If you read the headlines of late, we are either in the early stages of a fresh, new spiritual revival or continuing to experience the malaise of spiritual decline.
People expect it to be churchy
When I read a article like this one, which may be good news for some churches, I want to see solid research backing up the writer's claim. A few years back there was a spate of articles which claimed that young people were flocking to liturgical churches but the research simply did not support their claim. Some young people had started to attend liturgical churches but not in the droves that these articles claimed. It was wishful thinking on the part of the writers of the articles.
The church's midlife crisis
Is your church having a bit of a midlife crisis? Is your church in the middle of a "What am I doing with my life?" existential dread? There is a minivan in my neighborhood with a bumper sticker that reads, "I'm not lost, I'm exploring." I suspect many of our churches would like to claim the same: kind of lost, not quite sure where we're going, and either in denial or completely oblivious.
Most churches do need to be more self-aware. They also need to be more aware of the community in which they are located and how that community perceives them.Why Some Pastors Never Experience Church Growth
Very few churches are growing, which means most pastors will lead plateaued or declining congregations. Some pastors experience an entire ministry career in no-growth situations. Why does this happen? Josh and Sam discuss several reasons why some pastors never experience church growth.
Pioneers, Settlers & Mavericks: How to Lead Them Well For a Healthier Church
There are three kinds of people in every church. Pioneers, Settlers and Mavericks. Depending on which point of its life cycle your church is in, these three will interact in different ways that can either benefit your church or threaten to tear it apart. One of the primary tasks of a church leader (usually the pastor) is to utilize the gifts of all three, while keeping them in balance.
6 Insights for Better Church Hospitality
Hospitality is hard-wired into most churches and church leaders. At its best, it helps guests become fully devoted Jesus followers.
White evangelicals: An American cult
White evangelical support for Donald Trump — especially its intensity and near-unconditional nature — is rooted in a complex fusion of religious identity, political strategy, cultural anxiety and existential fear. This alliance has evolved into something disturbingly cult-like, forming a theology not rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ but in the gospel of white grievance, dominionism and nostalgia for an imagined, morally superior past. Here’s a breakdown of the major drivers behind this distorted allegiance....
The most recent poll shows 74% of Jewish voters disapprove of Trump’s job performance. Jews think Trump is ‘dangerous,’ ‘racist,’ ‘fascist’ and ‘antisemitic.’
Tax Exempt Status Threat for Non- Profit Organizations
The idea to increase federal government and presidential power to punish non-profits and charitable organizations for not falling in line with presidential political agendas is very concerning and a dangerous practice for Americans. These types of policies will give unchecked power to the federal government and president to punish their political and ideological rivals.
Real Men Sing
What is it about men and young men singing in worship? So many times, it seems that our young men are slouching in worship both literally and figuratively. And then these same men don’t seem to outgrow this phase. As a pastor, I have had grown men look me in the eye and say, “I don’t sing.” It is like I was asking them to paint their toenails pink. My response was this: “Singing is a duty. And it is a delight.”
Also See: I Worship God by Singing. You Should, Too.Live Music Mix – What to do When the Music’s Too Loud
Worship should be a unifying, spiritually uplifting experience—but for some churchgoers, it’s also an overwhelming one. One of the most common concerns raised by congregants today is the volume of the music during worship services. Is it too loud? Is it hurting participation rather than encouraging it? Churches that use a full band and modern worship sets must walk a careful line between energy and accessibility. And the key issue behind it all? The live music mix.
9 Types of Worship
It’s captivating to read through the Psalms and see the variety of ways in which David worshipped. When we pause to ask ourselves what we are doing during our worship times today, we are often faced with several questions. How do we worship? What are we able to do and still be reverent before the Lord? What is God’s desire for our worship? Does God give us the right to pick and choose how we worship? The Psalms have given us nine different types of worship: heart expressions. These expressions stem from David’s desire to worship the Lord wholeheartedly and without reservation. Oddly enough, these types of worship are not foreign to us, but we fail to practice them in our corporate worship for one reason or another.
Is Your Small Group Too Small? (And What To Do About It)
Church small groups are meant to foster community, discipleship, and spiritual growth—but what happens when your group feels more like a quiet dinner party than a vibrant gathering of believers? Many leaders wonder if their small group size is too small to be effective. If you’ve found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. Understanding the dynamics of group size is key to creating a healthy, life-giving community.
Developing Young Leaders in Your Church’s Preteen Ministry
Developing young leaders is a worthy goal for any church. It’s especially crucial for older-elementary kids and tweens. Preteens have an incredible four-year window that’s critical for influencing future leaders in our communities. Here’s how to make the most of it.
Pentecost Sunday School Lesson About the Holy Spirit, Our Helper
A Pentecost Sunday school lesson teaches children about the Holy Spirit. Kids, especially younger ones, might picture a ghost like they see on television. But the Holy Spirit is one of our greatest blessings from God. He is a loving advocate and intercessor who pleads on our behalf. This Pentecost Sunday school lesson explains what it means to have an advocate (someone who goes to bat for them). It also explores the role of intercessor (someone who takes our needs to God).
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