How can we tell the difference between temporary declines or fatal flaws? It’s important to recognize the signs of a dying church — that your church may be on the path to decline. Misdiagnosing the real issues is difficult, but there are some sure indicators of a dying church.
The ‘Quiet Revival’ Breaks Spiritual Stillness in the United Kingdom
In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, the spiritual atmosphere in the United Kingdom seems to have changed. Evangelical churches have been reporting significant growth in attendance, as well as more conversions and baptisms. Congregations are more ethnically diverse, and people have been coming to church to seek God on their own initiative, often because they’ve been reading the Bible or engaging with the gospel online.
The American church’s fear of persecution versus the words of Jesus
There’s a disconnect between the American church’s fear of persecution and the words of Jesus.In a nation where Christians still hold significant cultural influence, privilege and legal protections, a fear of persecution seems almost exaggerated. Too many in the church are preoccupied with the possibility of losing their privileges and as a result seek special protection that, in turn, takes away privilege from others.
Half of Gaza's Christians hiding in one church
A Catholic priest in Gaza estimates that half of the region’s Christians are sheltering in the compound of his parish. Father Gabriel Romanelli, speaking to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, said that there are only around 1,000 Christians left in Gaza, and that half of them are currently sheltering in the Holy Family Church, due to the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Presiding bishop joins Supreme Court brief opposing public funding of religious schools
Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe has joined other interfaith denominational leaders in signing a “friend of the court” brief opposing government funding of religious charter schools in a case that will be heard this month by the U.S. Supreme Court. The case centers on a Roman Catholic school in Oklahoma that was approved by a state board in 2023 to become what was said to be the nation’s first religious charter school. Opponents, however, have argued that the Constitution prohibits such schools from receiving public funds because it would effectively endorse a specific religion.
Catholics line up behind bipartisan effort to reform religious worker visas
While congressional co-sponsors are all Catholic, the Religious Workforce Protection Act has substantial support from a variety of religious leaders, including evangelical Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews and Episcopalians.
Palm Sunday: How to Choose a Stone
How do you choose a stone? This is a question my family often considers when we are in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Ever since our dating days, I have competed with my wife in skipping stones across whatever lake or river is available. I won’t share with you who typically wins, but she’s pretty good. Now my son is just to the age where he can learn the skill.
Built on the Word
The church I pastor has a list of eight values that reflect and direct our culture. We evaluate ourselves based on these values, celebrate staff who display these values, and teach them to ourselves continually.
How Does Sanctification Differ from Justification?
The Bible typically uses the language of “sanctified” or “sanctify” to refer to the believer’s positional holiness as one set apart unto God. In systematic theology, however, sanctification usually means the renovation of men and women by which God takes the joined-to-Christ, justified believer and transforms him more and more into the divine image. That is the sense we are talking about right now—progressive sanctification rather than definitive sanctification.
More men turning to the Bible across every generation: study
Following years of declining Bible engagement in the U.S., nearly 10 million more Americans have engaged with the Bible this year compared to 2024. Across every generation, men have increased their engagement so much that the gap between the sexes has almost been erased, according to the first installment of the 2025 "State of the Bible" report from the American Bible Society.
Palm Sunday: How to Choose a Stone
How do you choose a stone? This is a question my family often considers when we are in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Ever since our dating days, I have competed with my wife in skipping stones across whatever lake or river is available. I won’t share with you who typically wins, but she’s pretty good. Now my son is just to the age where he can learn the skill.
Built on the Word
The church I pastor has a list of eight values that reflect and direct our culture. We evaluate ourselves based on these values, celebrate staff who display these values, and teach them to ourselves continually.
How Does Sanctification Differ from Justification?
The Bible typically uses the language of “sanctified” or “sanctify” to refer to the believer’s positional holiness as one set apart unto God. In systematic theology, however, sanctification usually means the renovation of men and women by which God takes the joined-to-Christ, justified believer and transforms him more and more into the divine image. That is the sense we are talking about right now—progressive sanctification rather than definitive sanctification.
More men turning to the Bible across every generation: study
Following years of declining Bible engagement in the U.S., nearly 10 million more Americans have engaged with the Bible this year compared to 2024. Across every generation, men have increased their engagement so much that the gap between the sexes has almost been erased, according to the first installment of the 2025 "State of the Bible" report from the American Bible Society.
Remember you are dust: a Lent reflection
In the Christian year there are two penitential seasons, times of the year when Christians are particularly encouraged to take stock of their relationship with God and those things that prevent its flourishing.
Free PDF: “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence
Get Free PDF Download Now “The Practice of the Presence of God” by Brother Lawrence free PDF download provided by Project Gutenberg.
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