Thursday, June 25, 2026

Thursday's Catch: 'ACNA: Provincial Council Reveals Divided Church' And More


ACNA: Provincial Council Reveals Divided Church
Lawsuits, small parishes, theological differences, divided leadership, women's ordination rankle the orthodox Anglican denomination.
Only 6 per cent of US churches engage in some form of evangelism.
Reflections on the ACNA Provincial Council 2026
You may have heard the famous quote attributed to Mark Twain upon hearing reports of his death: “The report of my death has been grossly exaggerated.”

That quote, whether it’s accurate or not, was fresh on my mind as we concluded the ACNA Provincial Council meeting last week in Tulsa, Oklahoma...

Episcopal Church joins ecumenical discussion in Germany
The Rev. Kirsten Guidero, The Episcopal Church’s ecumenical and interreligious relations officer, met this week with ecumenical leaders at the Ecumenical Centre in Frankfurt, Germany, which is the Council of Christian Churches in Germany’s headquarters. They discussed how The Episcopal Church can contribute to ecumenical cooperation in the European country.

EPC Votes To Ordination Of Celibate “Same-Sex Attracted” Pastors
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) voted last week at its General Assembly to approve a “pastoral letter” to churches that opens the door to ordaining celibate, same-sex attracted individuals—a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from within the denomination.

Are Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App Safe for Church Donations?
Venmo and Cash App are designed to move money quickly and conveniently. Meanwhile, churches are responsible for documenting donor intent, maintaining financial controls, protecting donor trust, and producing reliable contribution records. Those differing objectives can prove problematic at times.

Regulators, prosecutors, and consumer protection agencies continue issuing warnings about increased fraudulent activities tied to digital payment applications.

The Ongoing Shortage of Student Pastors (Where Did They Go?)
Many churches are asking the same question: “Where have all the student pastors gone?” In this episode, Josh and Sam explore the ongoing shortage of youth ministers and the structural reasons behind it.

‘Please Don’t Ever Get Stupid’: The Blunt Warning This Pastor Has Never Forgotten
If you want to last in ministry, there are some things a pastor should never do. The list is not complicated. Most of these are obvious, and that is exactly why they are dangerous. We talk ourselves into them slowly.

Dear Pastor, Pursue God, Not Merely a Quiet Time
Are you seeking to feed your flock but starving yourself? Have you lost sight of the riches of an entire life lived before God?

Who Should Be Admitted to the Lord’s Supper? 4 Views
Today, the table is celebrated less frequently and more languidly by many. It shouldn’t be so—everyone (but especially church leaders) needs to consider the supper’s frequency, significance, and benefits. I want to help you think more deeply about who should be admitted to the supper. If communion is a precious and profound privilege, who participates is important.

Singing the Shepherd Psalm: A Tune for Three Texts
The following article, though not typical for Reformed Worship, is well worth spending some time on. Pastors, musicians, and worship planners alike can benefit from considering the pairing of text and tune and the challenges that arise from a plethora of choices. In addition, several denominations are in the process of developing new hymnbooks for congregational song. This series of articles provide a peek into some of the detailed discussions that take place when considering the pairing of texts and tunes.
A number of articles by Carl P. Daw, Jr., Episcopal priest and hymn writer, are found on this website.
How to Involve Your Small Groups in the Great Commission
If you want your church to balance God’s purposes and grow in a healthy way, your small groups must lead the way.

No One Drifts Into Godliness—Why Spiritual Growth Is Not Accidental
The Christian life isn’t accidental; it doesn’t unravel or flourish randomly. It is shaped by a small number of deeply embedded patterns that quietly, steadily form everything else. Christians have called these patterns ways, paths, or even disciplines. In our current cultural language, I prefer to call them keystone habits. They are practices that don’t just exist alongside the Christian life, but actually shape it at the heart level when practiced in the Spirit’s power.

How to Help Someone Share the Gospel
A few years ago, I watched a friend come to faith after running from the Lord for several years. When he came to faith, it didn’t take long before he was telling everyone he knew about Jesus. He may not have known much, but he knew that Jesus saved him, and that was reason enough to tell his friends.

I’ve watched this pattern play out over and over again. New Christians are often some of the most zealous evangelists. But not everyone begins that way. Some people know they should tell their friends about Jesus, but they feel unprepared, awkward, and afraid. So how do you help someone start sharing the gospel when it does not come naturally?
Also See: How to Start Sharing the Gospel

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