Saturday Lagniappe: 'Should Churches Look Churchy? The Advantages of Traditional Architecture' And More

Should Churches Look Churchy? The Advantages of Traditional Architecture
In this episode, we explore why traditional church architecture still resonates deeply with people, even those who rarely attend church. A recent research project found that 90% of Americans want church buildings to be "easily identifiable." Sam interviews Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group to find out more.

The bishop who became Santa Claus
Everybody knows Santa Claus. But how many people know the inspiration for the jolly Father Christmas was in fact a bishop whose courage, generosity, and compassion shaped centuries of Christian practice?

December 6 is the traditional date when Christians remember this beloved bishop - St Nicholas of Myra.

Christmas Means Extra Giving for Churchgoers
Churchgoing adults in the U.S. are likely giving money and items this Christmas season—whether to churches or ministries and nonprofits.
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Most self-identified Christians think doing 'good things' is enough to get to Heaven
New research reveals that most self-identified Christians think doing “good things” for others is enough to secure them a spot in Heaven, in what one leading researcher laments as the latest example of a widespread embrace of “unbiblical beliefs” among American Christians.

Also See: Many Western Christians misunderstand the purpose of faith, says NT Wright

What Does It Mean to Have the Christmas Spirit? J.I. Packer’s Answer

When J. I. Packer’s book Knowing God came out in 1973, I was a young Christian. God used it in my life profoundly, and it is still one of my top five books of all time. I appreciate these challenging words from Knowing God about what it means to truly have a God-honoring “Christmas Spirit”:

I asked food banks what they truly need this Christmas, and they all said the same thing 

As Christmas draws ever closer, in food banks and community centres across the country, demand for essentials is growing.

Food pantries and food banks in the US also say the same thing.

9 Ways Musical Worship Leads to Fruitfulness
Christians know that musical worship is important as an opportunity to remember, adore, thank, and exalt our God. But when we sing together, it is not simply about what we are doing for God but what he is doing in and through us by the Holy Spirit.
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Youth Sports and the Church: 8 Ministry Strategies for Engaging Families
Here are eight ideas ministry leaders can leverage to use sports as a missional ally, inspired by our new book Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. Four of them use your home-field advantage (church building), and the other four use an away-game opportunity (church body).

How a tiny London church is inviting passersby to be part of its new cultural mission
A shimmering curtain installation is intended to draw attention to St Mary le Strand as it works to become a public space for art, culture and creativity.