“If the neighborhood does not realize that the church is alive, the church must begin to reengage and develop connections by going outside its walls."
Looking forward to surprising transformation
As a 26-year-old often referred to as “the lady pastor” by the community I serve, you might expect that my story would be about a young pastor sent to a rural church that is declining, and that continued to decline. Surprisingly, this is not one of those stories. The Sunday before I arrived at my placement there were 25 people in the pews, and this last Sunday we had 98. We have had around 70 consistently participating in worship, and somehow this rural United Methodist church a mile away from four other Methodist churches continues to thrive.
Leatherwood Church: The Pull
Situated in northwestern New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Leatherwood Church is surrounded on three sides by farms. The rural location inspired Pastor Doug Henry to come up with a new outreach centered on something almost everyone in the area has: a tractor.
The Latest: 'No Kings' protests spread across US as Trump gets military parade
A massive military parade in Washington DC had not been originally planned as a part of the US Army's 250th birthday celebration.
Also See: Most Americans Don’t Want Their Tax Dollars Spent On Trump’s Military ParadeCalifornia pastor says apparent immigration agents waved a weapon at her in church parking lot
The Rev. Tanya Lopez says a masked man pointed a weapon at her while she was filming a group of unidentified men detaining a man in her church's parking lot.
Pope Leo's first US bishop takes action against Trump migrant crackdown
The first U.S. bishop appointed by Pope Leo XIV has called for priests, deacons and parish leaders to accompany migrants to court and stand in solidarity with them. Rev. Michael Pham, who was named bishop of San Diego, California, by Pope Leo in May, wrote a letter about the action on Wednesday, along with Rev. Felipe Pulido and Rev. Ramón Bejarano, both appointed by the previous pontiff, Pope Francis.
Donald Trump is building a strange, new religious movement
"But President Donald Trump is trying to create a new religious right, one that is not just illiberal but fundamentally different and opposed to traditional religion as we’ve known it. The faith of the MAGA movement is not one in which the state conforms to the church, but one in which the church is bent to the will of the strange beast that is American nationalism — the belief that the American project is an exercise in freedom and prosperity like the world has never known, but also the sole possession of those who are white, heterosexual, and unquestioningly loyal to the nation."
Zoning board rejects Episcopal church’s request to operate a homeless shelter
Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, New Jersey, is considering its options after the town Zoning Board of Adjustment refused June 12 the parish’s request for a variance, which would allow for a 17-bed overnight shelter on its campus. The parish and the diocese are considering whether to appeal the 5-2 decision to the Ocean County Superior Court. The church’s attorney, Harvey York, predicted during his closing argument to the board that a no vote would prompt an appeal.
Dioceses, parishes across The Episcopal Church to mark Juneteenth with events and celebrations
Activities marking Juneteenth – June 19 – are set to take place in churches and dioceses across The Episcopal Church in the coming days, ranging from helping to restore a historically Black cemetery to concerts, worship services and speakers.
Understanding the Trinity: A Christian Core Belief
The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational to the Christian faith. It is crucial for properly understanding what God is like, how He relates to us, and how we should relate to Him. But it also raises many difficult questions. How can God be both one and three? Is the Trinity a contradiction? If Jesus is God, why do the Gospels record instances where He prayed to God? While we cannot fully understand everything about the Trinity (or anything else), it is possible to answer questions like these and come to a solid grasp of what it means for God to be three in one.
Pastors faring worse than others in relationships and well-being but most don’t get help
Despite faring worse than practising Christians and US adults in general in their relationships, physical, emotional and mental health, most pastors don't get professional support. A majority of them also appear to be unaware that these are the areas of their lives where they have the greatest need, according to a new Barna "State of the Church" report.
Deal-Breakers: 8 Ways God May Tell You to Leave Your Pastorate
Long-term pastorates are almost always good for the church and the pastor. But some situations let you know it's time to go.
How Technology Can Help Candidate Screening
Our search firm has completed over 3,500 searches for churches and religious organizations over the years, and it still amazes me how much verification needs to happen to make sure a person applying for a job really is who they say they are. If tech is the reason so much disinformation exists, it can also be the remedy for it. So, what tech solutions can a search committee use to help with background checks? Here are two tangible steps to take when hiring for church staff. You’ll find, l’m sure, that a little bit of legwork upfront can save you a lot of heartache later.
A Censorious Spirit
In what is arguably one of the most important books ever written, Charity and Its Fruits, Jonathan Edwards sounded the theological alarm about a censorious spirit being contrary to Christian love. In the course of his sermon on this subject, Edwards set out three ways "wherein a censorious spirit or a disposition uncharitably to judge others consists"....
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