Thursday's Catch: 'The Dangers of Being Future Blind' And More

The Dangers of Being Future Blind
I’m not a psychologist, but I’m declaring a new malady that I’m calling Future Blind. The symptoms could apply to a great number of people, and for many it can be deadly in a variety of ways.

I’m describing Future Blind as, “The inability to see anything beyond the present. To be blind to what’s coming. A failure to anticipate the future.

Why Looking Backwards Keeps You Safe
Here is the simple rule that will always protect you when spiritual fads entice others: Continue in the truth that has already been revealed. I, for one, have my hands full with my original marching orders. I won’t be grieving the Spirit if I’m being faithful to what God has already said instead of banking on new—and maybe fleeting or misleading—experiences.

At first glance this article and the previous article may appear to contradict each other. However, they are not talking about the same thing.

Religion is declining worldwide in a predictable sequence, study argues
The study maps secularization and religious change across more than 100 countries and major religious traditions.

Nonreligious Americans might not be as spiritual as we thought
Our research shows that nonreligious Americans report being significantly less spiritual than people who identify with established traditions such as Christianity, Judaism or Islam.

Starting a Special Needs Ministry: 5 Tips
Are you starting a special needs ministry at your church? Wondering where to begin and how to best serve children and families?

‘Dean of African American church music’ James Abbington dies at 65 after Duke appointment
‘I grieve for his family, friends, and our Divinity community,” said Edgardo Colón-Emeric, dean of Duke Divinity School, where Abbington had planned to teach in the fall.

4 Reasons Why Every Pastor Should Lead a Small Group
I’ve been in full-time ministry for more than 35 years. During that time I’ve served in a number of different roles such as a missionary, senior pastor, associate pastor and missions pastor. No matter what role I have been in, I almost always lead a small group—sometimes more than one group. I think every pastor should lead a small group. Here’s why.

7 practical ways students can nurture their faith at university
For many young people, the transition to university marks more than just academic independence—it also begins a new chapter in their faith journey.

Away from the rhythms of family prayers, church attendance nudged along by parents, and the accountability of home life, students face the challenge of practising their beliefs on their own terms - especially with all the distractions of uni life and new friends. It’s one of the real tests of “adulting.”

Also See: Helping Youth Thrive Spiritually

Preaching and Faith: How the Sunday Preaching Moment Impacts Discipleship
This article is the first in a series on the role the elements of the Sunday worship service play in everyday discipleship. While our individual churches may not formally include each of these liturgical pieces, we hope you will be blessed to understand the heart of Jesus behind these historic practices and allow them to shape your daily life as disciples.

BLESS An Intentional Evangelism Initiative
BLESS is a transformative approach to prayer and evangelism, focused less on memorizing scripts and more on authentically loving our neighbors. It helps us move beyond feeling “stuck” in evangelism, encouraging a more natural, relational practice....

Also See: The B.L.E.S.S. Practices