Friday's Catch: 'Turns out, we have partisan brains — but there’s hope' And More

Turns out, we have partisan brains — but there’s hope
It’s no secret politics divides America. The growing hostility between Republicans who support Donald Trump and the Democrats who oppose him is fracturing friendships, families and churches. Each side wonders at the rationale of the other: “How can they possibly think that way?” It turns out Republicans and Democrats do, in fact, think differently. When scientists in the emerging field of neuropolitics compared the brain scans of Republicans with those of Democrats, they found physical variations as well as differences in brain activity.

SBC pastors want another push to ban female clergy after Law Amendment failed
A group of Southern Baptist Convention clergy are urging the denomination to reconsider an amendment that would permanently prohibit female pastors at member churches after it fell 5 percentage points shy of the two-thirds support needed to pass last year.

Related: Why are Southern Baptists still arguing about women preachers? and Alaska Baptist leader resigns after supporting autonomy of his church

Struggling with What to Write in the Church Newsletter?
Struggling with what to write for the church newsletter? Jessica Anschutz of the Lewis Center shares ways to write meaningful and relevant material for your church newsletter by aligning articles with your church’s mission, connecting ministries, breaking silos, elaborating on worship themes, and rotating focus areas. These insights will help engage readers with purpose-driven, faith-building messages.

What Do People Want Most From Their Leader? Hope
Gallup identified four key expectations followers have of their leaders. They need leaders to provide hope, trust, compassion, and stability.

More Than Red Letters: Jesus’s Teaching Across the New Testament
While some people drive a wedge between Jesus and the rest of the New Testament, a far better approach is to train ourselves to recognize Jesus’s voice in the whole New Testament. We should expect the apostles to frequently look back to Jesus’s teaching. And when we read their letters, we find his teaching popping up in all sorts of ways.

The Sacramental Nature of Shared Meals
Why do human beings always celebrate with a meal? What is it about food that makes consuming it together the most appropriate way to commemorate an occasion? Think about it. We celebrate everything with a meal. Birthdays, funerals, graduations, anniversaries, engagements, promotions, holidays—all excuses to gather and eat and drink.

US Measles Cases Jump 35% in a Week, Now Found in a Dozen States
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 58 new US measles cases on Friday, a worrying sign in the outbreak that’s already been linked to two deaths.The US now has 222 cases across 12 states since the beginning of the year, the CDC reported, and 38, or 17% of those confirmed cases, have led to hospitalization.

Related Second person dies after contracting measles in US outbreak, As airports signal red alert over measles outbreaks, how to stay safe, Canada reports increase in measles cases, urges vaccination, and Measles Outbreak Spreads to Florida

Are Smart Phones Killing Student Ministries in Churches?
Since 2010, depression among teens is up 145% in girls and 161% in boys. During the same time period, anxiety is up 139% in those between the ages of 18 and 25. Josh and Sam discuss the findings from the book The Anxious Generation. Much of the problem stems from the widespread adoption of smartphones. What is the impact on student ministries in churches?

Bring a Friend: 5 Ways To Create an Inviting Preteen Ministry
Do your preteens bring a friend to church often? Does your preteen ministry have a culture of invitation? Read on for five ways to create an inviting ministry for middle schoolers, aka tweens.

Why do some Christians fast during Lent?
During Lent many Christians use the time to fast something. This is the story....

Related: 40 Day Fasting Guide for New Believers: Spiritual Growth and Practical Tips

The 15 P’s of Discipleship: How to Help Others Grow in Christ
Jesus told his disciples: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:19–20). His words are clear. Jesus commands his followers to make and train disciples. We are to reach people with his gospel and teach them what it means to follow Jesus faithfully.