The Lifeway research findings are an unpleasant reminder that church closures in the United States are outpacing new church launchings.
Also See: More Protestant churches closing than opening in America as older congregations struggle: studyChurch in Germany plants seeds of hope
Germany Regional Conference Bishop Werner Philipp has launched an initiative titled “Hope on the Way,” which is rooted in the everyday life of local congregations across Germany. Philipp will visit congregations in all three conference regions of The United Methodist Church in Germany each month for the next several years. At every stop, an apple tree will be planted — a sign of faithfulness, patience and God’s hidden work. On the second Sunday of Advent, the first stop of the tour took place in the Kiel/Flensburg district.
The FAQs: What Should Churches Do When Protest Enters the Sanctuary?
...when protesters block entrances, enter the building without permission, use amplified sound to drown out worship, threaten or intimidate congregants, or refuse to leave when asked, they’ve crossed the line from protected speech into unlawful conduct.
Court prophets and the crisis of the prophetic
We are living in a moment of widespread moral confusion, and yet we have no shortage of people claiming to speak with moral and even prophetic authority.
Everyone seems certain. Everyone seems outraged. Everyone seems convinced God is on their side — the right and the left. The word “prophetic” is everywhere in our public discourse, but genuine prophetic vision is increasingly rare.
A Translation Guide for What Church Committees and Boards Really Mean
With a smile (and a little truth), here is a short translation guide for phrases many of us have heard more times than we can count.
Americans’ Trust in Pastors Hits Historic Low
Trust in pastors continues to decline, with only 27% of Americans rating clergy’s honesty and ethics highly, according to Gallup.
Isolation is a reality for pastors despite strong marriages, new research finds
Pastors may be surrounded by people every week, but many are navigating their calling with limited personal support, according to new research highlighting a growing gap between ministry life and supportive friendship.
A recent study by Barna Group titled, ‘The Relationships of Today’s Pastors,’ suggests that while most pastors report healthy marriages and a strong sense of vocation, many struggle with loneliness and a lack of trusted relationships outside their churches.
Listening When You’re New in Town
Luke Edwards highlights a community-driven approach to leadership that centers spiritual discernment—listening to God, the congregation, and the surrounding community—to discover how the Spirit is already at work and inviting shared direction for ministry.
Should Pastors Use AI to Write Sermons?
AI is advancing faster than anyone expected—and pastors are facing a huge question: Is Artificial Intelligence a threat to biblical preaching, or a tool that can actually make you a better communicator? Should pastors use AI to write sermons?
In this video, I explore the real implications of AI for preachers: the ethics, the opportunities, the spiritual dangers, and the surprising ways AI is already shaping how people learn and engage with Scripture.
What does faithful, thoughtful preaching look like in an AI-driven world?
Sermon Prep in the Age of AI and How to Stay Faithful and Honest
The question is no longer whether AI will be used, but how pastors can use it faithfully and honestly.
How to Preach When You Don’t Want To
The pastor’s life and work are public, so how do you preach when you don’t want to? Here are four things to do when you’re in this situation.
Choosing Songs with Theological Confidence (Without Starting a War)
Picking worship songs isn’t just about what feels good in the moment or what’s trending on CCLI with the biggest streaming numbers. It’s about worship setlist theology — the way song lyrics and themes shape how your people understand God, Scripture, and Christian life. Songs become theological teachers with rhythm and melody, whether we like it or not. That means choosing them with confidence matters, and doing so without turning your planning meetings into battlegrounds is an art worth cultivating.
Why Does the Lord’s Supper Matter?
Baptism marks the Christian life’s beginning, but walking with Christ is about more than just one moment. It is about knowing Christ’s ongoing presence with us in grace to help us in all that we encounter in life. The Lord’s Supper is the meal that Christ has given His people to show us that we have His care throughout our journey with Him. We have this meal because Jesus nourishes us. What sort of nourishment does this special meal provide?
Why We Can Confidently Persevere in Prayer
Only in eternity will you see how the petitions you lift to him today were answered a hundred years after you lived and died.
Social Media Outreach for Churches: A Simple Weekly Content Plan
Church social media outreach can feel overwhelming. Between sermons, meetings, pastoral care, and staff life, carving out time for consistent posts feels like another job. But a simple weekly content plan can transform your social presence from sporadic to steady. When done with intention, your church’s social media can become a regular way of speaking hope and grace into your community’s week.
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