Tuesday's Catch: 'A pioneering bishop for the Anglican Mission in England' And More

A pioneering bishop for the Anglican Mission in England
The Anglican Network in Europe (ANiE) took another step forward on Saturday when they announced the appointment of the Rt Rev Tim Davies as the new diocesan bishop of the Anglican Mission in England (AMiE).

Trinity Anglican Seminary Goes ‘Whole Candlestick’
Fifty years after its founding as an institution seeking to renew the Episcopal Church, Trinity Anglican Seminary now seeks to establish itself as a central hub within the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) and broaden beyond its history of low churchmanship.

Church of the Nazarene defrocks retired professor over LGBTQ beliefs
A 72-year-old retired seminary professor is the latest person defrocked in the Church of the Nazarene as the denomination seeks to tighten control over beliefs on human sexuality.

Four ways to change how Christians are portrayed in the media
“Why do I never read any positive stories about the church in the media or in my newsfeed? All I seem to read are the negative headlines.” If I had a pound or a dollar for every time I’ve heard that remark in my decades of communicating about the Church locally and nationally, I’d be a very rich man.

Episcopalians invited to share stories of care, connection and courage to social media
The Episcopal Diocese of New York, the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in New York City and other faith partners have launched a new social media campaign aimed at helping people share the good things taking place in their communities.

On Speaking Truth to Power
In the narrative of Scripture, when injustice and ungodliness reign, God through his prophets speaks truth to power. Does this prophetic ministry persist in the life and witness of the Church? A reading from the Book of Acts would suggest so. When done well, it is a subversive, gospel-centered sociopolitical act of God’s people that offers a glimpse of the inbreaking kingdom of God and justice, even if it is fleeting, into the world that waits like a woman in childbirth for the coming of the Lord and his perfect justice. However, this same prophetic witness can be done poorly, striking a jarring note of condescension and moral superiority.

Churches and Politics: What 501(c)(3) Rules Allow
...section 501(c)(3) of the tax code has something to say about tax-exempt churches that engage in political activities and speech, along with penalties for churches that run afoul of the rules, including the revocation of the church’s tax status. While few public examples exist of the actual enforcement of these rules over the years by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), churches and church leaders still should understand the prohibitions and limitations, including any potential tax consequences triggered by them.

Grieving Church Brings Comfort In Texas Floods 

Kerrville First United Methodist Church in Texas opened one of the first shelters available early July 4 as the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet within 45 minutes. Church leaders have been providing respite for families waiting to hear about the fates of loved ones at the inundated Camp Mystic, about 18 miles away. Church leaders are asking for prayers to bring comfort to those affected, as well as financial donations to begin relief efforts. The Rio Texas Conference is not yet ready to mobilize volunteers.

Deadly floods could be new normal as Trump guts federal agencies, experts warn
The deadly Texas floods could signal a new norm in the US, as Donald Trump and his allies dismantle crucial federal agencies that help states prepare and respond to extreme weather and other hazards, experts warn.

‘Fake Weather, Fake Flooding’: Republicans Are Spreading A Bizarre Conspiracy Theory After The Deadly Texas Floods
As Texas recovers from one of its deadliest floods, some Republicans are spreading a conspiracy theory that suggests that weather manipulation is to blame for the deadly flash floods that have killed at least 89 people.

Also See: Texas state leaders neglected flood management projects as they spent money elsewhere; Texas county where campers died was denied money to boost warning systems

15 Ways to Discern False Teaching
What is false teaching and how do we spot it? Obviously, there is no foolproof scheme for identifying false teaching. Biblical discernment takes years of prayer, preaching, and practice. But there are certain questions that may help us sift the good from the bad. Here are 15 discernment diagnostic questions I suggested to my congregation.

Seven Occasions When You Should Not Hire More Church Staff
Hiring staff can strengthen a church—but not always. In this episode, Thom and Sam discuss seven times when adding staff is a mistake, from removing ministry opportunities from the laity to financial missteps and agenda-driven hires. Learn how to make wise, mission-focused staffing decisions for your church’s health.

Guide To Amending a Pastor’s Housing Allowance
Ministers do not pay federal income tax on the amount of their compensation designated in advance by their employing church as a “housing allowance.” However, there are limits....

6 Kinds of Hearers of God’s Word
What kind of hearers are we? Here are six types of hearers that represent different responses to God’s Word....

Small Group Retention Strategies – How to Keep the Groups You Start
Regardless of how you start groups, retention is the key.

Countering 3 Muslim Attacks on the Bible
...one of the biggest barriers to sharing the good news of Jesus with Muslims is their belief that the biblical text is corrupt. That’s why, they argue, the Bible’s account of Isa al-Masih (“Jesus the Messiah”) isn’t enough. Nevertheless, Christians sharing the gospel with them need to learn to respond graciously to the three most common Muslim objections to the Bible’s accuracy.