Wednesday's Catch: 'How the Modern Church Was Shaped: The Seminary Class Every Church Leader Actually Needs' And More

Logo of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Louisville, Kentucky (Closed April 24)

How the Modern Church Was Shaped: The Seminary Class Every Church Leader Actually Needs
Most church leaders are leading inside a model they never chose and rarely understand.

In this episode, Todd Wilson, founder of Exponential, walks through the true history of the modern church: Church Growth, Seeker Sensitive, Attractional, Missional—and what’s coming next.

This is the seminary class no one got, but every church leader needs.

Crucial Commitments: 5 Simple Decisions That Members of Healthy and Growing Churches Make
Churches that are laser-focused on these five commitments tend to experience a continuous cycle of healthy church growth, while churches that allow the urgency of the moment to distract them from these commitments tend to experience decline. Thom and Sam discuss the new book, Crucial Commitments.

Depressed Congregations: Root, Rosa, Acceleration, and Innovation (Part 2)
Part 1 of this essay appeared yesterday, May 5.

What it means: SBC membership shrinks as US population grows
Although the Southern Baptist Convention remains the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, only about 3.6% of the 342 million Americans were members of SBC churches in 2025. Not only has membership in SBC churches been on the decline for two decades but the proportionate influence of Southern Baptists continues to decline as well.

Pope Leo poses a huge problem for far-right Christians: expert
Pope Leo XIV poses a huge problem to far-right Christian elements who have fallen in with the MAGA movement, University of Pennsylvania religious studies professor Anthea Butler told MS NOW's Nicolle Wallace on Tuesday — not just because he opposes much of Trump's war and immigration agenda, but because he sets an example for Christianity that they can't follow.

Poll finds broad rejection of religion-related messages from Trump, Hegseth
Americans are deeply uncomfortable with recent religion-related statements by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — a striking rebuke in a closely divided country, according to a Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll.

The poll finds positive ratings for Pope Leo XIV, who has criticized U.S. actions on immigration and in Iran, clashing with Trump.

Experts say anti-Christian bias task force report is full of bias
The report fundamentally misunderstands religious freedom and how it is legally protected in this country.

Republican tax bill has kicked millions off food benefits Enrollment in the federal government’s main nutrition program has fallen sharply as a result of changes Republicans enacted last year to help pay for tax cuts.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program had more than 3 million fewer beneficiaries in January than it had last July, according to the government’s latest data. It’s a drop of 8%, among the steepest ever. The program is the government’s largest antihunger initiative and one of the most responsive to economic need.

What affects the people of a community affects the churches of the community.

World 'unprepared' for next pandemic as countries fail to agree on sharing information, tests and vaccines
A key deadline to finalise a global pandemic treaty has been missed by negotiators, prompting warnings that the world remains unprepared for the next major disease outbreak.

Countries have been trying to agree how they should share information on pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, that could cause pandemics – and what access to any resulting vaccines, tests and treatments they should be guaranteed in return.

The Sin We’ve Stopped Taking Seriously
I’m convinced we don’t take pride seriously as a sin—either in ourselves or in others. We live in a world overflowing with self-promotion, where arrogance is reframed as swagger and narcissism passes for self-confidence. We have lifted up leaders whose egos are so massive we no longer flinch at their self-aggrandizement. Boasting marks our culture today. It’s now normal.

Beyond Ax Throwing: 8 Non-Stereotypical Men’s Ministry Events That Actually Disciple Men
Healthy men’s ministries don’t just plan events; they build pathways for men to take a next step toward community, discipleship, and purpose.

The Pastoral Virtue of Avoidance
At least seven times in the pastoral epistles, Paul directly charges Timothy and Titus to “avoid” and to “have nothing to do with” ideas and people who pose a threat to their flock. This is jarring since one of the main purposes for these letters is to encourage Timothy and Titus to engage false teaching and teachers. Yet here is where the paradox emerges: Paul teaches a pastoral virtue of avoidance—showing that sometimes the wisest form of engagement is careful restraint.

So, what is going on here? Given that Paul clearly wants false teaching and teachers dealt with and also wants these pastors to avoid certain discourse and people, the question arises: What is Paul prohibiting here and what does it mean for pastors today?

4 Bad Reasons (and 4 Good Ones) to Use a Commentary
...Bible commentaries can be an invaluable tool when used with intention, but careless use can hinder real learning. The goal of all Bible study is not that we would assimilate the facts we find in our study aids but that we would dive deeply into God’s Word and grow to love its divine author.

Before you open that Bible commentary (or rush to put it back on the shelf!), consider four bad reasons—and four excellent ones—to use it.

From panic to false alarm: the danger of ‘rage bait’ 

Earlier this month, Surrey police reported an alleged gang rape of a young woman in Epsom. Further information was unforthcoming, and the vacuum was filled by increasingly frenzied speculation on social media, driven by what a BBC headline called a “rage bait frenzy”.

‘Rage bait’ is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as “online content deliberately designed to elicit anger or outrage by being frustrating, provocative or offensive”. It may contain no truth but seeks to stir engagement through fury.

Should I Report Abuse in Church to the Police?
Russell answers a listener question about whether church policies should include reporting abuse to local law enforcement. (Spoiler alert: yes, you should.)

Op-Ed: The power of persistence in child abuse prevention — in wake of legislation, commitment is key
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” The Little Engine That Could taught many of us the power of persistence – not giving up when the going gets tough and maintaining a sense of hopefulness when all seems lost.

That mantra, backed by the persistence of our community partners, helps the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement remain hopeful in our mission to prevent and end child abuse in Kentucky. Now with nearly 200 partners serving families and children in communities across the Commonwealth, that bold mission drives our commitment to promoting best practices, empowering the community, and advocating for effective policies for more than a decade.

Child Safeguarding Resources
The following materials are available from the Kosair for Kids Face It Movement. All of our educational print materials are provided at no cost to ensure there are no barriers to getting the information in the hands of parents, caregivers, and professionals. If you would like to help us further our mission by supporting the work, please consider donating to Kosair for Kids.

These resources may be available outside of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Check with the provider.

Image Credit: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Louisville, Kentucky