Wednesday's Catch: 'What Happens When a Church Exhausts Itself on Fighting' And More

What Happens When a Church Exhausts Itself on Fighting
Church fights can have a crippling effect on those who leave and those who remain. This was evident in the Episcopal Church earlier in this century and is evident in United Methodist Church in the last five years.

Perspectives on American Dechurching from Post-Christian Europe
In this episode of As in Heaven, hosts Jim Davis and Michael Graham welcome Andrew Wilson and Glen Scrivener to discuss outside perspectives on dechurching in America, drawing from insights in the U.K., Australia, and Italy to compare and contrast the dechurching movement.

Focus on the Family falsely says only liberal churches are declining
Quiet quitting. Conscious uncoupling. The great dechurching. The “dones.” These are the terms coined to describe today’s historic downturn in church affiliation, including evangelical congregations. “More than one in 10 Americans — around 40 million of us — stopped attending church in the last 25 years,” reported Christianity Today. “There’s no denying the decline in church attendance.” But there is denying it.

Evangelical churches as well as mainline churches are not engaging in evangelism and making new disciples. It is only going to make matters worse by denying that evangelical churches are declining when the evidence shows that they are. It lulls people into complacency, into thinking that they do not need to do anything about the situation. even though it demands their attention. At the same time they may be tempted to look for scapegoats upon which to blame declining Christian influence in the United State when it is really themselves who are to blame.

You Can Recognize Them By Their Fruit
...what does all of this mean when a leader’s shadow life is revealed? James Emery White has been reflecting on at least four things....

3 Reasons Your New Member Class Isn’t Working
Is your new member class designed for the JFK or IDK generation? It’s time to fight some false assumptions by making these three shifts.

6 Benefits of Church-wide Bible Study
A church-wide Bible study allows church members to personally study at their convenience while maintaining accountability and community.

Getty Music’s annual worship conference: September 4-6, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee
Sing! The Great Commission, the 2023 Getty Music Worship Conference, will take place September 4-6 at the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.

Reaching College Students
The life-altering impact college football has on its fans can serve as a microcosm and reminder of the importance of college students on our society and our churches. This weekend, as you watch your favorite college football team, consider these points.

Social Media and Anxiety: Addressing an Epidemic of Worry Among Teens
Social media may help connect people, but it also has serious impacts on impressionable users. Teens are especially vulnerable to the downsides of constant digital interactions. Not only can kids become addicted to cell phones and social media. But their self-image, body image, and mental health can suffer as a result. Depression and anxiety have spiked among teens, especially since the pandemic.

A church shopper’s guide to finding the right church for you
Daniel Day share seven questions which he beleieves that families and individuals should be asking when they are looking for a new church home.

Church that escaped damage in Hawaii wildfires helps others

 A church in Maui that's part of Pastor Greg Laurie's Harvest Christian Fellowship network has not been damaged by the wildfires that destroyed over 2,000 structures and killed nearly 100 people. However, members of Harvest Kumulani, a Lahaina-based congregation of about 1,000 regular attendees that recently celebrated seven years of being a Harvest campus, have suffered losses caused by the wildfires.

ACNA Bishop Stewart Ruch will face church trial
A 10-person board of inquiry found there was probable cause to present Ruch for trial for violating denominational bylaws.

The Risky Work of Change: Our Parish Journey of Discernment toward the Episcopal Church
"On July 25, 2023, our parish voted to disaffiliate from the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and pursue affiliation with the Episcopal Church (TEC) in the Diocese of Texas, " writes Shawn McCain Tirres. "As big of a deal as this may seem, for those who know our parish, the real headline is far more interesting."

Trump’s Georgia Election Meddling Didn’t Just Look Wrong. It Was Wrong.
The ex-president’s new indictment isn’t about appearances. Some things are just as evil as they seem.

Two evangelical Christian leaders indicted along with Trump in Georgia
Two evangelical Christian leaders were among the 18 individuals indicted in Georgia Aug. 14 and charged with criminally conspiring with Donald Trump to overturn his 2020 election loss.

Pastor indicted alongside Trump in Georgia election meddling case
The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod pastor is charged with attempting to influence witnesses and conspiring to solicit false statements and writings, all as part of an effort to influence an election worker.