Wednesday's Catch: 'The Megachurch Movement Is Fading. What’s Next?' And More

The Megachurch Movement Is Fading. What’s Next?
The megachurch movement is beginning to wane. The number of megachurches increased exponentially in the 1980s and 1990s, but long about 2010 this exponential growth stalled. Though it is difficult to estimate precisely how many megachurches remain in the United States, it’s safe to assume the large growth curves of the 1980s and 1990s are a thing of the past. The movement was essentially a product of the Baby Boomer generation.

Pastors Report the Economy’s Continued Negative Impact on Churches
In 2023, pastors have similar perceptions of the economy as in 2022, with half saying it is having a negative impact on their church.

What Will It Take to Reach Gen Z?

Understanding new generations is an essential part of a true mission mind in this rapidly changing world. Today, Generation Z is the youngest generation. The older members of this group have already finished their formal education and are working in different sectors of society. But who are the Gen Zers? What are they like? And, most importantly, how can they be reached with the gospel?

Solving the Problem of Biblical Illiteracy in Your Church
Very few Christians have been taught to understand the Bible in its entirety. Biblical illiteracy among Christians is one of the greatest hurdles to better church health. We have a solution! Church Answers has two new courses that can be used as a curriculum for small groups and training for leaders. Join us on Thursday, October 12, at 1:00 PM, Eastern Time, as Thom and Sam share how you can equip your people with the grand narrative of the Bible.

Start With The End: 3 Reasons You Should Try Writing the Conclusion of Your Sermon First
How you close a sermon is as important as how you start the sermon.

Structured Song: a qualified appreciation of church hymnals
In this article Andrew Roycroft offers some appreciation for what hymnals brought and bring to the church, and explains how we could harness some of their benefits without necessarily sacrificing the help that technology has been to us in this area.

Top Tips for Parents
What advice would you give to a group of parents and other adults involved in the lives of teenagers?

Youth Ministry Publicity for Fall: 5 Ways to Engage in Outreach
...here are five tips to help you create excitement around your youth ministry this fall. Plus, these youth ministry publicity tips will help students promote the program to friends, classmates, and teammates.

Is Your Youth Group Too Much Fun?
Are fun and spiritual depth at odds?

Can Your Church Be Found?
Just as your church’s physical location matters, so does your church’s location on the Internet. There are 823,000 monthly searches for “churches near me.” Can your church be found?

Today’s Defining Question: What Is a Human?
Today we’re facing a third major crisis. This time the focus is on anthropology, the nature and destiny of humankind. What’s a human being? What does it mean to be made in God’s image? To be created male and female? Do we receive our identity and purpose or do we create identity and meaning for ourselves?

No’ to Trans, ‘Yes’ to Gay Marriage: Will This Be the New Normal?
However much people might feel it to be a return to ‘common sense,’ this isn’t a return to a Christian vision. Certainly not yet.

Is religion good for you? The answer is complicated, new global Gallup report finds.
A review of 10 years of global polling looks at the complicated connection between spirituality and health.

In secular Japan, what draws so many to temples and shrines? Stamp collecting and tradition
Japan has a long history of pragmatism about traditional religions, which often serve more as connections to family and community than as theological guides, as in the West.