Thursday's Catch: 'Sexual Abuse: A Ministry Survival Guide' And More

Sexual Abuse: A Ministry Survival Guide

When allegations arise, your response in the first 24 hours will shape the trajectory of the next 12 months. What follows is a practical, time-based roadmap for professional church leaders navigating one of the most devastating crises a church can face.

7 Steps to Starting a Young Adult Ministry, Not Another Program
For every new program, you’ll eventually need another program. But starting a young adult ministry can be sustainable with these steps.

Vatican warns SSPX bishop ordinations without papal approval would cause schism
The head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith said he proposed a path for dialogue and full communion to the leader of SSPX at a meeting on Thursday.

Epstein files reveal ties to Catholic conservatives' anti-Francis campaign
The newly released Epstein files show that Jeffrey Epstein and Steve Bannon discussed opposition to Pope Francis, including a move that Bannon claimed would ‘take down Francis.

How MAGA's anti-empathy campaign upends Christian morality
Throughout history, Christianity has been bent into strange shapes to suit someone’s need for power.

Scientists warn of risk of Earth becoming irreversible 'hothouse'
Scientists have warned that the Earth could be approaching a “hothouse” state that would be extremely difficult to reverse.

Also See: Western US gripped by extreme snow drought: 'I've never seen a winter like this'; Aging populations could cut global water use by up to 31%, study finds

The 1662 and You with Drew Keane
How does the 1662 Book of Common Prayer hold Anglicans together today?

Book of Common Prayer (International Edition) Free Resources & FAQ
One of the optional readings for the Ordering of Deacons in the sixth printing of the 1662 IE has “Women in like manner must be” instead of “Even so must their wives be”. This change has created a stir amongst those opposed to women's ordination and using the 1662 IE and has prompted the presiding bishop of the UECNA to ban the use of this printing in his jurisdiction. For an explanation of the rationale for this change, see the FAQ on this page.

Pastor, Is Your Passion is Waning?
I’ve been there. You know God has called you to ministry, but your passion is waning, if not gone. Going to work in the morning can be a battle. If that’s where you are, maybe these suggestions will help you. If you’re still on fire for God’s work, I pray these ideas will fuel your fire so it doesn’t go out.

A Liturgical Theology of Preaching—Preaching the Good News
This is the third essay is a special series by the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings, Professor of Liturgics at Seminary of the Southwest. There will be eight installments in this series presented in intervals through the winter of 2026. A “round up” with links to all eight essays will be available in the spring.

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (February 12, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

True disciples of Jesus not only study what he taught, but they fashion and frame their lives according to his teaching and witness to him through how they live as well as their words. In this evening’s message we take a look what we can learn from a conversation Jesus had with a rich young man and afterward with Peter and the other disciples.

Reading: Matthew 19: 16-30

Message: Missing the Mark

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/02/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows_12.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Proximity Without Trust' And More

Proximity Without Trust: Why Revitalization Stalls and Why Gospel Saturation Must Be the Goal
Many churches in North America are not drifting away from Christianity; they are surrounded by it. They are fluent in Scripture, practiced in worship, experienced in ministry systems, and deeply familiar with Christian language. Yet, despite decades of effort, many congregations feel stalled, working harder, praying less with expectation, and seeing little lasting fruit.

The issue is not proximity to God.The issue is proximity without trust....

Can You Prevent a Church Split? A Ministry Survival Guide
The thunder clouds of dissent and dissatisfaction are gathering. You hear (and likely feel) the tremor that eventually becomes a rumble, and finally the undeniable earthquake of a church on the brink of a split. This is that perilous season where wise leadership can sometimes prevent a split, and often reduce the damage if one still happens. The months leading up to a potential church split are about slowing things down, lowering the emotional temperature, and leading with unusual clarity and humility.

Here’s practical, field-tested advice for that pre-split season.

Church Split: A Ministry Survival Guide
Church splits are among the most painful experiences a leader can face. They carry spiritual, relational and organizational fallout—and they almost never unfold neatly. In moments like these, church leaders don’t just need encouragement; they need a clear, practical plan. What follows is a realistic timeline of critical steps to take when a church is splitting, written from the perspective of pastors and senior leaders who must shepherd people through crisis with wisdom and integrity.

Trump admin continues to lie about who’s being arrested by ICE
Only a fraction of the 400,000 immigrants arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the past year had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses, according to new data from the Department of Homeland Security.

Maryland priest, wife caring for children of single mom detained by immigration officials
A Maryland priest and his wife have assumed care of two children after their mother was detained by immigration officials, according to a story from NBC4 Washington.

Cardinal Cupich says feds stopped priests, demanded citizenship proof
‘I’ve had some priests who are of a different color being targeted and arrested — stopped — because of their color and asking them to prove that they’re citizens. That’s not America,’ the Chicago cardinal said.

Decision on ‘sensitive location’ policy coming
Carlos Chavez, a Mexican-born member of North Hills United Methodist Church Hispanic Mission in Los Angeles, was apprehended Jan. 29 at the church and deported shortly thereafter. The D.C. Court of Appeals heard oral arguments Feb. 5 for a lawsuit filed by religious organizations claiming that a 2025 policy change that rescinds a long-time policy to avoid disrupting churches and schools is unconstitutional. A decision from the court is expected to take about two months.

Calvin Robinson Joins Sixth Denomination
The Rev. Calvin Robinson, the religious internet personality, recently became a cleric in a continuing Anglican denomination founded in 2024: the English Catholic Church in North America. Robinson has been temporary licensed in this denomination since 2025, and was permanently incardinated into it on February 4.

Discipleship Deficit Exists Among U.S. Churchgoers
Lifeway Research studied churchgoers’ levels of discipleship by asking dozens of questions related to Christian doctrine and practice.

Evangelical Theology 1833–1856: A Response to Tractarianism
In this classical study, now out of print, the late English theologian and historian Peter Toon examines how Anglican Evangelical theologians in the mid-19th century reacted to the rise of the Oxford Movement and Tractarianism.

Also See: Evangelicals and Tractarians: then and now

Preparing for the Unexpected in Your Worship Service
What are some practical ways church leaders can care for their congregation if they face a disruption?

Bible Study Leaders Should Not Have All the Answers
Even though leaders can’t logistically have all the answers, I don’t think that should even be a goal. As an ambition, that’s harmful for at least two reasons.

VOICES: Want to improve your prayer life? Try shorter prayers
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that longer prayers are better prayers. There is a temptation to believe the more we talk, the more persuasive we are in moving the hand of God. But that is not what the Bible shows us.

‘God Told Me’: How We Hear God’s Voice Today
How do we take seriously that God speaks yet embrace firmly Scripture’s authority? Can we hear Father, Son, and Spirit speak in our personal circumstances in immediate and specific ways and say truly, “God told me”?

Yes, within three guardrails.

Seeing the gym as a mission field
Did you set a new year’s resolution this year? Chances are, the resolution was focused on improving yourself. According to YouGov, exercise remains resoundingly the top ‘self-betterment’ goal. As a self-confessed fitness-fanatic myself, I get this: the structure, consistency, and community offered by the gym helps me in so many ways. But how does this fit with the Christian life? Is growing in my faith like going to the gym?

Tuesday' Catch: 'The Enormous Potential Of Small Churches' And More

The Enormous Potential Of Small Churches (and a Chat with Ed Stetzer)
There are seven acknowledgements we must make if we hope to value and empower every congregation of every size.

Small churches can do large ministries
Small United Methodist churches can do big ministries and sustain them. Three of those are in Nashville, Tennessee; Waterville, New York; and Titusville, Florida. “Small churches may not be able to make a splash … but they can still change the community around them,” says the Rev. Wayne Cook of Titusville, Florida.

The Rise of the Entrepreneurial Church: How Churches Can Fund Ministry Beyond Tithes
Missional businesses offer a chance to transform empty spaces into vibrant community hubs while creating sustainable income streams to keep the doors of the church open.

VOICES: What are hidden 'gaps' in church background checks?
Understanding where background checks fall short is the first step toward strengthening them. By identifying common gaps and learning how screening systems truly work, churches can move from assumptions to informed stewardship, ultimately protecting their people with clarity, wisdom, and care.

Multnomah gave up its campus in a failed takeover. Alums want it back.
The partnership between Multnomah University and Jessup University was seen as a model for saving struggling schools. Now it's become a cautionary tale.

Critics Push Back on SBC’s ‘Road to Orlando’ Feature of David Uth Over LGBTQ+ Ministry Stance
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is drawing criticism for featuring Dr. David Uth of First Orlando church on the “Road to Orlando,” a weekly web series designed to prepare people for the 2026 SBC annual meeting. Uth, whose church’s statement of faith says marriage is between one man and one woman, has come under criticism in the past over reports that the church allows LGBTQ+ people to serve in ministry.

Why Christians Ignore What the Bible Says About Immigrants
Believers can disagree on migration policies—but the Word of God should shape how we minister to vulnerable people. Watch the episode on YouTube.

An Old Reprint has New Life
Thomas Rogers authored The Catholic Doctrine of the Church of England in its earliest edition in 1585 (under a different title), only a mere fourteen years after the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion were adopted by the Church of England. His work, accurately subtitled An Exposition of the Thirty-Nine Articles, provides insight as to how the Articles of Religion were read and received within their first generation of adoption. The Parker Society Edition, from 1854, has been enhanced in its scan and republished in Kindle ebook, paperback, and hardcover on Amazon by yours truly to resurrect this oft-forgotten work. It is the fourth book within The Anglican Reformers Collection, available on Amazon.

How Pastors Are Taking Pay Cuts without Taking Pay Cuts
Thom and Jess share how many pastors have lower take-home pay even though their stated pay has not decreased.

Also See: Four Real Stories about How Church Bookkeepers Messed Up

How to Overcome Betrayal Trauma in Ministry
With betrayal trauma, the departure not only caused grief but wounding—even if that was not the intention of those who inflicted the hurt.

Raising Church-Loving Children
Before we talk about cultivating love for the church in our children, we must first remember what Scripture says about the church itself, especially in a cultural moment when the phrase, “I can have a relationship with Jesus and not go to church” is all too common. Why does the church matter?

Image Credit: St. Andrew by-the-Lake Anglican Church, Multnomah/Jessup University

Monday's Catch: 'America’s Christian revival is a hoax' And More

America’s Christian revival is a hoax
Contrary to ridiculous reports, America is merely witnessing a Christian reboot, not a Christian revival. And reboots are rarely as good as the original.

Amid rampant AI and social media, Gen Z is turning to religion
One of the reasons that a previous increase in secularistic thinking is slowing is because Generation Z, born between 1997 and 2012, is becoming more religious, with two-thirds identifying as spiritual, religious and believing in a higher power.

New research sheds light on why women are more religious than men
Women continue to outnumber men in religious belief and practice across most societies, even when the faith promotes traditional gender roles that limit their social, economic and legal freedoms.

Evangelical Pastors and The Challenge of Eastern Orthodoxy
For the past few years, I (Christian) have observed online discussions about how more and more evangelicals, especially young evangelical men, are becoming interested in Eastern Orthodoxy. At first, I dismissed that trend as another example of how social media algorithms have a way of connecting and amplifying isolated events, giving a false sense of a mass movement. However, my perspective suddenly shifted when, in three unrelated instances, young people at my local church came to me expressing either concern about or explicit interest in Eastern Orthodoxy and its claims.

Immigration raids in South Texas are starting to hit the economy
South Texas is a heightened example of what contractors are facing across the country in areas where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity has intensified.

Canadian primate expresses solidarity, offers prayers in letter to Episcopal Church’s presiding bishop
On Feb. 6, the Most Rev. Shane Parker, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, sent a letter to Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe and all Episcopalians offering prayers in the wake of ongoing aggressive actions in U.S. cities over immigration enforcement.

Loving the Sojourner--Free Guide
Whether through our global leadership as Americans or our spiritual witness as Christians, our treatment of refugees is a direct reflection of our deepest beliefs. This ebook serves as a vital guide for those looking to move beyond the headlines and align their perspective with a posture of compassion, reminding us that we still have the opportunity to choose the right heart.

Praying to a golden calf
Instead of somber reflection or words to soothe an anxious nation, Trump delivered a blasphemous meditation on Trump: 77 minutes of self-indulgence, grievance and hatred of others.

ERLC joins chorus of conservatives rebuking Trump post dehumanizing Obamas
The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., issued a statement Friday night saying that “Regardless of the circumstances in which the video was made or shared, the depiction of the Obamas was inexcusable, and we are glad the video was taken down."

What Is Dispensationalism? Its Distinctives, Contributions & Possible Pitfalls
Dispensationalism is a theological approach to reading the Bible that emphasizes the various administrative ways God has managed the plan of salvation for restoring humanity into a healthy relationship with God through Christ. At its core, dispensationalism is a theology of the kingdom tied to the biblical covenants and their administration.

How Should Pastors Organize Their Libraries?
Most pastors don’t need encouragement to buy books. They need help figuring out where to put them.

Why We Sing
The Christian faith is a singing faith. A singing saint brings deep joy to the heart of God. There is not a chapter and verse in Scripture that explicitly states this, but when you consider the sum of singing commands and the role singing plays at so many critical points in redemptive history, we easily come to the conclusion that our God really, really likes to hear his people sing....

The Breakthrough Prayer
What you think is your own resolve is actually the result of their resolve and their labor in prayer.

Scientists reveal the alien logic of AI: hyper-rational but stumped by simple concepts
A new study suggests that artificial intelligence systems approach strategic decision-making with a higher degree of mathematical optimization than human players, often outperforming humans in games requiring iterative reasoning. While these large language models demonstrate an ability to adapt to complex rules and specific competitive scenarios, they differ fundamentally from human cognition by failing to identify certain logical shortcuts known as dominant strategies. The findings appear in the Journal of Economic Behavior and Organization.

Anthropic rewrites Claude’s guiding principles—and entertains the idea that its AI might have some kind of consciousness or moral status
Anthropic is overhauling a foundational document that shapes how its popular Claude AI model behaves. The AI lab is moving away from training the model to follow a simple list of principles—such as choosing the response that is least racist or sexist—to instead teach the AI why it should act in certain ways.

Claude has an 80-page “soul document.” Is that enough to make it good?
Chatbots don’t have mothers, but if they did, Claude’s would be Amanda Askell. She’s an in-house philosopher at the AI company Anthropic, and she wrote most of the document that tells Claude what sort of personality to have — the “constitution” or, as it became known internally at Anthropic, the “soul doc.”

Also See: Meet the One Woman Anthropic Trusts to Teach AI Morals (subscription only)

The problem with Moltbook as AI agents run wild on new social network
Moltbook, a new “social network” built exclusively for AI agents to make posts and interact with each other, has caused a stir online but it also comes with some serious security concerns, experts say.

Humans are not invited to join the social media platform, but they can observe - and some are hijacking the site and roleplaying as AI.

Opinion: America does not have a protein deficiency problem: It has a fiber problem
In 2025, the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, an independent panel of scientists, published a report that recommended shifting protein intake away from red and processed meats and toward beans, peas, lentils, other vegetable protein sources and seafood. They relied on robust research showing that fiber-rich plant-forward diets are associated with better health.

‘Take the vaccine, please,’ Dr Oz urges amid rising measles cases in US
A senior US public health official called on Americans to get vaccinated against measles as outbreaks continue in multiple states and concerns grow that the country could lose its measles elimination designation. Dr Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon, spoke in support on Sunday of the measles vaccine.

Sundays at All Hallows (February 8, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

What can we learn from sparrows pecking at a half-eaten donut a small child dropped on the ground or orange daylilies growing in a ditch, yellow daffodil on the roadside or wild roses in a hedgerow? According to Jesus, they can teach us a lot. In this Sunday’s message, we take a look at what we can learn from them.

Readings: Isaiah 49:8-16;1 Corinthians 4:1-5; and Matthew 6:24-34

Message: Our Trustworthy God

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/02/sundays-at-all-hallows-february-8-2026.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'The Silent Exodus of Senior Adults' And More

The Silent Exodus of Senior Adults (What's Happening in Churches?)
In this episode, Thom and Sam shine a light on a trend few church leaders see: the silent exodus of senior adults. While much attention is given to reaching Millennials and Gen Z, an equally significant group is slowly drifting away: older adults who once formed the backbone of many congregations. Their departure isn’t loud or dramatic. It’s subtle: an empty pew, a missing volunteer, a longtime member who quietly stops attending.

Why you should care about the Epstein Files
Human trafficking is modern-day enslavement...If the content of the Epstein Files upsets you, take it as a call to action and accountability.

Also See: The Epstein scandal is taking down Europe’s political class. In the US, they’re getting a pass.

‘Racist,’ ‘Vile,’ ‘Wicked’—Christian Leaders Condemn Trump’s Truth Social Post Depicting the Obamas as Apes
President Donald Trump is being widely censured because of a video posted to his Truth Social account the night of Thursday, Feb. 5. The video included a clip depicting Barack and Michelle Obama as apes. Although White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt initially told media outlets in a statement to “please stop the fake outrage,” the video was later removed Friday morning.

Also See: Pennsylvania bishop calls on Trump to ‘apologize or resign’ over racist video depicting Obamas as apes; Will anyone in the SBC really speak against racism?

What Is Covenant Theology? A Guide to the Bible’s Structural Unity
Covenant theology captures the unity of the Bible. It shows how the Bible’s central message—the salvation of sinners by the work of the Lord Jesus Christ—comes to expression across the Scriptures. God’s plan of salvation unfolds in history through the many covenants that he has made with human beings. This plan, in fact, is anchored in an eternal covenant among the three persons of the Godhead.

Here’s the Best Way You Can Help a Small Church Pastor Today
If you’re in a position to help a small church pastor, here’s what we need from you more than anything else.

Is Claude My Friend?
My hypothesis about chatbots, then, is that what a lot of people encounter is perfect storm on their reward systems, and one that, unlike any human interaction, has no natural endpoint. If I am right then, the anthropomorphic chatbot is a helluva drug, one of the most powerful drugs we’ve ever invented.

The scientist who predicted AI psychosis has issued another dire warning
In a new letter to the editor published in Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, Østergaard argues that academia and the sciences are facing a crisis of “cognitive debt.” He posits that the outsourcing of writing and reasoning to generative AI is eroding the fundamental skills required for scientific discovery. The commentary builds upon a growing body of evidence suggesting that while AI can mimic human output, relying on it may physically alter the brain’s ability to think.

How to Think, Not What to Think
Despite the reforms that our institutions of higher education must embark on to ensure that we are teaching our students how to think—and not what to think—a four-year residential-college experience remains one of the most powerful human environments for cultivating human qualities.

What to know about South Carolina’s big measles outbreak and who is most at risk
South Carolina is experiencing one of the biggest measles outbreaks the U.S. has seen in decades. In that state, there are 876 confirmed cases of the highly contagious virus, which is preventable with a vaccine. While the current surge may be slowing, doctors warn there are still serious risks for vulnerable populations. William Brangham speaks with epidemiologist Katelyn Jetelina for more.

Friday's Catch: 'This Ash Wednesday, Get Rid of the Cross' And More

This Ash Wednesday, Get Rid of the Cross
It may be time to get rid of ash crosses on Ash Wednesday. It may be time to make sure that our ritual actions are in conformity with the purpose of the ritual action and with the Scriptures we read to interpret those actions.

Is church unity worth a Latin Mass?
They should know that we are Christians by our love, not know that we are Catholics by our fights.

What Are the Main Presbyterian & Reformed Denominations?
Christopher Kou lists the Anglican Church in North America as a "theologically adjacent denomination," prompting me to question whether he has examined the ACNA's canons, catechism and prayer book.

Why Religion, Not Income, Predicts the American Vote
Inside the data that shows socioeconomic status barely matters once you know someone’s religious tradition.

Only Jesus Tells Us the Truth
Because information is prevalent, because sources are so pervasive, because opinions are so pronounced, who’s to say what’s really true and what’s not? There’s this version by so-and-so and that version by what’s-his-name and in the end we are all just clamoring for someone to tell us what’s really, actually, genuinely, truly true.

To Bring Peace, Address Conflict
happens. There’s no avoiding it. It shows up at work, at school, in our homes—and, yes, even in the church.

How the Habit of Prayer Confronts Our Need for Control
To have peace, we must loosen our grip on our lives. And there’s one simple but powerful habit that consistently helps us do this: prayer.

AI needs to be trained on a theology of human dignity
Basing AI’s principles on ‘the moral view of the whole world’ is both incoherent and dangerous.

Young struggle to understand 'problematic' Jesus
A study conducted by Youthscape has suggested that many teenagers see well known biblical stories and people as “problematic”. Jesus is guilty of “mansplaining” and of being a man, and the “power dynamics” between God and man supposedly leave a lot to be desired, which in turn leads to questions around consent.

Why Younger Generations Need To See Faith Lived, Not Just Preached
Emerging generations are asking hard questions of the church—and many aren’t finding the answers they’re looking for. In this compelling highlight from our longer conversation, guest Efrem Smith joins host Jason Daye to explore what younger generations often find missing in the American church and why those gaps matter for the future of faith communities.

Highland Baptist Church: A Heart for Gen Z
Highland Baptist Church might be more than a century old, but it is a much younger crowd that fills the pews each week. This is in large part due to the church’s efforts to reach the next generation of seekers—college students and young adults. And the results speak for themselves: The church has grown 25% year over year for the past three years, with 1 in 3 attendees in the 18- to 25-year-old demographic.

VOICES: No, infant baptism is not abuse 

A prominent Catholic recently argued in the Irish Times for a new category of victim: those subjected to infant baptism, especially as practiced by the Catholic Church. Former president of Ireland and canon lawyer Mary McAleese declared it to be “a long-standing, systemic and overlooked severe restriction on children’s rights with regard to religion.”

Thursday' Catch: 'Why You Shouldn’t Stay in Your Rural Church (and 3 Reasons You Should)' And More

Why You Shouldn’t Stay in Your Rural Church (and 3 Reasons You Should)
Fewer than 1 in 4 rural church pastors feel specifically called to this ministry. So, why stay in your rural church?

Is New Zealand experiencing its own 'Quiet Revival'?
The so-called “Quiet Revival” report by the Bible Society noting an upsurge in Christianity among young people in the U.K. is also seen to an extent among young New Zealanders, according to a report by Baptists.

Should Churches Acknowledge Super Bowl Sunday?
osh and Sam discuss the best way to handle Super Bowl Sunday. Should churches say anything about it? Play into the day with gimmicks to increase attendance? What's the best approach?

Empathy Is Not a Thing,’ Says Albert Mohler in Response to Hillary Clinton’s Essay
“Empathy is not a thing,” said Dr. Albert Mohler on the Feb. 3 edition of “The Briefing,” a show in which Mohler analyzes current events, giving his take on them from a Christian worldview. Mohler made his statement while addressing an opinion piece Hillary Clinton wrote in which she called out commentator Allie Beth Stuckey, as well as Pastors Joe Rigney and Douglas Wilson.

Why the Nicene Creed Still Matters for Making Disciples Today
The 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea (325) is now behind us. The revelers have gone home. Others never got the notice there even was a party or, if they did, never knew what all the fuss was about. Yet the Nicene Creed—what the first global gathering of church leaders discerned about the core of Christian belief—is of lasting importance, providing nourishment, milk and solid food (1 Cor. 3:2), for new and mature believers alike. Let the Nicene times roll on.

Worship leader Ron Kenoly dies at 81
Ron Kenoly, a pioneering Christian worship leader whose anthems helped shape modern praise music and whose ministry emphasized worship as service rather than performance, has died. He was 81.

AI companions: "The new imaginary friend" redefining children's friendships
Screens are winning kids' time and attention, and now AI companions are stepping in to claim their friendships, too.

Growing in Godliness Through Faithful Examples
The Christian life is learned in community. We need models of godliness in action. But what kind of examples should we look for, and what kind of example should we aim to be? Here are four traits of ordinary godliness worth noticing and imitating.

Worship as Spiritual Discipline
When we think of spiritual disciplines, we readily name Scripture reading, prayer, fasting, or generosity. Worship, however, often escapes that list—and for understandable reasons. Worship seems instinctive, even inevitable. Why would something so obvious require discipline?

When It Comes to Outreach, Where Is the Fruit?
There are between 350,000 and 400,000 churches in the United States. Imagine if every one of these communities of believers was equipping each congregation member to share their faith in natural ways?

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (February 5, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

In this Thursday evening’s message, we consider a number of implications of Jesus’ teaching about anger.

Reading: Matthew 5:21-26

Message: What Did Jesus Teach about Anger?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/02/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Misogyny in Evangelicalism and the War on Empathy' And More

Misogyny in Evangelicalism and the War on Empathy
Does the church have a misogyny problem? Is feminization "ruining" culture? Is empathy actually dangerous? Russell Moore and David French discuss.

Watch the full interview: David French on Faith, Fear, and the Future of the Church

Mohler joins the war on empathy and takes on Hillary Clinton
Al Mohler doesn’t believe empathy is a real thing, but he does believe Hillary Clinton has ruined the idea of social justice.

Conservative influencers don't actually believe empathy is toxic
Allie Beth Stuckey and Joe Rigney just want to make sure you're empathizing with those they deem worthy of empathy.

Empathy
Empathy is the ability to recognize, understand, and share the thoughts and feelings of another person, animal, or fictional character. Developing empathy is crucial for establishing relationships and behaving compassionately....

How might we do justice and love kindness in times like these?
Burning the homes of your neighbors is not the Christianity Jesus taught.

After Synagogue Fire, Jackson Parish Supports Jewish Neighbors
“St. Philip’s has a long, loving, and collaborative relationship with Beth Israel,” the Rev. Les Hegwood told The Living Church. The current rector of St. Philip’s grew up about a mile from the parish and synagogue, and said that for generations, both “have gathered together, learned together, prayed with and for each other.”

Pope Leo faces crisis as a traditionalist group plans bishop consecrations without consent
Pope Leo XIV is facing his first major crisis with traditionalist Catholics, after a breakaway group attached to the traditional Latin Mass announced plans to consecrate new bishops without papal consent in a threatened revival of schism.

‘The Vanishing Church’ Makes The Case For Both Belief And Belonging
This may be the decade’s most important book on the state of American religion.

Scientists Have Found A New Human Sense And It's A Bit Mystical
It turns out that humans have a form of ‘remote touch’: the ability to sense objects without direct contact which is actually a sense that some animals have, such as sandpipers (a type of bird).

Delegation as a Tool for Leadership Development in the Local Church
Delegation is one of the most underutilized yet biblically grounded tools for leadership development in the local church.

10 Often Overlooked Questions Churches Should Ask Before Hiring Staff - Part 1
Most churches spend weeks crafting job descriptions and reviewing résumés. Very few ask the right questions.

Also See: 10 Often Overlooked Questions Churches Should Ask Before Hiring Staff - Part 2

How Did Churches Start Using Grape Juice for Communion?
Adriel Sanchez explains the surprising history behind the modern movement of churches using grape juice instead of wine for communion, and how it was spearheaded by Dr. Thomas Bramwell Welch of Welch’s Grape Juice in the 1900s.

Let’s Stop Praying “in your name”
I generally steer clear from critiquing the personal prayer lives of other Christians. However, public prayer is a separate issue, and I’ve got a small bone to pick.

Children aren’t learning to speak properly. Parents are to blame
I suspect that this phenomenon is also affecting children's spiritual development.

8 Reasons Most Churches Do Not Do Outreach - Part 1 

In this episode of The Church Answers Podcast, Thom and Jess Rainer begin a two-part discussion on the widespread neglect of outreach in local churches. They unpack the foundational barriers that keep churches from obeying the Great Commission.

Also See: 8 Reasons Most Churches Do Not Do Outreach - Part 2

Tuesday's Catch: '7 Signs Your Church is Dying' And More

7 Signs Your Church is Dying
Is your church quietly slipping into decline?

Reports of persecution and church raids in Russian-occupied Ukraine
Russian authorities have continued to raid religious worship services in parts of eastern Ukraine, warning congregations that unregistered churches could face repeated disruption unless they comply with Russian law.

Some Considerations for Speaking Up
In times of public tragedy and social tension, church leaders are often left discerning whether and how to speak in faithful response. Recent events in Minnesota have sharpened these questions, prompting many leaders to search for answers. Lewis Center Director Jonathan Page offers five guiding principles for speaking with wisdom, humility, and conviction.

VOICES: 7 false teachings about Jesus and salvation
Dan Delzell identifies 7 false teachings that have kept people from trusting Christ alone and His sacrifice on the cross as the complete and perfect payment for their sins.

False Teachers: How to spot them, according to the New Testament
What does the New Testament actually say about who ‘false teachers’ are and what should be done about them?

Trading the Cross for a cause
We can let the good work of the church replace the good news of the church. We can become people who do good in Jesus’ name while drifting from the message that makes us Christian in the first place.

Lead Today—God Holds Tomorrow
Worry doesn’t change yesterday. It can’t control tomorrow. It only drains today.

Take a Tech Break
How many times do you grab your phone and check it – for anything – over the course of a day?

AI isn't making us smarter — it's training us to think backward, an innovation theorist says
Used as a partner, AI can enhance human thinking. Used as a shortcut, it can quietly weaken it.....

This might be the best age to give kids a phone — and reduce mental health risks
The right age to give a kid a phone remains a hotly contested debate, but a new study is making the case for a specific milestone age as risky for a child to get a phone.

5 Keys to a Faith That Carries Into the Next Generation
How children view their parents’ faith is significant. How can you increase the likelihood of passing your faith to the next generation?

Monday's Catch: 'Six Reasons Churches Experience the Doldrums' And More

Six Reasons Churches Experience the Doldrums
Thom Rainer identifies and explains six common reasons churches find themselves in the doldrums.

How Polarization Tore a Hole in America’s Mainline Churches
What happened to America’s religious moderates, and why does it matter to our country’s future?

VOICES: Jesus is not God,' says the billboard
Like me, you may have recently seen that a group who believe the earth is flat is publicly proclaiming through billboards around the country that Jesus isn’t God. No, I’m not making this up....

Also See: Man paints over heretical billboard to read 'Jesus is God' in viral video; Man Goes Viral for ‘Evandalism,’ Changing Billboard’s Message That ‘Jesus Is Not God’

Churches urged to be ready amid reports of growing Bible curiosity among young adults
A sharp rise in Bible sales and reports of growing spiritual curiosity among young adults in the UK has prompted calls for church leaders to be ready to respond.

Surveys showing Christian resurgence among young adults in UK may be 'misleading': Pew
Analysts claim surveys indicating a Christian resurgence among young adults in the UK may be misleading.

154 Bishops Call for End to ICE Raids
More than 150 bishops of the Episcopal Church urged the suspension of immigration raids in Minnesota and “any community where militarized enforcement has endangered residents or destroyed public trust.” They conveyed their message in “A Letter to Our Fellow Americans,” released as both a statement and a video on January 31, on the eve of the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany, when the Old Testament reading was Micah 6:1-8.

For traditional Catholics, Charlotte Communion dispute is a battle line
The edict from Charlotte’s Catholic bishop came just before Christmas with a benign title: “Pastoral letter on norms for Holy Communion.” Bishop Michael Martin decreed parishioners could no longer use kneelers and altar rails during the sacrament. It was an effort to “foster unity,” Martin’s letter said, and make clear the modern way is standing for Communion.

There was nothing benign about the reaction.

The Christian Churches and the Nazis
The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews reminds Christians that they are surrounded by a great “cloud of witnesses.” (NRSVA) That “cloud” has continued to grow in size since then. In this monthly column we will be thinking about some of the people and events, over the past 2000 years, that have helped make up this “cloud.” People and events that have helped build the community of the Christian church as it exists today.

What Is the Trinity?
Addressing the Trinity is particularly critical today. Recalling these truths prepares you to help your church answer questions about God.

Why Pastoral Ministry Is Worth Pursuing Today
Paul’s defense of his ministry in 2 Corinthians 2:12–3:6 offers a much-needed corrective to our contemporary tendencies to either despise the pastoral office or measure it by worldly standards. He reminds us that those considering pastoral ministry must think neither too little nor too much of this calling. We must see it as God does.

Phones in the Pews: Threat or Discipleship Opportunity?
How can we shepherd our people to receive the preached Word with humility amid a culture where instant verification has become instinctive?

Bringing Scripture to Life
I do not want to hear another dull, lifeless reading of Holy Scripture in worship. If it is another mumbled reading from someone who obviously hasn’t practiced the reading, I find myself thinking: Oh, please! Not so fast. Please breathe!

Evidence grows that AI chatbots are Dunning-Kruger machines
If using an AI chatbot makes you feel smart, we have some bad news.

New Study Examines How Often AI Psychosis Actually Happens, and the Results Are Not Good
Yikes!

Experts growing worried about world in which AI takes your job and you have no way to provide for yourself
As the tech moguls talk a big game, financial experts are in a frenzy about AI coming for our jobs, thereby threatening to leave many of us without any way to make ends meet.

US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations
All vaccine recommendations are being reconsidered by the US’s vaccines committee, according to its top adviser, who in recent interviews slammed vaccination requirements for attending school and said vaccines should be taken on the advice of an individual’s doctor.

Also See: Florida Republicans advance bill to weaken vaccine protections for children

Don’t run 

I wonder what you think of on a Sunday straight after the Benediction. You have received by faith God’s declaration of blessing…then what?

Sundays at All Hallows (February 1, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany. There are only two more Sundays of Epiphanytide remaining before the first day of Lent

This Sunday’s message is a meditation on Micah 6:8.

Readings: Micah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 1:18-31; and Matthew 5:1-12

Message: What Kind of Person Does God Want Us to Be?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-february-1-2026.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'SNAP will have new work requirements starting Feb. 1 and many could lose benefits' And More

"O brave new world
That has such people in it"
The Tempest

SNAP will have new work requirements starting Feb. 1 and many could lose benefits
"Millions of people will unnecessarily be kicked off the rolls," Joel Berg, CEO of the nonprofit Hunger Free America, told ABC News. "They will lose the food they need, and sometimes family members need. ... More Americans will go hungry. Soup kitchens and food pantries and the food banks that supply them will not have the resources to meet this need."

Thousands demonstrate in Minnesota and across US to protest ICE
Thousands of protesters took to the streets in Minneapolis and students across the United States staged walkouts on Friday to demand the withdrawal of federal immigration agents from Minnesota following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens.

Texas governor Abbott orders investigation after students stage ICE protest
Texas Governor Greg Abbott directed the state’s education commissioner to investigate Austin Independent School District (AISD) after students joined a nationwide walkout protesting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following two fatal shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.

Fremont student hit in apparent hit-and-run during student-led ICE demonstration
A driver hit a student during a student-led protest in Fremont on Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson with the Fremont Public Schools district said.

Also See: Fremont Police: Young driver found who hit protester with SUV flying Trump flag; County attorney weighing evidence in Fremont student protest pedestrian crash

Evangelicals divided over what faith demands as immigration tensions deepen
Evangelicals have long supported some US immigration reforms. But efforts to help have come under fire from those who view immigrants with suspicion.

Hundreds attend California church's workshop on responding to ICE raids

Approximately 800 people attended a workshop on responding to ICE raids at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, California.

Also See: World Relief urges Trump admin. to stop policy of re-interviewing Biden-era refugees

Trump team’s secret meetings with group plotting to break up Canada exposed
“Very, very senior” officials in the Trump administration have had secret meetings with far-right Canadian separatists trying to shake the foundations of the country.

Also See: Canadians strike back on Trump as breakup plot emerges

Christian nationalism isn't limited to US, say scholars meeting in Chicago
A conference at the University of Chicago Divinity School will look at the tension between Christianity as a moral force and as a weapon for politics around the world.

Conservative denomination excommunicates pastor for supporting kinism, white supremacy
Reformed Presbyterian Church of North America excommunicates Rev. Samuel Ketcham for advocating kinism.

7 Things Many Pastors Don’t Know About Unrelated Business Income
Unrelated business income tax (UBIT) is an income tax on the unrelated business income (UBI) of churches and other tax-exempt charities.

UBI generally is income from the operation of a trade or business that is regularly carried on.

Struggling with Prayer? Ask God for Help.
One of the most important things I’ve learned about growing in prayer is that the best place to start isn’t finding a new note-card system or journal—it’s admitting our struggle to God and asking him to help us pray.

"We're in the singularity": New AI platform skips the humans entirely
The tech world is agog (and creeped out) about Moltbook, a Reddit-style social network for AI agents to communicate with each other. No humans needed.

This cute AI-generated schoolgirl is a growing far-right meme At first glance, Amelia, with her purple bob and pixie-girl looks, seems an unlikely candidate for the far right to adopt as an increasingly popular meme.

Yet, for the past few weeks, memes and AI-generated videos featuring this fictional British teenager have proliferated across social media, especially on X. In them, Amelia parrots right-wing, often racist, talking points, connecting her celebration of stereotypical British culture with anti-migrant and Islamophobic tropes.

What South Carolina’s soaring measles outbreak means for the rest of the US
South Carolina is battling the country’s largest measles outbreak since the disease was eliminated from the United States more than a quarter century ago, with more than 840 cases overwhelmingly in unvaccinated children and adults.

Also See: US vaccine changes lead some parents to question other newborn care

Thousands quarantined after outbreak of 'pandemic potential' virus as WHO speaks out
The World Health Organization has finally addressed the global chaos caused by a rampant virus. The Nipah virus, which currently has no known vaccine, has prompted numerous Asian countries to bolster their border security.

Friday's Catch: 'How Churches Grow Without Gimmicks or Burnout' And More

How Churches Grow Without Gimmicks or Burnout
...churches do not thrive by running faster. They thrive by growing healthier.

The Church Number: 60% The Power of a Personal Invitation
A surprisingly high number of churchgoers attend because someone simply invited them. In this episode, Sam and Thom unpack why 60% might be the most overlooked and powerful number in church outreach today.

Where Do you See God at Work in Your Church?
Are there times when you struggle to sense God’s presence and power in your ministry?

How Trump’s Greenland threats amount to an implicit rejection of the legal principles of Nuremberg
The claim that national security can justify territorial acquisition marks a sharp break from the principles the US championed after World War II.

Which threatens American Christianity more: ICE or Cities Church protesters?
American Christians need a more robust sense of sacred connection to one another.

If I wasn’t Methodist, I might be Buddhist
My Methodist heart was 'strangely warmed' in the dead of winter in North Carolina by a stalwart group of Buddhist monks walking for peace.

Finding Satan: The Origins of the Evil One
n recent years, interest has resurged in the role of heavenly beings in the Bible, including the “backstory” of God’s adversary (variously known as the Devil, Satan, and the Evil One). Much of what is said and written alludes to a series of key Old Testament texts—but what do those passages actually say?

You're not the World's CEO
Pastors, especially those serving congregations in transition or decline, often believe—sometimes unconsciously - that they must be everything to everyone: preacher, teacher, administrator, counselor, fundraiser, visionary, community activist, custodian, and friend. The truth is that you are not the CEO of the world.

A Liturgical Theology of Preaching—When is the Sermon?
This is the second essay is a special series by the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings, Professor of Liturgics at Seminary of the Southwest. There will be eight installments in this series presented in intervals through the winter of 2026. A “round up” with links to all eight essays will be available in the spring.

How Much Church Tech Is Too Much
At what point does technology in worship stop serving the church and start shaping it?

Concerns raised over theological bias in AI Bible chatbots
Concerns about the theological influence of AI-powered Bible chatbots were raised at a conference held earlier this month and hosted by the University of Cambridge’s Faculty of Divinity.

The conference followed the publication of new research by Bible Society into how artificial intelligence interprets Scripture.

Small Group Leader Burnout Is Real and It Is Preventable
Burnout is not a character flaw. It is often a leadership systems problem. And the good news is this. It is preventable.

Thursday's Catch: 'The Best Ways to Encourage a Discouraged Church' And More

The Best Ways to Encourage a Discouraged Church (Your Next Three Steps)
n this episode, Josh and Sam explore what happens when a church becomes discouraged and how God restores hope in a congregation that feels stuck, tired, or overwhelmed. Discouragement drains energy, distorts reality, and slowly turns a church inward. Encouragement is both spiritual and strategic. It starts with leaders who refuse to catastrophize and instead cast vision. Pessimists predict failure. Realists describe what is. But optimistic, faith-filled leaders show what could be.

Also See: Ten Practical Ways to Encourage a Discouraged Church

Burge’s Vanishing Church shows high costs of politicized churches
Ryan Burge, perhaps our top “quantitative scholar of American religion,” makes numbers speak, and in his latest book they tell the sad story of how politics trumped creed in evangelical churches, leaving “no place for moderates,” many of whom departed.

What Causes Some to Stay With Their Faith While Others Leave?
The churches that help their youngest attendees recognize the lifelong relevance of their faith will keep the next generation.

12 Theses on Church Buildings
I would have added to this list that the function of a building should determine its form and not the other way around.

What Is Arminianism? The History, Beliefs & Myths
Arminianism is controversial. Some devout and scholarly Protestant Christians firmly oppose it. Many have misunderstood it and even misrepresented it.

A Defense of Percy Dearmer and his ‘British Museum Religion’
It has become something of a sport, almost since his death in 1936, to accuse Percy Dearmer of fostering “British Museum religion.”

A Liturgical Theology of Preaching—What Is a Sermon?
This is the first essay is a special series by the Rev. Dr. Nathan Jennings, Professor of Liturgics at Seminary of the Southwest. There will be eight installments in this series presented in intervals through the winter of 2026. A “round up” with links to all eight essays will be available in the spring.

How to Derail a Bible Study
We’re vulnerable to being led astray by statements in other sources that have a Christian ring to them but lack a solid biblical foundation.

Preteen Ministry Tips for High-Impact Outreach
Preteen ministry tips help you understand these kids and serve them most effectively. Use these insights to reach tweens and preteens at your church.

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (January 29, 2026) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

This evening’s service is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Rosa Ann McGarr Crass who entered the nearer presence of God on January 18, 2026. Rosa was a longtime member of St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Benton, Kentucky and more recently a member of Christ Chapel (Anglican) in Fairdealing, Kentucky. She was a kind and generous soul who loved flowers and church music.

This evening’ message is a distillation of what J. C. Ryle, the first Bishop of Liverpool wrote about John 14:1-3 in his Expository Thoughts on John, an exposition on John’s Gospel, Like many of Bishop Ryle’s works it was written to be read aloud to a Sunday school class or other gathering.

Reading: John 14: 1-11

Message: In My Father’s House

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows-january_29.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you