Reaching every nation next door calls for patience, consistent prayer, and courage to move beyond what feels familiar.
Free eBook: Three Habits for Everyday Evangelism
We often think of evangelism as something we go and do instead of a lifestyle we live. But what if sharing your faith became a natural, daily rhythm instead of a rare event? Paul Worcester’s Three Habits for Everyday Evangelism is your practical guide to living on mission right where you are. Rooted in Scripture and real-life ministry experience, this eBook equips you to move from hesitation to boldness as you share Christ in everyday moments. If you want to see lasting gospel impact, it starts with simple, intentional habits. Discover how your everyday relationships, meals, and conversations can become meaningful opportunities to point people to Jesus.
In or Out? Roman Catholic attitudes towards the Christians “on the threshold”
“I’m Catholic, but I don’t go to church.” “I’m Catholic, but in my own way.” “I’m Catholic, but …” How many times have we heard friends or neighbors say these things? These are people who, while they continue to identify with a vaguely defined religious identity – in this case Roman Catholicism – do not fit into the traditional features associated with the practice of that faith.
Around the world, there are many different kinds of Catholics. They used to be called “nominal” Christians, “non-practicing” Christians, “cultural” Catholics, etc. The book by Livio Tonello, Roman Catholic professor of Pastoral Theology at the Theology Faculty in Padua (Italy), Il respiro di Dio. Tra i cristiani “della soglia” (Padua: Messaggero, 2026: The breath of God: Among the Christians on the threshold), calls them “Christians on the threshold.”
What the numbers actually tell us about The UMC right now
No one needs to explain to United Methodist clergy and lay leadership what happened in the disaffiliation process between 2019 and 2023. Most of us experienced it much too personally. There are places where the official disaffiliation window ended before resolutions were settled. Goodness knows when the hard feelings will end in cases such as those. We were not fully prepared for the ways disaffiliation would disrupt lives and congregations. But now we have an opportunity to face the future with positive energy, even if with fewer resources than previously. People are hopeful, not because there are not real challenges to address, but because there is a fresh spirit of unity without uniformity being expected of everyone.
From what I have observed, so-called “compatibilism” is built on the shaky foundation of the promise that the UMC will be a "big tent" church. People are willing to tolerate divergent opinions as long as they are personally unaffected. However, the more progressive element does not appear to be satisfied with a "big tent" church as the status quo and is pushing for greater inclusivity. United Methodists tend to be loyal to the denomination and the local church in which they grew to adulthood. The push for greater inclusivity, however, may prove too much for the more conservative element who did not disaffiliate to reconsider their decision and migrate to another church or drop out of church altogether.Archbishop Mullally: The First 100 Days
In the gardens of Lambeth Palace on a warm June evening, Archbishop Sarah Mullally addressed a crowd of journalists. Some had been at the Royal Ascot races earlier the same day and wore formal coats and pinstriped trousers, with a top hat or two in evidence. Floaty chiffon dresses mixed with clerical collars and creased linen jackets. A jazz band welcomed everyone in; the atmosphere was relaxed and open.
The archbishop gave a short and gracious speech, making humorous references to the England soccer team’s first match in the World Cup tournament that night, and offered appreciative words to the press corps for their work. It was natural, human, and felt like a reset.
Archbishops allow ex-gay event to go ahead during Synod despite protests
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have given the green light for a fringe event featuring ex-gay Christians during the Church of England General Synod after coming under pressure from revisionists to cancel it.
Episcopal Church’s ACC members see hope in connections made with Anglican leaders
The Episcopal Church’s three representatives to the 19th meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council say they are returning to their dioceses with a message of hope from the ACC’s recent meeting after hearing stories of faith and perseverance from other members of the global Anglican “family.”
From Augustine to Jefferson, the idea of separating church and state has deep religious and secular roots
The Trump administration’s Religious Liberty Commission argues that religious freedom is under attack and blames the ‘wall of separation’ between church and state.
Americans value freedom but there are differences on what it means
America’s 250th birthday prompted researchers at Navigator to ask Americans how they define America, patriotism and what our country should aspire to.
The result was 82% of Americans across all generations saying they believe freedom is an extremely important value, with 74% claiming rights are also extremely valuable.
However, as the survey found nuances in the answers given by different demographics and generational groups.
How Christian nationalism shows up in patriotic worship services
One of the ways Christian nationalism seeps into Sunday morning is through holiday-themed worship services. The independent Baptist churches I grew up in celebrated Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and Independence Day with military-themed worship services similar to the service put on by Houston’s First Baptist Church on Sunday.
When I was a student at Northern Seminary, one of the other students said she was leading worship one Sunday when suddenly videos of U.S. fighter jets zooming through the sky began playing on the screens behind her. And many of us have seen the spectacle of First Baptist Dallas worship services featuring American flags, pyrotechnics and hymns about the United States, including an original hymn written by their church with the lyrics, “Step into the future, joining hand in hand. Make America Great Again!”
So it should come as no surprise that many churches across the nation chose to host these Christian nationalist worship services over Independence Day weekend.
Opinion: Inside the battle to save Christianity from MAGA fundamentalists
For centuries, Christianity has been having ideological battles, with fundamentalists expressing very different views from the more moderate Protestants and Catholics. In 2026, these heated debates among Christians continue, and an article for the conservative website The Bulwark examines the intense conflict between far-right Christian nationalists and those with a more inclusive view of Christianity.
Opinion: Trumpy church torn apart over 'dumbest' political war
A Tennessee church thinks that it's fighting Satan when it's fighting the political culture war, and the modern crusade has turned a "charismatic" movement into politics.
Extreme churches and beliefs that trend toward the more bizarre are those that often get ignored by politicians who don't want to be associated with something far outside of the mainstream. But the Tennessee church is using its charisma to turn culture wars into a very real battlefield where Satan is active in public life and Christians are called to fight back through prayer, prophecy and political engagement.
Specialty farmers adapt harvests, protect crops in face of extreme heat
Even as the sun started to set, the day's heat was still hanging in the air as Annie Woods walked back out to harvest squash and zucchini on her 50-acre farm.
Prolonged and intense heat is part of a climate change-driven pattern of weather extremes that has also led to intense flooding and prolonged drought. For farmers, this means shorter planting windows and potential loss of crops because of periods of early-season heat followed by a freeze.
A lack of rain at the right time of the year has been a cause of concern for farmers in my part of Kentucky. The region is largely agricultural and what affects the farmers affects the local economy and, in turn, the local churches.America’s tornado threat is shifting—and more families are in danger
While fictional portrayals like 9-1-1: Nashville depict a city constantly under siege from tornadoes, the reality is that severe storms are a regular part of life in Tennessee's capital. When dangerous weather strikes, many residents turn not to television, but to Nashville Severe Weather.
Does your church have a contingency plan for natural disasters and other emergencies?These 3 Elements Should Be in Every Funeral Sermon
A pastor messaged me last week asking the question I probably get more than any other: what actually has to be in a funeral sermon. Every funeral is different. The person in the casket, the family in the front row, the mix of faith and doubt sitting in the pews all change from service to service. But the sermon itself doesn’t have to start from zero every time. Three elements hold it together no matter who you’re burying or who shows up to listen.
The best advice I ever received about preaching a funeral for someone I didn’t know was this: don’t preach them into heaven, don’t preach them into hell, just preach the gospel to the people who are there. That line has guided me through every service since, including the hard ones.
Pope Leo calls for government action to protect children and workers from AI
Like many of us, Leo fears the tools of the digital age — which hold such promise — have been made poisonous.
How AI Makes Us Sovereign Slaves
Artificial intelligence may or may not be coming for our jobs, but it’s certainly coming for our anthropology.
Romantic relationships with AI evolve in a similar way to human ones
A new study shows that relationships with artificial intelligence (AI) systems can evolve from casual conversations to bonds characterized by emotional intimacy, emotional dependence or experiences similar to a romantic breakup. The study is based on in-depth interviews with 17 people who were in romantic relationships with AI assistants, such as ChatGPT, and virtual dating platforms, such as Character.AI or Replika.
First teraphim (תְּרָפִים), household gods, then saints, and now AI.3 Cultural Stories Shared by Gen Z and Gen Alpha Youth
Youth ministry leaders are entering the beautiful and uniquely liminal space between generations that only comes every 15 to 20 years.
Safe Summers Foundation launches parent pledge campaign
As the anniversary of the July 4, 2025, Camp Mystic flood approached, the Safe Summers Foundation launched its Safe Summers Parent Pledge, a nationwide platform inviting parents, families and community members to take an active role in helping keep children safe at summer camp.
The foundation was formerly known as the Campaign for Camp Safety, a coalition of “Heaven’s 27” parents who represent the 25 girls and two counselors who died in the Camp Mystic floods. The Safe Summers Foundation aims to keep kids safe through prevention, preparation and protection while preserving the joy and tradition of summer camp.
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