Friday's Catch: 'Church Security: How Do We Keep Our Churches Safe in Today’s America?' And More

Church Security: How Do We Keep Our Churches Safe in Today’s America?

In the wake of The Covenant School shooting in Nashville, Tennesee, Ed Stetzer offers a mix of pastoral and practical advice regarding church and church school security.

Small Church, Big Potential
In the American context we tend to view small things as insignificant. Scripture turns that perspective on its head. In fact, the Bible repeatedly shows how God uses minor things to make a large impact. Jesus used seemingly unimportant objects––like a mustard seed or yeast––to demonstrate the potency of supposedly inconsequential things.

'Banality of evil': Scholars explain what's behind assisted suicide's expansion in the West
As assisted suicide rises to new record levels in some areas of the globe, experts say that the "banality of evil" and expressive individualism are playing a role as governments in the United States, Canada and Europe are pushing the envelope by expanding who can access "medical aid in dying."

4 Systems Church Leaders Should Care About
I would add a fifth "system" to this list--the church's plan for dscipling not just inquirers but also long-time churchgoers.

The Asbury Outpouring: What We As Worship Leaders Can Learn
"After a week bearing personal witness to what God is doing at Asbury, I woke up with the awareness that there are a few important things we can learn right now." writes Dan Wilt. He has put his reflections in an article and in the longer form of a video for us.

U.S. Church Attendance Rates Find Stability Amid Changes While regular church attendance has dropped slightly since 2019, church participation has remained “remarkably steady” throughout the pandemic.

Historic North Carolina church trying to leave UMC shuttered by regional conference 

Whatever the rationale that was offered for this decision, it has all the earmarks of a property grab!

Communion Partner Response to Church of England Decision
The Communion Partners issued this statement on the Church of England's decision to permit the blessing of same-sex civil unions.