Thursday's Catch: "New data debunk claims of ‘revival’ in America" And More

New data debunk claims of ‘revival’ in America
New research shows religious adherence remains stable in the United States and the nation is not witnessing the “revival” excitedly proclaimed by Christian nationalists.

Church Conflict: Five Common Ways Small Fights Turn into Big Problems
Every pastor has seen it. Churches splitting hairs over things that don’t matter. Beard length. Carpet color. Playground equipment. These disputes may sound absurd, but they reveal something much deeper. Small conflicts are rarely about what they seem. Beneath the surface, emotions, control, and trust are at play. In this episode, Josh and Sam explore why trivial fights erupt in churches, what they reveal about church health, and how leaders can keep the small stuff from becoming spiritual landmines.

8 Ways to Reach Single Adults Through Your Church
Pam and I were older when we married, so we both spent many years as a single adult. Consequently, we’re sensitive to reaching single adults through our churches. Perhaps one of these suggestions will help you as you reach this group in your community....

Also See: 12 Struggles Singles Face

3 Ways to Cultivate Community in Your Church
We are relational beings, designed in the image of our triune God. We’ve been created for life together, and apart from community, we’ll never be fully whole and Christlike. In the church, we can resist the trends of social isolation and loneliness, discover our true home in Christ and his church, and find hope for a beautiful, deeply rooted community. We can finally belong.

So the question is this: How do we embody and practice this incredible truth—that we belong to God and one another? In considering how to cultivate deeper belonging together, I want to give practical help for the committed church member and leader.

Developing Leaders in a Rural Church
Rural church leadership is cooperative—certainly between people but also with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

From Sermon to Article: Turning Oral Teaching into Written Content
As editors who regularly work with pastors, we’re sometimes asked if writing an article differs from writing a sermon. It’s really different.

5 Ways AI Is Impacting the Next Generation
Because AI is impacting the next generation in unprecedented ways, the church must strategize ways to both support parents and shepherd kids.

Helping Students Read the Bible for Themselves
A few years ago, a former student came up to me with a question that sounded simple, but clued me into a deeper problem. He said, “Hey, I’ve been reading the book of Mark like you told me to… but now what? I don’t really know what to do after that.”

He wasn’t lazy. He was trying, but like so many students today, he didn’t have a framework for how to read the Bible - no direction or understanding of what he was even looking for. That moment stuck with me because it reminded me: opening their Bibles is not the same as reading it well. So how do we help them read the Bible for themselves?

Andy Stanley: The Subtle Phrase That’s Making Evangelism Harder 

A simple question from a young believer in China still won’t let Andy Stanley go.

“Why doesn’t everyone in America go to church?”