More Articles from Around the Web

Five Ways Biblical Geography Shapes Our View of God’s Mission How can we read Scripture as embodied people who will live with an embodied Savior for all eternity? One unexpected answer to this question is to study biblical geography. If the word geography causes you to doze off, I can relate. I failed the map reading section in social studies in second grade, which spurred my dislike of Bible maps for the next 15 years. Only when I began teaching at a Christian school that included maps in its Bible curriculum did I realize how illuminating geography can be.

9 Reasons Churches Drift from Their Missions Last year, I wrote a post entitled, “10 Signs of Mission Drift in a Church.” What I learned in response was that readers appreciated the signs, but they wanted to know (1) why churches experience mission drift and (2) what they might do to redirect the course. Today’s post addresses the first question, and tomorrow’s will tackle the second. So, here are some reasons churches experience mission drift....

Why Young Christians Are Pursuing Climate Action as an Urgent Calling Around the world, young people are frontlining efforts to address climate change —and that includes activating churches. A growing number of young Christians, like 27-year-old Tori Goebel, see environmental action as an essential expression of their faith.

How the Supreme Court Found its Faith and Put ‘Religious Liberty’ on a Winning Streak The court’s new emphasis on protecting religious liberty has redefined the conventional understanding of the free exercise clause. Traditionally, that has meant the government could not impose a substantial burden on one’s ability to practice religion, but that lesser restrictions on that practice – such as adhering to health or safety regulations – were not unconstitutional. But under the current Supreme Court, the degree of burden is less important than whether the state is treating religion differently from secular counterparts.

Critics: Stay Away or Draw Close to Them? Criticism hurts, especially the non-constructive kind. We tend to stay away from such critics. But is that the wisest choice? Should we draw close to them instead of pulling away from them? In this post I explore the idea of not shunning your critics.

The Organizational Habit Working Against Change Perhaps it’s a church like mine, or maybe a small business, or a restaurant. It doesn’t matter. The principle is the same. Every establishment begins with an idea and ends as an organization. I say, “ends,” because every organization does eventually end. And weirdly, it’s the “organizing” of the organization that works against us.

Church Online Giving Platforms – 5 Great Choices Even while the Church’s mission remains unchanged throughout all generations, its practices will always be subject to change. For example, tithes and offerings: these days, those people in the seats who pass the offering plate without dropping in a check are still giving—often more generously than ever before! In our increasingly digital age, church online giving platforms have become a popular option for churches looking to connect with members who no longer carry cash or checks to church. If you want to maintain consistent levels of giving at your church, don’t let the offering plate pass them by without presenting an alternative way to give.