Friday's Catch: 'New Data Reveals Big Gains for Non-Denominational Churches' And More

New Data Reveals Big Gains for Non-Denominational Churches
A recent Christianity Today article reported on data from the 2020 Religion Census. According to the report, every Protestant denomination has declined while those congregations claiming to be non-denominational gained millions of people. Thom Rainer and Sam Rainer discuss their thoughts on this report and what it may mean for the future of churches affiliated with Protestant denominations.

Leading a Church Revitalization Even When You Don’t Feel Like You Are a Leader – Part 2: Four Common Leadership Obstacles in a Church Revitalization

It is almost cliche to say revitalization is tough. But it is a challenge. Thom Rainer and Mark Clifton speak with countless pastors and staff who don’t think they are up to the task. This three-part series may prove to be a blessing to those who are discouraged and wonder if they can lead the revitalization. In this second episode, Thom and Mark look at four of the more common leadership obstacles in revitalization.

Necessary Conversations: The Church, Suicide, and Mental Health
The church is for the broken. A church without the broken is a broken church.

Sunday Schools Build Back After COVID Challenges
Episcopal Sunday schools across the country have long struggled to make do with very little. For some churches, that has meant a lack of funding, resources, teachers, or even children.

The struggles of Episcopal Sunday schools are not particular to the Episcopal Church but affect small churches of other denominations.

How to Use Social Media for Outreach Events
Large events and holiday celebrations can lead to huge boosts in church attendance, growth, and engagement. But if you’ve ever planned one, you know planning isn’t the hardest part. The menu is set, the band has practiced, the speaker is booked. All that’s left is getting people in the door. Easy enough, right?

Valuing Intentional Community
Community is a Christian buzzword, usually meaning a group of Christ followers that care for one another, but the scriptures expand on this definition to cast a vision for community that can truly change the world.

The Oxygen That Sustains Our Evangelism The oxygen that nourishes us and fuels our evangelism is largely composed of four things.

US worst country for pushing 'extreme gender ideology,' sex change surgeries on youth: study
The United States is the most permissive country when it comes to pushing gender ideology and prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children, compared to nearly a dozen European countries that have implemented more strenuous barriers for youth seeking to obtain drugs and body-mutilating surgeries to look more like the opposite sex.

Church of England publishes draft prayers for same-sex blessings
The Church of England has today published draft prayers to be used in blessing services for same-sex couples. The bishops have published a set of eight prayers and an acclamation for ministers to use at their discretion. They include prayers for thanksgiving, dedication and God's guidance.

The Church of England Takes a "Third Way" on Gay Marriage
...it came as something of a surprise that the Anglican bishops voted this week to stand firm on gay marriage. The result is somewhat qualified—the bishops also voted to permit blessings and prayers for same-sex civil partnerships and to issue a forthcoming apology about past sins against LGBTQ+ people.

Evangelicals may reject authority of liberal bishops in Church of England
Evangelical ministers in the Church of England are being urged to indicate their willingness to repudiate their obedience to any bishop who departs from established orthodoxy on issues of sexual morality – and to seek alternative episcopal oversight. It follows the announcement this week that the Church of England intends to allow blessings for same-sex couples.