Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Tuesday's Catch: 'Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?' And More


Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?
17 February 2026 is Shrove Tuesday, the traditional day for eating pancakes before the start of Lent. This is the story....

Bible Society researcher defends 'Quiet Revival' findings on rising Christian confidence
The lead researcher behind the “Quiet Revival” report, published by the Bible Society of England and Wales in April 2025 and showing an upsurge of interest in Christianity in secular society, has defended the robust methodology behind the findings and said the data reflected observations made by individual churches.

CoE announces £400,000 to get young people into choirs
The Church of England has announced a £400,000 scheme in partnership with the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) to encourage children to get involved in choral worship.

Under the simply named “Choir Project” over 200 church choirs aimed at children and young people will be established or “renewed”.

Where Gen Z Is Finding Jesus
Whoa. What’s going on here? Is it possible that Gen Z is having something of a revival?

Burge says this is why nondenoms have advantage over SBC
Nondenominational churches will continue to have an advantage over Southern Baptist churches because their members are younger and more ethnically diverse, predicts religion data analyst Ryan Burge.
Also See: Those Non-Denoms are Just Southern Baptists, Right?
“Gradually… Then Suddenly”: Why Church Decline Is About to Accelerate
Why Death Is Coming Soon to Many Churches (and How to Prevent It)

Church Answers researcher Ryan Burge recently released a stunning and sobering report on the ages of congregants of various denominations. It's not a pretty picture. Many churches will soon die or become moribund because of one simple factor: their church members are dying and not being replaced. Jess and Thom examine four aspects of this demographic decline and death.
Also See: When the Average Age Lies: The Demographic Tipping Point
Republicans, Southerners, Trump backers mostly likely to support Christian nationalist ideas
A new report from the Public Religion Research Institute shows deep divides over the place of Christianity in the U.S.

Orlando pastor on leave after questioning TPUSA ‘revival’
A campus pastor at First Baptist Orlando has been placed on administrative leave and a worship leader reportedly has resigned because they opposed the decision to host Turning Point USA’s “Make Heaven Crowded” tour next week.

'I am somebody!': Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader who ran for presidency, dies at 84
‘I don’t think Jesse Jackson saw his political life as something different from his call from God as a preacher,’ said the Rev. Valerie Bridgeman.

How the Church Can Take the Lead in Suicide Prevention
Overwhelmingly, churchgoers agree that suicide and mental health need to be addressed and that the church has a responsibility to be a leading voice in the conversation.

Americans rank clergy at record low in honesty and ethics ratings: Gallup
Honesty and ethics ratings of clergy have sunk to a new record low, according to Gallup.

Why Do SO Many Pastors Want to Quit Ministry?
In this video, I break down why pastors are burning out, what cultural pressures are making leadership harder than ever, and how algorithms, polarization, and loneliness are quietly reshaping ministry. Even though the numbers are improving, 1 in 4 pastors still want to quit. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a warning.

Epidemic: Another Minister Flamed Out Last Week
The pain of one pastor is intensified under the unforgiving glare of the spotlight, while the pain of another is ignored. Both hurt equally.

New Free Playlist: Old Hymns Made New
One of the most welcome trends in contemporary Christian music is a revived appreciation for the beauty and depth of Christian hymnody. Perhaps unsurprisingly in a world of vapid, repetitive “praise” music and ephemeral “pop worship” hits, the old hymns of our faith—many musically gorgeous and lyrically deep—have not only endured but been rediscovered by younger generations.

These days, it seems almost every contemporary Christian artist will occasionally release an album of their his or her on classic hymns or occasional singles that reinterpret older hymns. As a way to highlight the best of these releases, I put together a playlist of old Christian hymns newly recorded by contemporary artists.

What to do when you don't feel worthy of God's love or calling
Have you ever played Among Us, the popular game where imposters try to blend in while secretly working against the crew? If you have, you might remember the tension of pretending you belonged while hoping no one exposed you.

Sometimes, life can feel the same way. Whether in work, school, ministry, or relationships, you may feel like an outsider - like you don’t truly belong. Even after gaining experience and seeing success, the nagging feeling remains, ‘I shouldn’t be here. I don’t deserve this. Someone must have made a mistake.’ And worse, you fear that everyone around you can see it too.

Study is crucial for the Church's mission in the world
Academic education is undergoing dramatic transformation worldwide. Theological institutions are closing down due to declining numbers in the West, and demand for informal theological education that provides accredited certification is increasing exponentially in the Global South. But the question should be asked, why study theology?

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