Wednesday's Catch: '5 Do’s and Don’ts of Holiday Church Communication' And More

5 Do’s and Don’ts of Holiday Church Communication
With increased opportunities for engagement during the holiday season, effective church communication is crucial.

Bishop Jack Leo Iker (1949-2024)
Bishop Jack Leo Iker, who led the majority of parishes and people in his diocese into what became the Anglican Church of North America, died October 5 at 75. Iker had beat back lymphoma five years ago, but the cancer returned and metastasized this summer, and he entered hospice care.

Evangelicals for Harris’ anti-Trump Billy Graham ad prompts threat of lawsuit
The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, led by the late evangelist’s son the Rev. Franklin Graham, has said it might sue over the ad’s use of clips from a 1988 Graham sermon.

“Community Partnerships: Moving from a Mindset of Scarcity to Abundance” featuring Mahogany Thomas
How can congregations cultivate fruitful partnerships with nonprofits that promote human flourishing and abundance? We talk with Mahogany Thomas, chief program officer of Bread for the City, about building partnerships to meet the needs in your community.

Los Angeles-area Episcopal church shares ‘holy dumplings’ with community
When she was five years old, Jessica Jin learned to make dumplings, a beloved family tradition throughout China, especially the northern region. She kept those skills throughout her life, even today, 13 years after moving from Beijing to the United States, where she and her family settled in San Gabriel, California. Today, she’s an active parishioner of the Church of Our Saviour, an Episcopal parish with a growing Chinese congregation.

Church Finances Don’t Have to be So Hard
Many churches struggle with finances due to a lack of financial understanding rather than insufficient funds. Effective financial tools and knowledge are crucial. Thomas James shares how to learn about your church’s financial culture using the Lewis Center’s updated Congregational Giving Profile (CGP) that tracks income, expenses, and trends, aiding churches in making informed decisions and improving financial management.

Is It Time to Right-Size Your Staff?
This might be the time to have a conversation about right-sizing your staff, says Jim Kitchens. He outlines different ways to approach the task depending on the urgency of the situation.

Untainted Leadership
Leadership before it was tainted consisted of watching over and working.

Gospel of the Living Dead
Preaching in the season of Halloween.

9 Tangible Benefits of Bible Reading for Your Church
The more often Christians engage the Bible at least four times a week, the more bold they will be in sharing and growing in their faith.

7 Principles of Biblical Interpretation
Interpreting the Bible—hermeneutics—is the science and art of understanding, translating, and explaining the meaning of the Scripture text.

Anxious Times: What You Need to Know About Childhood Anxiety
Feeling anxious about the rise in childhood anxiety today? Read on to discover what anxiety is, how to help kids through anxious moments, and what our Father God wants us to remember during anxious times.

Give Thanks In Every Circumstance
Gratitude can easily slip through our fingers. Yet, Paul's message to the Thessalonians offers a timeless reminder: to give thanks in all things. This call isn't just a religious doctrine; it's a life-altering perspective that fosters deep, spiritual contentment. But how does one practice such thankfulness amid life's trials?

International Churches Aren’t the Silver Bullet of Missions Strategy
We still need missionaries who go deep in language and culture and who plant indigenous churches among unreached peoples.

Mission, Vision, and Strategy 

It is easy enough for a church, or a pastor, to keep doing what churches and pastors do. That’s generally not bad advice, and for some churches and pastors it is very likely good advice. It can also be worthwhile to think more intentionally about this. Who are we and who is God calling us to be here and now?