Less than two weeks after the Parrish-based Diocese of Southwest Florida began cleanup efforts and assessing its churches damaged by Hurricane Helene in late September, the diocese began preparing for the arrival of another major hurricane – Milton.
ELCA bishops warn about ‘hate-fueled’ political lies
Bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America issued a letter Oct. 1 to “condemn the hateful, deceptive, violent speech that has too readily found a place in our national discourse.” The letter from the Council of Bishops said: “We lament the ways this language has led to hate-fueled action. We refuse to accept the ongoing normalization of lies and deceit.”
Church fights ‘unjust’ tax for not looking ‘religious’ enough
A church in Italy is fighting an “unjust” tax imposed because it doesn’t look “religious” enough, claiming, “We are supposed to pay 50,000€ of allegedly accrued taxes only because we are Protestants.”
Church Exits Influence Clergy Age Trends
In its latest study of United Methodist clergy, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership discusses the impact of church departures. Disaffiliations have led to reductions in the ranks of both older and younger elders. The report also identifies conferences that continue to have a relatively high percentage of younger clergy.
The enduring impact of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther’s Missiological Practices and Ministries: Lessons for the contemporary church
Samuel Ajayi Crowther (1809–1891) was a pioneering missionary whose legacy continues to resonate within the church today.
Great Gifts but Little Faithfulness
I was recently considering God’s gifts and pondering this: I have known Christians who have great gifts but low faithfulness. God has given them much and it is apparent that they are making little of it.
Pastors, Stop Trying to Fix People’s Problems
Crises are daily occurrences for most church leaders. Fires rage. We charge in with water pistols. We want to help. The leadership mistake is not the visceral reaction of jumping into a crisis. The problem occurs in a common exchange between shepherds and congregation, and this exchange only deepens the crisis and further entrenches the challenge.
Pastors Need a 'Third Place' for Healthy Lives
Pastors need a "third place" beyond church and home to refresh their spirits and pursue their passions.
How Much Time Should a Pastor Spend on Sermon Prep
Charles Stone takes a look at the factors that affect the length of time a pastor spends in preparing a sermon.
The Deficit of Discipleship: How the American Church is Off-Mission
The American church is off-mission. That may seem like a ridiculous statement considering the number of growing megachurches and multisite churches around the country. How could the church be off-mission with record crowds? Well, let’s go back and look at the church’s mission statement....
Practical Steps to a Small Church Discipleship Strategy
Darrell Stetler II offers five practical steps to help you create a clear discipleship strategy for your small church.
Steeplejacking: A Hostile Takeover in Worship?
It is irrefutable that adjustments to worship practices are often necessary as a church considers the cultures and contexts of those present and those not present yet. But in an effort to initiate some of those changes, leaders sometimes push to do anything different than what is being done presently. The consequence is those who have been around for a while feel as if they are losing the church they have known and loved. So even when change motives are pure, it still seems like their church is being steeplejacked.
Embracing Creative Outreach in Your Ministry
Rck Warren believes every church should embrace creativity to reach new people with the gospel. He maintains any church can learn to do this if they live out these five principles.
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