Thursday's Catch: 'Is the Era of Cool Church Over?' And More

Is the Era of Cool Church Over?
Cool church isn’t gone, but its shelf life is limited. Eventually it will collapse under the weight of its own insularity.

Why Small Churches Matter More Than Ever
While big cities often dominate attention and resources, it is the small towns and rural communities where congregations are disappearing fastest and where the church’s presence is most at risk. Thom and Sam explore why revitalizing and supporting small churches is essential for the future of Christian witness and how these congregations uniquely embody relational, community-anchoring ministry that larger models simply cannot replicate.

Are You Marketing Revival? The Problem with Mixed Motives and Social Media in Church Leaders
In this episode, I ask whether we're selling church growth and marketing revival on social media. As leaders, our motives are always mixed, and I offer a framework for checking our motives before posting to social media. Momentum doesn’t need marketing. Don’t sell it. Steward it.

Outside US Capitol, hundreds of United Methodists call for dismantling ICE
‘We demand that ICE and CBP be dismantled,’ said retired United Methodist Bishop Minerva Garza Carcaño at the rally.

Also See: United Methodists lead witness for immigrants

Study reveals how Trump’s 2024 victory made prejudice cool again
A new study reveals that President Donald Trump’s derogatory rhetoric is making prejudice fashionable again.

As some dioceses embrace life together after mergers, others decide against closer partnerships
Several diocesan mergers in recent years have contributed to discussions across the church over how best to structure The Episcopal Church’s local expression of the faith. At the same time, other dioceses have decided to move ahead separately after considering closer partnerships.

Can We Leave the Door Unlocked?
Episcopalians in the United States are sometimes accused of being poor evangelists. Perhaps one method of evangelism, a calling and vocation perhaps, is to offer our sacred spaces to any and all who will walk through that unlocked door and in so doing discover a God whose love for them changes them and makes them new in his son, Jesus Christ.

A Personal Approach to Go and Make Disciples in 2026
What if you quietly prayed for the opportunity to initiate a gospel conversation as a part of your daily morning routine? What if you learned the essential ideas and skills to do so? Would that make a difference in your walk with Christ? And if you are a pastor or church leader, what impact might it have on your church if you were more proactive in encouraging your flock to be witnesses, and to give them guidance in doing this?