...what we’re seeing is not that Christianity is disappearing—instead, it’s spreading and shifting its geographical center.
Immigrants and Election Week: How Churches of Welcome Go From Rhetoric to Relationships and Reaching
Regardless of how politicians on either side of the spectrum intend to use rhetoric, church leaders should be mindful of the on-the-ground impact, which is often the “othering” and demonizing of entire communities of people, potentially to the detriment of our Christian witness. Christians can’t demonize groups of people and then later romanticize how difficult it is to reach them.
“Faithfully Engage Public Policy” featuring Miranda Zapor Cruz
How can Christians faithfully engage public policy? We speak with Miranda Zapor Cruz, professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University and author of Faithful Politics: 10 Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. She shares with us how Christians can engage public policy in faithful, yet nonpartisan ways.
The Challenge of Loving Across Divides
...hope remains for Christian leaders seeking to foster love across cultural chasms. While challenging, the Bible offers rich wisdom for initiating conversations that build bridges rather than walls.
Seven Important Trends in New Member Classes
Churches with membership classes were in the minority just ten years ago. Now, six out of ten churches have a regular new members class. Thom and Jess look at seven of the most current trends. In addition, they provide a contemporary history of new member classes in America.
Making the Most of Your Greeting Times
Phil Maynard says that the typical greeting time during a worship service encourages people to shake a lot of hands rather than really engaging someone new. He offers simple strategies and conversation starters to encourage deeper connections.
In his research Thom Rainer found that "stand and greet times" during church services were for first time visitors a highly off-putting experience and may cause them not to return for a second visit. Consequently, he does not recommend "stand and greet times." In my personal experience in visiting churches as a guest or a mystery worship visitor I have found this to be the case and I don't recommend them either.Transformation to the Faith OF Jesus
There’s a saying often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” This advice carries particular weight for Christians.
Also See: Belief in ActionThe Heart of Great Preaching
I was recently at a conference, enjoying it both as a participant and as a presenter. I was particularly struck by the main Bible teaching. It was great preaching. I was challenged by the obvious passion for the Word that showed in this series of talks. I know the speaker is not a limelight seeker, so I won’t name him, but I trust these three reflections will be provocative for us.
Also See: Good Sermons Sometimes HurtAnswers to 10 Questions You May Have About Groups Ministry
Groups ministries are foundational for discipleship in the local church, but groups ministry isn’t always simple and straightforward.
5 Tough Questions to Challenge Shallow Faith
Faith is a personal journey, one that should be both transformative and rooted deeply in one’s relationship with God. But what happens when our faith becomes routine, lacking depth or genuine conviction? A shallow faith may leave us unprepared for life’s challenges and disconnected from the true purpose of our beliefs. Here are five tough questions to help you examine your faith, uncover areas that may need growth, and encourage a closer walk with Christ.
Belonging Before Believing?
Trevi Wax examines a number of strengths and weaknesses of the “belonging before believing” mindset.
Why Is Evangelism So Hard?
We all believe in the Great Commission and most of us are committed to follow this call of Jesus, but it is just plain hard. Momentum gets stalled. Attention gets distracted. We drift off course. The next thing we know, our lives and churches are doing lots for believers and our focus on the lost fades. After encountering thousands of pastors, elders, staff members and church leaders from around the globe, I have seen the same three obstacles to evangelism surface over and over again.
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