Tuesday's Catch: 'To America With Love: Why U.S. Christianity’s Resurgence Will Come From Immigrants' And More

To America With Love: Why U.S. Christianity’s Resurgence Will Come From Immigrants
As Ed Stetzer underscored in his May/June 2023 From the Editor column, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that “by 2030 immigration is projected to become the primary driver of population growth in the United States.” That means more people are predicted to be added to the population through net international migration than through new births minus deaths. Pew Research Center has put a number on a similar forecast: 82% of U.S. growth from 2005 to 2050 will come from new immigrants and their families. This development has huge implications for your church’s outreach and growth.

While some Americans view the growing immigrant population with fear and trepidation, feelings exploited by uscrupulous politicians for their own ends, for US Christians this growing population segment represents a God-given opportunity to spread the gospel, make new disciples, and enfold them into vibrant new churches.

Rural Churches Fuel Economies
A new study suggests there’s a whole lot of valuable things going on in rural churches — including smaller congregations — beyond Sunday morning worship.

I may have posted a link to this article earlier. It, however, is a useful reminder that a rural church that is actively enaged with the commuity in which it is located can be a valuable asset to that community in a number of ways.

Single Christian Women Are Much More Than Their Wombs
The early church elevated females for their faith witness, not their fertility. We should do the same today.

If you don't have a CT subscription, you will need to copy the page and paste it in a Word document to read it.

Experiences of female clergy are often overlooked in accounts of the SBC schism, professor says
A gender struggle was central to the Southern Baptist Convention schism, but interpreters of the controversy largely have failed to deal with this reality, a Baptist professor said during a lecture in Louisville, Ky. 

Pope suggests blessings for same-sex unions possible in response to 5 conservative cardinals
Francis’ letter marks a reversal from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's 2021 noting saying the church couldn’t bless gay unions because “God cannot bless sin.”

For readers who are following the controvery swirling around North Point's hosting of the "Unconditional Conference, here are links to two articles related to that controversy: I’ve ‘Never Subscribed to His Version of Biblical Christianity’—Andy Stanley Claims Al Mohler’s Version ‘Is the Problem’ and Andy Stanley’s Version of Christianity.

Harvest festival at to St Paul's highlights growing food poverty
A Harvest festival was held in St Paul's Cathedral for the first time in years at the weekend amid concerns of a return to "Dickensian" levels of food poverty. The service was held in partnership with City Harvest, a charity that provides meals to vulnerable people across London while also working to save food from landfill.

Food insecurity is not only a serious problem in the United Kingdom but also in the United States.

7 Warning Signs of Faking Sincerity in the Pulpit
If any of these warning signs are present in our lives, chances are we are faking sincerity on some level.

Today’s pet blessings might have seemed strange to Francis of Assisi
What would Francis have thought?

Research: Parents Feel Ill-Equipped to Disciple Kids
A parent’s primary responsibility is to disciple their children, which entails serving as a role model and mentor to help them think like Jesus, so that they can act like Jesus throughout their lives. However, according to new research from veteran researcher Dr. George Barna, most parents today admit to feeling ill-equipped for this task, and children are frequently overlooked when it comes to discipleship efforts.

The Call of God to Ministry: Should You Be a Children’s Pastor?
The call of God to ministry is a fascinating topic. Volunteers, students, and teachers often wonder, “Is God calling me to ministry? Should I return to school and serve in the church full-time?” So how do you know you are called to ministry?

5 Ways Technology Helps Accelerate Church Growth
First-time guests are the lifeblood for churches. Yet, the average number of first-time guests that become regular attendees in churches today is only 10 percent. While most church leaders want to make a good first impression, it takes more than good intentions to accelerate church growth and effectively engage guests in a way that helps them move toward becoming a fully-engaged member. Technology can play a key role in helping your church identify, improve, activate and accelerate church growth assimilation processes that grow your church by effectively integrating first-time guests.

While less people are likely to visit a church today than in the past, churches do not want to lose those who do. They not only want them to return but also to become an active member of the congregation.