Thursday's Catch: 'Church Evaluation: The Story We Tell Ourselves' And More

Church Evaluation: The Story We Tell Ourselves
Depending on our disposition, our church evaluation may be too optimistic or too skeptical. Either way, we rarely know why we see what we do.

Two Main Types of Churches
There are two main types of churches that say they very much want to reach the unchurched.

4 Insights about Leadership I Learned from a Bunch of Creatives
Charles Stone shares what he learned from book marketer, Chad Cannon and eight creatives at an intensive one-day book marketing session. He "came away not only with a head full of ideas on book marketing but a few insights on leadership as well."

The Great Ministry Myth: Why Fun and Games Won’t Lead to Lifelong Faith (and titles like these)
"I have come to the conclusion that the only goal we should have in any ministry, no matter what age it is aimed at, is to make disciples," writes Christina Embree. "Disciples that are on a journey of lifelong faith formation as followers of Jesus."

The “Read the Labels” Technique
The “Read the Labels” technique is an easy way to freshen up our Bible reading. While reading, identify and track the labels that an author uses for characters in the story.

Learning From Those Who Pray All Night
How can two cultures prioritize the means of spiritual growth so differently?

6 Ways Christian Students Can Prepare for College: #5 Doubting Your Faith Does Not Make You a Bad Christian
This series is based on a recent lecture Michael J. Kruger gave to the Regents School in Austin, Texas, where he laid out 6 principles designed to help rising college students think more clearly about what’s ahead. It’s also based on his book, Surviving Religion 101.

How Christians Should Respond in the Age of Skepticism
There’s no question, Americans are—and have been for quite some time—becoming less and less religious.

Exiting Florida churches’ lawsuit dismissed
A Florida judge has granted a motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by churches seeking to leave The United Methodist Church without the costs associated with disaffiliation. The Florida Conference hailed the ruling, noting that it reaffirms the principle in the U.S. Constitution that civil courts do not have a role to play in church doctrine. While not ruling on the merits of the case, the judge appeared to welcome the prospect of an appeal.

Clergy and congregations disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church are not migrating en mass to the newly-formed Global Methodist Church. Some have migrated to existing Methodist entities such as the Free Methodist Church and Congregational Methodist Church. A number of them are forming their own church network; a number of them are becoming non-denominational.