Joining your church does not automatically make someone feel like they belong.
People need more than their name on a membership roll. They need to feel welcomed, wanted, recognized, affirmed, and celebrated. They need to feel special.
When a church is small, you may be able to do this informally. But as your church grows, you’ll need to create intentional moments that say publicly: “You are now one of us.”
Church of England keen to offer 'warm welcome' to new arrivals from Hong Kong
The Church of England has established a new body aimed at welcoming Hong Kongers into its fold after a surge in arrivals in the last few years.
Right-wing authoritarianism is linked to belief in the paranormal, independent of cognitive style
Recent research published in The Journal of Social Psychology suggests that individuals who endorse certain right-wing political ideologies are more likely to believe in paranormal phenomena. The findings indicate that while a person’s thinking style plays a role in their beliefs, it does not fully explain why right-wing ideologies are linked to accepting the paranormal. This provides evidence that the relationship between political views and supernatural beliefs is driven by multiple, distinct psychological factors.
Why standing in solidarity with immigrants is an act of accompaniment in Catholic philosophy
Accompaniment, rooted in modern Catholic social thought, calls for putting the needs of the most vulnerable first.Josh and Sam tackle a growing and uncomfortable reality for pastors: what to do when one of your own church members becomes an online troll. The cohosts explore how to discern genuine critics from disruptive trolls, protect your church’s unity and safety, and lead with grace even when someone is trying to provoke you publicly.
Why standing in solidarity with immigrants is an act of accompaniment in Catholic philosophy
Accompaniment, rooted in modern Catholic social thought, calls for putting the needs of the most vulnerable first.Josh and Sam tackle a growing and uncomfortable reality for pastors: what to do when one of your own church members becomes an online troll. The cohosts explore how to discern genuine critics from disruptive trolls, protect your church’s unity and safety, and lead with grace even when someone is trying to provoke you publicly.
The Multitasking Myth
You’ve probably heard this before. But keep reading, there’s a bigger point I want to make here.
When Church Members Become Online Trolls: What Pastors Should Do
Josh and Sam tackle a growing and uncomfortable reality for pastors: what to do when one of your own church members becomes an online troll. The cohosts explore how to discern genuine critics from disruptive trolls, protect your church’s unity and safety, and lead with grace even when someone is trying to provoke you publicly.
6 Actions to Help You Champion Prayer in Your Church
These actions reveal a progression from our own habits to our circles to our congregations. Champions of prayer are built in that order.
A third of Christians trust spiritual advice from AI as much as pastor: study
About a third of practicing American Christians say the spiritual advice they get from artificial intelligence is just as good as that from a pastor, with practicing Christians more likely to agree with this notion than non-practicing Christians and non-Christians, according to new research from the Barna Group.
The data was collected as part of Barna’s "State of the Church" initiative in partnership with Gloo, a leading technology platform connecting the faith ecosystem to advance human flourishing. The latest findings were released at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention in Tennessee last week.
Beware AI-Generated Christian Content
New technologies like AI are bound to usher in new, unexpected problems. Now, I’m personally optimistic about the future of AI. I have been impressed watching it improve even over the last few years as the technology progresses and people find new and creative ways to use it. But any new technology will have growing pains. The internet has been a great blessing to humanity, but it’s also been a source of great evil. As we find ourselves increasingly in the age of AI, we must brace ourselves for new threats we might not even have thought. I want to point one out today: beware of AI-generated Christian content.
Avoid the ‘Fixing Trap’
Jesus didn’t “fix” his disciples. When he met Matthew, who by all accounts was a moral train wreck, he didn’t give him a lecture or a list of next steps. He simply said, “Follow me.” Jesus invited Matthew to walk alongside him, and transformation happened in that relationship.
That’s the essence of relational discipleship: Walking with others is more powerful than fixing them.
The US surpassed 1,100 measles cases in two months. Expect more deaths next
The US has recorded more than 1,100 measles cases so far this year, according to data published Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s a troubling milestone that has many in public health bracing for the worst.
According to the CDC, out of every 1,000 children who are infected with measles, one may develop encephalitis, which is a dangerous swelling of the brain. Up to 3 out of every 1,000 infected children will die.
The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best VBS for Your Church
Use our complete guide to choosing the best VBS to ensure maximum outreach in your community and impact in kids’ lives. Choose the best VBS by using the following 20 filters we have used for years in VBS reviews.
Assumed stability has ended and Christian mission needs to adapt
This is a call for Christian leaders responsible for mission strategy and institutional stewardship to lead strategic change. Shifting geopolitical conditions require immediate adaptation of mobilization models, including time-bound global efforts that are now shaping priorities across many Christian networks.
You’ve probably heard this before. But keep reading, there’s a bigger point I want to make here.
When Church Members Become Online Trolls: What Pastors Should Do
Josh and Sam tackle a growing and uncomfortable reality for pastors: what to do when one of your own church members becomes an online troll. The cohosts explore how to discern genuine critics from disruptive trolls, protect your church’s unity and safety, and lead with grace even when someone is trying to provoke you publicly.
6 Actions to Help You Champion Prayer in Your Church
These actions reveal a progression from our own habits to our circles to our congregations. Champions of prayer are built in that order.
A third of Christians trust spiritual advice from AI as much as pastor: study
About a third of practicing American Christians say the spiritual advice they get from artificial intelligence is just as good as that from a pastor, with practicing Christians more likely to agree with this notion than non-practicing Christians and non-Christians, according to new research from the Barna Group.
The data was collected as part of Barna’s "State of the Church" initiative in partnership with Gloo, a leading technology platform connecting the faith ecosystem to advance human flourishing. The latest findings were released at the National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention in Tennessee last week.
Beware AI-Generated Christian Content
New technologies like AI are bound to usher in new, unexpected problems. Now, I’m personally optimistic about the future of AI. I have been impressed watching it improve even over the last few years as the technology progresses and people find new and creative ways to use it. But any new technology will have growing pains. The internet has been a great blessing to humanity, but it’s also been a source of great evil. As we find ourselves increasingly in the age of AI, we must brace ourselves for new threats we might not even have thought. I want to point one out today: beware of AI-generated Christian content.
Avoid the ‘Fixing Trap’
Jesus didn’t “fix” his disciples. When he met Matthew, who by all accounts was a moral train wreck, he didn’t give him a lecture or a list of next steps. He simply said, “Follow me.” Jesus invited Matthew to walk alongside him, and transformation happened in that relationship.
That’s the essence of relational discipleship: Walking with others is more powerful than fixing them.
The US surpassed 1,100 measles cases in two months. Expect more deaths next
The US has recorded more than 1,100 measles cases so far this year, according to data published Friday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s a troubling milestone that has many in public health bracing for the worst.
According to the CDC, out of every 1,000 children who are infected with measles, one may develop encephalitis, which is a dangerous swelling of the brain. Up to 3 out of every 1,000 infected children will die.
The Complete Guide to Choosing the Best VBS for Your Church
Use our complete guide to choosing the best VBS to ensure maximum outreach in your community and impact in kids’ lives. Choose the best VBS by using the following 20 filters we have used for years in VBS reviews.
Assumed stability has ended and Christian mission needs to adapt
This is a call for Christian leaders responsible for mission strategy and institutional stewardship to lead strategic change. Shifting geopolitical conditions require immediate adaptation of mobilization models, including time-bound global efforts that are now shaping priorities across many Christian networks.
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