Saturday Lagniappe: '3 Things Gen Z Wishes the Church Understood' And More

3 Things Gen Z Wishes the Church Understood
I often hear Gen Zers exclaim, “Why won’t anyone listen to us?” So, when asked to write on a next-gen ministry topic, I decided to go directly to the source. I asked some Gen Zers, “If you could tell church and ministry leaders anything, what would it be?”

20 Truths From ‘Discipology: The Art and Science of Making Disciples’
Ed Stetzer shares 20 truths from Peyton Jones' new book that you might find helpful.

United Kingdom: The rise of 'full-fat' Christianity?
...anecdotal evidence from up and down the country still seems to suggest that people are attending church in increasing numbers - or at the very least are curious about Christianity in a way that differs from previous years....

Are young men really returning to the Catholic Church?
Polling and surveys have for years documented a decline in the number of Americans who attend church. But Catholic parishes across the country say they are seeing a dramatic uptick in the number of young men attending their services, raising the question of whether a revival is at hand.

How Easter turned to blasphemy at the White House
All the perils of Christian nationalism came together and were shown to us with clarity this Easter.

Catholic newspaper warns Donald Trump leading US into 'corporate evil'
The ominous, unfulfilled threat by President Donald Trump to obliterate Iran this week signaled the “descent into corporate evil” for the United States, according to an editorial published on Friday.

Editorial staff at the Missouri-based National Catholic Reporter condemned Trump in a scathing critique days after he vowed to indiscriminately slaughter Iranians if their government failed to reopen the critical Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing conflict.

Also See: As a philosopher, I’m convinced that Trump isn’t lying − he’s doing something worse

Hegseth mentor Doug Wilson's vision for a Christian nation means married women can't vote
During a town hall at an Idaho University, Wilson and his fellow pastors pitched a vision of America with no LGBTQ+ rights, no divorce and no voting rights for married women. Wilson has gained notoriety for his Christian nationalist views and his ties to Pete Hegseth.

Also See: If you think Doug Wilson is fringe, remember Al Mohler’s influence

Blocked access to Christian holy site is a symptom of a larger problem
Anti-Christian attacks in the Holy Land have spiked in recent years.

10 wrong views about the Church
In today’s hyper-individualistic and consumer-driven culture, many believers hold views about the Church that are shaped more by modern convenience than by biblical truth. These misconceptions are not just theoretical; they influence how Christians live, serve, relate, and grow in Christ. As a result, we are witnessing a disconnection between professing believers and the body of Christ — the very Church Jesus died for and is coming back for.

To recover a biblical understanding of the Church, we must confront ten common erroneous views.

The Gospel Is All about Jesus
Tragically, many reject God because of the behavior of those who profess to be God-followers. I do know many honest and loving and gracious and generous Christians. Unfortunately, you will rarely see them in newspapers and on television, and in my experience, I don’t see all that many online either. This is very sad. I believe it grieves the heart of God.

Why Our Age Celebrates Desecration (Or, Why Reenchantment Isn’t Enough)
While the disenchantment/reenchantment model contains much truth, it’s ultimately inadequate both as an explanation of our world’s problems and as a solution to them.

Is the Rise of Reenchanted Spirituality Good?
As a Christian in these times, it’s hard not to celebrate when we see cracks in the sidewalks of secularism. In recent decades, atheism and agnosticism have been widespread among society’s elites, yet a persistent spiritual openness endures among most Americans—even those claiming no religious affiliation—like stubborn weeds or grass peeking through pavement.

Should we see these shoots of reenchantment as hopeful signs of revival or as weeds that conceal deeper dangers?

After 25 Years of Consistent Recreation Ministry, This Church Discovered Something...
Churches rarely maintain success in a single ministry for 25 years, but one church has figured it out. In this episode, Sam sits down with Upward Sports Ambassador Donnie Sisk from First Baptist Church Pelham in Pelham, Alabama. For more than 25 years, Donnie has used sports ministry—especially basketball—to connect with families and share the gospel. His church now hosts a thriving league with over 170 players, creating a strong bridge to the community. Recently, Donnie added pickleball, discovering that its smaller, more relational format opens the door to deeper conversations and intentional discipleship. Donnie shares how recreation can move beyond programs and become a powerful pathway for outreach, relationships, and life change.

How Lone Oak First Baptist Is Reaching the Unchurched Through Everyday Evangelism
Senior Pastor Scott Thomas still recalls the day when, during a prayer service, a man walked to the stage at Lone Oak First Baptist Church in Paducah, Kentucky, with his young son in tow. The boy then announced that he received salvation.