Monday, March 31, 2025

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.

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