Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Tuesday's Catch: 'The Burge Report: The New Era in American Religion Begins Now (What’s Happening?!)' And More


The Burge Report: The New Era in American Religion Begins Now (What’s Happening?!)
Are we entering a new era in American religion? Current data shows we are at an inflection point. Over the last 30 to 40 years, the share of Americans who had no religious affiliation has dramatically increased. That period is over, and something new is on the horizon. Ryan Burge joins the show to discuss what this new era in American religion may look like in the next ten years.
Related article: Young people are spiritually open but struggle with established religion - survey
Christians Face Increasing Global Persecution
Two organizations tracking global Christian persecution recently released their annual findings, highlighting issues around the world.

Faith groups say they'll help refugees despite Trump order. But they'll need help.
Trump's first term crippled much of the nation's resettlement infrastructure. Now a new executive order threatens to do the same.

Quakers file suit to stop ICE raids at churches like what happened Sunday
One day after federal immigration agents arrested a man at a church in Georgia, a coalition of Quaker meetings filed suit in federal court to block the Department of Homeland Security raids at houses of worship. The new policy of the Trump administration reverses previous federal policy that marked houses of worship and schools as off-limits for immigration raids and arrests. The actions are part of the new administration’s swift actions to create mass deportations of illegal immigrants.

What’s a Fair Share? ‘Raised for Our Justification’: Is It Enough That Jesus Died?Assessments Vary.
A comprehensive analysis conducted by The Living Church of 93 of the Episcopal Church’s 95 domestic dioceses found significant disparities related to assessment practices. In some dioceses, a parish is expected to pay a single-digit assessment to its diocese, while others turn over as much as a quarter of their operating income.

‘Raised for Our Justification’: Is It Enough That Jesus Died?
Is it really enough that Jesus died? If we’re justified by his blood, then what role (if any) does his resurrection play?

Happy Lies
I’m quite certain you have heard of the New Age movement. Though its popularity seems to have crested and begun to wane some time ago, it continues to wield a good bit of influence. But I wonder if you’ve heard of another similarly-named but quite different movement called New Thought.

The Anglican Mug
Perhaps it is strange to speak of a mug with such familiarity, but I would like to suggest that this relationship mirrors how many Anglicans approach their tradition. To more than a few clerics and theologians, our tradition isn’t treasured for its own sake but as a vessel — a means for holding and conveying something they deem of greater worth. That “something” might be the evangelical clarity of the Continental Reformation or the high aesthetic of Catholic worship stripped of Rome’s less palatable demands. Others see in Anglicanism a home for rationalist philosophy, Christian socialism, or even post-’60s Progressivism. The fact that this list could go on indefinitely only highlights Anglicanism’s peculiar openness to ideas and theologies that emerged elsewhere.

Sowing Gospel Seeds in Children’s Ministry
In show business, there’s a term called “typecasting.” It describes the way actors are repeatedly cast in similar roles due to their personality, appearance, or skill set...Typecasting shapes careers and influences how actors are perceived. Interestingly, I’ve noticed a similar phenomenon in children’s ministry. As we disciple children, it’s tempting to engage in “typecasting” ourselves

12 Indications a Church is Making Disciples
I’ve often heard people say you can’t measure discipleship. I don’t know if that’s true. It is certainly true you can’t necessarily put a number or percentage on discipleship growth – as easily as you can numerical growth, but you can tell, over time, if discipleship has happened or is happening. Granted, it’s still going to be subjective, as is this post, but I believe the Bible gives us clear indications someone has been discipled.
Related article: 5 Principles of Making Disciples and Enabling Spiritual Growth

No comments: