Friday's Catch: 'Just Ask: A Simple Solution to the Church Planter Shortage' And More

Just Ask: A Simple Solution to the Church Planter Shortage

The problem in the Western church is clear: There is a serious lack of church planters. So, what is the solution?

Ministering in Our Times and Amid Our Tragedies
Jesus’s bold teachings challenge us to keep God’s agenda in mind as we seek to understand our times and minister in them.

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s Words to President Trump Continue Stirring Controversy
More than a week after Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde asked President Donald Trump to show mercy on Americans, her comments remain a hot topic in Christian circles. Budde, the first female bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, spoke during a Jan. 21 interfaith prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral.

American values and a tale of two islands
In a move that is more publicity stunt than workable policy, President Donald Trump has ordered his administration to prepare to house tens of thousands of “criminal aliens” at the Navy base at Guantánamo Bay.

Despite Vance attack, Catholic bishops press ahead on defending migrants
Just a week into the Trump presidency, the U.S. bishops find themselves in an unaccustomed position: For the first time in history, their character has been called into question by a Catholic standing at the helm of the U.S. government.

As Trump touts deportations, many Episcopalians are eager to offer immigrants sanctuary, support
The Diocese of Chicago has pledged support for immigrants as a “sanctuary diocese” since 2019. Now, with the Trump administration pursuing a new crackdown on immigration, Episcopalians in northern Illinois are living out that spirit of “sanctuary” in ways as diverse as their diocese.

Related article: Sacred Resistance ‘2.0’ gearing up to support vulnerable communities across diocese

United Methodists Mobilizing to Aid Immigrants in Face of Trump Orders
As fear stalks the United States from a tsunami of executive orders targeting immigrants, migrants and refugees, United Methodists around the country are mobilizing to help the people they've been serving in ministry for many years. As of Jan. 29, multiple United Methodist statements have been published in support of immigrants and in defiance of President Donald Trump's executive orders halting immigration and imposing mass deportations.

Theologians push back on JD Vance’s view of ‘ordered love’
Vice President JD Vance is getting schooled by theologians over his inverted theology expressed in a Jan. 29 interview on Fox News...Politics aside, numerous Christian theologians took to social media to point out the vice president — who is a conservative Catholic — misrepresented the teachings of Jesus and the Gospels.

Associate Pastor, It’s Good to Be Second
... in churches around the world, some of the most profound kingdom influence comes not from those standing in the spotlight but from those serving in the shadows. The role of associate pastor—often viewed as a transitional position to “real” leadership—may be the strategic key to unlocking a church’s true potential.

25 Hymns About Trusting God in Hard Times
In a time of uncertainty, what should we sing? Right now, the church certainly needs hymns about trusting God in hard times! The relevant hymns of the faith, both ancient and modern, offer us a vocabulary for expressing our fears, anxieties, and questions to the One who hears.

Sensory-Friendly Worship for Children with Autism: A Guide for Churches
Every congregation should consider sensory-friendly worship for children with autism. Kids with special needs and developmental disabilities are vital members of the church family. But traditional worship, children’s church, and Sunday school can present challenges.

5 Myths about Children’s Ministry (Jared Kennedy)
Today we are pleased to share an audio essay written and read by Jared Kennedy entitled "5 Myths about Children’s Ministry". Jared Kennedy serves as an editor at the Gospel Coalition. He is also cofounder of Gospel-Centered Family, a ministry that helps parents and church leaders share Jesus with the next generation, and the author of Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission: Practical Strategies for Discipling the Next Generation from Crossway.

Salt and Light: Remind Teens of Their Calling as Christ-Followers
Salt and light are important metaphors for Christian living. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus calls his followers to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Youth pastors and ministry volunteers can use these concepts to teach teens about discipleship and evangelism.