Thursday's Catch: 'Does a Church Have to Die?' And More

Does a Church Have to Die?
The churches in North America and many parts of the world are dying. Why? Because the local church has failed to adapt to the changing realities of the community in which they were planted decades before.

Gardens in the Desert
“I feel like I have been prepared for a world that no longer exists!”—does that sound familiar to anyone?

Calling in the Cast Out
There are many things that Jesus did exceptionally well that we as modern followers should embrace. We call this “discipleship,” which includes praying, teaching, learning, and growing…all the things we want to be more Christlike in. But there is one area around which I believe we need to discern a more engaged call, especially as the church: reaching the alienated.

Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926-2024)
Timothy Dudley-Smith, who wrote “Tell Out My Soul” and more than 400 other hymns and served as Bishop of Thetford in the Church of England from 1981 to 1992, died August 12 at 97.

The Church of England and the Anglican Communion has lost one of its most prolific hymn writers.

Ed Stetzer: The Power of Small
Here are five reasons...why small churches matter.

3 Tips to Becoming an Environmental Steward
... it’s time to move into our communities and for churches to lead the way in change.

9 Steps to Take When Your Church Does Not Have Enough Workers 

I don’t think I’ve ever met a church leader who said, “Our church has more than enough workers.” Every church I’ve worked with had at least some members who were uninvolved—and I suspect the Covid pandemic only exacerbated the problem. If that’s where your church is, maybe one of these ideas will help you....

5 Truths to Remember About New Leaders in Your Church
As new leaders step into their ministry calling, we must prioritize discipleship and enabling them to find success in their new role.

A Unique and Fresh Approach to Bible Reading
Try reading your Bible in this way and see how it can freshen your experience. It’s also helpful to record insights you learn in a journal.

Be Ready with the Gospel. Memorize the Bible.
If you’re going to share the gospel, you’ll want to know verses that succinctly summarize the good news of Christ...You don’t have to live among oral learners in another culture to retell Bible stories; you can do it with children or anyone.