Tuesday's Catch: '"Quiet revival" in the UK as Gen Z goes to church' And More

Quiet revival' in the UK as Gen Z goes to church
Attendance in Britain is rising thanks to Gen Z, new research commissioned by the Bible Society has suggested.

Most Republicans are fine with ICE arrests in churches, Pew finds
Most Americans oppose immigration raids in sensitive locations such as churches, schools and hospitals, according to a new Pew Research Center study. But Republicans are exceptions to this view.

Trump cuts more than $30M in Utah childhood immunization funding
Utah is losing nearly $31 million in childhood immunization and vaccination funding as part of broader cancellations of pandemic-era federal public health spending, per government data.

Related: RFK Jr. Forces Out Top Vaccine Regulator After Fight Over Data

RFK Jr.’s HHS cuts include a slap in the face to 9/11 heroes

The Trump administration recently fired the head of the World Trade Center Health Program, and dismissed two-thirds of the entire staff at the program’s parent agency, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The dismissals leave in doubt the future of the initiative that administers health care support for those who developed 9/11-related cancers, respiratory ailments and other medical issues.

Social Security wrongly tells some recipients their payments ended
The Social Security Administration last week wrongly informed some recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI), the federal program that provides financial assistance to disabled Americans and low-income senior citizens, that they were no longer receiving benefits.

Catholic bishops say they will no longer partner with US on refugee work and children's services
The announcement comes after months of uncertainty and antagonism about reimbursing Catholic agencies for their work with refugees.

Related: The Catholic Church is breaking up with the U.S. government. Here’s why it matters

How the church can lead in a divided world
Our world today is deeply fractured. Whether it’s politics, race, class, gender or ideology, the lines of division seem sharper than ever. People are quick to take sides, to cancel, to distance. In the midst of this cultural chaos, many are asking: “Where is the church?” And more importantly, “How should the church respond?” Not with louder slogans, bigger platforms or angrier sermons — but with faithful presence.

What is the Trinity and why is it so important in Christianity?
A recent study of American adults by the Cultural Research Centre at Arizona Christian University revealed a startling truth: that only 11% Americans overall and just 16% of self-identified Christians believe in the Trinity. This is deeply concerning because the Trinity is not some optional or secondary belief in Christianity; it's foundational. To reject the Trinity is, in essence, to reject the core of the Christian faith itself.

Related: Augustine's 3 Hermeneutical Rules

How to Become the Mother of Jesus
...what we need to realize here is that there is a massive, fundamental difference between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism when it comes to the authoritative foundation of church doctrine. For Protestants, that foundation is the Bible and the Bible alone, which is the only final authority for determining what should be taught as true. For the Roman church, it is the Bible plus the equally authoritative Roman Catholic magisterium — that is, the pope and bishops united with him. And they don’t just interpret the Bible; they add to the Bible.

Shepherding Skeptics
God can be tricky for everyone.

10 ways to care for the emotional health of your congregation during a pastors transition 

A pastoral transition is one of the most impactful seasons in the life of a church. Whether a pastor retires, resigns or is called to another ministry, the transition can stir a wide range of emotions — grief, uncertainty, anxiety, excitement and even division. How church leadership manages this process plays a crucial role in the emotional and spiritual health of the congregation for years to come.

The Missing Heart in AI-Generated Sermons
Robots cannot worship. Therefore, relying on a robot to prepare your sermon is to excise an indispensable element of good preaching—the heart.

Monday's Catch: '10 Strategies for Pastors to Build a Thriving Church Community' And More

10 Strategies for Pastors to Build a Thriving Church Community
Building a thriving church community requires intentionality, prayer, and strong leadership. A healthy church is not just about increasing numbers but fostering spiritual growth, meaningful connections, and a sense of purpose within the congregation. Pastors play a crucial role in leading their churches toward growth and impact. Here are ten effective church growth strategies for pastors to cultivate a flourishing church community.

Tested: When God Uses Ministry to Reveal
Let’s be honest—ministry can feel like a test. Not in the “fill-in-the-blank” kind of way, but in the deep, heart-exposing, identity-shaping kind of way. You step into leadership with a clear call, a hopeful heart, and the best of intentions, only to find yourself face-to-face with moments that challenge everything you thought you knew—about God, about people, and about yourself. And maybe that’s the point.

Southern Baptist ethnic leaders call for compassion toward immigrants 

More than a dozen Southern Baptist ethnic ministries have joined the chorus of other evangelical voices calling for immigration policies that protect religious freedom and show compassion toward migrants.

Related: It’s time for MAGA to be Christian

St. Louis church plant offers worship space, welcome for African, Afro Caribbean immigrants 

Grace Africa Christian Connection in St. Louis, Missouri, is only two-and-a-half years old, but already it has an average Sunday attendance of about 40, with another 80 people involved community life. Its mission is to serve African and Afro Caribbean immigrants living in the United States, and today people from at least 15 countries call it their church home. GACC, as it is known, is a church plant of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri that came about through a chance meeting in early March 2020 of then-Bishop-elect Deon K. Johnson and seminary student Mtipe Koggani.

HHS cuts felt locally as regional offices close
The reality of deep cuts to Health and Human Services hit home for many last week when half of the department's 10 regional offices closed, leaving 22 states and five territories without a local point of contact for heating assistance, child care programs, Meals on Wheels and more.

Understanding the background to today’s battles over the Department of Education
In March, Donald Trump dismissed half the workforce at the U.S. Department of Education and signed an executive order calling for the department’s elimination as part of his effort to “send education back to the states.” “Ultimately, the Department of Education’s main functions can, and should, be returned to the states,” said the March 20 order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States and Communities.” But most decisions about public education already are handled by states, and some wonder whether states are equipped to take on additional duties and costs.

Related: Trump Wants to Send Education ‘Back to the States.’ Are States Even Ready?

Reforming the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral
The Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral is a great gift from the Episcopal Church to the wider Anglican Communion. By summarizing Anglicanism as a focus on Scripture, the creeds, the dominical sacraments, and the episcopate, it has served the tradition well. But there is a case for reforming it.

The origins and meaning of the word ‘Israel’ in the Bible
There are many different, but related, meanings of the word Israel in the Bible. Here is the story....

15 Common Challenges Pastors Face — And How to Overcome Them
Being a pastor is a rewarding yet demanding calling. From shepherding a congregation to managing church administration, pastors often encounter numerous obstacles that can lead to stress, burnout, or discouragement. Understanding the challenges pastors face and finding ways to overcome them is essential for longevity in ministry. Here are 15 common struggles and practical solutions to navigate them effectively.

Related: The Most Common Reasons Pastors Give When They Leave a Church

Biblical Authority and the Christian Tradition 

Scripture has played an important and authoritative role in the history of Christian churches, especially in the West.

14 Signs of a Healthy Church Worship
Healthy church worship is a reflection of its spiritual health, unity, and mission. When worship is vibrant, sincere, and biblically grounded, it nurtures spiritual growth and strengthens the church community. But what does a healthy church worship culture look like? Here are 14 key signs to help you evaluate and cultivate a thriving worship atmosphere in your church.

Making Music with What’s Possible and Pastoral
Musical preferences are not uniform in the Episcopal Church. In the last three Episcopal churches where I have served as music minister, one of the most popular hymns has been “I Am the Bread of Life.” In these parishes, it has been more important to help people sing what they enjoy than to impose a monolithic vision of what they are supposed to enjoy.

The Spiritual Problem of Being Overinformed
The information crisis we face is at least threefold: too much information that moves too fast and is algorithmically tailored to be too focused on ourselves.

AI, Ministry, and the Shape of Discipleship
There’s something particularly human about opening the Bible and seeking to make sense of it for others. For pastors, that moment of sermon preparation isn’t just about information or knowledge transfer, it’s about formation, for the preacher and the people who hear it. Now, however, we need to deal with AI. It’s fast. It’s helpful. And, it’s kind of fun too! But, it also raises deeper questions about our pastoral and ministerial calling, especially when it comes to the slow and patient work of preaching and shepherding others in the way of Jesus.

4 Benefits of Tracking Group Attendance
No matter what tool a church uses to track group attendance, there are multiple benefits for recording the attendance of members and guests.

VOICES: You need this key feature to grow as a Christian
A disciple of Jesus Christ is called to be a disciplined servant of our Savior. And every follower of Christ comes to realize that spiritual growth does not just happen automatically. In fact, whenever we fail to maintain discipline, we take a step backward and stunt our spiritual growth.

Not-So-Great Expectations
We all have expectations about how others should act––some of them are biblically justified and some are merely the product of our own sinful hearts. Even when our expectations of others find biblical support, we sometimes (probably more often than not) hold them with unrealistic rigor. Those who respond in anger or frustration, when their expectations have not been met, are often the catalyst for deep discontentment and discord in the church.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, April 6, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday in Lent. In some Anglican and Lutheran churches, it is called Passion Sunday and marks the beginning of a two-week period known as Passiontide.

In the north of England and parts of Scotland, it is a tradition to eat carlin peas, a type of dried pea, on this day. In these parts of the British Isles the Fifth Sunday in Lent is known as Carlin or Care Sunday. Carlin peas are cooked and eaten like mushy peas, dried marrowfat peas, soaked overnight, simmered until they are soft, mashed, and then seasoned with salt, pepper, and malt vinegar.

In this Sunday’s message we examine Jesus’ attitude toward the poor and how he expects his disciples to treat them.

Readings: Isaiah 43.16–21; Philippians 3.4b–14; and John 12.1–8

Message: The Most Important Resource of All

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/04/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-april-6.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 (Contextualized) Marks of a Biblical Church' And More

The (Contextualized) Marks of a Biblical Church

Church matters, and because church matters, what we mean by church matters.

Aaron Renn might be right that Christians face 'negative world.' But is it new?
'Is the world supposed to be positive toward the Christian faith?' one evangelical leader asked about Renn's thesis. 'Whose Christianity?'

Four Bishops Nominated to Lead Canadian Church
The Anglican Church of Canada has announced four nominees for the office of primate: the Most Rev. Christopher Harper, the Most Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson, the Rt. Rev. David Lehmann, and the Rt. Rev. Riscylla Walsh-Shaw.

Evangelicals troubled by CoE's same-sex stance urged to consider alternative spiritual oversight
The Church of England Evangelical Council (CEEC) is encouraging Anglicans distressed by the Church of England's blessings for same-sex couples to consider alternative oversight. It has released a new video that highlights its alternative spiritual oversight (ASO) scheme for orthodox Anglicans, and the ways in which they are being supported. ASO has been operating since November 2023 and stems from the division within the Church of England on the issue of sexual ethics.

Re-Centering Whiteness in Methodism
There are no African Methodists in charge of any of the boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church, which has created a power imbalance. African Methodists have left the UMC in large numbers as a result of same sex marriage passing at the General Conference, even though disaffiliations have ended. African American GC delegates chose Liberation theology over Orthodoxy, ultimately rejecting solidarity with African Methodists. The General Conference passed legislation to form a US Regional Committee, making a US Regional Conference duplicitous.

Growing a new kind of Christian community
Spring Forest in Hillsborough, North Carolina, is working to become a new kind of Christian community. The Rev. Elaine Heath has taken elements of communal farming, church and nunneries and monasteries as inspirations. About 12 people live on the property and 12 more are oblates, who participate in activities online and at annual get-togethers.

Related: Pastor creates the community she longed for as a child

Judge considers injunction against immigration enforcement actions at houses of worship
Lawyers for The Episcopal Church and 26 other faith-based plaintiffs argued April 4 in federal court that Trump administration immigration policies pose an “imminent threat” to their religious practices by creating an atmosphere of fear among the immigrant communities they serve.

Social Security Gives Update on Identity Proofing to Receive Payments
The Social Security Administration (SSA) has offered an update on new identity proofing requirements that will come into force later this month.

Investigating rumor that Musk is shutting down Meals on Wheels program for older Americans
It was not clear whether Musk or anyone else ordered a shutdown of Meals on Wheels. The claims likely originated from an announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on March 27, 2025, that it would restructure and "streamline" several bodies including the Administration for Community Living (ACL) — the body that historically administered federal funding to Meals on Wheels.

A shutdown of this program would affect many elderly and disabled Americans who otherwise would have difficulty in accessing food and would further exacerbate the problem of hunger and food insecurity in the United States.

States caught unprepared for Trump’s threats to FEMA
During Donald Trump’s first presidency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency launched a program to break this cycle, awarding billions of dollars to states to repair levees, elevate flood-prone homes and shore up drinking water systems. The program was built on research showing it is many times less expensive to protect against future damage from natural disasters than to pay for repairs and rebuilding afterward. Kentucky received more than $7 million for hazard mitigation projects and upgrading power transmission lines.FEMA is now canceling plans to award these grants for the 2024 fiscal year, according to an internal memo reviewed by The Washington Post. As Trump’s second administration looks to slash federal spending, money given to states by the federal government after disasters strike could also be in jeopardy. The president has said he wants to eliminate FEMA and shift responsibility for disaster response to the states — which experts said are unprepared to respond to catastrophic disasters without federal assistance.

For the past several days the Mid-West and the South have experienced severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. The result to date has been extensive destruction of property, a number of deaths, and flash flooding, highlighting the importance of a national disaster response. Individual states and communities cannot respond to such disasters on their own.

Trump administration 'covertly' denied FEMA relief money for blue states: judge.
A federal judge in Rhode Island accused the Trump administration of "covertly" withholding funds for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief programs from states that didn't vote for him, Courthouse News reported on Friday.

Related: Federal judge reveals 'undisputed evidence' Trump is deliberately sabotaging blue states; The Trump Administration Just Violated Another Court Order

Will Christians ever agree on a date for Easter?
The World Council of Churches has published a paper in which it explores ways for Christians all over the world to celebrate Easter on the same day.

Elizabethan Anglicanism and the Reformed Tradition
The Elizabethan Church had a lot more in common with the sixteenth century continental Reformed churches doctrinally and liturgically than many people realize. This is evident from an in-depth comparative study of the Elizabethan Church and the sixteenth century continental Reformed churches.

8 Signs Of A Pastor People Will Follow
Here are 8 signs of a pastor people will follow gleaned by Brian Dodd from a story he heard from a student pastor.

Teaching Our Students to Pray
Leneita Fix explains how a number of conversations with God on a bumpy airplane flight got me thinking about the way her students respond when the phrase, “Let’s pray,” is uttered. Some want to be the ones to share, others hide, and some shrug with utter indifference. More often than not she hears several get nervous and say, “I don’t know how.” What they are really saying is, “What if I am wrong in this?” She goes on to explain that after this flight she was inspired to help her youth understand a little more about prayer.

Friday's Catch: '“The Gift of Small” featuring Allen Stanton' And More

“The Gift of Small” featuring Allen Stanton
Do you lead a small church? In this episode Allen Stanton shares how small congregations can be surprisingly nimble in the face of change and effective in spiritual formation because of their inherently relational nature.

Multiplying Made Simple: Filipino Movement Reaches Out Through Microchurches
If you were to hear the following, would you imagine it would be at (a) a church leadership meeting or (b) with the congregation itself?

Dane Boston to Lead Largest Episcopal Parish
The Very Rev. Dane Boston, the current dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina, loves to sing. “I have been singing my whole life,” he told TLC. He sang in church and was part of the children’s choir at North Dunedin Baptist Church in Dunedin, Florida, where he worshipped with his family as a young boy. He deeply appreciates the great hymns of the church and singers like Paul Simon....

Family of Texas Pastor Who Was Detained by ICE Clings to Hope in God
The family of a volunteer pastor in Corpus Christi, Texas, said they’re hoping for a miracle after he was suddenly detained last month. On March 18, as Adolfo Gutierrez was taking his youngest daughter to school, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended the undocumented immigrant and drove him away in a van.

States and cities are losing billions in federal childhood vaccine funds
States and cities are losing over $2 billion in childhood immunization and vaccination funding as part of broader cancellations of pandemic-era federal public health spending, per government data..

Related: Which jobs were cut at CDC? Here’s a list., HHS gutted programs to help people quit smoking. The impact could be deadly., 'Decapitated': More top vaccine regulators out at FDA, threatening new approvals, FDA employee found out she'd been laid off by email at 5 a.m.: 'I don't see how this benefits Americans at all', and HHS cuts stall Helene recovery efforts in North Carolina mountains

Faith communities are setting a courageous example for standing up to Trump
A growing number of religious communities are responding to the administration's hostility to many of their core values and beliefs, despite having fewer resources than major firms or schools.

A call for the church to reclaim biblical leadership
Have evangelicals — in the United States, the Caribbean and beyond — shifted from valuing biblical leadership rooted in character to embracing a results-driven model more akin to corporate success than Christ’s kingdom?

The International Lutheran Council expels two national Lutheran churches over women's ordination
The International Lutheran Council (ILC) has removed the Lutheran Church of Australia and New Zealand (LCANZ) and the Japan Lutheran Church (JLC) from observer membership in the ILC. Both were removed for departing from the doctrinal positions required of all members in the ILC’s bylaws.

4 Causes of Division in the Church
The New Testament gives us several causes of division among God’s people. It’s crucial to recognize these distinctions so we can be clear in our assessments and charitable in our judgments. Here are four ways division shows up—and the dangers that arise when we fail to tell them apart.

Union with Christians
Our union with Christ ought also to govern how we view Christians throughout the world that we may never see face to face in this life.

Three Levels of Sermon Introduction
Though every sermon necessarily needs a beginning, it does not necessarily need a formal introduction. Though it has to begin somewhere, there is no rule that it must begin with some kind of story or illustration. A preacher can jump straight into his text if he so desires. Some do.

Practical Considerations for Preaching Delivery
Preaching is a subjective craft—culture, context, personality, experience and preference shape our opinions. It also inevitably touches on questions of theology, ecclesiology and ministry practice: core values we hold about church and spirituality. Opinions about educational theory also play a large part in discussions about preaching. With that in mind, this article will not be a definitive guide but a conversation starter. It will raise questions, and make a range of practical suggestions in two areas of preaching delivery: gestures and variations in speech.

Prayer or Sleep? Which is More Important?
Here are some thoughts that might help you decide whether to choose prayer or sleep.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, April 3, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

Since the invention of the telegraph in the nineteenth century, there has been a revolution in electronic communication, particularly in the last 50 odd years. This technological revolution has had a significant effect upon the church as well as larger society.

In this evening’s message we examine the Letter to the Hebrew’ teaching about meetings and its implications for today.

Reading: Hebrews 10: 19-25

Message: What Does The Letter to the Hebrews Teach about Meetings?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/04/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows.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: 'The Worrying but Still Hopeful Demographic Future of U.S. Christianity' And More

The Worrying but Still Hopeful Demographic Future of U.S. Christianity

Does the current research indicate a reversal in the decline of Christianity in the U.S. or a mere pause? That is yet to be determined.

Sociologist's new book explains why organized religion has lost relevancy
Christian Smith’s research shows traditional religion isn’t just declining. It’s culturally obsolete.

Replanting a Historic Minneapolis Megachurch
The need for revitalization is widespread. Some sources suggest more than half of U.S. churches are in some stage of decline.

A bishop of the Arctic says goodbye
As Canada’s Anglican church dwindles, its most remote (and most expansive) diocese has shown growth. One bishop responsible for that trend is retiring, leaving his successor to find clergy willing to take on the Arctic’s challenges.

Should Churches Share Their Campuses with Other Non-Profits?
Many church buildings sit empty for a good portion of the week. What are the pros and cons of sharing the campus with other non-profits? Josh and Sam discuss some items to consider before opening your doors to other groups, churches, and ministries.

EfM Plans New Multimedia Curriculum
This week, thousands of laypeople across the country—as well as in parts of Europe, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong—will come together for at least two hours to study theology. They will meet in person or online in small groups of no more than 12, with one or two mentors facilitating discussions on various topics, from Hebrew and Christian Scripture to ethics and spirituality.

Related: Education for Ministry releases curriculum addition, new course options ahead of 50th anniversary

Why Hospitality in the New Testament Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Does
...one of the central features of the early Christian movement was that they were a people who traveled, and traveled extensively.

Preaching and Teaching With the Lost in View
Here are three things to consider as we preach or teach with nonbelievers in view.

Wednesday' Catch: 'The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American Protestantism the Past 25 Years' And More

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American Protestantism the Past 25 Years, Part 1: Key Strengths of American Protestantism in the 21st Century
In an unusual departure from the style of this podcast, Thom and Jess look at American Protestantism in the 21st century, highlighting 10 amazing contributions and 10 abject failures. For number 21, the Rainers give American Christianity a “grade” they believe is objective based on the past 25 years. They will take four podcasts to take you on this journey

Related: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of American Protestantism the Past 25 Years, Part 2: Abject Failures of American Protestantism in the 21st Century

Ten Non-Negotiable Rules for Child Safety in Churches
Child security is crucial in church ministries to ensure a safe environment for children to grow spiritually. Sam Rainer identifies ten key measures help protect children from potential harm including: avoiding one-on-one adult-child situations, conducting annual background checks, establishing check-in procedures, supervising bathrooms, and providing ongoing volunteer training.

Millions of Christians could face deportation from the US, report says: 'vast majority of individuals at risk of deportation are Christians'
A new report by several Christian organizations warns that up to 10 million Christians could face deportation under proposed Trump administration policies—raising concerns for families and churches across the U.S.—though the authors say their goal is not to take a political stance but to highlight the potential impact on the American church. 

Trump’s cruel calculus on public health is slashing lifelines for the most vulnerable
While the White House justifies its clawback of $11.4 billion in public health funds by declaring the pandemic “over,” the truth — buried beneath rhetoric — is that this money was never solely about COVID. These funds were the only significant investments in behavioral health infrastructure in a generation, targeting deeply underfunded mental health and substance use services long before and long after the virus.

Related: States sue Trump administration for rescinding billions in health funding

Kennedy Axes 10,000 Health Workers and Makes America Unhealthy Again
...HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s move Tuesday to fire 10,000 HHS workers, or one-quarter of the agency’s staff, without warning or cause shatters that vision and makes American communities less safe. It comes a week after the Trump administration cut $12 billion in federal grants to state and local health departments to track communicable diseases and to treat mental health, addiction and other urgent health problems.

NewSpring Church Voluntarily Leaves SBC Amid Controversy Over Female Pastors
NewSpring Church, a megachurch with multiple locations in South Carolina, has voluntarily withdrawn from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) despite the fact that the denomination’s Credential Committee reaffirmed its cooperation with the church following an inquiry. The inquiry into whether NewSpring should still be considered to be “in friendly cooperation” with the SBC was launched last year after concerns were raised about the fact that a woman serves as a teacher pastor for NewSpring.

America the secular? What a changing religious landscape means for US politics
A common assumption holds that nonreligious Americans vote for liberal candidates. The reality isn’t so simple.

Here’s who’s behind the war on empathy
Alan Bean offers an analysis of the antipathy toward empathy in segments of the US population, what these population segments have in common, and how they differ from each other.

The late cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead was once asked by a student what she considered to be the first sign of civilization in a culture. The student expected Mead to talk about fishhooks or clay pots or grinding stones. But no. Mead said that the first sign of civilization in an ancient culture was a femur (thighbone) that had been broken and then healed. Mead explained that in the animal kingdom, if you break your leg, you die. You cannot run from danger, get to the river for a drink or hunt for food. You are meat for prowling beasts. No animal survives a broken leg long enough for the bone to heal. A broken femur that has healed is evidence that someone has taken time to stay with the one who fell, has bound up the wound, has carried the person to safety and has tended the person through recovery. Helping someone else through difficulty is where civilization starts, Mead said. "We are at our best when we serve others. Be civilized.”

Which Identity is More Important: Race, Gender, or Religion? Or are we just trying to put smoke in a box? 

There’s this inherent tension in doing survey research. We are trying to get people to explain their thinking about things. I don’t know if that’s always possible. As many of you know, I worked on a book project called The Great Dechurching with two pastors - Michael Graham and Jim Davis. We asked folks a whole bunch of questions about why they stopped attending religious services and why they might come back. In writing that book we would always come back to the possibility that people themselves don’t fully understand why they do the things that they do. They contradict themselves. They contain multitudes.

7 Life-Changing Jesus Leadership Lessons for Pastors
Jesus was the ultimate leader, demonstrating wisdom, humility, and unwavering commitment to His mission. His leadership principles remain timeless and serve as a model for pastors seeking to shepherd their congregations effectively. By studying His example, these Jesus leadership lessons for pastors can help grow in their calling and leadership. 

Random Thoughts on Preaching
In no particular order, here are some random thoughts on preaching.

12 Essential Worship Team Guidelines
A strong worship team is more than just a group of musicians and vocalists—it is a unified body that leads congregations into meaningful encounters with God. Developing a worship team that is both spiritually grounded and musically excellent requires intentionality and dedication. Here are 12 essential worship team guidelines for building a worship team that is effective, cohesive, and spiritually strong.

Spring Training in Student Ministry: The Critical Role of Parent Discipleship and how to Strengthen It
If we’re serious about making disciples, we need to get serious about parent discipleship. Here are some practical ways to make it a reality.

14 Essential Traits of a Successful Evangelist 

Evangelism is a powerful calling that requires passion, dedication, and a deep commitment to sharing the gospel. Those who are most effective in this role possess specific qualities that allow them to connect with people, communicate God’s truth, and inspire transformation. What are the essential traits of a successful evangelist that contribute to their effectiveness in ministry?

Tuesday's Catch: 'Don’t Invite Your Friends to the Eucharist' And More

Don’t Invite Your Friends to the Eucharist: The Church We Are Becoming
The Rt. Rev. Daniel Martins, retired Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield in the Episcopal Church, shares his thoughts on what he describes as "the tsunami of 'post-Christendom'" and how the church should respond to what he hazards may turn out to be more significant than the 16th century Reformation.

The Burge Report: Everyone Is Having Less Sex (What It Means for the Church)
Ryan Burge discusses his most-read research post of the year. Every age group is having less sex than they were a generation ago. Not only has sexual behavior declined among young people, but it has also declined among Evangelicals and other religious groups. What are the implications for the church? How should pastors address this reality, if at all?

Related: How Does the Public Feel About Sex Among Teenagers? And what role does religion play in shaping these views?

Are There Two Types of Gen Z When It Comes to Religion?
Every now and then someone has a somewhat original thought on Twitter. That was certainly the case a couple of weeks ago when Rachel Janfaza, who writes a newsletter called The Up and Up, posted a picture of ‘two Gen Z’s.’

Most Immigrants Who Are Vulnerable to Trump’s Mass Deportation Policies Are Christians: Report
A new report has revealed that the majority of those affected by President Donald Trump’s plan for mass deportation are Christians.

Related: Evangelical, Catholic groups: 1 in 12 Christians could be impacted by Trump deportations

Christians believe human fallibility too great to allow unchecked power for our leaders
If the political realm will not stand up to the autocratic pretensions of the current president, it falls to people of faith to take nonviolent action.

Rebuilding for Renewal: The Importance of Sacred Spaces in Our Cities
A church without a building can still thrive, but having a place to call our own has deepened our ability to live out our calling.

In his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob, Jesus made it clear that to God it does not matter where we worship. What matters most to God in how genuinely we worship him.

The Story and Message of the Bible
The Bible is comprised of many books and written by various authors over centuries, but as God’s Word it is a unified revelation unveiling a single message. It is crucial to understand what the Bible’s overall message is to interpret it properly and rightly apply it to our lives

3 Preaching Alternatives to PowerPoint

PowerPoint has long been a staple of modern preaching, helping pastors and speakers organize their thoughts with visual support. However, many preachers find themselves looking for alternatives to PowerPoint that foster deeper engagement, minimize technical issues, and create a more dynamic worship experience. Whether you want to simplify your presentation or make your sermons more interactive, exploring different tools and techniques can greatly enhance your message.

New Attention for Old Hymn Texts
The Rev. Ted Campbell has edited and published “A Core Methodist Hymnal, which collects the texts of 126 hymns in the public domain. Campbell is a longtime professor at United Methodist seminaries and an authority on the great hymn writer Charles Wesley. The book is intended as a devotional or study book for individuals and small groups and includes commentaries by Campbell after each hymn text.

Basic Small Group Dynamics Every Leader Needs to Know
Small groups are powerful tools for building relationships, fostering spiritual growth, and achieving shared goals. However, leading a small group effectively requires an understanding of small group dynamics. By recognizing how groups develop, interact, and function, leaders can create an environment makes discipleship bloom.