Pastors and church leaders often focus on those who seem most spiritually receptive—the seekers, the hurting, and the curious. But in 2003, I developed what became known as the Rainer Scale, a framework that helps churches understand the varying levels of receptivity among unchurched people.
Over the past two decades, as we have applied this scale in thousands of contexts, a surprising insight has emerged. The largest mission field is not the eager or the resistant. It is the neutral middle—the group we identify as the U3.
Norway donates a Christmas tree to London every year. Here's how the tradition began
The tree symbolizes the friendship between London and Oslo in an annual ceremony that highlights the history of the countries' alliance.
The Christian story behind Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree
Hilary Robinson is a network radio producer and the author of over 70 books for children, including Where The Poppies Now Grow, a story of friendship, sacrifice and peace, and The Christmas Star, a fresh retelling of the Nativity.
As the lyricist of Sarah Téibo's single, "Norwegian Pine," she explains why it was inspired by the annual gift from Norway of the Christmas tree to the British people and her own experience of growing up in a bitter war.
Church Leaders Protest Trump’s Rhetoric, ICE Raids
Grossly dehumanizing and xenophobic. This is how the Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, Bishop of Minnesota, described President Trump’s December 2 comments, in which he called Somalis “garbage” four times and said “We don’t want ’em in our country” five times. The chief executive also painted Somalis living in America as a people who “contribute nothing.”
Somalis are not 'garbage.' They are a gift that all Americans should treasure.
Somalis have come, like generations of immigrants before them, to build dreams for those who will follow.
'No backup plan': Food banks nationwide face crushing demand, higher costs and looming SNAP cuts. Best ways to help during the holiday season
Food banks across the U.S. are struggling to keep up with rising demand even as SNAP payments have resumed following recent funding disruptions.
Greater Boston Food Bank's warehouse lead, Adrian James, tells NPR, "This is just the beginning. Who knows how bad it could get. That's the scary part. (1)"
A Last-Minute Christmas Sermon Idea – Keep It Simple, Keep It Weird
One of the challenges of preaching for Christmas is holding two very different truths in hand without falling into one of two traps.
The Number One Reason You Can't Make Your Church Happy
As the culture wars rage on, almost every move you make as a pastor gets labeled—too liberal, too conservative, too silent, too outspoken.
In this video, I share why so many church leaders feel stuck, why your congregation seems impossible to please, and how the real culprit might be hiding in plain sight: algorithms that are discipling your people 7 days a week.
If you’re a church leader trying to navigate an increasingly polarized world, I hope this gives you clarity, encouragement, and resolve.
3 Key Insights To Effective Pastoring
Are you a young pastor looking for some sound wisdom on what it takes to be an effective pastor? in this episode, Hershael York dives into what parts of the job you'll need to learn to love, how much time you should devote to sermon prep, and what is the best way to present your sermon!
Preaching and Personality
Every church wants a great preacher. So much so that congregants often ask their pastors to “grow in their preaching.” Preaching, the microphone and microscope of ministry, is the area where pastors get the most feedback. However, it’s not exactly clear what “great” preaching is and how one can “grow” in this area.
6 Tips On Effective Preaching
Are you in seminary and struggling to improve your sermons? Are you a pastor that can see that your congregation isn't connecting with your sermons? In this episode, Hershael York gives great advice on how to improve your sermons from not only being theologically correct, but being easy to digest for your congregation!
How To Find Your Own Preaching Style
Are you a new pastor or church planter that is struggling to find a preaching style that works for you? In this episode, Hershael York gives key insights on how to properly get inspiration from other pastors, while also giving examples of his own that helped him become the pastor that he is today!
The Hidden Danger of Online Sermons
Nothing is inherently wrong with using other resources to help grow your knowledge and love for God and his people, but online resources are best used as a supplement rather than a primary source of nourishment. Our primary discipleship, through preaching and teaching, should come from the pastor and saints of the local church where we’re covenant members—our home church.
How reading changes the way your brain works
Reading may feel like something that comes naturally, but it's taken thousands of years for our brains to develop the capacity to do it.
That process has in turn transformed the brain's physiology. But reading on screens and smartphones could already be changing the way our brains work.
The Rise of AI Book Slop
May we be those who master our technology rather than letting it master us.
Protecting girls and young women in the digital age
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