Wednesday's Catch: "The Rise of the Dones: The ‘Done With Church’ Population" And More

The Rise of the Dones: The ‘Done With Church’ Population
At Group’s recent Future of the Church conference, sociologist Josh Packard shared some of his groundbreaking research on the Dones. He explained these de-churched were among the most dedicated and active people in their congregations. To an increasing degree, the church is losing its best.

The Nones Are Rising No More: 5 Things Church Leaders Need to Know
From 2008 to 2014, the Nones (those who have no religious affiliation) were the fastest-growing demographic segment in the nation. They are no longer growing. In fact, they are declining slightly. Here are five major implications for churches.

Related: Where Have All the Atheists and Agnostics Gone?

Protestantism’s Conservative Catholic Converts
At Easter, a Protestant intellectual explains why many intellectually inclined young people are leaving Protestantism for Rome.

Related: The fundamentalist strain in American Catholicism

Scottish Episcopal Church to vote on proposed ‘Declaration of Friendship’ with Catholic Church
A proposed “Declaration of Friendship” between the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Conference of Bishops of the Catholic Church in Scotland will be put before General Synod in June this year. The agreement, also to be known as the Saint Ninian Declaration, articulates and supports a deepening relationship between Episcopalians and Roman Catholics in Scotland. It affirms the possibilities for working more closely together while acknowledging that there are distinct differences between the two churches.

White evangelicals remain Trump’s staunchest supporters, Pew study finds
While a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s job performance, his evangelical supporters remain on his side, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Related: Trump’s tariffs are bad medicine

Why the Most Foolish People End Up in Power
Why do many unqualified individuals become CEOs, politicians, and powerful executives? This video uncovers the psychological and structural forces behind this disturbing trend, revealing how confidence, charisma, and manipulation often beat competence.

Related: Why STUPIDS Believe They Are Smart? The Dunning-Kruger Effect; Why STUPID People Are a Greater Threat to Society Than Criminals

VOICES: The rise of coerced ‘cultural Christianity’: A disturbing Christian Nationalist trend
Lately, I've noticed another disturbing trend gaining steam online — self-described Christian nationalists openly advocating for “forced conversions” and mandatory church attendance. It’s not just a fringe opinion anymore. It's creeping deeper into circles that should know better.

Related: Clergy oppose Missouri Legislature rewriting Ten Commandments

3 Indicators of a Thriving Rural Congregation 

Allen Stanton says rural churches need better indicators of what it means to thrive. He outlines three characteristics of vital rural congregations able to lead the wider community toward the Kingdom of God.

“Cultivating Generosity in Marginalized Communities” featuring Carlos Perkins
How can church leaders cultivate generosity in marginalized communities? In this episode, Jessica Anschutz speaks with Carlos Perkins who emphasizes that many Black, Latinx, and Hispanic congregations have been historically generous, despite limited resources. The conversation explores the importance of defining generosity, reflecting on personal beliefs about money, and how faith leaders can develop a theology of generosity. Perkins also highlights how past institutional traumas can affect a congregation’s generosity, and the need for leaders to address these issues to foster giving.

Gospel Fuel
The primary call on Christians is to follow Jesus, to become like our Rabbi. At the top of the list is learning, loving and living the Scriptures. Every Jesus follower should be immersed in the Word of God in a way that leads to thinking that is shaped by biblical truth and a life that aligns with all God teaches in his Word.

Tuesday's Catch: ''Just believe it you idiot and see what happens' - how to bring Gen Z to church' And More

'Just believe it you idiot and see what happens' - how to bring Gen Z to church
With recent studies suggesting that Generation Z - also known as 'Zoomers' - are starting to turn to Christianity in staggering numbers, particularly young men, it might be worth looking at why this might be on a personal level. Young men have been embracing the church, particularly the Catholic Church. One example of this phenomenon is Connor Tomlinson, a conservative activist and broadcaster who describes himself as a “Reactionary Catholic Zoomer”.

Related: German churches lost over a million followers last year, 'nones' now the largest group

Rev. William Barber arrested in Capitol Rotunda after praying against Republican-led budget
While arrests of protesters at the Capitol is not unusual, the response to Barber’s prayer was unusually dramatic: After issuing verbal warnings, dozens of officers expelled everyone in the Rotunda — including credentialed press.

Related: William Barber arrested for praying in Capitol Rotunda

‘Climate Kitchen’ Serves Creation Care Insights
On April 24, three months after the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires that claimed the lives of 29 people and damaged thousands of structures across Southern California, the Diocese of Los Angeles held the first webinar in a new series focused on the environment. “Climate Kitchen is intended to be a welcoming space for conversation around all that is going on in the Los Angeles diocese to act on climate,” Kate Varley Alonso, who hosted the webinar, told TLC. It was scheduled just in time to honor Earth Day, celebrated globally on April 22.

Related: Grasslands Network, the first Episcopal eco-region, hosts event in Kansas for people to learn about, reflect on environmental issues

The Article You Don’t Want to Read
The one thing that every human being must face is their own mortality.

Virtues Can Be Taught
"Manners makyth man" is not the quaint slogan of a historic dinner-dance club. It is the motto of Winchester College, one of the oldest and still one of the very best Church schools in the world. Bishop William of Wykeham (1320-1404), the honored founder of Winchester in 1382, understood that the end or first purpose of education is nothing less and nothing more than the formation of Virtue. He thus prescribed the motto to remind his 70 young scholars that we human beings do what we are and we are what we do....

Bivocational Pastors Find Personal Purpose, Congregational Benefits
Many churches are choosing to have bivocational pastors, as leaders and congregations work to steward their resources.

Related:Creatively Bivocational: Think Local, Lucrative, Low Bar to Entry

The Mystery of ‘The Call’
Throughout the history of the Church, I’m not sure if there has been a term more detrimental to the completion of the Great Commission than the phrase ‘the call.’ The confusion surrounding this term and the hesitancy of thousands of potential gospel workers to move forward without a clear ‘call’ is tragic. How this term came to have such power in the realm of missions is hard to say, but there is no doubt about its effect on many people’s minds.

A Small Church Is Still Part of the Big Mission
Don’t let the size of the mission overwhelm your church or distract you from it. The source of the mission is found in Christ alone.

Monday's Catch: 'Has the Decline of U.S. Christianity Finally Stopped?' And More

Has the Decline of U.S. Christianity Finally Stopped?
While media narratives often frame American religion as being in terminal decline, the data tells a more nuanced story. For church leaders, these findings point toward both significant challenges and also genuine reasons for hope, providing us with direction rather than just confirming our fears.

The Future Of Churches Will Be Really Huge — And Very Small
When the big keep getting bigger and the small keep multiplying, will mid-size churches get squeezed out?

Why Weekly Church Attendance Needs to Be the Norm
In this article Thom Rainer explains why he believes that in choosing not to advocate for weekly worship attendance of their church members, church leaders are making a big mistake.

9 Steps to Avoid in Any Church Conflict
The fact that your church has conflict is not a sign it’s unhealthy. It’s a sign you have people in your church. So don’t miss these steps.

Trump cuts to humanities grants undermine a stated priority: Restoring religion
President Donald Trump ran on a campaign promise to 'bring back religion.' The NEH grants he canceled include several that advance understanding of Judaism and Christianity.

Who was Pope Adrian IV, the only English Pope?
Few people know that there was once a Pope from England. This is the story....

The Trinity and Christian Devotion
The Trinity is the atmosphere of Christian faith and devotion; the entirety of the Christian life is a return to the Father through the work and person of the Son in the power of the indwelling Spirit.

10 Essential Skills Every Pastor Needs to Lead Effectively
Being a pastor is much more than delivering sermons on Sundays. Pastoral leadership involves guiding a congregation through spiritual growth, organizational development, personal struggles, and community outreach. Effective pastors serve not just as preachers but also as counselors, administrators, mentors, and visionaries. To thrive in this multifaceted role, pastors must cultivate a wide range of pastoral leadership skills. Here are ten essential ones every pastor should develop for effective and enduring ministry.

How to Choose the Right Worship Songs for Your Church—7 Key Tips
Selecting the right worship songs for your church is more than just picking popular tunes or the latest chart-toppers from Christian radio. Worship music plays a vital role in shaping the congregation’s spiritual atmosphere, theological understanding, and collective voice. Whether you’re a worship leader, pastor, or volunteer, how to choose worship songs that glorify God and edify the church body is both a privilege and a challenge.

God's Special Calling on Your Life
John Beson unpacks three truths about your calling that are clear in scripture.

Related: When God Plants an Acorn, He Means an Oak

20 Outreach Ideas for Small Churches with Limited Resources
Small churches often face the challenge of limited resources—whether it’s budget, staff, or time. But that doesn’t mean outreach has to take a back seat. In fact, small churches are uniquely positioned to build deep relationships in their communities through creativity, intentionality, and a personal touch. This list of outreach ideas for small churches is designed to help you engage your community and grow your church without breaking the bank.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Religious 'nones' outnumber Catholics, Protestants in Germany for first time: survey' And More

Religious 'nones' outnumber Catholics, Protestants in Germany for first time: survey
For the first time in modern German history, more Germans identify as religiously unaffiliated than as Roman Catholics or Protestants, according to a new survey published by the Weltanschauungen research group (Fowid) and reported by Evangelical Focus.

Americans may be going to church less, but most are still open to religion, spirituality
Just because religious behavior and affiliation have taken a nosedive in the last 30 years does not mean America is suddenly a secular country.

Winchester Cathedral saw bumper Easter numbers as 'quiet revival' continues
Anecdotal evidence from up and down the country has suggested that this Easter saw a bumper rise in church attendance. As Jesus himself once said, the fields are ripe for harvest, but the workers are few. Winchester Cathedral appears to have been no exception to the apparent trend and has even provided some stats indicating that this year’s Easter celebrations really where fruitful.

When Bigger Isn’t Better
To change a culture, you first need a deep and persuasive why.

If Your Church Were to Close...
If your church closed, would anyone in the community even notice? It’s one of those ingrained leadership questions, the kind that spurs us towards missions and outreach. Recently, I’ve begun to wonder if it’s even a good question.

While I see his point, I still believe that it is a valid question to ask. Dying churches are prone to engage in self-deception.

A Checklist for Making Your First Hire in the Church
Most pastors go through the process of hiring someone to help them minister to the church. What should you do for your first hire? Josh and Sam walk through a helpful checklist.

Institutional References: What They Are and Why They’re Important for Vetting Church Volunteers
Attorney Richard Hammar was among the first to caution Protestant churches about the need to protect kids and use screening and selection processes for the people who work with children and youth in their care. When he crafted the Reducing the Risk abuse-prevention awareness training program in the early 1990s, Hammar recommended a five-step checklist. Three of those steps—a written application, interview, and reference checks—occurred before a person even set foot in a Sunday school classroom or youth gathering. Over time, Hammar has expanded the checklist to 14 steps.

What Pope Francis Can Teach Us About Preaching
I wondered if Pope Francis wasn’t arguing so much about length as about clarity.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, April 27, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Easter, also known as Doubting Thomas Sunday (or simply Thomas Sunday) or Low Sunday. It is called Doubting Thomas Sunday or Thomas Sunday because it “commemorates the story of Thomas the Apostle's initial disbelief in the resurrection of Jesus and his later confession of faith after seeing Jesus' wounds.”

The Gospel of John’s account of Thomas’ disbelief is the origin of the expression, “doubting Thomas,” a reference to “a skeptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience.” The retort, “Don’t be such a doubting Thomas,” enjoyed wider use when I was a boy than it does today.

The origin of the name “Low Sunday” for the Second Sunday of Easter is uncertain. It may allude to the fact it is not as special an occasion as the great Easter Sunday festival which preceded it. It is not an excuse for not attending church on this Sunday, after having attended church on Easter Sunday, as the name “Low Sunday” is sometimes misused.

The topic of this Sunday’ message is the Great Commission, the charge which the risen Jesus gave to the apostles and to all subsequent generations of his disciples.

Readings: Acts 5: 27-32, Revelation 1: 4-8, and John 20: 19-31

Message: Our Principal Task

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/04/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-april-27.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.

Friday's Catch: 'The Next Level: A Snapshot of Church Multiplication Trends' And More

The Next Level: A Snapshot of Church Multiplication Trends
This past fall, Lifeway Research came alongside Exponential to survey 1,001 Protestant pastors for the Becoming Five Multiplication Study. The Becoming Five framework encourages every church to take steps to be reproducing and multiplying. 

Threat to deport persecuted Christians hits close to home for North Carolina church
Members of a North Carolina church are urging the Trump administration not to deport nearly two dozen Christian refugees from Afghanistan after they were ordered to leave the United States within days before their asylum claims have been heard by a judge.

Apostles Raleigh is affiliated with the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas and the Anglican Church of North America (ACNA).

Welcoming the outsider, Pope Francis brought us back to heart of Christianity
Despite the unresolved issues that many Catholics know are long overdue, Francis achieved far more for marginalized people than any modern pope.

We are afraid but we are standing up anyway
Acquiescing to the fear and the bullying behavior that reinforces it is far worse than confronting the possibility of the retribution.

Every Day Must Be Earth Day
During the next four years it is vital that all persons of goodwill and churches, organizations and local governments pledge to do something new for the planet each month. A few suggestions and a link to many more follow....

The (Eschatological) Joy of a Parish Easter Brunch
Holy Week and the Triduum have a lot of worship, and from waving palms and stripping altars to lighting fires and flowering crosses, many of the liturgical practices are unique to the week. Even as vital and satisfying as our worship may be, there’s more to the way we mark the resurrection of Christ—the good news that the grave has no more ultimate authority—than our worship. There is food and feasting. And such is the sign of that great banquet to come.

In planning Easter brunches and the like, those who do the planning need to give thought to those who have special dietary restrictions. The church that I regularly attend provided a Easter brunch between the 9:00 Am ad 11:00 AM services. It consisted of donuts, yellow  sheet cake with chocolate frosting, and muffins. There was nothing for someone like myself who is a diabetic. I never attend fellowship meals at my church because I am also a vegetarian (as are a number of the students and faculty at the local state university) and there is very seldom anything on the menu that I can eat. The church views itself as an inclusive community but it is not inclusive when it comes to diet and food.

Scholarly and artistic swerves from Scripture don't change the truth of the cross
An article that suggested ropes, not nails, held Jesus to the cross caused a firestorm.

5 Worship Challenges We Face All the Time
Christian worship is in trouble. Books, journals, conferences, events, and Internet resources are promoting innovative ways to ensure exemplary corporate worship. But pick a church, attend Lord’s Day worship, and more than likely you will discover that authentic Christian worship is in real trouble. We all face worship challenges.

Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention: Keeping Kids Safe at Church
Child abuse awareness receives headlines during April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. But any time is a great time to protect kids. Learn how to spot and stop different types of child abuse.

Secular College Students Find Ordinary Christianity Persuasive
Christians have a great opportunity to speak into the vacuum left by secularism’s collapse.

Thursday's Catch: 'Easter sees bumper church attendance' And More

Easter sees bumper church attendance
Reports suggest that churches up and down the country saw a surge in attendance for this year’s Easter services and events. The anecdotal evidence from parish priests and pastors backs up the more scientific findings of research conducted by the Bible Society that indicates a “quiet revival” is taking place in Britain.

I have so far seen no reports on attendance at Easter services in the United States and Canada. I will post links to them when I do.

Church rededicated to God after apparent atheist hate crime attack
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, has said that he is praying for parishioners of St James’ Church in Leyland, after the church was the victim of a hate crime, apparently perpetrated by one or more atheists. On the morning of Good Friday, the holiest day in the Christian calendar, parishioners arrived to find that their church had been vandalised with graffiti. The gravestones of parishioners' family members were graffitied.

Church ruling shifts St George’s Day in rare calendar shake-up
Patriotic Britons may have woken this morning expecting to raise a pint and a flag in honour of St George, only to discover that the date - 23 April - is no longer officially England’s day of celebration. In an unexpected but historically grounded move, St George’s Day has been transferred to Monday, 28 April this year, under an ancient rule observed by the Church of England.

Ga. AME churches to install solar microgrids to benefit communities
A regional body of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is partnering with groups to install solar power microgrids at various churches to help provide energy to communities in need. The AME Church Sixth District, which is based in Atlanta, Georgia, recently announced that it's planning to work with nonprofits to install solar panels at multiple church-owned properties by 2026.

How Do You Know If You’re Called to Ministry?
Beyond your desires, you need a corresponding competency to labor vocationally in Christian ministry.

Bad Tech: When Technology Overpowers the Gospel
Technology has changed the way we live, work, and communicate—and for the most part, that change has been positive. From digital Bibles to live-streamed services, the church has embraced innovation to reach wider audiences and engage with believers across the globe. But what happens when technology begins to overshadow the very message it’s meant to amplify? When the medium becomes more important than the message, we may find ourselves slipping into the trap of bad tech — a term that describes technology used in ways that distract from or possibly even distort the Gospel.

7 Best Practices for an Effective Church Website
Your church website is an open window into your church, allowing guests to peer in and decide if it’s worth coming inside.

Trump making good on Project 2025 goal to abolish Head Start
The administration’s approach would place even greater pressures on financially strapped Americans already facing food shortages due to massive cuts to federal food programs.

Messages Teens Need To Hear From Youth Leaders
What are some messages teens need to hear? Read on to learn how your words can make a major difference in young people’s lives.

The Bible’s Surprising Antidote to Your Weariness
...sometimes the solution to weariness is not rest. It’s actually very different than that according to the book of Proverbs.

An Insight I Gained from Thom Rainer almost 30 Years Ago
...church growth studies must focus on studying churches that are actually reaching non-believers.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, April 24, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

The American Episcopal Church and other Anglican Churches observe Easter Week, which begins on Easter Sunday and concludes on the Second Sunday of Easter. Easter Week is a part of the Anglican Church’s ongoing celebration of the resurrection of Jesus and his presence with his people.

This Thursday is the Thursday in Easter Week. For each day in Easter Week The Book of Common Prayer appoints one or more Collects of the Day, which “sets the emphasis for the prayers and liturgy of the day.” The Prayer Book also appoints readings for the Daily Offices and Holy Communion for these days.

A number of Anglican churches celebrate Holy Communion every day in Easter Week. John Wesley, an Anglican priest, a leading figure in the eighteenth century Evangelical Revival, and the founder of the Methodist movement, made it his practice to receive communion every day in Easter Week. He encouraged Methodists to receive communion regularly and often, emphasizing the sacrament of Holy Communion as an important means of grace. He received communion not only during Easter Week but also during the Twelve Days of Christmas and on every Sunday whenever it was possible.

In this evening’s message we explore what Jesus’ resurrection means for Christians.

Reading: John 7: 11-17

Message: What Does Jesus’ Resurrection Mean for Christians?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/04/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_24.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. 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.

Wednesday' Catch: UK's 'Quiet Revival' And More

Signs of 'quiet revival' in the UK should encourage the Church, says evangelical leader
Evangelical leader John Stevens has welcomed new findings from the Bible Society’s Quiet Revival report, saying the data should embolden Christians in the UK and give renewed confidence in the Gospel.

Archbishop of Canterbury resigned six months ago. We'll have a new pope before he's replaced.
A new archbishop will not only need to lead the British church but play a significant role in the Anglican Communion.

Episcopal churches, dioceses observe Earth Day with events and celebrations
April 22 is Earth Day, and many Episcopal congregations and ministries are observing the day by organizing and participating in various creation care-themed events through the coming weeks, including recycling collections, festivals, educational activities and more.

Related: Earth Day: Trump’s EPA promotes evangelical myth that environmentalism is a false religion

Americans Have Higher Church Attendance Standards Than Pastors
Most Americans don’t prioritize church attendance, but they have a higher threshold for calling someone a regular churchgoer than pastors.

Related: Four Key Attitudes That Are Killing Church Attendance

Fostering a Teachable Posture in Our People
Based on the research, we articulated three components of a teachable or vulnerable posture: interdependence, outward focus and suffering. Here are three actions church leaders can take to help shepherd people to and in a vulnerable posture....

4 Rhythms of Rest for the Weary in Ministry
How can weary church leaders live into God’s design for flourishing? Laura Heikes challenges church leaders to resist the culture of busyness and embrace the life-giving rhythm of Sabbath. While our society may glorify overwork, ministry flourishes when leaders model God’s balance of work and rest. Here are practical ways to start living into this sacred rhythm.

Mother’s Day Sermon Scriptures You Can Use
The best sermon ideas come from Scripture. So here are some Mother’s Day sermon scriptures for you. My hope is that this list will be helpful to save some of you the time of having to find the passages on your own.

AI and Pastoral Leadership: 4 Game-Changing Ways to Leverage the Tech Tool
AI must not replace wisdom, relationship, or spiritual leadership, but it should enhance clarity, communication, and execution.

Cultivating Practical Godliness
Cultivating practical godliness is essential to the Christian life and is made up of pursuing spiritual disciplines that are both personal (bible reading, prayer, fasting, etc.) and interpersonal (baptism, the Lord’s Supper, fellowship, family worship, etc.).

How to Begin a Conversation with your Dechurched Friend
One of the overwhelming things we ask ourselves when thinking about our dechurched friends and neighbors is simply, “Where do we start?” For some, the answer is apologetics. We need to start, the thinking goes, by answering the defeater beliefs of our dechurched friends. So, step one: read up on our arguments. Prepare our minds. Now, just to be clear: this is good! It’s good to have clear and compelling answers in your back pocket for the dechurched.

Tuesday' Catch: '8 Ways to Make Your Church More Welcoming to Newcomers' And More

8 Ways to Make Your Church More Welcoming to Newcomers
A welcoming church doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intentionality, creativity, and a heart for people. By implementing these strategies, your church can become a place where newcomers not only feel comfortable but also find a true sense of belonging. Strong church outreach for newcomers begins with empathy and continues with practical steps that make people feel valued from the moment they walk through your doors. Welcoming new faces into your church community is one of the most vital aspects of church growth and ministry. While regular members may feel at home, newcomers often experience uncertainty and anxiety when stepping into an unfamiliar space. That’s why intentional efforts to be welcoming and inclusive are essential.

Late Pope Praised for Bringing ‘Joy of the Gospel’
Pope Francis, 266th successor of Saint Peter as Bishop of Rome and leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics for the last eight years, died on April 21, Easter Monday, at his residence at the Domus Sanctae Marthae in the Vatican at 88. The official cause of death for Francis, born in Buenos Aires as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was a stroke, followed by a coma and irreversible cardiocirculatory collapse. The pope’s health had seriously declined in recent months, and he spent four weeks in the hospital with pneumonia earlier this spring.

Related: Pope Francis: An appreciation; United Methodists Remember Pope Francis

Pope Francis and the Sun
Bill McKibben reflects upon Pope Francis' environmentalism, his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si', and his championing of solar power.

A Prayer for the Earth
Pope Francis' Prayer for the Earth from his encyclical Laudato Si', adapted by Hazzan Steve Klaper & Br. Al Mascia, OFM, and set to music.

Our #1 Job
The first commandment from our Creator was to “tend the garden.” The task of caring for creation may seem daunting, but especially when we do it together, we discover God in new ways.

Related: Earth Day every day: Simple tips for a greener life; 10 Last-Minute Tips to Observe Earth Day

How to Help: Earth Month 2025 

We’re on it, together. There’s just this one planet of ours, and it’s on all of us to safeguard a future with a livable climate, healthy communities and thriving nature—during Earth Month, on Earth Day and every day. Let’s put our heads, hands and hearts together and take action to preserve and protect the natural world for generations to come.

The Ever-Present Search for an Easy Christian Faith
The statistics surrounding the “great dechurching” of the past 25 years have given rise to commentary and concern, with speculation about the many reasons people drift away from church affiliation. Some may want to celebrate the endurance of those who still attend church regularly, but I don’t think even that picture should inspire optimism. I suspect a large number of those who still belong to a church family may not hold to all their church teaches but instead treat church membership as an accessory to a life primarily devoted to pursuits unrelated to Christ’s kingdom and mission.

Yes, Jesus Was Crucified With Nails
A recent article in Christianity Today titled “Was Jesus Crucified with Nails?” has been raising some animated discussion on social media—not surprising, since the opening sentence argues, “The Bible doesn’t say Jesus was nailed to a cross.”

Canticle of Creation
This adaptation of St. Francis' "Canticle of the Sun" was written by Dan Schute ("Glory and Praise to Our God," "Here I Am, Lord/I, the Lord of Sea and Sky;" "Sing a New Song") who also composed the music for this song. The sheet music is available from OCP.

Canticle of the Sun
This adaptation of St. Francis' "Canticle of the Sun" was written by Marty Haugen ("All Are Welcome," "Bring Forth the Kingdom;" "Tree of Life").Haugen also composed the music. The sheet music is available from GIA.

Your Next Upgrade: Yamaha’s Best Church Speakers
Yamaha is a leading audio equipment manufacturer and their loudspeakers can be found on stages across the world. With their DXR12 1100-Watt 2-Way Powered Loudspeaker, they have created one of the best church speakers.

Rick Warren: 4 Practical Reasons to Join a Small Group
Why join a small group? We may attract attenders through preaching, but disciples are made in small groups. As you lead your congregation toward a deeper relationship with Jesus, you’ll want to explain to your members why small groups are so important to spiritual growth and why they are more than just a Bible study.

Monday' Catch: 'Pope Francis, charismatic reformer and disruptor, dies at 88' Ad More

Pope Francis, charismatic reformer and disruptor, dies at 88
Francis leaves behind him a church still divided, but radically transformed.

Related: Francis (1936–2025), the Pope Who Made the Roman Church More ‘Catholic’; Pope Francis dies aged 88: Vatican mourns a 'life dedicated to service'; and Pope Francis, first Latin American pontiff, dies at 88

Vandals spray-painted lewd images, anti-Christian message on church ahead of Easter
Lewd images and obscene phrases were spray-painted onto the walls and gravestones of a church in northwest England on Good Friday, prompting police to investigate the incident as a hate crime. The targeted attack at St. James Church in Leyland, Lancashire County, occurred just days before Easter Sunday services.

Trump blasts enemies in Easter morning message before hitting golf course
President Donald Trump — hailed by his supporters for “bringing faith back to the White House” — spent Easter Sunday on the golf course and blasting his enemies on social media.

100+ churches ring bells on Good Friday in honor of Paul Revere and 'against tyranny'
This year’s Lantern service aims to warn about the endangering of American democracy, societal model and ideals, said the Rev. Matthew P. Caldwell, Old North’s priest.

Why does your church meet in a house?
Well, we don’t always meet in houses. We also meet in coffee shops, parks, outdoors, and other locations. We could gather in a more traditional church building but meeting in these other locations is actually strategic.

An Episcopal church plant in which I was involved in the first decade of this century initially met in the living room of one of its congregants. Later it migrated to a vacant house owned by a congregant. As the congregation grew, it changed its venue to the conference room of a local hotel and then to the sanctuary of a local LCMS church.

Why Easter Monday matters
Let’s be honest - many people don’t really understand the significance of Easter Monday. In fact, depending on where you live, it may be a holiday you've barely even heard of. If you live in the UK, chances are you know it as one of our Bank Holidays throughout the year.

7 Powerful Ways Pastors Can Prevent Burnout and Stay Spiritually Strong
Burnout among pastors is a growing concern in today’s fast-paced, pressure-filled ministry environment. Pastors often find themselves stretched thin, trying to meet the spiritual, emotional, and practical needs of their congregations while also navigating personal and family responsibilities. Without intentional care, this unrelenting cycle can lead to exhaustion, discouragement, and even a crisis of faith.

The Limits of the Big Idea in Preaching
A simple recipe for a sermon is to identify the big idea in the passage and then communicate that in the sermon. But like all simple recipes, this approach has its flaws that maturing preachers and listeners alike should know about.

How a chance encounter led to an Easter song
At Easter one of the lesser-known songs is “Wounded for Me”. It has an interesting backstory.

How to Lead Worship Using Pre-Recorded Tracks
This article will walk you through the key steps, tips, and considerations for effectively using pre-recorded tracks in your worship service.

Five Ways Your Church Can Use “I Am a Church Member”
Thom Rainer gives five key ways to use I Am a Church Member in your congregation.

5 Ways to Minister to College Students This Summer
For many college students returning home for the summer, the church didn’t move, but the seat doesn’t feel saved for them anymore.

The Problem With Habits (and Why We Still Need Them)
Habits carry a hidden danger: they can turn meaningful actions into mindless routines. This paradox often appears in spiritual disciplines. A person starts a daily Bible-reading habit but ends up just skimming the verses without truly engaging or reflecting on them. What starts as a sincere prayer can become just another task on a checklist. The consistency that strengthens habits can also make them feel like empty obligations instead of meaningful actions.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, April 20, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Easter Sunday is a very special Easter Sunday. Easter Orthodox Christians and some other Christians use the Julian calendar to calculate the date of Easter Sunday. Protestants and Roman Catholics use the Gregorian calendar for the same purpose. Consequently, the Christians in these church traditions usually celebrate Christmas and Easter on different days from each other. This year Easter Sunday falls on the same day in both calendars. All Christians around the world will be celebrating the Feast of the Resurrection on the same day.

In this Sunday’s message we consider the implications of Mary Magdalene’s being the first disciple to discover the empty tomb and to see Jesus risen from the dead.

Readings: Acts 10:34-43; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; and John 20:1-18

Message: Bearers of Good News

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/04/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-april-20.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 power of Good Friday' And More

The power of Good Friday: reflecting on Christ’s ultimate sacrifice
Easter is here! For many, it’s a season filled with joy — family gatherings, festive meals, egg hunts, and a general air of celebration. While these are all good and fun, it’s also important, even necessary, to pause and reflect on the true weight of this season. Specifically, on Good Friday, the day Jesus Christ willingly embraced unimaginable suffering for our sake.

Related: Pierced for Our Transgressions: Why Nails Matter

The Awkwardness of Easter
Christianity makes bold claims. Among its boldest: the world was created in six days by a triune God who has no beginning. The second person of the Godhead became man, being born of a virgin. He walked the earth two thousand years ago. Then He died. But perhaps the boldest claim of Christianity is what happened next: He walked again.

The Goodness of God: 7 Reasons Why It Matters
Life can feel overwhelming and uncertain sometimes, but the goodness of God isn’t just a nice idea to cling to—it’s a life-changing truth that can shape how we live, face challenges, and treat others. Throughout the Bible, God’s goodness isn’t just stated—it’s revealed, woven into the stories, promises, and hope He gives us. Here are seven reasons why the goodness of God matters deeply in our lives....

Chatbot theology: Trump v. the Bible's villain
A reader asked Chat GPT to compare and contrast.

Passing Barriers
Perceived consensus drives moral intolerance in a time of identity-driven politics and online bubbles.

Chris Tomlin's new song resurrects the world's oldest known hymn
A new documentary details a project to revamp an 1,800-year-old hymn for a modern audience. The Oxyrhynchus Hymn is the oldest surviving Christian hymn with musical notation — and was rewritten by Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding just in time for Easter.

How to Mentor: A guide for all of us
O. Alan Noble offers his advice on how to become a mentor.

Friday's Catch: 'Going to a Dead Church on Purpose' And More

Going to a Dead Church on Purpose
No church should die, but some will die. What if God calls you to a church that just isn’t going to make it? Josh and Sam discuss how pastors can shepherd dying churches. Miracles still happen! If God can save any person, He can save any church.

Church of England hopeful after seeing 268% rise in social media interest in church services
The Church of England is optimistic after experiencing a 268% rise in social media interest in its church services. The institution's dedicated church finder website, AChurchNearYou.com, has recorded over 11,000 church services and events shared on social media platforms, a sharp increase from previous levels. According to the latest figures released by the denomination, total page views on the church finder website rose notably from 128.1 million in 2023 to 198.6 million in 2024.

Why the Roman Catholic Church Is Rising in England—and What It Reveals About Faith in an Age of Uncertainty
In an age of moral confusion and cultural uncertainty, people are drawn to those who actually believe what they say—who live as if their core convictions are real and unshakable.This, more than anything, may explain the quiet shift now unfolding in England. For the first time in centuries, the Roman Catholic Church in England now surpasses the Church of England in active attendance. Among young people, Catholics outnumber Anglicans.

VOICES: Why is America deporting them? Afghan Christians have 4 days left
The collective gasp in the sanctuary on Sunday was audible. Amidst the celebrations of Palm Sunday, my pastor told us about the email that around 25 members of our community had received just days before. I have since read that email for myself. I am stunned and devastated.

The No-Frills Gospel
The radical message of grace has always been misunderstood, just as Paul’s preaching was in Romans 6. To this day, many Christians hesitate to proclaim the true Gospel of radical grace. They try to add conditions—Jesus plus good works, Jesus plus church attendance, Jesus plus personal effort. But the truth remains: We’re saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Nothing more, nothing less.

Three mistakes with commentaries
Most pastors have a bunch of commentaries to consult when it comes to preparing sermons. Here are three mistakes we might make when it comes to consulting commentaries.

Snapchat is Harming Children at an Industrial Scale
In their own words, we see that Snap Inc’s design choices expose millions of kids to harm.

Team-Building Activities for Youth Retreats: 10 Ways To Build Unity
Team-building activities for youth retreats strengthen friendships and cooperation. Stepping away from daily routines lets teens reflect on their faith and engage with Scripture. In the process, your group will grow closer and stronger.

Thursday's Catch: 'Americans are swapping organized religion for personal truth: study' And More

Americans are swapping organized religion for personal truth: study
While respected Christian researchers like George Barna have been sounding the alarm on the dangers of syncretism to a biblical worldview in recent years, a new study published Monday suggests more Americans are leaving organized religion in search of personalized faith perspectives that embrace syncretism — a fusion of different religions. The study, Breaking Free of the Iron Cage: The Individualization of American Religion, was published in the peer-reviewed open access academic journal Socius.

New York Deconsecration Pilgrimage Rekindled Sacred Memories
Myriad reasons, including declining membership, have led to the closure of New York parishes over the years. Church canons, including the Dennis Canon, which states that properties are held in trust by the diocese where they’re located, guide the liquidation of properties no longer used for worship. Before this can proceed, a service for secularization must be conducted, in which the bishop’s Declaration of Secularization is read. The document’s public proclamation revokes the “Sentence of Consecration and remits the building and all objects in it for any lawful and reputable use in accordance with the laws of the land,” An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church says.

Episcopal churches prepare for traditional surge in attendance for Holy Week, Easter
Congregations across The Episcopal Church are busy this week preparing to welcome regular worshippers, friends, relatives and new visitors to their Holy Week services, culminating Sunday on Easter, which falls this year on April 20. And although The Episcopal Church and most other mainline Protestant denominations are experiencing long-term declines in Sunday attendance, the Easter surge is still a reliable phenomenon in Episcopal pews, with churchwide numbers more than doubling that day, according to parochial report data.

Artistic creativity fuels a Houston church’s mission
A Texas congregation has formed itself and transformed a worn-down warehouse with art at the core of theology and community.

Related: Brooklyn’s Holy Apostles church engages children with after-school education, puppetry

Attempted censure of Episcopal bishop stuck in committee but she explains more to Sojourners
The Congressional attempt to censure Episcopal Bishop Mariann Budde for her homily at the Washington National Cathedral appears to be going exactly nowhere. Three months after the service tied to Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, the proposed resolution remains stuck in a committee in the House of Representatives. There has been no public action on what would be an extremely rare legislative censure of a preacher.

Related: A Conversation with Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde: How We Learn to be Brave

Pelagius: Are we really that bad?
How bad are human beings? It would have to be admitted that the obvious answer is ‘well, pretty bad’. But anyone who is a parent knows that a key tactic in helping children to behave is to expect better of them. Somehow, they will rise to meet the standard expected of them. Aren’t human beings as a whole like this? If we simply say ‘It’s no good: they’re simply evil and always will be’ won’t we get what we expect? Doesn’t it make sense to say to people, ‘not only is doing good something you ought to do; it is also something you can do’? This very debate was circulating it amongst Christians some 1500 years ago.

Here Are 4 Things Healthy Leaders Do
No leader or pastor starts their career or starts a church with thinking about quitting. All of them start with grand plans and dreams of the future and finishing, retiring, making it to the end with friends and family around them. Yet statistically that is incredibly rare. Most quit, give up, fall out of the race or simply stop trying while still collecting a paycheck.

How to Handle Small Group Conflict
Community is messy business! Having differences in a small group, acknowledging disappointments and hurt feelings, running up against frustrations and challenges is all part of moving to deeper maturity in community and Christ-likeness. If you experience small group conflict, take heart! Conflict can be the very thing that helps your group to break-through to new levels of honesty and freedom in Christ.

5 Reasons Why Kids Won’t Read the Bible They’ve Been Given
There are many reasons why kids might not actually read the Bible they’ve been given. Here are just a few—and some thoughts on how to help!

The Christian Life
The Christian life is the life of repentance, faith, and good works lived through the power of the Spirit and with the help of the means of grace as the Christian is conformed to the image of Christ to the glory of God.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, April 17, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

This Thursday is Maundy Thursday. It is also known as Holy Thursday in many countries and is a public holiday. “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word, “mandatum,” or “command.” The English word “mandate” is also derived from the same Latin word. The command to which it refers is the one which Jesus gave to his disciples at the Last Supper on the night of his arrest. It was the command to love one another as he had loved them.

In this evening’s message we examine how this command applies to his modern-day followers.

Reading: John 13: 1-17, 31b-35

Message: “You Must Love One Another…”

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/04/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_17.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. 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.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Churches celebrate a united Easter this year' And More

Churches celebrate a united Easter this year
The Presidents of Churches Together in England (CTE) have issued a joint statement celebrating the fact that this year Christians of all denominations will celebrate Easter on the same day and in honour of a formational meeting of the early church. Due to their use of the Julian calendar, Eastern Orthodox churches nearly always mark religious events like Easter at different times to Western Churches, which use the Gregorian calendar. This year however, a happy coincidence means that both calendars are in agreement about the date for Easter. The statement by CTE was made in celebration of this fact and in recognition that 2025 marks the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea.

What Do Americans Believe About Easter?
Easter remains a popular holiday and may even inspire a church visit. But many still don’t recognize the day’s theological significance.

Churches Aim to Welcome Guests by Different Methods
According to a Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors, more than 99% of churches welcome visitors in at least one of 11 ways.

Plan NOW For Your Post Easter Review
Many churches stop the work put into Easter services a few days too early. Many churches close the church doors on Easter Sunday, “high-five and give God the glory” celebrate all God did and take a much deserved rest. Nothing wrong with any of this, but if we aren’t careful we leave some of the best work of Easter’s momentum undone.

Positively Urgent
Mike Bonem says a sense of urgency is necessary to propel change, but that urgency need not come from a negative sense of doom and gloom. Urgency can also be generated by a positive sense of hope and opportunity. Good leaders create positive urgency.

Is the Resurrection of Jesus Likely or Unlikely? Well, we are coming up on Easter. And while Christians will be celebrating the resurrection, others will doubt it. Our world’s skepticism over miracles is nothing new. Ever since David Hume, philosophers and scholars have been making the case against the possibility of miracles But, now things have shifted. Hume has been roundly (and decisively) rebutted and philosophers now realize that one cannot prove miracles are impossible. But, not to worry, now there’s a new argument. Now the argument is that miracles are simply improbable.

Resurrection Matters: Living Out the Power of Resurrection Every Day
As Easter approaches, Jessica Anschutz calls us to reflect on the profound significance of the resurrection of Jesus and its implications for believers. Resurrection is not just a theological concept but a call to live as agents of change, healing, and good news in a broken and hurting world. Resurrection matters because it demonstrates God’s victory over death, offering new life and hope. Through the ongoing power of the resurrection, God’s transformative love continues to make a difference.

“Preaching Easter… Again” featuring William Willimon
How can preachers overcome writers block? In this episode, William Willimon shares insights for pastors preaching during Holy Week. He discusses his book Changing My Mind, reflecting on how his views on preaching have evolved over five decades of ministry. Willimon shares insights into his sermon-writing process and underscores the necessity of listening—to God, scripture, and people—and encourages preachers to find their voice by learning from others while staying faithful to the gospel.

Advocates worry over possible cuts to Head Start
Worries are growing over funding for Head Start, the decades-old federal program that provides childcare, nutrition assistance and other services to the nation's poorest families.

Justice for Victor: A world where difference is not punished with violence
his April, a month meant to honor and uplift the voices of autistic individuals, the community in Pocatello, Idaho, finds itself grieving the tragic and preventable death of 17-year-old Victor Perez. Victor, a nonverbal autistic teen with cerebral palsy, was shot multiple times by police after officers responded to a call at his home. Within just 12 seconds of arriving on the scene, officers opened fire.

Related: Autism rate rose, CDC says in report that contradicts RFK Jr. on the reason

Tuesday's Catch: 'Few Protestant Pastors Believe Their Churches Will Close Soon' And More

Few Protestant Pastors Believe Their Churches Will Close Soon
Most pastors do not expect their churches to close in the next ten years, yet church closures may be more common than openings.

Five Ways to Report Truthful Worship Attendance
When Sam and Thom research local churches, they inevitably calculate average worship attendance. But how can they tell if it’s accurate or not? They share five ways to be certain.

Everything Church Leaders Need To Know About Mandatory Reporting Laws
Every state has a mandatory child-abuse reporting law on the books. But many pastors and church leaders are unaware of these statutes, let alone their need to comply with them.

As Marriage Rates Decline, Should Pastors Encourage Singles to Marry?
Recent trends show that global marriage rates as a whole are in decline. Western societies have sometimes disparaged marriage and questioned its necessity and intrinsic value, and now declining marriage rates are a phenomenon evidenced in every region of the world. Church communities haven’t been immune, and the growing number of unmarried adults in our congregations raises the question of how best to respond.

‘Not of this world’: Jesus, Caesar and Holy Week
In Holy Week 2025, American Christians confront the stark reality that the Gospel accounts of the “two kingdoms” represented in Jesus and Caesar seem strikingly contemporary here and now. When Jesus tells Pilate that “my kingdom is not of this world,” he’s not simply referencing an ethereal realm somewhere in the heavenlies; he’s articulating the dramatic difference between the world as it was, is and, according to Jesus, might become. While this always has been the case, somehow those gospel stakes seem higher right now.

Related: Through Christ’s ‘Suffering, We Have Redemption’—Trump Sparks Debate With Holy Week Presidential Message

Jesus Washes All of His Disciples’ Feet
Although some Episcopalians don’t want to participate in this ritual and some Episcopal churches do not include it in their Holy Week liturgies, on Maundy Thursday we all read in John’s Gospel how Jesus girded himself with a towel and washed all the disciples’ feet during their last meal together. It seems that he is acting out a parable with the last moments of his time with his disciples. We who seek to follow him today should carefully reflect on his words and actions, whatever our liturgical choices.

America isn't becoming less spiritual. It's becoming differently spiritual.
People increasingly craft their spiritual lives according to personal values, rather than institutional dictates.

Related: Growing interest in the Bible and Jesus raises hopes of transatlantic revival among young adults

‘First Hymn’ Joins Us to the Communion of Saints in Song
A century ago, archaeologists digging through ancient ruins in Egypt uncovered a tattered scrap of papyrus. On it were the remains of a hymn dating to the mid-200s—complete with lyrics and musical notation! For decades, it remained sealed away in a climate-controlled vault at Oxford University. Until John Dickson came across it.

Related: Famous Christian artists revive third century hymn ahead of Easter; Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding - The First Hymn (Official Lyric Video)

Does Projecting Bible Passages Keep Members From Bringing Bibles to Church? 

It’s become increasingly common for churches to project Bible passages onto large screens during services. Whether through PowerPoint slides or worship software, this practice allows congregations to follow along with Scripture readings seamlessly. It’s efficient, accessible, and visually engaging—but it also raises a question that many pastors and church leaders are beginning to ask: Does projecting Bible passages keep members from bringing Bibles to church?

Life Span of a Small Group – AreThey Meant to Meet Forever?
Small groups have long been a vital part of church life, offering believers a more intimate setting for fellowship, prayer, and spiritual growth. Whether they’re called life groups, home groups, or community groups, the purpose remains the same: to connect people more deeply with God and with each other. But as enriching as these groups can be, one question often arises for leaders and participants alike: Are church small groups meant to meet forever?

Monday' Catch: 'The Role of Evangelism in Church Growth: 12 Key Insights' And More

The Role of Evangelism in Church Growth: 12 Key Insights
Evangelism has always been central to the mission of the church. It’s not merely a ministry within the church but the very heartbeat of its purpose. As churches look for ways to grow—not just in numbers but in spiritual vitality—understanding the connection between evangelism and church growth is essential. Without a focus on outreach, even the most vibrant congregations can become inward-focused, missing the mission Jesus gave.

Number of Americans who don't identify as Christian but claim 'personal commitment to Jesus' nears record high: survey
In a striking shift amid declining trust in organized religion, a new Barna Group study signals a surge in Americans’ commitment to Jesus, with younger generations leading the charge. The research, part of the State of the Church 2025 initiative, finds 66% of U.S. adults affirm a personal commitment to Jesus that remains vital, a 12-point leap from 2021’s record low of 54%.

Surge in searches for local churches
The Church of England has been buoyed by latest figures showing a leap in visits to its church finder website. More people than ever before are looking for a local church on the Church of England's dedicated search page, AChurchNearYou.Com. Page views on the page rose significantly from 128.1 million in 2023 to 198.6 million in 2024.

Regional parish development programs aim to improve organization and outreach
The diocese of Ottawa has become the latest in a recent wave of regions across the Anglican Church of Canada to begin work on a program of parish development. Like the diocese of Niagara and the ecclesiastical province of British Columbia and Yukon, which have similar programs, Ottawa is aiming to provide parishes, their clergy and their lay leaders with the education and resources to streamline their decision-making, focus their vision and purposefully reach out to their communities.

10 Ways Pastors Can Improve Their Preaching and Connect with Their Congregation
Preaching is at the heart of a pastor’s ministry. It’s how God’s Word is brought to life for a congregation and how lives are transformed. But even seasoned pastors know there’s always room for growth. Connecting deeply with your congregation requires more than just sound theology—it calls for authenticity, clarity, and intentional communication. If you’re looking to grow in this area, here are ten pastor preaching tips to help you preach more effectively and forge stronger connections with those in your care.

Every Part of the Service Matters
Did you know that your church has a liturgy during the Sunday gathering? A liturgy is simply the order of a public worship service. No matter how relaxed or formal your Sunday service is, you have some sort of weekly routine that your people have come to expect. A liturgy, when done well, regulates the worship of God in the way that God prescribes. There may be a variety of forms and circumstances, but the elements will be the same across various churches all over the world. Assuming the best of your church, each week God’s word is read, prayed, sung, preached, and seen. And insofar as this is true of your church, that means that every part of the service matters. And if every part matters, then missing part of the service matters too.

10 Mistakes Worship Leaders Make — and How to Avoid Them
Worship leadership is more than musical skill or stage presence—it’s a sacred responsibility. Worship leaders guide people into God’s presence, shaping the spiritual tone of a congregation’s gathering. However, even the most passionate leaders can fall into traps that limit their effectiveness. Identifying common worship leader mistakes can help avoid pitfalls and lead with greater wisdom, humility, and grace.

Ancient Trinitarian hymn from c. 200AD brought back to life
An ancient Trinitarian worship song written around 200AD, has been repackaged and was released on April 11. ‘The First Hymn’ is based on a fragment of papyrus found 100 years ago in ancient Egyptian ruins and kept in a climate-controlled vault at Oxford University. On examining the piece, John Dickson, Professor of Biblical Studies and Public Christianity, decided: “We need to give this back to the Church”. Dickson brought in Christian songwriters Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding to bring the song “back to life” in a way that it could be used and sung in churches today....

Measles cases in Texas continue to grow. Trump’s funding cuts could make it worse
A surge in measles cases across West Texas has raised concerns amongst officials about the potential for outbreaks of preventable diseases across the US due to funding cuts for public health initiatives.