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 ProgramGOP cuts to Medicaid could threaten rural hospitals
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.
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.
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