Thursday, October 03, 2024

Thursday's Catch: 'In North Carolina, sound of chainsaws brings hope as faith-based workers clear roads' And More


In North Carolina, sound of chainsaws brings hope as faith-based workers clear roads
While emergency officials continue to search for victims of Hurricane Helene, faith-based groups start the long, slow cleanup efforts.

How Your Church Can Help During a Natural Disaster
Many people would agree that there’s nothing better than that time of year when the days start to get longer, and the weather gets warmer. But along with this comes the looming question of what extreme weather may happen in this season. In addition to hurricanes, like the one that just ravaged the Southeast, people have to deal with tornados, flash floods and wildfires. Many people will look to their local institutions for preparation and recovery efforts.

When Internet Culture Becomes the Culture
Christian thinkers and writers recognize the power of the internet and have been at the forefront of writing about the dangers of smartphone addiction, excessive social media use, and internet pornography. But where secular internet culture writers often approach their topics from a live-from-the-scene-of-the-crime perspective, Christian writers are frequently on the outside looking in.

10 Harmful Online Behaviour To Be Aware Of
This project is driven by the vision of our writer, who aims to spark meaningful conversations and create common ground amidst the chaos of online culture and media. While some of the research is cited, many ideas stem from their own observations as an internet user and culture enthusiast. Their hope is to address both the good and toxic behaviors in online spaces and encourage viewers to reflect on their own actions.

New survey says only 35% of Evangelicals think they are ready to share biblical truths
While the overwhelming majority of Evangelicals believe they have a duty to share the teachings of the Bible, most do not consider themselves ready to do so on a regular basis, according to a new survey.
 
Small Church Pastor, Respect Thyself
Small church pastors bring unique contributions that make a tremendous impact. It’s time to respect what you do, and where you do it. Darrell Stetler II explain why.
Also See: New Start Discipleship Program
Be Present as a Leader
When we first started seeing serious growth at Vanderbloemen Search Group, we had an idea: What if we could serve the church by building an executive search firm that was entirely virtual? We could charge less, serve more churches and sleep at home every night.

You Might Be Too Rigid: 5 Questions to Test Your Leadership Flexibility
Leadership longevity has its benefits, but it also comes with significant challenges. One of the most pervasive is the gradual loss of flexibility. The longer a leader remains in their role, the more likely they are to become rigid in their thinking and approach. This rigidity can manifest in several ways, all of which can hinder the growth and innovation of both the leader and the organization.

What does Paul mean in Colossians 2:18 when he speaks of “the worship of angels”?
Paul issues a stringent warning about those who are engaged in the “worship of angels” (Col. 2:18b). This is a notoriously controversial statement due to the ambiguity of Paul's words. I'll try to briefly explain the options for its interpretation.
A number of posts on social media about which I have read or seen are prayers to angels. Jesus taught his disciples to pray to God, to their Father in heaven, and he himself prayed to God and NOT to angels. The Holy Scrptures tell us that angels are messengers FROM God and NOT messengers TO God. While Catholics may invoke saints and angels when they pray, this practice finds no support in Scripture.
The Benefits of Attending Church Online
Some have asked, “Does attending church online count?” Your church attendance isn’t about “counting” for something. Romans 4:3 says, “For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’” Attending church online or in person are both opportunities to meet, encourage one another, study God’s Word together, worship, and grow—all with the mission of seeing lives changed by Jesus.

The Gettys’ Modern Hymn Movement Has Theological Pull
Yet even at their annual worship conference, there’s room for multiple styles of music to declare the stories of the Bible.
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5 Things to Do Before you Create a New Church Website
The creation of a new church website was a priority for us, as it is often the first online impression that potential guests will have of the church. In fact, the website can be seen as the digital entrance, serving as the primary communication hub for the church. Thus, it is crucial to carefully plan and execute the development of the website as a key part of the overall communication strategy.

Small Group Leadership is Lonely
The loneliness of small group leadership seems like a misnomer. After all, small group leaders, coaches, directors, and even small group pastors are in a group. Why would they feel lonely? This isn’t the loneliness as a person. This is the loneliness of the leader. It’s the old adage that it’s lonely at the top. The experience of leadership can be a lonely experience. Here’s how to alleviate loneliness for your leaders and yourself.

Youth Sports, Healthy Families, and the Future of the Church
Over the last two or three decades, youth sports has been professionalized, which means parents are paying coaches and organizations to do things they used to do themselves, or have the kids do—things like playing catch, setting up games, and supervising disputes. Over time, that grew to include things like scheduling tournaments, renting facilities, and offering specialized camps or one-on-one coaching. This shift has led to a lot of problems.

Image Credit: Mennonite Disaster Service

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