Sometimes people aren’t sure how to invite someone to church. So here are creative ways to invite someone to church, because one of the primary reasons every church exists is to share and live the Gospel and invite people to join His kingdom. Since the church is the display of God’s glory on earth, and since Jesus said HE would build His church—the church should be central to our lives and faith. So inviting people to your church should be a part of your core mission.
Ten Ways an Almost Deceased Church in the Florida Keys Is Being Revitalized (Part 1)
Jess and Thom share the story of Sugarloaf Church, an almost deceased church in the Florida Keys. Braydenton McCormick became the lead pastor of the church two years ago. The church was facing insolvency, but last year it reached its budget, even putting away an additional year’s worth of funds for rainy days. The church had only seven members, and the pastor’s family added five more. The facilities were stale and outdated, but the church had no debt. We will examine ten key ways the church transitioned from near death to hope.
Also See: Ten Ways an Almost Deceased Church in the Florida Keys Is Being Revitalized (Part 2)Church Property Tax Case: Lessons From a Costly Dispute
Matt Gillum, executive pastor at Austin Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, tells Church Law & Tax how his church patiently worked with city leaders to resolve a sticky tax situation.
The Epstein List and the Certainty of Secret Sins Revealed
As Christians, we understand that many times wicked deeds go unpunished in this present evil age. The Psalms testify repeatedly that evildoers seem to prosper because of their wealth and power, while those who are seeking the Lord suffer injustice and persecution.
In the Aftermath of the Texas Floods, Keep Watch with the Suffering
What does it mean to love others amid their extreme suffering and loss in a way that’s genuinely helpful? Here are three ways we experienced such care.
U.S. rocked by four 1-in-1,000-year storms in less than a week
First the river rose in Texas. Then, the rains fell hard over North Carolina, New Mexico and Illinois. In less than a week, there were at least four 1-in-1,000-year rainfall events across the United States — intense deluges that are thought to have roughly a 0.1% chance of happening in any given year.
Key questions remain unanswered about the actions Texas officials took both before and during the catastrophic July Fourth holiday floods as a painstaking search for victims continues along the Guadalupe River nearly a week later.
Federal Emergency Management Agency workers claim they ran into red tape while trying to assemble resources in response to the catastrophic flooding in central Texas because of new guidelines implemented by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
State leaders say FEMA is no longer reliable for disaster aid
Multiple governors say they're being increasingly pushed to scrounge for disaster recovery money without the support they traditionally rely on from the federal government. The president has the sole power to issue disaster declarations, but states are finding emergencies that would usually qualify for federal assistance are being slow-walked or denied in recent months.
The Texas Flash Flood Is a Preview of the Chaos to Come
Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.
While some congregations see a new freedom to speak openly about preferred candidates, others see openings for campaign finance corruption, new pressures on religious leaders and an overall entanglement between church and state.
Since 1954, the Johnson Amendment in the tax code has said that churches risk losing their tax-exempt status if they participate in “any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” On Tuesday [July 8], the IRS announced that it will no longer restrict churches from endorsing candidates, on the grounds of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. As Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, I’m urging our clergy and congregations to refrain from such endorsements, for several reasons.
Caring Or Counting? The Pastoral Dilemma
When I’m pushing for numerical growth, I minister differently than when I’m caring for people. And not in a good way.
Are We Losing The Daily Office?
U.S. rocked by four 1-in-1,000-year storms in less than a week
First the river rose in Texas. Then, the rains fell hard over North Carolina, New Mexico and Illinois. In less than a week, there were at least four 1-in-1,000-year rainfall events across the United States — intense deluges that are thought to have roughly a 0.1% chance of happening in any given year.
Also See: Flood warning issued as North Carolina river rises to 45 feet; More storms to drench the Midwest, hard-hit Texas and New Mexico this weekend4 questions that are still unanswered about Texas' deadly floods
Key questions remain unanswered about the actions Texas officials took both before and during the catastrophic July Fourth holiday floods as a painstaking search for victims continues along the Guadalupe River nearly a week later.
Also See: FEMA missed major flood risk at Christian Camp Mystic, analysis claims to showNoem demanding to sign off on all FEMA expenditures over $100K and staff says it’s impacting emergency response
Federal Emergency Management Agency workers claim they ran into red tape while trying to assemble resources in response to the catastrophic flooding in central Texas because of new guidelines implemented by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.
State leaders say FEMA is no longer reliable for disaster aid
Multiple governors say they're being increasingly pushed to scrounge for disaster recovery money without the support they traditionally rely on from the federal government. The president has the sole power to issue disaster declarations, but states are finding emergencies that would usually qualify for federal assistance are being slow-walked or denied in recent months.
The Texas Flash Flood Is a Preview of the Chaos to Come
Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.
Also See: What the Floods in Texas Tell Us About Climate Change; The US faces more frequent extreme weather events, but attitudes and actions aren't keeping upA surprise IRS move on political endorsements leaves faith leaders and legal experts divided
While some congregations see a new freedom to speak openly about preferred candidates, others see openings for campaign finance corruption, new pressures on religious leaders and an overall entanglement between church and state.
Also See: Trump’s IRS payola for churches will backfire on evangelicalsThe Separation of Church and State Is Good for Both
Since 1954, the Johnson Amendment in the tax code has said that churches risk losing their tax-exempt status if they participate in “any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” On Tuesday [July 8], the IRS announced that it will no longer restrict churches from endorsing candidates, on the grounds of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. As Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma, I’m urging our clergy and congregations to refrain from such endorsements, for several reasons.
Caring Or Counting? The Pastoral Dilemma
When I’m pushing for numerical growth, I minister differently than when I’m caring for people. And not in a good way.
Are We Losing The Daily Office?
Whether we are losing the daily office is a question Anglicans might have been asking since at least the 18th century. Growing urbanization marked the beginning of the end of the Church of England’s initial success in embedding participation in Morning and Evening Prayer, as set out in the Book of Common Prayer, in the cultural rhythms of a still predominantly agricultural society.
7 Lessons from a Former Youth Pastor
I had just finished seminary and been hired for my first role in vocational ministry. My wife and I packed our belongings into a minivan and Volkswagen Passat and made the long journey from a city just north of Los Angeles to a town just west of Toronto. For the next seven years, I had the privilege of ministering to the youth of Maple Avenue Baptist Church. Then, in October 2023, that same church called me to be the Senior Pastor. In this article, I want to reflect on seven lessons that I learned from my seven years as a youth pastor to encourage those who are engaged in discipling the next generation for Christ.
7 simple ways to stay close to God when you're on holiday
The sun is shining. The days are long. Summer is in full swing, and with it comes the chance to relax, travel, and explore new places. But in the excitement of holidays, it’s easy to let your spiritual life slip into the background. So how do you stay close to God while enjoying a break? Here are 7 simple, meaningful ways to stay connected to Him - no matter where you are.
7 Lessons from a Former Youth Pastor
I had just finished seminary and been hired for my first role in vocational ministry. My wife and I packed our belongings into a minivan and Volkswagen Passat and made the long journey from a city just north of Los Angeles to a town just west of Toronto. For the next seven years, I had the privilege of ministering to the youth of Maple Avenue Baptist Church. Then, in October 2023, that same church called me to be the Senior Pastor. In this article, I want to reflect on seven lessons that I learned from my seven years as a youth pastor to encourage those who are engaged in discipling the next generation for Christ.
7 simple ways to stay close to God when you're on holiday
The sun is shining. The days are long. Summer is in full swing, and with it comes the chance to relax, travel, and explore new places. But in the excitement of holidays, it’s easy to let your spiritual life slip into the background. So how do you stay close to God while enjoying a break? Here are 7 simple, meaningful ways to stay connected to Him - no matter where you are.
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