Wednesday's Catch: 'Most people in Britain believe that Christmas has become too commercial' And More

Most people in Britain believe that Christmas has become too commercial
Most people in Britain believe that Christmas has become too commercial and would like a return to tradition, a new survey has found.

The survey was commissioned by The Children’s Society and based on responses from 2,000 adults living in Britain.

Church of England launches its biggest ever Christmas campaign
The Church of England's 'Joy of Christmas' campaign gets underway today, inviting people across the nation to "rediscover the hope and joy at the heart of the season".

The Church hopes to reach millions of people with the real reason behind the Christmas celebrations, with daily reflections, online services, and over 500 specially created free resources for families, schools and children.

Also See: Church of England launches ‘Joy of Christmas’ campaign to share hope, celebration

Shine Jesus Shine tops poll of favourite assembly hymns
The popular church song Shine Jesus Shine is also a hit at school assemblies, according to the findings of a Songs of Praise poll.

The BBC show asked people to vote for their favourite school assembly hymn and thousands of people responded.

Episcopalians nurture Advent tradition of displaying nativities from around the world
Advent has arrived at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Brevard, North Carolina, and the seasonal altar furnishings aren’t the only telltale signs. For three days this week, Dec. 4-6, the congregation will place tables across the pews to create makeshift displays for an exhibit of nearly 200 nativities from around the world.

The annual event, open to the community, is called “No Room at the Inn,” and it has become a beloved, festive ritual for this Western North Carolina church. The parishioners provide a diverse assortment of nativities accompanied by cards detailing their origins and distinctive features.

The history of the Advent calendar
1 December is when many people open the first door on their Advent calendar. These are so common that few people realise it is a relatively modern tradition. This is the story....

Anglican Fellowship of Prayer Passes the Baton to TLC
The Anglican Fellowship of Prayer, part of the Episcopal Church’s life for almost 70 years, will close its doors on December 31 and donate its assets to the Living Church Foundation.

“Though the Anglican Fellowship of Prayer will formally conclude its ministry at the end of 2025, its mission will endure,” an AFP announcement said. “Through the Living Church Foundation, AFP’s resources and vision will continue to inspire prayer within the Anglican tradition for generations to come.”

Parish Serves Beaumont, One Chili Bowl at a Time
On the second week of November, local media in southeast Texas trained their lenses on the region’s “most anticipated fall feast,” one that “has been serving up flavor and fun for 84 years,” as Fox Southeast Texas described it.

The annual St. Mark’s Chili Supper and Bazaar took place on November 13 at the parish’s gym in downtown Beaumont, Texas. The full-day extravaganza involved at least 100 volunteers from the church and drew parishioners, civic leaders, and county courthouse employees to savor the Texas staple. Diners also had a chance to support local vendors selling books, baked goods, and soaps and lotions at the bazaar.

As America Secularizes, Its Soldiers Are Moving the Other Way
A lot of times when I poke around based on just a hunch, nothing good comes from it. That’s not at all the case here. There are actually some really interesting insights into the religiosity of the men and women who are serving the United States right now.

Opinion: Defunding of catechists leaves Catholic soldiers in a lurch
In a nation founded on religious liberty, the Army’s October decision to cancel Catholic chapel contracts strikes a blow against the very freedoms our troops defend.

Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a pastoral letter that same month decrying this move. In it, he critiqued the Army for overburdening Catholic chaplains and stifling the spiritual life of service members and their families.

Broglio’s stand was not just a defense of Catholic practice — it was a call to safeguard the religious exercise of those who serve on the front lines.

6 Questions for Christian Nationalists
I am not a Christian Nationalist, but I almost could be.

In my 2021 article, “What to Do With Christian Nationalism,” I argued that there were two problems with Christian Nationalism.

Anglican Church of Canada denounces Christian nationalism
On Dec. 1, the Anglican Church of Canada issued a statement denouncing Christian nationalism and calling it “a distortion of the gospel of Jesus and a threat to Canadian democracy.”

Home Run Sermon Introductions
A home run sermon introduction earns the interest of those listening.

Church Tech Audit Checklist: Training Your Team for Reliable, Ministry-Focused Technology
Church technology should make ministry smoother, not more stressful. Yet many churches find themselves stuck with glitchy systems, overwhelmed volunteers, and Sunday mornings filled with preventable distractions. A good tech-audit and volunteer-training process can change all of that. When your church tech team is equipped, supported, and trained well, the congregation feels it—and the mission moves forward with fewer interruptions.

Practice Paul’s 6 Marks of Discipleship
...what does biblical discipleship look like in practice? In Acts 20, Paul’s words and actions highlight six essential qualities every church must practice if we’re to remain faithful to Christ.

11 Traits of a Mature Church Member
Every pastor knows the feeling of looking out at the congregation and seeing the faithful few. These are the people who don’t just occupy a seat; they carry the weight of the ministry alongside you. They are the bedrock of a healthy community, shifting the culture from consumerism to contribution. But what exactly separates a casual attendee from a genuinely mature church member?

It isn’t necessarily about how much Bible trivia they know or how long they have been on the membership roll. Maturity is a posture of the heart. It is the shift from asking “What can this church do for me?” to “How can I serve God in this body?” Identifying and cultivating these traits is essential for any leader who wants to build a resilient, mission-focused church.

10 Characteristics of Jesus for Us To Emulate
What 10 characteristics of Jesus can his followers try to…follow? Christians and non-Christians alike usually agree that Jesus is the best role model. With his faith, perseverance, generosity, and even his intelligence, Jesus displayed the best qualities that humans can practice.

The Bible teaches everyone to become more like Jesus every day. Although we are sinful and he was not, we can keep growing in our Christian walk. So it’s helpful to learn about some traits of Jesus.

Why Cross-Cultural Ministry Matters More Than Ever
Cross-cultural ministry is not a specialized task reserved for a few. It is essential for every church that wants to be faithful to Christ’s Great Commission in a globalized world. Our world has become so globalized that the nations are no longer far away; they are living next door.

Image Credit: The Children's Society