as we drive by: ‘What does this throwback to the 1950s have to do with modern life?’

However, the parish church offers a quiet but profound act of resistance against the great machines that want to seize our humanity from us. It operates at human scale. It is real, not virtual; organic, not mechanistic; familial, not individualistic. You are not curated by algorithms but shaped by neighbours. You are not known as a profile but as a person. The parish does not promise efficiency or growth. It promises presence, and that turns out to be the thing of which we are most starved.

Gen Z women are losing their religion, new study finds
Women have long been more religious than men. But a new study finds the gap closing as more young women under 30 identify as “none” — unaffiliated.

Archbishop of Canterbury issues statement supporting Pope Leo XIV’s calls for peace
Pope Leo XIV has opened about his faith-based opposition to war, particularly the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, and the American-born pontiff has said Christians are called to follow Jesus’ model in advocating for peace. U.S. President Donald Trump and others in his administration have criticized Leo for expressing those views.

On April 16, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, the spiritual leader of the global Anglican Communion, issued a statement saying she stands behind Leo in his calls for peace. The following is the text of Mullally’s statement.

The Wisdom of the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals: A Response to Paul Avis
This essay is part of a series (April 13-17) analyzing the Abuja Affirmation and the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals. A Round Up with links to all the essays will appear later in the spring.

Church in Wales Approves Blessings for Same-Sex Couples
A rite for blessing same-sex marriages and partnerships will be added to the Church in Wales’ Book of Common Prayer.

The church’s Governing Body debated a resolution on April 14 and 15, and it achieved two-thirds support in the House of Bishops, the House of Clergy, and the House of Laity. The church’s five bishops reported their vote as “nem. com.,” meaning no bishop voted against the resolution.

When Trump’s satire hits too close to home for American Christians, Antichrist claims emerge
‘Throughout both of Trump’s terms, he’s done so many things that I thought were going to be over the line, and it never happens,’ said Matthew Sutton, a scholar of religious history at Washington State University. ‘But this moment, it does feel like a turning point.’

Trump slammed the first US pope. The country's bishops now appear more united than ever.
Over nearly the last year, the bishops have gradually ramped up a forceful and united defense of the American pope’s critiques of Trump administration policies.

Teens alarmed at what AI is doing to their minds
There’s a strange dynamic emerging around artificial intelligence. Research has shown that young people — who are typically the first adopters of new technology like MP3 players and the internet — are actually the most skeptical of AI. In fact, many teens seem to have deep concerns over AI chatbots rotting their frontal lobes.

Also See: Usually, young people embrace new technology. Gen Z’s attitude toward AI should worry the entire tech industry

Faith in the Classroom: How One Teacher Made the Public School Her Mission Field
We are all called to be light in dark places, and that’s why we need Christian teachers. If Christians retreat from public schools, those schools will become increasingly and irrevocably dark. The next generation desperately needs teachers who not only educate minds but also reflect Christ’s character in the way they live and love.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (April 16, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

The topic of this Thursday evening’s message are practices which, unlike almsgiving, prayer, fasting, and the treatment of other people, Jesus did not address in his teaching, and which the apostles only touched upon in their writings.

Reading: Matthew 26: 17-30

Message: An Oversight?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/04/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows-april_16.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: 'Church Attendance Trends' And More

Church Attendance Trends: What Pastors Need to Know About the Next Generation
In recent decades, America’s churches have felt emptier. Shifting worship numbers have forced ministries to adapt and get creative. For many faith communities, the pandemic created a “before and after” that shapes how people think about Sunday mornings.

The outlook isn’t without bright spots, though. Scripture is full of seasons of wandering and returning. And lately, some remarkable things are happening, especially among young people. If you lead a church, serve in one, or simply love one, keep reading for insights about church attendance.

What Gets Celebrated Gets Replicated: Why Joy Drives Leadership
What if the key to lasting momentum in your church isn’t more pressure, but more joy? Brad Aycock shares five practical ways leaders can make joy and celebration a consistent part of their leadership strategy, showing how celebration shapes culture and strengthens mission.

What future for the Anglican Communion?
The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals would bring about seismic changes — and not for the better, argues Paul Avis.

The Abuja Affirmation—An Anglican Communion?
This essay is part of a series on the Abuja Affirmation which will run April 13-17. A Series Round Up with links to all the essays will appear later in this spring.

Pope v. Trump is about the value of a moral tradition
The recent entirely predictable online attack by Donald Trump on Pope Leo XIV has made an argument over values into a personal dispute. But the issue between the two men is not a personal dispute. It is instead a powerful illustration of the value of a moral tradition when brought to bear on transgressions against it.

I keep thinking of three images that have been used in Christian ethics to describe what the Christian moral tradition at its best offers: Solid ground, plumbline and guardrails.

Christianity is not a politician’s prop
Mean it when you say it, or don’t say it.

Malcolm Guite on Re-Enchanting a Disenchanted World
Malcolm Guite and Russell meet in Andrew Peterson’s Chapter House–Guite’s pipe smoke billowing–on the occasion of Guite’s new book, Galahad and the Grail, the first volume in the Merlin's Isle trilogy from Rabbit Room Press.

Malcolm Guite: We need to awaken the mind's attention
Malcolm Guite is a beloved poet, storyteller, Anglican priest, and academic. He is author of numerous books including the Faith Hope and Poetry, Lifting thr Veil: Imagination and the Kingdom of God. As well as his latest offering - his first installment of a mighty four-volume work - Galahad and the Grail.

Fall (Back) in Love with the Bible
Join the Living Church in Oklahoma City for “Radiant Pages: Rediscovering the Bible.” This three-day conference will empower lay people and clergy alike to read the Bible with greater skill, care, and confidence. It will also provide tools for priests and teachers to re-invigorate their teaching and preaching.

AI use appears to have a “boiling frog” effect on human cognition, new study warns
In a new study, researchers claim to provide the first causal evidence that leaning on AI to assist with “reasoning-intensive” cognitive labor — mental tasks ranging from writing to studying to coding to simply brainstorming new ideas — can rapidly impair users’ intellectual ability and willingness to persist despite difficulty.

From 'BuddhaBot' to $1.99 chats with AI Jesus, the faith-based tech boom is here
The rush to create faith-based generative AI is unsurprising, given the popularity of chatbots for everything from therapy and medical advice to companionship and romance.

What If People Treat ‘Jesus AI’ Like the Real Jesus? Just Like Me Founder Responds to Concerns An AI chatbot modeled after Jesus Christ—which users must pay to access—has stirred controversy online, with some saying the Jesus AI is “blasphemy” and others suggesting it reflects the kind of practice the real Jesus would have condemned. In a statement to ChurchLeaders, the founder of the company that created the Jesus AI said the tool is meant to complement, not replace “faith, scripture, or religious leaders” and that the chatbot was an “AI-powered reflection of Jesus’ teachings—not Jesus himself.”

Tuesday's Catch: 'A Big Church? Or a Healthy Church? What If You Had to Choose?' And More

A Big Church? Or a Healthy Church? What If You Had to Choose?
Usually a choice for church health is also a choice for church growth. But not always. Sometimes it's one or the other.

Vibrant Church: Becoming a Healthy Church in the 21st Century - An Interview with Dr. Danny Akin
Thom interviews Dr. Danny Akin, the president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, about his new book, "Vibrant Church."

Three Major Factors That Determine How Long It Will Take to Implement Change in Your Church
Many factors can affect the pace of change in a church. Thom discusses three of the biggest factors.

9 Encouraging Trends for Global Christianity in 2026
The latest report on global Christianity gives encouraging trends on the expansiveness of the faith and ways in which God is moving around the world.

Churchwide Survey Seeks Bright Spots for Growth
On April 13, the Rev. Christopher Corbin of the Diocese of Wisconsin is conducting a survey across the Episcopal Church to identify “bright spots” for growth, particularly in Average Sunday Attendance (ASA) of parishes. Corbin draws the term from the New York Times best-selling book Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard, written by siblings Chip and Dan Heath.

The large-scale survey is being conducted with the support of Forward Movement. It features a comprehensive 43-page form with over 100 questions divided into three major topics....

As soon as the findings of this survey become available, Anglicans Ablaze will post a report on them.

Alabama cathedral in talks to buy nearby Board of Education building for $5.5 million
The Episcopal cathedral in the Diocese of Alabama reportedly has offered $5.5 million to purchase a building across the street in response to the congregation’s growth.

Cathedral Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham plans to spend six months conducting due diligence work before closing on the purchase of the Birmingham Board of Education’s building on Sixth Avenue North, according to a report by AL.com.

Pope Leo XIV in Algeria to walk in footsteps of his spiritual father, St. Augustine
Pope Leo XIV is following in the footsteps of his spiritual father, St. Augustine, making a pilgrimage to the archaeological ruins of eastern Algeria where the fifth-century titan of early Christianity lived, died and wrote some of the most important works in Western thought.

Leo’s visit to Annaba, the modern-day Hippo, is a spiritual homecoming for the American pope on his second full day in Algeria. He arrived Monday on the first-ever papal visit, against the backdrop of the war in Iran and his calls for peace that have sparked a feud with U.S. President Donald Trump.

‘Outrageous Blasphemy’—Christians Respond to Now-Deleted Image of President Trump as Jesus
On Sunday morning, April 12, President Donald Trump posted an image on Truth Social of himself as Jesus Christ that has sparked “blasphemy” claims from Christians, many of whom have supported his presidency. The image was deleted from Trump’s account shortly after 11 a.m. EST.

Also See: In criticizing Leo and posting image of himself resembling Jesus, Trump sparks outcry from religious allies; 'Gross blasphemy.' Image depicting Trump as Jesus figure removed after uproar; and In post full of lies, Trump lambastes Pope Leo

The Abuja Affirmation—A Theological Engagement
his essay kicks off a series of essays on the Abuja Affirmation running April 13 – 17. A Round Up with links to all of the essays will appear later this spring.

Also See: The Abuja Affirmation—A Propositional Solution?

Young men are demoralised, not apathetic, says report
A new report is challenging familiar assumptions about the struggles facing young men, arguing that the problem is better understood as discouragement than indifference.

Published by the Institute for Family Studies, "America’s Demoralized Men" draws on a YouGov survey of 2,000 US men aged 18 to 29 conducted in early April 2025.

Green from the Ashes: Easter in the Australian Bush
In the southern half of Australia, summer’s wildfires—called bushfires—leave the community wary and exhausted.

Lent coincides with the last burst of heat. “Ash Wednesday” is fixed in our history not as a holy day in the liturgical calendar, but the name given to catastrophic fires that hit South Australia and Victoria in 1983 just as Lent began.

Preaching from both sides now
In the 1960s, I was in my late 40s. The popular song “From Both Sides Now,” written by Canadian Joni Mitchell, found me through the singer Judy Collins. The song takes us on a journey from “I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now” to “I’ve looked at love from both sides now” to “I’ve looked at life from both sides now.”

Recently, now in my tenth decade, this song popped into my mind along with this awareness: I’ve looked at preaching from both sides now, from the pulpit for about 30 years, from the pew for about 30 years.

Growing number of Americans buying highly priced luxury Bibles
Sales of high-end Bibles are climbing, with some fetching $400, as retailers and collectors alike report a surge that began with the COVID-19 pandemic and has recurred following events such as Charlie Kirk’s assassination and recent foreign conflicts.

While most standard editions of the Bible cost far less than $400, the luxury Bibles sought by a growing number of Americans typically feature leather bindings and elaborate illustrations, according to The New York Times.

What do thse expensive Bibles represent to those who purchase them? Do the they "read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest" the contents of these Bibles? Or do they serve some other purpose?

How Should We Think About Apparent Contradictions in the Gospels?
One of the most common objections to the Gospels—and one of the most common objections to the Bible as a whole—is that it contradicts itself, and in particular, the Gospels contradict themselves. They say one thing in one place, and they say another thing in another place, and these things can’t be reconciled, so skeptics say. Upon closer examination, you’ll quickly discover that a lot of these apparent contradictions evaporate quickly when you understand a number of things. So, let me just mention a few of those.

Don’t Let Preschool Ministry Be an Afterthought
Jared Kennedy hopes to bring the ministry efforts of home and church together with a trio of books. His Big Thoughts for Tiny Tots is a concise catechism for toddlers and preschoolers. It’s useful in the home or as part of The Beginner’s Gospel Story Curriculum. The 52 fully planned Sunday school lessons, with suggestions for crafts and for songs with motions, can help volunteers who love kids but don’t have much background in child development. The lessons also connect with The Beginner’s Gospel Story Bible.

Give Your Kids the Gospel in Bite-Size Pieces
I was always the kid who needed a picture to grasp a concept, and children today are no different. We’re raising the next generation in a visually inundated world. So, in addition to words, we need visuals to help with understanding and retention.

My heart’s first cry for my children was that they’d be with me for eternity. As a young mom, I tried to come up with creative ways to help them understand and retain salvation truths. Just as illustrations help children understand a story, pictures or object lessons help them understand the gospel.

When you are offended in church
Let’s assume for a moment that your offence is genuine. Let’s also assume that your offence is entirely legitimate and justified. Somebody has been a colossal pillock and everybody would agree. What are your options? As I judge it, you only have three. I will lay them out below and then highlight one common, but untenable and unacceptable, position.

Sharing Without Shipwrecks
Instead of assuming the worst, what if we approached evangelism with hope? What if sharing our faith was more welcome than we feared? It can be, especially when we commit to being gracious, relational, and nonconfrontational.

Image Credit: Trinity Episcopal Church, Owensboro, KY

Monday's Catch: 'The Silent Shift' And More

The Silent Shift: Why Your Core Members Are Attending Less (and Telling You Nothing)
If you only measure loss by membership rolls, you’ll miss what’s happening in real time.

People are LYING About Church Attendance
For years, surveys have said 22% of Americans attend church every week.

New research from the University of Chicago used anonymous cellphone data from over 2 million Americans to track actual worship attendance.

The real number?

5%.

From first dropping church attendance, then religious identity: How countries lose religion 

Religion decline happens in three stages, according to a paper in Nature Communications academic journal highlighted by the Pew Research Center. Researchers call this trajectory: Participation-Importance-Belonging.

Opinion: Why many religious ‘nones’ are more open than they appear
Research from Sutherland Institute suggests that secularization has produced far more ambivalence than antagonism. Many Americans who claim no religious identity are skeptical of religion in the abstract, yet are noticeably more open to its role in public life when they encounter concrete evidence of what religious institutions actually do. The distance between abstraction and experience turns out to matter a great deal.

Most surveys on religion, including the invaluable work of Pew over the years, are observational. They tell us what Americans believe at a given moment. The Sutherland study asked a different question: What happens when people learn something?

Start Here: Discover the Delight of C. S. Lewis
My goal is to offer a pathway into Lewis for those who aren’t already fans, so they can experience the joy of meeting him for the first time.

Meanwhile, for Lewis aficionados, this article will most likely spark a vigorous debate about why I chose one book over another. Nevertheless, the debate over what’s best is part of the delight of appreciating Lewis.

Seminarian Renews Anglican Witness in the Republic of Georgia
The Republic of Georgia sits at the intersection of Eastern Europe and Western Asia and was one of the first countries in the world to make Christianity a state religion. According to recent data from the Association of Religion Data Archives, around 83 percent of Georgians identify as Orthodox Christians. Georgian tradition holds that the Apostle Andrew first brought the gospel to the nation.

But it was a woman named Nino, believed to be from the Turkish region of Cappadocia, who Christianized the nation during the fourth century.

Need grows for Kentucky church’s food, clothing ministries as living expenses increase
When Calvary Episcopal Church in Louisville, Kentucky, opened its three-day, volunteer-run food pantry in 1982, some 10 people claimed free groceries each day. The number of people increased over time until six years ago, when it increased exponentially.

Today, Calvary’s food pantry serves about 140 people – one bag of groceries and one bag of toiletries per person – each Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, and the number of people in need of food assistance keeps growing as inflation increases.

Nearly half of Americans say they have read at least half the Bible, poll finds
Nearly half of Americans have read at least half of the Bible, while only about a quarter qualify as "active" Bible readers, according to a new survey that found that a 2025 uptick in Bible reading has seemingly subsided.

The American Bible Society has released the first installment of the "State of the Bible USA 2026." The chapter, titled “The Bible in America Today,” outlines the frequency and depth of Bible reading among Americans based on responses collected from 2,649 U.S. adults from Jan. 8–27. The survey has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

How many of the people who were surveyed were LYING?

Don’t Just Read the Bible—Study It
Like many of the spiritual disciplines we employ for growth and nourishment, Bible study isn’t explicitly commanded. So why should we study the Bible even when it feels hard?

Many biblical principles point to the value of deeply examining God’s Word. Let’s consider five.

The AI revolution is sorting people into three camps
Three distinct camps are forming around AI: power users, doubters and resisters..

Why it matters: AI isn't just advancing — it's fragmenting how people see the world.

AI is messing with our ability to handle difficult social situations
Artificial intelligence (AI) systems' sycophantic responses could be messing with the way people handle social dilemmas and interpersonal conflicts, a new study suggests.

Scientists found that when AI chatbots were used for advice on interpersonal dilemmas, they tended to affirm a user's perspective more frequently than a human would and even endorsed problematic behaviors.

Keep Kids Off Social Media and AI
The idea is simple. People used to walk on their roofs and so you must build a railing (“parapet”) on it, otherwise you are guilty of “bloodshed.” The same applies for Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, OpenAI, and so on.

Raising Children Who Love the Church
I recently tried to think back to consider some of the principles we found helpful as we raised children who actually wanted to go to church. Because I am a relentless and unashamed gleaner of the wisdom of others, these were all principles we observed or solicited from other families, then applied to our own. I hope you’ll find them helpful as we did.

5 Ways to Help Develop Disciples Who Make Disciples
The Great Commission was given to ordinary people who simply said yes. Here are five ways we can activate our people to make disciples.

Sundays at All Hallows (April 12, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the First Sunday after Easter, commonly called Low Sunday. It is also known as Doubting Thomas Sunday after the Gospel traditionally read on this Sunday.

In this Sunday’s message we unpack the meaning of Acts 2: 47 and consider its implications for believers and for those who do not yet know Jesus and the One who sent him.

Readings: Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 1:3-9, and John 20:19-31

Message: Life in Jesus’ Name

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/04/sundays-at-all-hallows-april-12-2026.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: '3 Things Gen Z Wishes the Church Understood' And More

3 Things Gen Z Wishes the Church Understood
I often hear Gen Zers exclaim, “Why won’t anyone listen to us?” So, when asked to write on a next-gen ministry topic, I decided to go directly to the source. I asked some Gen Zers, “If you could tell church and ministry leaders anything, what would it be?”

20 Truths From ‘Discipology: The Art and Science of Making Disciples’
Ed Stetzer shares 20 truths from Peyton Jones' new book that you might find helpful.

United Kingdom: The rise of 'full-fat' Christianity?
...anecdotal evidence from up and down the country still seems to suggest that people are attending church in increasing numbers - or at the very least are curious about Christianity in a way that differs from previous years....

Are young men really returning to the Catholic Church?
Polling and surveys have for years documented a decline in the number of Americans who attend church. But Catholic parishes across the country say they are seeing a dramatic uptick in the number of young men attending their services, raising the question of whether a revival is at hand.

How Easter turned to blasphemy at the White House
All the perils of Christian nationalism came together and were shown to us with clarity this Easter.

Catholic newspaper warns Donald Trump leading US into 'corporate evil'
The ominous, unfulfilled threat by President Donald Trump to obliterate Iran this week signaled the “descent into corporate evil” for the United States, according to an editorial published on Friday.

Editorial staff at the Missouri-based National Catholic Reporter condemned Trump in a scathing critique days after he vowed to indiscriminately slaughter Iranians if their government failed to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict.

Also See: As a philosopher, I’m convinced that Trump isn’t lying − he’s doing something worse

Hegseth mentor Doug Wilson's vision for a Christian nation means married women can't vote
During a town hall at an Idaho University, Wilson and his fellow pastors pitched a vision of America with no LGBTQ+ rights, no divorce and no voting rights for married women. Wilson has gained notoriety for his Christian nationalist views and his ties to Pete Hegseth.

Also See: If you think Doug Wilson is fringe, remember Al Mohler’s influence

Blocked access to Christian holy site is a symptom of a larger problem
Anti-Christian attacks in the Holy Land have spiked in recent years.

10 wrong views about the Church
In today’s hyper-individualistic and consumer-driven culture, many believers hold views about the Church that are shaped more by modern convenience than by biblical truth. These misconceptions are not just theoretical; they influence how Christians live, serve, relate, and grow in Christ. As a result, we are witnessing a disconnection between professing believers and the body of Christ — the very Church Jesus died for and is coming back for.

To recover a biblical understanding of the Church, we must confront ten common erroneous views.

The Gospel Is All about Jesus
Tragically, many reject God because of the behavior of those who profess to be God-followers. I do know many honest and loving and gracious and generous Christians. Unfortunately, you will rarely see them in newspapers and on television, and in my experience, I don’t see all that many online either. This is very sad. I believe it grieves the heart of God.

Why Our Age Celebrates Desecration (Or, Why Reenchantment Isn’t Enough)
While the disenchantment/reenchantment model contains much truth, it’s ultimately inadequate both as an explanation of our world’s problems and as a solution to them.

Is the Rise of Reenchanted Spirituality Good?
As a Christian in these times, it’s hard not to celebrate when we see cracks in the sidewalks of secularism. In recent decades, atheism and agnosticism have been widespread among society’s elites, yet a persistent spiritual openness endures among most Americans—even those claiming no religious affiliation—like stubborn weeds or grass peeking through pavement.

Should we see these shoots of reenchantment as hopeful signs of revival or as weeds that conceal deeper dangers?

After 25 Years of Consistent Recreation Ministry, This Church Discovered Something...
Churches rarely maintain success in a single ministry for 25 years, but one church has figured it out. In this episode, Sam sits down with Upward Sports Ambassador Donnie Sisk from First Baptist Church Pelham in Pelham, Alabama. For more than 25 years, Donnie has used sports ministry—especially basketball—to connect with families and share the gospel. His church now hosts a thriving league with over 170 players, creating a strong bridge to the community. Recently, Donnie added pickleball, discovering that its smaller, more relational format opens the door to deeper conversations and intentional discipleship. Donnie shares how recreation can move beyond programs and become a powerful pathway for outreach, relationships, and life change.

How Lone Oak First Baptist Is Reaching the Unchurched Through Everyday Evangelism
Senior Pastor Scott Thomas still recalls the day when, during a prayer service, a man walked to the stage at Lone Oak First Baptist Church in Paducah, Kentucky, with his young son in tow. The boy then announced that he received salvation.

Friday's Catch: 'New study explores why young men are embracing Christianity in Finland' And More

New study explores why young men are embracing Christianity in Finland
A new peer-reviewed study suggests that, in one of Europe’s most secular countries, a growing number of young men are finding Christianity compelling because it offers what the researchers describe as a fuller framework for identity, meaning, stability and belonging.

Published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, the article by theology scholars Kati Tervo-Niemelä and Pietari Hannikainen examines why young men in Finland are apparently showing more interest in the Christian faith.

What Went Wrong for American Religion
Christian Smith’s provocatively titled Why Religion Went Obsolete should attract a large and wide readership. Smith, the former William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Sociology and founding director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame, is known to many Christian readers who have no particular relationship to the social sciences. If you have heard (or used) the apt descriptor “moralistic therapeutic deism,” you have already been exposed to Smith’s earlier, influential work on the religious experience of emerging adults.

When the Tribe Eats the Church
Exhausted by looking inward to discover and express who we are, we now look around desperately for the affirmation of others—the sense of identity that comes from drawing close to those who share our affinities and outlook.

10 principles for revival that lead to a changed society
Throughout church history, God has moved in distinct ways that must be properly understood if we are going to posture ourselves for genuine transformation. We often use words like revival, awakening, renewal, and reformation interchangeably, but Scripture and history show that these realities are not the same. Each expresses a unique dimension of the Spirit’s work.

Hegseth’s removal of top Army chaplain raises ‘troubling questions’ from Black denomination
‘Our nation must be careful not to allow partisan agendas to undermine institutions built on merit, sacrifice, and service,’ said the president of the historically Black National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.

White House and Vatican relations reportedly strained
Even though Vice President JD Vance is a convert to Catholicism, relations between the White House and the Vatican may be at the lowest point in modern history, according to a report in The New Republic.

At issue now is the Trump administration’s penchant for war and the pope’s preference for dialogue and peacemaking instead.

Also See: Pentagon-Vatican meeting latest flash point in Trump's clash with religious leaders; Vatican official spills secrets of MAGA goons' bullying

Do the Ten Commandments apply to Christians today?
The helpful website, gotquestions.org, has over 10,000 answers to frequently asked Bible questions, such as this one: "Do Christians have to obey the Old Testament law?"

After briefly explaining some of the laws that were given to God's people, (Ten Commandments, civil, ceremonial) their website states, "None of the Old Testament law is binding on Christians today."

Do you see any problem with their answer?

According to the historic Anglican formularies, the 1571 Articles of Religion and the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, the Ten Commandments are binding on Christians today. Article VII states that "no Christian...whatsoever is free from the obedience of the Commandments which are called Moral." The recitation of the Ten Commandments form a part of the 1662 Holy Communion service and the 1662 Catechism contains a section on the Ten Commandments. The preface of the 1662 Confirmation service mandates knowledge of the Ten Commandments as one of the requirements for Confirmation.

When the Pastor Stops Feeling God: The Spiritual Burnout No One Talks About
There is a tension for some at the center of pastoral ministry that few congregations ever see and even fewer pastors feel safe to name. It is not primarily scandal, nor moral failure, nor even burnout—though all of those are real. It is something more fundamental: the private erosion, or at least destabilization, of a pastor’s own faith while he or she is tasked with sustaining the faith of others.

Bible reading declines as openness to Scripture rises in US, new State of the Bible report finds
A newly released national study by the American Bible Society finds that while Bible reading and engagement in the United States have declined from last year’s levels, openness to the Bible has grown significantly, with 9 million more Americans expressing interest in its message since 2024.

3 Spiritual Habits That Will Change How You Read the Bible
When it comes to the Bible, most of us have one gear: we open it, read a passage, maybe journal or pray, and close it. That’s a fine starting place. But it’s a bit like having a library card and only ever reading the same chapter of the same book.

Scripture rewards three distinct kinds of engagement, and each requires its own habit: breadth, depth, and internalization.

How Do Older Adults Invest in Young Adult Ministry?
When senior adults intentionally invest in young adult ministry leaders, the impact extends far beyond one ministry area.

3 Strategies for Cultivating a Congregation That Lives Sacrificially
Our spiritual growth is evident as we learn to daily choose to obey God and sacrificially deny our own desires and wishes.

Also See: 6 Arguments Satan Uses to Tempt You and 6 Responses to Use When He Does

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (April 9, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

This Thursday is the Thursday in Easter Week. It forms a part of the Octave of Easter, an eight-day period that begins on Easter Sunday and ends on the Second Sunday of Easter and is an extension of the Feast of the Resurrection as Easter Sunday is also known.

The topic of this Thursday evening’s message is the teaching of Jesus commonly called the Golden Rule.

Reading: Luke 6: 27-36

Message: Whatever Happened to the Golden Rule?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/04/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows-april_9.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.

Thursday's Catch: 'Something spiritual is afoot' And More

St. Paul's, Darien, Connecticut 

Arthur Brooks’ Best Advice for Preachers (How to Reclaim 20 Hours of Sermon Prep Time)
Includes a report by David Kinnaman on recent Barna research findings on growth in the church.

Why we are not in a Catholic revival — despite increase in adult baptisms
Across the country, scores of catechumens were baptized into the Catholic Church for Easter this year. Many of these new Catholics were young people. Even though precise figures won’t be available for some time, there is enough anecdotal evidence from both pastors and secular media to draw attention.

Pentagon-Vatican meeting latest flash point in Trump's clash with religious leaders
The increase in faith-fueled militaristic rhetoric is pitting the president against a growing list of faith leaders, ranging from local clergy to the pope.

S.C. Priest to Be Missionary Bishop in Liberia
The Rev. Canon Wilmot Merchant II was planning to retire from ordained ministry this year. And so during a trip to Liberia, where he was born, raised, and ordained a priest, he did not take seriously the thought of becoming a bishop suffragan in the Episcopal Church of Liberia, one of the dioceses in the Church of the Province of West Africa.

Easton diocese’s church becomes overnight shelter to keep unhoused people from facing jail time
An Episcopal parish in Ocean City, Maryland, is facing a potential new legal clash with city officials after it last week began allowing unhoused people to sleep inside the church.

Flagship Charismatic Episcopal Church to Be Demolished
The former flagship parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut — St. Paul's, Darien — is being demolished to make way for multimillion-dollar homes, according to local news reports.

Also See: Settlement reached in St. Paul’s Darien, Connecticut, cases; Episcopal Church plans to demolish Darien church, build four homes; and St. Paul’s History (partial)

Miracle In Darien book review. What happens when a church listens to God together...
Miracle in Darien captures the extraordinary story of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and their transformative new rector, Terry Fullam. Despite his initial reluctance to lead a local congregation, Fullam found himself divinely guided to this small Connecticut church where God had remarkable plans in store.

Also See: Miracle in Darien

Village church remembers 1926 national broadcast
A village church has recreated a concert that took place a century ago and was thought to be the first live outside broadcast from Cambridgeshire by the BBC.

Call to pray for ‘helpless’ seafarers in the Gulf
Seafarers in the Gulf have become the helpless victims of the battle being fought around them – according to the head of a charity supporting nearly two million crewmen and women working on ships across the world.

Peter Rouch, secretary-general of the Mission to Seafarers, and an Anglican priest, has described the helplessness experienced by seafarers in the Arabian Gulf, on ships that could find themselves under attack. The charity’s latest prayer diary encourages prayer for seafarers in the region.

College students losing ability to participate in class discussions since they offloaded their thinking to AI 

It’s well known that students from grade schools to the big universities are increasingly outsourcing their thinking to large language models (LLMs). The consequences are already measurable: elementary students are losing cognitive skills, leading them to tank their exams.

Harder to quantify — but impossible to miss if you’ve spent any time in school lately — is the situation unfolding across classrooms, where students from all layers of society have become empty vessels that parrot the outputs of AI without critically engaging with the subject matter at hand.

When No Children Come Forward: How Churches Can Grow Young Again
If you’ve watched the number of children in worship shrink year after year, you’re not alone. But renewal is possible. Laura Heikes gives us four practical, joyful steps that helped one church go from “no kids this week” to a vibrant, diverse, growing group of children who are now woven into the life of the congregation.

Wednesday's Catch: 'There may not be a Christian revival, but Britain’s traditional churches aren’t doomed' And More

There may not be a Christian revival, but Britain’s traditional churches aren’t doomed
In the same week that a new archbishop of Canterbury was installed, YouGov admitted that a poll suggesting there was a “quiet revival” of Christianity was a dud. It had been inflated by fraudulent results and should be ignored. To those of us who study the bigger picture of religion in Britain, this comes as no surprise. There are good reasons to doubt that Britain is experiencing a Christian revival today – but that does not mean it is dying out.

To understand what is happening in Britain, it is helpful to compare it with the US, which has has long been viewed as exceptionally religious in comparison. Recent evidence suggests something less clear-cut.

Growing Number of Churchgoers Face Doubts
Churchgoers tend to trust God’s involvement in their lives and the lives of others, but many admit doubts can creep in.

America Got a Little More Religious. No, Really.
...the share of the sample who identifies as atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular has dropped again. That’s a continuation of an ongoing trend that started in 2023 where the nones have declined in a slow and steady way. In 2022, the percentage of Americans who identified as non-religious was 36.2% in the CES. It was 35.6% in 2023, 34.1% in 2024, and then the data from 2025 puts the nones share at 31.8%.

That’s almost back to the levels recorded in 2017 and 2018.

Protestants see greater growth, Catholics report more stability in church giving, surveys find
When it comes to giving, Protestants and Catholics may be more alike than one might expect.

Protestants overall appear more likely to report giving growth compared to Catholics, who show higher adoption of recurring giving, according to the 2026 Annual Church Giving Report and the companion Annual Parish Giving Report from Ministry Brand.

Evangelical leader says Trump's deportation policies are 'reshaping American Christianity'
Christian leaders in the United States warn that the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement crackdown is hurting churches, noting that pastors are being detained or are self-deporting.

During a press call last week, Evangelical and Catholic leaders voiced concern about how the Trump administration's aggressive deportation policies have placed strains on American churches.

The biblical backstory of Iran
Iran is back in the headlines. The word “Iran” does not appear in the Bible, but the names of preceding peoples and empires occupying that land today are written into the biblical narrative. This is the story...

Wolfe says conservative Christians must impose their will on America
Conservative Christians must impose their will and interpretation of Scripture on all other Americans, a Southern Baptist and former Trump administration official said.

Yes, there is a movement to take away women’s right to vote
A century after the U.S. passed the 19th Amendment allowing women to vote, Dale Partridge and some other pastors say that was a mistake and are calling for its repeal.

Women Complete Easter
In the Easter story, women are the first to proclaim the resurrection – but churches today are still divided over female preachers.

Disability and the Church: Why Inclusion Is Essential to the Gospel
“Disability” is a broad label that attempts to capture the range of ways a person’s physical, mental and/or social means of functioning are judged “abnormal” compared to socially and medically constructed norms. Disabilities may be temporary or permanent, congenital or acquired, and—depending on the situation—more or less disabling. Some disabilities seem easier to accommodate and accept than others. Responding to this diversity requires a multifaceted approach; there is no one-size-fits-all.

What do we know about Simon of Cyrene?
Easter may have passed, but some figures in the story stay with us long after the day itself. One of those is Simon of Cyrene - a man who appears for only a moment, says nothing, and then disappears. And yet, his story carries lessons we can hold onto all year round.

So, who was Simon of Cyrene and why does his brief appearance matter? Let’s take a closer look.

As a music consultant, Smith preaches the value of choirs
Sid Smith III is a man on a mission to help church choirs and music ministries flourish.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Five Types of Unmovable Church Members' And More

Five Types of Unmovable Church Members
Change is a challenge in any organization and especially in churches. Jess and Thom discuss the five types of church members who resist change the most.

How to Build an Eager Coalition for Change in Your Church
Do you want to lead change in your church? If you do, you will need to build allies and supporters to work alongside you. Jess and Thom share the five most common sources to build an eager coalition.

Bungee Cord Leadership: Leveraging Tension to Lead a Church Through Change
Tension doesn't have to stress us out. We can use it to our church’s advantage if we follow a few simple principles.

Gen Z, millennials more optimistic about potential spiritual revival in US than Gen X, boomers: poll
Millennials and Gen Z Americans are more optimistic than older generations about the potential of seeing a spiritual revival in the U.S., according to a poll showing a rise in young adults embracing Christianity.

ACNA’s Bishop Dobbs Walks the Gospel Sites in Wartime Jerusalem — and Brings the Church with Him
While most Western church leaders observed Holy Week from their own pulpits, the Rt Revd Julian Dobbs, Dean of the Anglican Church in North America and Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word, was in Jerusalem — filming a daily video series from the Gospel sites and leading the collects of the Book of Common Prayer from the streets where they were first lived.

The series was published by Christ Church Jerusalem and the ACNA’s own YouTube and Facebook channels across the week, each episode filmed on location at a site corresponding to the events of that liturgical day. On Holy Wednesday, Dobbs filmed at the Mount of Olives. On Maundy Thursday, he stood in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Also See: Easter Morning: A Message From Bishop Julian Dobbs

Donald Trump’s Easter clash of hell and holiness
The president mixed Christian claims with threats of war and insults to immigrants during Holy Week, including a threat to send Iran to 'Hell' on Easter.

Down the rabbit hole: Trump offers dark Iran warnings after Easter bunny act
Donald Trump began his day standing with a person in a giant bunny costume and boasting about the Iran war to an audience of children.

The annual Easter egg roll on the White House South Lawn conjured a fitting Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland image for a US president who has disappeared down what many would call a rabbit hole.

Analysis-Trump seizes on rescue of downed airman to recast unpopular Iran war
President Donald Trump was on the verge of a crisis in the Iran war, faced with the rare instance of an American airman shot down and stranded deep inside enemy territory.

Then, the airman's daring Easter weekend rescue gave the U.S. president the chance to quickly flip the script.

Over 100 International Law Experts Warn: U.S. Strikes on Iran Violate UN Charter and May Be War Crimes
The United States and Israel initiated strikes on Iran over one month ago, on February 28, 2026. The attack was a clear violation of the United Nations Charter. The conduct of the war, and statements of U.S. officials, also raise serious concerns about violations of international humanitarian law, including potential war crimes. We have written the below statement together with over 100 U.S.-based international law experts, to detail our profound concerns about the war. The letter is signed by international law experts across the United States, including senior professors; leaders of prominent international law associations, non-governmental organizations, and legal clinics; former government legal advisors; and military law experts and former Judge Advocates General (JAGs).

From Hegseth to RFK Jr., leaders are using religion as symbol — not substance
In both cases, Christianity has been severed from the theological tradition that both limits it and gives it coherence.

What is CREC and how does it shape Pete Hegseth’s religious rhetoric?
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s conservative evangelical religious beliefs drew attention even before his confirmation hearings in January 2025. He is a member of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches – CREC – whose beliefs have been influenced by a 20th-century movement called Christian Reconstructionism.

Hunger is rising — by Republican design
It would be easy to look at SNAP participation and conclude that hunger is falling in America.

It isn’t.

Young people leading the charge on non-religious identity, analysis claims; Bible Society responds
Days after YouGov retracted Bible Society’s “Quiet Revival” data, a new analysis contends that non-religious identity among young people in the United Kingdom, particularly those under 35, is a permanent shift rather than a temporary phase, prompting a response from the nondenominational organization.

Why Easter must reclaim its throne in American faith
There is a quiet contradiction in America, one that lives in our homes, our churches, our calendars and our consumer habits. It is the reality that the most theologically powerful moment in Christianity — the resurrection of Jesus Christ — often receives less cultural reverence than his birth.

Most pastors use AI but some worry it could replace their guidance in pews: study
While a majority of pastors are personally reaping benefits from the use of artificial intelligence, some remain troubled by a raft of concerns about the technology's impact on ministry, including the displacement of pastoral spiritual guidance and the erosion of congregants’ trust, a new study shows.

Also See: AI models are lying to save each other, and no one knows why

7 Challenging Personalities & How to Lead Them in Small Group
People are complicated. And a small group puts all of that complication in a room together, week after week. So how do we lead them well?

Experts warn new highly mutated COVID strain may be spreading more among children
A long winter virus season is finally coming to a close, but there is still reason to frequently wash your hands and get all of your latest vaccines.

A highly mutated COVID-19 variant, BA.3.2 ― nicknamed Cicada ― is spreading in at least half the country and appears to be infecting kids at higher rates than other variants.

How children learn to be good
Richard Weissbourd and Kiran Bhai are part of the leadership team at Making Caring Common, a Harvard Ed School initiative focused on making moral and social development a priority in child-raising. In this article, they answer this question:

Can we become better people—more caring, generous, honest, and just?

Research questions if discipleship is more a noble sentiment than a mission
The mandate is clear: “Go and make disciples.” It’s the final, foundational command Jesus gave before ascending to heaven, the very heartbeat of the Church. Yet, new data from Lifeway Research’s “State of Discipleship” study reveals a startling disconnect within U.S. Protestant churches: Pastors overwhelmingly prioritize discipleship, but for many, it remains a noble sentiment rather than a concrete, measurable mission.

The study, which offers a preliminary look into the perspectives of church leaders, shows that while half (52%) of pastors feel satisfied with the spiritual formation happening in their churches, a mere 8% strongly agree with that assessment. This vague satisfaction is often paired with a lack of specific strategy. Only 52% report having an intentional, written plan for discipling individuals and encouraging their spiritual growth.