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| St Thomas Episcopal New Windsor New York, Closed April 14, 2025 |
When the Rev. Chris Corbin looks at The Episcopal Church’s membership and attendance numbers, he sees bright spots.
Corbin, a priest in the Diocese of Wisconsin, has launched a project with backing from Forward Movement called the Growing Episcopal Churches Study. In it, he already has obtained survey responses from hundreds of Episcopal churches, and hopes to potentially hear from thousands more, to help pinpoint what factors makes some “bright spots” churches thrive compared to others.
Episcopal Church Faces Stark Demographic Reality As Membership Declines
Episcopal Church leaders have long heard warning sirens in their annual reports, with brutal statistics supporting this reality: They have lost half of their members since the 1960s.
If trends continue, the mainline Anglican flock in America will lose another half of its membership by 2040, with some demographers predicting institutional demise by 2050. But that's better than the Anglican Church of Canada, which could be gone by 2040.
The Coming Baby Boomer Cliff: What Happens in Churches When They Are Gone?
This is a friendly reminder of the upcoming webinar you registered for! If you have not registered for this free webinar, you may still have time to do so. It begins at 1:00 PM EST, today, May 14.
“How Leaders Make Meaningful Connections” featuring Zach Mercurio
What makes people feel like they truly matter in your church? In a season where many are disengaging from church life, how can leaders help people feel truly seen and valued? In this episode, Jonathan Page talks with Zach Mercurio about his book The Power of Mattering, and how simple, everyday interactions can transform church culture. Discover practical ways to help people feel noticed, affirmed, and needed—and why that may be the key to deeper connection and lasting engagement.
What to Say (and Not Say) Immediately After a Church Crisis
When a crisis hits a church, the first few hours can either build trust or break it. In this episode, Sam interviews crisis communication expert Amy Whitfield and walks through what to say (and not say) immediately after a church crisis. We talk about the first statement, the first 24 hours, and the common missteps that unintentionally escalate confusion, fear, or anger. Amy offers practical language that pastors and church leaders can actually use, along with guardrails for accuracy and accountability, especially when facts are still developing.
Ocean City church says it will not comply with order to close indoor shelter
A dispute between the Town of Ocean City and St. Paul’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church is escalating after the town ordered the church to stop allowing people to sleep overnight inside one of its buildings.
The town issued a zoning violation last week ordering St. Paul’s to stop using Dewees Hall for overnight sleeping by June 8. Town officials say the church changed the use of the building without going through the required approval process.
The church says it will not comply.
Also See: Ocean City Maryland continues efforts to shut down Episcopal low-barrier homeless ministry; Exclusive: Interview with St. Paul’s By-the-Sea Pastor Jill Williams on the church’s low-barrier homeless shelter. And information on how we can help.Christian schools endangered by new Trump rule
The Trump administration has proposed a new rule that could devastate Christian higher education by tying student loans to the earning potential of degree programs.
The earnings metric would require recipients of undergraduate degrees to earn more in median income than 25- to 34-year-olds with only high school diplomas. And alumni of graduate programs would have to make more money than their peers with bachelor’s degrees. The government would rely on IRS and Census Bureau data for the policy, which would go into effect in 2027.
Current students in degree programs that consistently fail to meet the standard would be barred from receiving student loans and Pell grants, the U.S. Department of Education announced April 17.
Trump's May 17 rally recalls 250 years of failed attempts at a Christian nation
While it is fitting and proper for individuals and congregations to rededicate themselves to their God in prayer, it is not the role of government to unite America in faith.
Also See: Evangelicals will dominate at ‘Rededicate 250’ this weekendHow to Stay in the Word, Even When You’re Busy
Why is it that so many of us who’ve followed Christ for years can’t quite manage to read His Word on a regular basis?
3 Questions AI Is Forcing Your Congregation to Ask
As AI reshapes everyday life, pastors are increasingly facing difficult conversations about identity, truth, and human connection within their congregations. Kenny Jahng, Editor-In-Chief at Church Tech Today, outlines three major disruptions church leaders must confront: the loss of work and purpose through automation, growing confusion around truth and authority, and the erosion of authentic community in an age of frictionless digital connection.
Camp safety can’t wait
Many states, including Missouri, rely heavily on self-reporting, limited inspections and vague emergency planning requirements.
Targeted and Engaged Evangelism to the Eastern Orthodox
There are so many evangelistic books in the marketplace that it often becomes too hard to know which to read and give away, so in the end we don’t give any away. That may be because there are so many goals to meet in writing an evangelistic book; the author must decide between multiple ‘goods’ which often involves compromises.
Image Credit: Anglican Watch
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