Tuesday's Catch: 'The Death of the Middle — How Polarization Is Reshaping Church Leadership' And More

The Death of the Middle — How Polarization Is Reshaping Church Leadership
Thom and Jess tackle the growing challenge of polarization inside and outside the church. As cultural extremes grow louder, pastors often find themselves without a safe “middle ground.” How can church leaders stay faithful, gracious, and clear in such an environment?

Reading the Cultural Signs
Jevon Caldwell-Gross draws from his pastoral experience to engage a series of cultural shifts that have changed how people today function. He shows how many of these are out of alignment with how churches typically make their plans. He illustrates with the prevalence of an “on demand” culture and the rise in importance of “values versus activities.”

Lives hang in the balance as White House temporizes on SNAP funding. Our values do, too.
In a healthy society, we measure success not by how the powerful thrive, but by how the vulnerable are supported.

Funding SNAP: Even religious leaders are divided over how best to provide for the poor
Many faith leaders say the charge to help the poor is clear in Scripture, but the religious community is not monolithic on the issue.

Focus on the Family opposes free meals in schools
Colorado is one of nine states offering public school students free breakfast and lunch. Focus on the Family hopes the state’s citizens will vote tomorrow to eliminate the program.

Federal judge bars freeze in food assistance
A federal judge in Rhode Island barred the Trump administration Oct. 31 from freezing food stamp spending during the ongoing government shutdown.

Texas diocese calls for justice after ICE detains state-employed clergy member
The Diocese of Texas expresses deep concern and calls for action following the detention of one of its priests, a legally employed Kenyan clergy member who works for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The priest, who has lived and worked lawfully in Texas, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 25 while returning home from work, according to a Oct. 31 press release.

The anxiety of asking
...when you apologize for asking, you teach people that giving is a burden.
,br/> Not intentionally. But that's what happens.

When People Leave: The Private Pain Of The Small Church Pastor
Even if the church is large and growing, it can be hard when people leave. But when the church is small, each loss is much more painful.

The Lord’s Supper 

One of the Church’s two ordinances or sacraments, the Lord’s Supper, was instituted by Jesus to commemorate his death, to symbolize the New Covenant, to point to the fellowship of a redeemed people gathered at his table, and to anticipate the messianic banquet yet to come.

When the Digital World Forgets You — Building Ministry That Outlasts the Algorithm
In this conversation, Jess and Thom discuss the fleeting nature of digital influence. Algorithms shift, platforms fade, and online visibility is temporary. What happens when your church—or your ministry—disappears from the feed? This episode explores how to build something lasting in a world designed to forget.

Also See: Christians Say Churches Could Benefit From Digital Tools

Losing Our Words: The Decline of Reading and the Rise of Reels
There’s a quiet crisis happening in our world today. It’s not new, but it’s growing—and it’s changing how we think, how we feel, and how we follow Jesus. It’s the slow decline of reading.

“Good Youth Ministry” featuring Kristin Franke
How can churches spark a more authentic youth ministry? In this episode, Kristin Franke, Director of Youth and Family Ministries at National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC, describes what good youth ministry looks like today and how church and lay leaders can better welcome and include youth as part of the congregation.