Monday's Catch: 'Most American Christians don't believe in the Trinity: Survey' And More

Most American Christians don't believe in the Trinity: Survey
An overwhelming majority of Christians reject the basic Christian teaching of the Trinity, prompting new concerns that Americans are living without the influence of “the truths and life principles of God.”

DOGE’s Latest Chaotic Move May Make It Harder To Receive Your Social Security Benefits
Millions of Americans rely on Social Security benefits to make ends meet, which is why any change to the program can be alarming.

Related: ‘Exactly backwards’: Trump’s order wiped this Social Security department for being ‘wasteful’— but it was working on making it easier to access services; More than 5,000 Oregonians will no longer get paper Social Security checks

Trump makes sweeping HIV research and grant cuts: ‘setting us back decades’
The federal government has cancelled dozens of grants to study how to prevent new HIV infections and expand access to care, decimating progress toward eliminating the epidemic in the United States, scientists say. 

The HIV epidemic is not confined to the LGBTQ segment of the US population as some Americans still mistakenly believe. Since the early 1980s HIV has been found in the larger population, including newborn babies who were infected in utero. Nor do adults and teenagers have to have multiple sexual partners to become infected. HIV does not require repeated sexual contact for transmission. One can become infected by chance exposure to an infected person's blood or body fluids.

VOICES: Christian nationalism: Why a Church and state merger is anti-American
Christian Nationalism is no longer just a leftist buzzword used to discredit conservatives. While progressives have long wielded the term dishonestly as a smear against anyone to the right of Bernie Sanders, its definition has shifted. Today, it is being co-opted to describe an actual authoritarian movement seeking to upend the constitutional order and merge Church and state into a new sacralist regime.

Authoritarian rule is ‘common denominator’ in religious persecution, USCIRF says
Authoritarian rule is the “common denominator” in the worsening of religious persecution around the world, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom said in its 2025 annual report. Last year, totalitarian regimes widened the direct oppression of minority faiths in their countries, while others chose to look the other way when mobs or other third-party actors conducted violent attacks against unwelcomed religious groups, USCIRF said in the newly released study.

The medieval origins of Mothering Sunday
This past Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, was Mothering Sunday in the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, and other Anglican provinces. Martyn Whittock explains its origins.

Is All High Christology Necessarily Orthodox? The Gospel of Peter as a Test Case
One of the classic, and seemingly never-ending, debates among New Testament scholars is whether Jesus’s earliest followers viewed him as fully divine, and (perhaps more importantly), whether Jesus viewed himself as fully divine. Some scholars say yes to both, some say no to both, and some are mixed.

How Many Hours Must a Pastor Work to Satisfy the Congregation?
How many hours must a pastor work each week to satisfy the congregation? This question, often unspoken, hovers over many churches and their leaders. A simple experiment I conducted several years ago might shed some light on this complex issue.

13 Pastoral Ethics That Every Church Leader Must Uphold
Pastors and church leaders hold a position of great responsibility, serving as spiritual guides and moral examples to their congregations. Upholding strong pastoral ethics and integrity is essential for maintaining trust, leading effectively, and fulfilling God’s calling. A commitment to pastoral ethics ensures that church leaders reflect Christ’s character in every aspect of their ministry.

8 Ways to Lead Worship That Engages the Congregation
Leading worship is more than just singing songs; it’s about creating an atmosphere where people can encounter God in a meaningful way. A worship leader’s role is to guide the congregation into a deeper experience of faith, unity, and spiritual connection. Whether you’re leading a small group or a large church gathering, engaging the congregation should always be a priority. Here are eight pointers on how to lead worship effectively – ways to lead worship that foster participation and transformation.

Glenn Packiam: Need a Song Idea for Good Friday or Easter?
Do you need a song idea for Good Friday and Easter. Check these out....

2 Tech Changes That Can Increase Giving
Research shows these two tech tools may contribute to increased giving in your congregation: online giving and hybrid services.

How to Train Your Church Members for Effective Evangelism
Evangelism is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, fulfilling the Great Commission given by Jesus Himself. However, many church members feel unprepared or hesitant to share their faith. To bridge this gap, local congregations should implement a structured and intentional church evangelism training program. With the right preparation, encouragement, and resources, every believer can confidently and effectively share the gospel.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, March 30, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday in Lent. It is also known as Laetare Sunday, Mid-Lent Sunday, Refreshment Sunday, and Rose Sunday. Laetare is the Latin word for "rejoice."

In the Church of England, the Church of Ireland, and some other Anglican churches this Sunday is known as Mothering Sunday. This Sunday was so named from the practice of “mothering,” the practice of returning to one’s local mother church for a service held on this particular Sunday. This practice originated in medieval times. One's mother church might be the church where one was baptized, the local parish church, or the nearest cathedral, which may be regarded as the mother church of all the parish churches in a diocese. In modern times Mothering Sunday has become an occasion on which mothers and motherhood is honored like Mother’s Day in the United States and in some places on which the Earth as our mother is celebrated.

Among the traditions associated with Mothering Sunday is the eating of Simnel Cake, a fruit cake, layered and topped with marzipan, and Mothering Buns, iced yeast-raised sweet buns, covered with Hundreds and Thousands sprinkles. Children present their mothers with bouquets of violets.

In some churches that use liturgical colors it is customary to change the color of the day from purple or Lenten array, sackcloth or burlap with black ad oxblood orphreys, to rose or pink.

The topic of this Sunday’s message is God’s amazing grace.

Readings: Joshua 5: 9-12; 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21; and Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32

Message: God’s Amazing Grace

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/03/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-march-30.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'The Church of England is one step closer to appointing first female Archbishop of Canterbury' And More

The Church of England is one step closer to appointing first female Archbishop of Canterbury
The Church of England is one step closer to appointing its first female Archbishop of Canterbury now that the Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, has ruled himself out. As a member of the Crown Nominations Commission (CNC) for the See of Canterbury, which is due to have its first meeting in May, Bishop Usher is ineligible for the post. After an election by the House of Bishops, he joins the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, as the second episcopal member of the Canterbury CNC.

5 Years After COVID, How Have Churches Changed?
A consequence of closing United Methodist churches in 2020, to protect people from life-threatening COVID-19, was permanent loss of worshipers for many congregations. Despite the losses, some church leaders say the pandemic led them to develop new ways to reach their flocks and to reevaluate how they do ministry.

I have not yet run across any articles describing how Episcopal and Anglican churches in the United States and Canada have changed since COVID. In my own community some churches suspended public services of worship and other gatherings for a time; others did not, reflecting the division of opinion related to the seriousness of the virus evident in the community. People were hospitalized and people died. But the hospitalizations and deaths only changed a few people's minds. That division continues to this day.

Our Present Church Decline: Diagnosing and Prescribing
No one reading this article would question the fact that the church in the West is in decline and has been declining for a long time. Not only is it losing members, but the church’s influence on its culture has declined. For instance, during the middle of the 20th century, one could find Christian leaders, like Reinhold Niebuhr, giving considered opinions on national and world matters. writing articles for popular magazines and newspapers. How seriously are Christian leaders taken in today’s world?

According to Thom Rainer at Church Answers, only about 6% of US churches engage in evangelism. What church growth occurs is largely demographic growth--churchgoers moving to a community, and transfer growth--churchgoers living in the community switching churches. A shrinking churchgoing population limits these kinds of growth.

If You Bring a Problem Bring a Solution as Well
Church leaders are always dealing with problems, because problems abound. But Jim Ozier says the simple practice of insisting that anyone who points out a problem must also have a solution in mind can shift the dynamic from negativity to positive thinking.

Control or Generosity? Letting Go for the Sake of Church Growth
One of the tensions that a church leader must confront is the pull between generosity and control. We want the church to grow, thrive, and fulfill its mission, but too often, our desire for everything to be done right may lead us to hold on too tightly. We become gatekeepers instead of guides, and managers instead of ministers. And while control may offer the illusion of stability, both spiritual and numerical growth only happen when we learn to release our grip and trust in the abundance of God. Nobody (meaning me) said it is easy to do.

Why Are There Four Gospels?
Some people have wondered why we have four accounts of Jesus – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Others have been bothered that these accounts are so close (especially Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and yet there are important differences. Why four accounts and not just one?

What We Glean from 4 Ways of Celebrating the Lord’s Supper
One benefit of preaching in various churches across the continent and in other parts of the world is getting a glimpse of how different congregations worship and follow the Lord’s commands. Case in point? The variety of ways in which the Lord’s people celebrate the Lord’s Supper.

Student Ministry Leaders and Parents Share Goals, Desire to Work Together
Student ministry leaders and parents emphasize the spiritual health of their students and want to work together to see them become disciples of Christ.

Four Reasons Your Church Might Fire Jesus
That’s right. I’m convinced that Jesus would be fired after a few months if He were hired on staff at a typical church today.

8 Easy Ways To Be Missional
Missional is not an event we tack onto our already busy lives. It is our life. Mission should be the way we live, not something we add onto life: “As you go, make disciples;” “Walk wisely toward outsiders;” “Let your speech always be seasoned with salt;” “Be prepared to give a defense for your hope.” There are easy ways to be missional everyday without overloading our schedules.

Friday's Catch: 'US study claims two in five Brits raised Christian no longer believe' And More

US study claims two in five Brits raised Christian no longer believe
A new report from the Washington-based Pew Research Center suggests that Britain’s religious identity is undergoing a transformation, with two in five people brought up as Christians no longer identifying with the faith. However, while traditional church attendance is in decline, Christianity continues to evolve, finding new expressions and communities in modern Britain.

Parishes struggle with money woes, uncertainty
Many parishes in the Anglican Church of Canada are finding themselves torn between their own desire to survive and their obligation to support the higher structures of the church, says Ed Willms, a parishioner at All Saints Anglican Church in Huntsville, Ont....

Pittsburgh church service, other remembrances mark five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic
At Calvary Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the 11 a.m. Eastern service on March 16 was a special observance of the fifth anniversary of the church’s shutdown during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. It included readings that dealt with illness and loss, prayers for healthcare workers and those who died, and music that often is used at funerals, including “O God our Help in Ages Past.”

Why More Churches Are Stepping Into Education
As cultural challenges and questions regarding education abound, churches are rediscovering discipleship doesn’t stop at the church door.

How To Love One Another in the Church When the Culture Seeks To Divide Us
Is the way of life in this world and the culture around us causing division in the church? The answer is, sadly, yes. We see it happening today in the areas of politics, race, and ideologies. These cultural forces are infiltrating local church bodies and reshaping how we live with one another. The truth is that secular culture has seduced the Christian community in ways that are now tearing us apart socially, relationally, and theologically.

Three Reasons Why Conflict is Harmful to the Church
As sinners within the church, we sin, and our sin is sometimes directed toward other people (knowingly or unknowingly), creating conflict. Since we cannot avoid church conflict, we need to know how to handle it biblically in order to resolve it in a way that honors Christ and preserves the unity of His body.

The One Gift Every Pastor Must Have
Those whom God has truly called; he has truly gifted for the task. Every pastor must be gifted to teach the Word; and every qualified pastor is.

How to Preach in 20 Challenging Steps
"Like a fool, I’ve entered where angels fear to tread, attempting to give instructions on how to preach. Foolhardy or not, I think one has to start somewhere, and perhaps this list of steps might help some aspiring preacher along the way."

Related: 3 Ways to Write a GREAT Sermon (This Week!); Preach for ACTION: How to boost your Sermon Application; and Avoid These Expository Imposters

Digital Parish: Elevating Your Church's Digital Strategy
In this session with Collin Johansson we’ll learn why live video should be a cornerstone of your digital ministry and how you can craft social media content that not only connects but resonates deeply with your congregation. From creating engaging sermon clips to scheduling posts for optimal impact, we dive deep into strategies that will help retain newcomers, especially around high-traffic times like Easter.

What’s Often Missed with Student Ministry Safety in Churches
Student ministry is often where rules about minors break down in the church. Student ministries don’t need fewer rules than children’s ministries, but they need different rules. Though rebellion seems to be a rite of passage for many teenagers, they are far more receptive to guidance than you might think. Josh and Sam discuss what’s often missed in churches.

Today, vaccine hesitancy is growing and celebrated
In the five years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Republicans and Christians have seen a complete shift in their perspective on vaccines that is changing federal policy and affecting global charity efforts — potentially sparking a measles epidemic in the process.

Nursery Bible Songs Teach Babies and Toddlers About God’s Love
Nursery Bible songs are incredibly effective for teaching young children about Jesus and his love for them. Babies and toddlers learn through repetition, movement, and sensory experiences. So music and songs are perfect for introducing children to faith basics.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, March 27, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

What sets a true disciple of Jesus apart from other people? In this evening’s message we take a look at what Jesus says in the Gospel of John about true discipleship.

Reading: John 8:31-47

Message: The True Disciple

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/03/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_27.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Thursday's Catch: 'Who are filling up the pews?' And More

Who are filling up the pews? Highly educated parents.
Ryan Burge takes a look at what is driving religious attendance in the United States.

Social Security Administration backtracks on some ID requirements after backlash
The Social Security Administration is partially backtracking on a plan that would require all new and existing beneficiaries to travel to a Social Security field office to verify their identity.

Related: Social Security service fallout reaches ND

Medicaid and SNAP Cuts Could Cost US 1 Million Jobs
A report has predicted that the proposed federal budget cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) could result in severe economic repercussions across the U.S., including the loss of millions of jobs.

I will be posting links to articles related to developments which may affect churches in the United States in future editions of Anglicans Ablaze. Changes to Social Security are going to affect churches with aging congregations, which form a large proportion of smaller churches in the United States. As more and more tariffs are implemented and the country begins to feel their effects, we can expect not only higher prices and shortages of various kinds but also more layoffs and business closures and increased unemployment. From what the economic experts say, we will not experience their full impact until later in the year. The tightening of visa requirements and the reduction in the issuance of green cards to applicants for permanent residency will have a negative impact upon short-term mission trips, campus ministries to international students, and clergy and seminary professors from other countries working in the United States.

Are we expecting too much of the church?
The church is not a sugar daddy whose purpose is to meet all our personal, social and vocational needs.

The Rise of Nietzschean Christianity
"...it may surprise you to learn that many today seem bent on combining the two approaches into a single life philosophy. Professing Christians—mainly online—are presenting a twisted version of Christianity that champions Nietzschean values in the name of Christ. Every week, I encounter online personalities using the name of Jesus in pursuit of Nietzschean ideals and goals."

The Weirdness of God’s Absolution Timetable
This essay is paired with another, appearing yesterday, on the traditional confession of sin.

What Pastors Should Wear While Preaching (Proper Church Dress Code)
In many Christian traditions, clergy still wear liturgical garments. As a low-church Baptist, I have limited knowledge about the use and symbolism of Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, Methodist, and Episcopal vestments. However, in many of these churches, the expectations concerning clergy attire are clear. This article addresses the muddied perspectives of dress codes in evangelical churches.

There are different schools of clergy dress in the Anglican, Episcopal, and Methodist churches. What the clergy wears may differ from service to service. In a Methodist church, for instance, the pastor may dress casually in street clothes for a contemporary service and then don a black gown or a white alb and brightly colored stole for a traditional service. On special occasions the pastor may wear a suit and tie.

What Does Jesus Want Me to Do?
Whether you’re a ministry resident weighing the future or a mid-career professional thinking about seminary, the question “Am I called?” can be overwhelming. For many, it represents a major life change, like moving or switching careers. Calling is important, and we’re right to take it seriously. But sometimes we overthink it. Discerning God’s will may not be as complicated as you think.

Why Are Some Churches More Evangelistic Than Others?
Invite a friend to church. What could be so hard about that right? But we all know it’s more challenging than it appears. Culture has shifted, and while it is true that there is a resurgence of interest in God and spiritual life, it is also true that popular culture does not see a need for regular church attendance. The invitation, however, is extraordinary....

Wednesday's Catch: 'When the Paychecks Stop' And More

When the Paychecks Stop: Spiritual Care for the Unemployed
Most pastors and church leaders know exactly what to do when members face a health crisis or the loss of loved ones, but we’re often less equipped to address unemployment. In a culture where “What do you do?” is typically the first question we ask on meeting someone new, the loss of employment can feel like the loss of self. We need to do a better job of acknowledging that unemployment isn’t merely an economic hardship but a spiritual problem that often triggers a profound identity crisis.

What will your church do, if...
American churches must now confront the question: “What will our church do, if people in our congregation and community lose some or all of their Medicaid funding?” Or if teachers lose their jobs or their disabled students lose special education programs? Or if cuts in funding or staffing mean veterans no longer receive the medical care they were promised and so desperately need? Whatever may happen, the worst possible result is that churches with deep ties to their respective communities fail to prepare or refuse to develop strategies for responding to the loss of so many resources for people who may not be able to live without them. Many congregations already provide food banks, clothes closets, counseling centers or tutoring programs, but the rapid demise of government revenue adds new challenges for responding to immediate needs.

DOGE tightens up: big change with new requirement to retain Social Security benefits as of April
Starting in April, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will change how it handles overpayments made during distribution. Under the Biden administration, the SSA deducted 10 percent of the overpayment total from each monthly check until the error was corrected. However, beginning at the end of March, the agency will withhold 100 percent of the overpayment, meaning some beneficiaries could be left without a Social Security check, depending on how much they owe and receive each month.

Trump administration says it will pull back billions in COVID funding from local health departments
Lori Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County & City Health Officials, said much of the funding was set to end soon anyway. “It’s ending in the next six months,” she said. “There’s no reason — why rescind it now? It’s just cruel and unusual behavior.” In a related move, more than two dozen COVID-related research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health have been canceled. Earlier this month, the Trump administration shut down ordering from covidtest.gov, the site where Americans could have COVID-19 tests delivered to their mailboxes for no charge.

With the Dept. of Education on the chopping block, these are the states that rely most on federal school funding
Even though most education funding comes from state and local governments, schools would still feel a huge impact if they stopped receiving money from the federal government. Some states would be affected more than others. Federal education funds are distributed by several agencies. By far the largest share comes from the Education Department, specifically through programs designed to support poor children and kids with disabilities. So while big states like California receive the most total money, it’s actually some of the smallest, least wealthy states that get the most significant amount on a per-student basis.

VOICES: Rural communities are dying. The local church is their only solution
Trust in institutions is cratering everywhere, but at least in urban and suburban communities, those institutions still exist. The same cannot be said for rural America. In the last few decades, rural communities have lost over 200 hospitals. Over 2,100 local newspapers have shut down. We’ve lost countless high schools and even entire school districts. Once ubiquitous veterans clubs are dwindling....

The policies of the Trump administration are going to exacerbate the problems of rural communities in the United States. What negatively affects rural communities also negatively affects the churches in these communities.

If Jesus loves me, why is Donald Trump ruining everything?
I heard one of those televangelists preaching at me online the other day, declaring with equal sincerity that Jesus loves me and that Donald Trump is the savior we’ve all been waiting for. I’m having a hard time reconciling these messages.

These churches offer shelter and sanctuary to vulnerable migrants. Here's why
Under the Trump administration, churches are now thinking more expansively about the concept of sanctuary to include migrants who fear that new policies could suddenly make them vulnerable to arrest or deportation.

Should Christians be more critical of Israel?
Modern Christians, particularly those in the United States, often show unwavering support to Israel in its various conflicts. While there are perhaps good reasons for this at times, there might also be benefits to taking a step back and attempting a more objective view of the situation.

Related: As we weep for Palestine and Israel, we must look to limit vengeance

Six Reasons You Should Change the Name of Your Church
Yes, there are times when you should consider changing your church’s name. Jess and Thom review six of them.

Related: The 15 Most Common Names of Churches in the United States

A Theology of the General Confession
Lent is a penitential season, which the Church calls us to keep holy by, among other things, “self-examination and repentance.” It is therefore a fitting time for careful reflection on a familiar Anglican prayer of repentance, the General Confession.

5 Purposeful Practices to Foster Shared Leadership
Jimmy Arthur Atkins, senior pastor of the True Worship Christian Fellowship, says church leadership should not be a solo act. Drawing on the story of Moses and his father-in-law Jethro, he shares practices to encourage delegation and shared leadership.

Prayer Is Our Fuel In Ministry 

Robert Murray McCheyne, the great 19th century Scottish pastor, once said that a man is what he is on his knees before God and nothing more. This is true of every man, but in particular, how true this is of pastors.

Easter Songs for Children’s Church: 11 Ways To Celebrate Our Risen Lord
Easter songs for children’s church help proclaim the good news of Easter. This special holiday warrants lots of worship and praise. And kids can join in the celebration, whether in Sunday school, during children’s worship, or at home. Christian Easter songs help children understand Jesus’ resurrection and share the message with others.

If your church does not have separate worship for children, a practice of which I admittedly am not a fan, Easter songs with simple, repetitive, Bible-based lyrics and hand gestures and other movements can be integrated into the regular Sunday service during the Easter season, for instance as a part of a children's moment or at the offertory.

Tuesday's Catch: 'What the Church’s Future Can Look Like' And More

What the Church’s Future Can Look Like: The World Needs Us at Our Best
How can the church regain influence and achieve more impact? What can the church look like in a time of society-wide anxiety, self-serving ambition, and soul-sucking algorithms?

When Your Church Has Growing Pains
Jason Edwin Dees shares a few key principles which can be helpful in guiding people through the changes that come with church growth.

Church Income Rising, But Still Trails Inflation
Congregations are recovering from difficult financial years. But the increase in church income hasn’t kept up with inflation.

Seven Power Groups in Churches (The Good and the Bad)
Where people organize, power will be present. The church is no exception. Thom and Sam discuss seven common power groups in churches. Hint: They are not all bad. How can you manage power dynamics among congregants in a way that is helpful to the church and glorifying to God?

Funding Cuts Are Overloading Food Banks, Hurting US Farmers
President Donald Trump’s federal funding cuts are being felt from farms in the Heartland to food banks in Chicago. More than $1 billion in assistance that usually flows into the US Department of Agriculture for two programs that help local farmers, schools and food banks has already vanished. Now the administration is threatening to slash the agency’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which provides low-income families with benefits to help supplement their grocery budgets. All of that is leaving farmers, a key voting bloc for Trump, without what was once a safe outlet for their produce. Food banks are also receiving less aid at a time when demand is surging — after all, consumers were already grappling with the rising cost of everything from meat to eggs.

Long waits, waves of calls, website crashes: Social Security is breaking down
The Social Security Administration website crashed four times in 10 days this month, blocking millions of retirees and disabled Americans from logging in to their online accounts because the servers were overloaded. In the field, office managers have resorted to answering phones at the front desk as receptionists because so many employees have been pushed out. But the agency no longer has a system to monitor customers’ experience with these services, because that office was eliminated as part of the cost-cutting efforts led by Elon Musk. And the phones keep ringing. And ringing.

Related: Dealing With Social Security Is Heading From Bad to Worse, Social Security rushing service cuts at White House request, sources say, Social Security Chief Says White House Ordered 'Rapid' Phone Service Cutbacks, and Senators press Trump Social Security nominee on his views about privatizing the agency

‘This is no longer just about Palestine; it’s about our collective humanity’
“This is no longer just about Palestine; it’s about our collective humanity,” a Palestinian Christian pastor told the World Methodist Council March 19.

Trump’s faith adviser selling seven Easter blessings for $1,000 gift
President Donald Trump’s chief faith adviser is selling seven “supernatural blessings” for Easter season gifts of $1,000 or more.

When New Year’s Day used to be on 25 March
When New Year’s Day used to be on 25 March25 March is known as Lady Day, also known as the Annunciation of the Lord, and it used to be the old New Year’s Day. This is the story....

Related: The Annunciation: Waiting in the Silence

Do Most Churches Really Need to Use Wireless Mics?
As technology continues to evolve, many churches are considering whether they need to invest in wireless mics for their services. While some see them as an essential tool for clear communication, others wonder if the cost and complexity are justified. Understanding the advantages and challenges of using wireless mics can help churches make an informed decision.

Cultural Influences on Church Small Groups
Church small groups have become a central feature of many congregations worldwide. These gatherings, which often focus on Bible study, fellowship, and discipleship, aim to create deeper relationships and spiritual growth among believers. However, their effectiveness can vary significantly depending on cultural context. Understanding how different cultures engage with church small groups can help churches tailor their approach for greater impact.

US Measles Map Shows Cases Spreading To New State
Tennessee has confirmed its first case of measles for this year amid the outbreak of the virus that has hit a number of states across the country. The Tennessee Department of Health said on Friday that a resident in Middle Tennessee tested positive after being infected in early March and is currently recovering at home.

4 Powerful Questions to Engage Your Small Group in Any Bible Passage
Helping your small group respond to God as you dig into the Bible together is largely a matter of asking the right questions. The most common mistake that group leaders make is to ask too many questions. If you ask too many questions, you don’t delve deeply into any of them and the same two or three people answer the questions again and again. By asking fewer, more strategic questions, you go deeper and involve more people in discussing and responding to God’s word.

Why You Should Know The Three Elements of Faith
The church has long held that saving faith has three necessary elements.

Monday's Catch: '10 Ways Churches Can Engage with Their Local Communities' And More

10 Ways Churches Can Engage with Their Local Communities
Churches play a vital role in their communities, offering salvation, guidance, support, and outreach to those in need. However, to remain relevant and effective, churches must actively engage with their local communities in meaningful ways. Church community engagement goes beyond Sunday services and can take many forms. Here are ten impactful ways churches can foster deeper relationships and serve their local communities.

Seattle cathedral helps nonprofit turn former classrooms into homeless shelter for women
St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, recently opened its doors to a shelter for homeless women. It is one of the latest of a growing number of Episcopal congregations partnering with local organizations and developers to address a nationwide shortage of affordable housing.

Related: Affordable senior housing complex opens at Los Angeles-area Episcopal church

Arctic diocese forms development corporation to offer housing, community spaces on church land
Moving forward with a plan nearly 40 years in the making, the diocese of the Arctic has announced the formation of a body tasked with redeveloping buildings on church-owned land into housing and multiuse community centres.

Most Americans reject claim that church is irrelevant: survey
A new survey has found wide generational differences in socialization patterns of churchgoers as most Americans reject the idea that the church has become irrelevant. The Barna Group released a State of the Church report in conjunction with Gloo on March 13. The data included in the report is based on interviews conducted with 1,532 adults in the U.S. between Feb. 4-26.

America stands at a moral crossroads, faith leaders warn
The nation is at a political and moral crossroads with the fate of its most vulnerable communities hanging in the balance, according to Vashti McKenzie, president and general secretary of the National Council of Churches. McKenzie participated in a recent vigil with other faith leaders urging Congress to enact policies that protect and nurture at-risk families and immigrants. Held on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol, the gathering also warned that policies and laws benefitting the rich at the expense of the poor will set the U.S. on a perilous, downward trajectory.

Little Rock UMC Hosts Packed, Emotional Town Hall
The sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Ark., was standing-room-only for a town hall at which Arkansans spoke about the devastation caused by federal officials' policy decisions.

How are these policy decisions going to affect your community? What affects your community will affect your church.

My Kid’s in the Basement—Help!
To understand the modern reality of kids living in their parents’ basement, we must consider both their upbringing and external factors.

The Sons of Sceva and Gen Z’s Spiritual Anxiety
Christianity will only become compelling to a post-Christian culture when people realize that Jesus’s demand for exclusive worship comes coupled with Jesus’s demand to trust him for security amid life’s threats. This powerful Jesus melts away the spiritual anxiety that animates our religious pluralism.

The Religion of Wellness
For all the people who are spiritual but not religious, what’s replacing organized religion? Ironically, new forms of organized religion.

Am I Too Lonely? A Free Self-Scoring Tool for Pastors and Church Leaders
The problem among pastors (and others) is not feelings of loneliness, which we should expect to occur occasionally. The real issue is chronic loneliness, leading to social isolation. Frequent loneliness is linked to dissatisfaction with one’s family and community. In short, the longer you stay lonely, the more likely you are to be dissatisfied with life, pushing you further away from the people who can help you.

Three Pastoral Tasks More Important Than Preaching
Pastoral ministry is often associated with preaching, and rightly so. The proclamation of God’s Word is a central responsibility of any pastor. However, while preaching is essential, it is not the only or even the most important pastoral duty. There are crucial pastoral tasks that build relationships, provide care, and sustain a healthy church community. If a pastor focuses solely on the pulpit, they risk neglecting the very people they are called to shepherd.

Applying Scripture
Applying the Bible requires the skill and discipline to avoid incorrect as well as predictable applications.

Secrets of Building a Great Set List
Creating a meaningful and impactful set list for a Sunday morning service is both an art and a spiritual responsibility. A well-crafted set list flows seamlessly, engages the congregation, and leads people into a deeper encounter with God. Thoughtful song selection and intentional structuring help create a worship experience that is both powerful and cohesive.

AI and the visual interpretation of Scripture: A new era of biblical storytelling?
The relationship between faith and storytelling has always been central to Christianity. From the parables of Jesus to grand cinematic adaptations of biblical narratives, each generation has found new ways to bring Scripture to life. Today, artificial intelligence presents an unprecedented opportunity: the ability to generate detailed visual interpretations of biblical stories at a fraction of the cost of traditional filmmaking. But while AI holds great promise as a tool for evangelism, it also raises serious theological and ethical questions about the nature of divine revelation, artistic integrity, and the role of human interpretation.

Evangelizing Through Music
In 2013, the church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, London, began Great Sacred Music, a weekly Thursday offering. This offering featured choral works and hymns to “begin a movement that changes the way people approach sacred choral music, the way people think about making faith accessible to seekers and the lapsed, and the way people think about what church really is.” The success of Great Sacred Music has led Samuel Wells and Andrew Earis (vicar and director of music of St. Martin’s) to publish Great Sacred Music as a guide for other communities that might wish to duplicate these efforts.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, March 23, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Third Sunday in Lent, unlike the two preceding Sundays, is more concerned with Jesus’s teaching than it is with an event in his life and ministry.

In this Sunday’s message we unpack the Gospel reading appointed for this Sunday and what it teaches us about God and ourselves.

Readings: Isaiah 55:1-9; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; and Luke 13:1-9

Message: A Parable of God’s Grace

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/03/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-march-23.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'The danger of smartphones for a child’s faith' And More

The danger of smartphones for a child’s faith

Will Narnia, Lord of the Rings, and other children’s Christian classics soon be relegated to museums due to the rise of the smartphone? And how will this affect the faith of the next generation?

23 of the Most Common Questions Asked about Church Revitalization, Part 1
Thom and Jess look at some of the most common issues and questions you have about church revitalization. Your questions have directed us in our research and writings, and they will continue to do so. Though there were several hundred questions you submitted, we selected 23 most common questions about revitalizing churches. Because of the number, we cover the questions in four consecutive podcasts.

Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

7 Standards for Good Writing
How can I call an opinion about a subjective form wrong? Well, because there are standards by which I can argue. Each standard is open for debate, but combine them all and a sieve of sorts is formed to sift the poor works and let through the quality ones.

We Are Not Númenóreans
Tolkien's ancient race still describes us . . . but what if there's something more?

USDA cuts could halt progress of SD local food scene
South Dakota farmers leading the "locally grown" movement have visions of a dynamic regional food production system but some of it is in doubt with looming federal cuts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is swept up in the Trump administration's downsizing of federal agencies, including cancellation of the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program for food banks to buy local produce at a market rate. Grants from the Regional Food Business Center program are also in limbo

Farmers panic as Trump threatens $1 billion in grants — that they've already spent
The Trump administration’s freeze on funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, the landmark climate law from the Biden era, has left farmers and rural businesses across the country on the hook for costly energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations. The grants are part of the Rural Energy for America Program, or REAP, originally created in the 2008 farm bill and supercharged by funding from the IRA. It provides farmers and other businesses in rural areas with relatively small grants and loans to help lower their energy bills by investing, say, in more energy-efficient farming equipment or installing small solar arrays.

New Social Security requirements pose barriers to rural communities without internet, transportation
Veronica Taylor doesn't know how to turn on a computer, let alone use the internet. The 73-year-old can't drive and is mostly housebound in her mountainous and remote West Virginia community, where a simple trip to the grocery store can take an hour by car. New requirements that Social Security recipients access key benefits online or in person at a field office, rather than on the phone, would be nearly impossible to meet without help.

Related: Social Security Employees Warn of Benefit Delays, A list of the Social Security offices across the US expected to close this year, 'Slap in the face': Pro-Trump Republican slams president’s closure of local Social Security office, Billionaire Commerce Secretary Says Seniors Wouldn't Mind Missing Social Security Checks, and DOGE’s plans for social security are a ‘backdoor’ way to cut payments, experts warn: ‘This is the most serious threat I’ve ever seen to it’

New Survey Finds Medicaid Cuts Would Devastate School Staffing and Services
As public education comes under attack on a number of fronts, school leaders are sounding the alarm about potential significant cuts to Medicaid. This federal-state partnership covers comprehensive and preventive physical, behavioral and mental health services and provides critical funding to K-12 schools and students.

Over 5 Million People Could Lose Medicaid Coverage If Requirements Change
More than 5 million Americans are at risk of losing their Medicaid coverage if Congress enacts work requirements in 2026, according to a new report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Measles seizure risks outweigh rare vaccine side effects
As an outbreak of measles infects hundreds of Americans, social media users are warning parents against the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine, falsely claiming the shot poses a higher risk of seizures than infection. Not only does measles pose a greater danger, but experts say seizure conditions related to the illness can cause life-long brain injury.

Related: When speaking with vaccine-hesitant patients, pediatricians turn to these tips; Debunked myths that vaccines cause autism are increasing stigma

After 5 years of COVID, the US is struggling with lower vaccination rates and distrust in public health
Last month, for the first time in two decades, a 6-year-old child in the U.S. died due to measles. Just a few weeks later, a second person died. Both were unvaccinated, making them part of a worrying trend that public health experts have seen increase since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Notorious Anti-Vaxxer Tops Trump and RFK Jr.‘s List For New CDC Boss
The Florida surgeon general who said COVID-19 vaccines are the “anti-Christ” is gaining steam to be Donald Trump’s pick to run the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida’s top doc, Joseph Ladapo, was HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s initial choice for the CDC gig in November, ABC News reported at the time, and he is now backed by top Trump allies and being discussed by the White House as a possible appointment again.

Individuals with higher cognitive flexibility are more positive toward vaccination 

A study conducted in New Zealand has found a link between cognitive flexibility and attitudes toward vaccination. Individuals with lower levels of cognitive flexibility were more likely to report personal barriers to vaccination—that is, they tended to state that vaccination conflicted with their personal beliefs. The research was published in BMC Psychology.

Friday's Catch: 'Easter Checklist: Helping People Feel Welcome' And More

Easter Checklist: Helping People Feel Welcome
In chapter 14 of The Purpose Driven Church, Rick Warren shared some ideas on how you can improve the guest experience at your church. With Easter coming up, he has put together a checklist to help you prepare for the big day.

Here’s What You Need to Know About Religion in America
In The American Religious Landscape: Facts, Trends, and the Future, Ryan Burge, associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, provides an excellent, high-altitude view of the American religious landscape through the lens of the currently available data sets.

Are evangelical clergy outliers on science? Yes and no
They reject climate science but accept medical science, according to the National Survey of Religious Leaders published this week.

Trump’s order to dismantle education department sparks outrage

Trump's order to dismantle the US Department of Education will negatively affect public school systems across the nation. Many public school districts suffer from inadequate tax bases and too greater teacher-student ratios. In the county in which I live there is only one private school and it can accommodate only a small segment of the school-aged population. The closest parochial school is more than an hour's drive away. As for home schooling, in many two-parent families both parents work. Most children in the county attend a public school. The situation of many counties across the United States is similar to mine. The dismantling of the Education Department is not going to improve the academic performance of US students.

Trump's big move in the war on education could strip students from schools
A group that will particularly suffer from the negative consequences of the Trump administration's efforts to gut and then shutter the US Department of Education is students with disabilities.

Students with disabilities cannot expect any sympathy from President Trump. According to his nephew, President Trump privately told him that people with certain types of severe disabilities “should just die.” At a campaign rally in 2017 then candidate Trump mocked a disabled New York Times reporter to a crowd of thousands. More recently, President Trump blamed without any basis people with disabilities for a passenger jet-military helicopter collision at Ronald Reagan Airport.

What leadership is and does
John Maxwell has helpfully defined leadership in terms of influence and has concluded that, because leadership is influence, all of us are leaders whether we realize it or not. If Maxwell is right, and I for one think that he is, then the real question each of us should be asking ourselves is not, “Am I a leader?” but “What kind of leader am I?” Am I a good leader or a bad leader? Is my influence helpful or unhelpful? Does it build others up, help them to be successful, and encourage them to give themselves to fulfilling the mission and goals? Or does it tear people down, hinder their success, and encourage them to cut corners or offer less than their best?

5 Behaviors of Leaders that do it the Hard Way
All leaders have blind spots. We can’t see what we can’t see. That’s not an indictment; it’s a reality. It’s part of being human.

Measles outbreak inevitable due to lower vaccination rates, experts say
The spread of measles is inevitable in communities where reliance on vaccine alternatives is high and trust in medical science is low, a panel of vaccine and infectious disease experts warned during a March 20 webinar.The media briefing was organized by the nonprofit group SciLine in response to ongoing outbreaks of the highly infectious disease that have infected more than 300 people in 15 states and killed a 6-year-old girl in Texas.

Related: Amid Deadly Measles Outbreak, West Virginia Moves to Loosen Vaccine Rules, Former surgeon general blasts RFK Jr.’s rhetoric, highlights herd immunity amid measles outbreak; Calling the Shots: Tracking Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Moves on Vaccines

2 Ways to Equip Women Serving in Your Student Ministry
Here are two strategies to help you uplift those serving in your student ministry and create a healthier, stronger student ministry.

The Surprise Benefits of a Culture of Continual Education in Your Church: An Interview with Timothy Paul Jones
Continual learning is the philosophy that you keep growing in knowledge over a lifetime. Most of the time, this kind of learning is ongoing and self-motivated. Sam and Josh interview Timothy Paul Jones to discuss what happens when churches have continual education built into their discipleship process.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday. March 20, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

Today is the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. Parts of the South and the Mid-West are recovering from deadly tornadoes, winds, and wildfires that devastated these areas. Severe weather continues to plague the central United States. Those living in the affected areas need our prayers.

The topic of this evening’s message is what Christians often get wrong about God’s house.

Reading: Hebrews 3: 1-6

Message: What Christians Often Get Wrong about God’s House

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/03/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_20.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Thursday's Catch: '31 Creative Easter Service Ideas to Help Your Church Reach More People' And More

31 Creative Easter Service Ideas to Help Your Church Reach More People
Looking for fresh inspiration for your church’s Easter services this year? These 31 creative Easter service ideas will help your church share the hope of the resurrection, engage your community, and make a lasting impact. From meaningful outreach events to unique worship experiences, discover practical ways to invite others and communicate the transformational message of the cross this Easter season.

Add Lightness and Simplicity: Dumb Church Means Dumbing Up Not Dumbing Down 

When it comes to the Dumb Church idea that I wrote about...the aim is the same: to add lightness and simplicity. The approach is the same as the racing car. Anything that does not need to be there should not be there.

Did Jesus really say that?
It appears the Sermon on the Mount and other direct teachings of Jesus are the source of intense debate among some who are saying, in effect, that Jesus may believe those things but “he would be wrong.”

Legislating against ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ is a danger to free speech
In an age of political division, the suggestion that opposition to a specific political figure could be classified as a mental health disorder is deeply concerning. Recently, some Minnesota lawmakers have proposed the formalization of “Trump Derangement Syndrome” as a legitimate mental health condition.

In Russia critics of the regime have been classified as mentally ill and locked away in state psychiatric hospitals. What these legislators are proposing is a step in that direction.

‘Traumatic’: British tourist sent home from US in chains after visa error
A British backpacker's ordeal in US immigration detention has prompted a warning from her father for travellers to meticulously check visa requirements before embarking on their journeys. Rebecca Burke, a 28-year-old graphic artist from Monmouthshire, endured a harrowing 19-day detention in a US facility.

If this is the kind of treatment that a British backpacker received over a visa error, one must wonder what kind of treatment illegal immigrants are receiving at the hands of US immigration officials. Reports of this kind of treatment of visitors to the United States is bound to have a negative impact upon the tourist industry in the United States and may result in the United States being regarded as a pariah nation. US Forestry Service cutbacks are already affecting the tourist industry associated with US national parks and recreational areas and local economies dependent upon this industry and have led to the closure of a number of popular vacation destinations.

One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic
In the Nicene Creed, we confess that “we believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.” But what do we mean by this confession?

Don’t Be Afraid to Pray Big (and Small) Prayers
We should not be afraid to pray big prayers. But then again, we should not be afraid to pray small prayers either.

Related: The Real Reason We Struggle to Pray?; Pray With an Open Bible

RFK Jr. Unveils Disturbing Plan to Combat Bird Flu
Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. thinks that the bird flu should be allowed to spread unchecked to identify birds that could be immune. Kennedy said in a recent Fox News interview that farmers “should consider maybe the possibility of letting it run through the flock so that we can identify the birds, and preserve the birds that are immune to it,” an idea that experts say would be dangerous and hurt the poultry industry.

Related: RFK Jr. Wants to Let Bird Flu Spread on Farms. Meanwhile the Pandemic Response Office Is Down to 1 Staffer

How Can Church Leaders Use AI in Discipleship?
AI can become an assistant for every pastor or church leader trying to improve and expand their discipleship processes.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Becoming a Future-Ready Church' And More

“Becoming a Future-Ready Church” featuring Adelle Banks
What shifts are needed for congregations to be future-ready? Adelle Banks reflects on the evolving nature of church hospitality, social justice, technology, and vitality. She highlights innovative approaches that foster belonging, authentic community, and discipleship in a rapidly changing world.

Most Churches Report Good Financial Health
According to recent data, most churches believe they’re in good financial health, and they have the budget numbers to prove it.

Half of churches seeing growth since COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns: study
Around half of Protestant churches in the United States have experienced growth in worship service attendance since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent study. A report by Lifeway Research published Tuesday found that 52% of surveyed Protestant congregations saw their worship attendance grow by at least 4% over the past two years. By contrast, 33% of the surveyed congregations said attendance had plateaued with between 4% decline to 4% growth, while 15% reported experiencing over 4% decline in worship attendance.

When the Church Really Changed
When you think of the beginning of contemporary approaches to ministry – evangelism and outreach, music and structure – what comes to mind?

Evangelical clergy largely deny human causes of climate change
Evangelical Protestant clergy are outliers among their peers in rejecting the scientific consensus that earth’s climate is changing and human actions are a major cause. Nearly 80% of evangelical Protestant clergy reject this idea, which is strongly held by the scientific community. This group’s rate of rejection is quadruple what is found in Mainline Protestant clergy and more than triple what is found in Catholic and Black Protestant clergy.

Two views of government as a Christian concern
These debates about American government are in fact matters of urgently important concern for theology and the church.

Blowback on GOP's proposed cuts to school meal programs
Children's advocates are crying foul after House Republicans called for $12 billion in cuts to the Community Eligibility Provision, which allows high-poverty school districts to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of their ability to pay.

Related: Over 2 Billion Meals a Year: A Brief History of the School Breakfast Program

These developments should concern churches that partner with schools to provide kids with packets of easy-to-prepare foods that can be slipped in their backpacks so they do not go hungry over weekends and school breaks. These kids rely on free school breakfasts and lunches as the main meals of their day.

GOP cuts to Medicaid could threaten rural hospitals
Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez, Colorado, received more than 59,000 patient visits last year. That’s enough to treat everyone in Cortez and surrounding Montezuma County twice. Staff call the small hospital a bedrock of both medical care and the local economy. But warnings that the Republican-controlled federal government might cut Medicaid funding have community members worried about the facility’s future. They are not alone. Nationally, health policy experts warn that any cuts to Medicaid are likely to cause more trouble for rural hospitals than urban ones. That’s due in part because rural residents are more likely to be enrolled in Medicaid

Some rural counties in United States are already in what may be described as "health care deserts," areas that have no health care providers and as a result the residents of these areas must travel long distances for health care services (if they have transportation.) These cuts will make the situation even worse than it already is.

'Lifeline': GOP revolts as Trump orders 'maximum' cuts for popular lending program
Late Friday night, March 14, President Donald Trump issued an executive order telling federal agencies to cut the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI Fund) "to the maximum extent." The CDFI Fund, established via the Riegle Community Development and Regulatory Improvement Act of 1994, provides loans to small businesses in poorer areas — urban and suburban as well as rural — that are underserved by banks.

Pastors and other church leaders and ordinary Christians need to be aware of these directives since they will have a negative impact on the economies of many of the communities in which they live and work.

7 Excellent Reasons to Learn to Say No
Are there many demands on your time? Ron Edmondson explores the importance of saying “no” as a crucial skill for leaders, explaining how declining requests can protect personal and professional boundaries. Leaders are often flooded with time-consuming requests, yet constantly agreeing to them can lead to burnout and hinder effectiveness. Saying “no” guards a leader’s integrity by preventing them from becoming the indispensable center of the organization.

12 Must-Have Resources for Pastors to Grow Their Ministry
Pastors seeking to expand and enrich their ministries have access to a wealth of resources designed to support various aspects of church leadership, spiritual growth, and community engagement. Below is a curated list of 12 essential resources for pastors in their mission to nurture and grow their congregations.

5 Worship Leading Mistakes That Can Hurt Your Congregation
It’s easy to falling in the habit of weekly ritual, especially for worship leaders. Whether you’ve been leading worship for ten weeks or ten years, why not take a moment to review these worship leading mistakes to see if there isn’t room for improvement in your ministry?

Easter Vigil Brings the Story of Salvation to a City in Need
The Easter Vigil is a powerful tradition of reliving and remembering the story of our salvation, usually celebrated within the comfort of a sanctuary. Kate Payton shows how a multi-site church in Northwest Washington, DC, took this sacred practice beyond its typical confines, partnering with other local churches to hold an Easter Vigil across multiple locations. This unique experience enabled people to connect with the city in a deeper, more profound way—facing the realities of Good Friday in our community, and proclaiming a message of hope and resurrection.

Rationalizing vaccine hesitancy: Conspiracy beliefs arise after fear-driven avoidance, study suggests
New research published in Psychology & Health indicates that when people become fearful about vaccines, it can make them less willing to get vaccinated. This hesitancy, in turn, might lead individuals to embrace conspiracy theories about vaccines as a way to justify their decision to avoid immunization.

6 Characteristics of a Strong Evangelist According to the Bible
Spreading the Gospel is at the heart of Christian ministry, and evangelists play a crucial role in sharing the message of Jesus Christ. The scripture provides guidance on what makes a strong evangelist, highlighting key qualities that enable them to effectively reach others. Whether preaching to large crowds or engaging in one-on-one conversations, a characteristics of an evangelist embody faith, dedication, and love for God and people.