We need to measure what we can manage, but let’s not fall into the trap of thinking we have more control than we do.
5 Skills Every Pastor Needs to Grow a Healthy Church
Young adults who go to church are going more often than they have in years. Barna’s State of the Church research found the typical Gen Z churchgoer now attends 1.9 weekends a month, the highest rate Barna has recorded for young Christians. Across all churched adults, the average is about 1.6 weekends a month.
So more people are walking through your doors with real questions, and most of them will hear only part of what you say this month. Whether your church grows from here depends on how you lead. Here is the mindset that comes first, the five skills every pastor needs, and the obstacles that stall church growth most often.
Judge Rules ICE Likely Violated NY Parishioner’s Free Speech Rights
On September 29, a preliminary injunction against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took effect, barring the agencies from relying on a warning notice issued to author and journalist David Streever, a parishioner of the Diocese of Rochester and husband of the Rev. Hilary Streever. The order also bars the government from issuing similar threats or making good on the threats contained in the notice.
Streever had been at the center of what a judge said in a September 15 ruling was likely a First Amendment violation.
As ICE readies Louisiana facility for children and families, faith leaders hold vigil
Part of the Trump administration’s efforts to ramp up deportations, the facility — which will hold unaccompanied minors and families — is situated beside an airport that has become known as the country’s busiest hub for deportation flights.
East Tennessee bishop joins Southern faith leaders in supporting immigrants facing deportation
East Tennessee Bishop Brian Cole and ecumenical faith leaders from across the South gathered Sept. 30 for an event in Knoxville to express their support for immigrant families living in fear of the Trump administration’s push for mass deportations.
Here’s what to know about Pete Hegseth’s new Office of Religious Affairs
A memo announcing the establishment of the Office of Religious Affairs said it would ‘oversee research, technology, and analytical tools to support and assess spiritual fitness, spiritual readiness, and spiritual resilience’ of soldiers.
Virginia State University sued for forcing Christian groups under rule of single 'campus minister'
Two Christian student groups are suing Virginia State University (VSU), claiming the historically black school has discriminated against them by instituting a policy putting their clubs under the governance of a single university-employed campus minister despite doctrinal disagreements.
Women of Victory and Bethel Campus Fellowship filed a complaint against VSU last week in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Richmond Division, over an August policy change that they say strips some religious student groups of their registered status and requires them to be absorbed into a university entity called Campus Ministries.
500 million Christians worldwide face Bible access restrictions, report finds
More than 500 million Christians worldwide face restrictions on obtaining or using a Bible, with government controls, extremist violence and pressure from families and communities making access difficult or dangerous, according to a new report.
The Bible Access List 2026 estimates that more than 250 million of these Christians face very difficult or severe restrictions, with believers in some countries risking imprisonment or death for possessing Scripture.
Published by the Bible Access Initiative, a partnership of Bible agencies and ministries, the assessment covers 106 countries and examines both barriers to access and shortages among Christians who want a Bible.
The NEW NARNIA Looks Terrible - The Magician's Nephew First Look Review
My thoughts on the first images and information about Greta Gerwig's adaptation of The Magician's Nephew, the "prequel" to Narnia.
On social media a major conflagration has erupted over Greta Gerwig's alterations and additions to the original story which go beyond adaptation of the story to the medium of film. Initially this increasingly heated controversy focused on Gerwig's reimiging of the Narnia Chronicles' central character and Christ figure Aslan but has expanded to her motives for this and other changes in the story.Retrieve the Past. Retain the Truth.
Every doctrine is important, but not every doctrine is equally important.
We should show due deference to the Christian tradition, but Scripture still has pride of place as the sole, inspired, and inerrant Word of God.
The Cross of Creation’s Praise – On the Feast of St. Francis
The modern custom of blessing animals draws on a particular portrait of St. Francis of Assisi, an image of a friar with affection for animals. Absent, perhaps strangely, are the details of Francis’ relationship to creatures. The modern image of Francis typically leaves aside the ascetic and ecclesial shape of his life—the historical details—to encourage a sentimental environmental “stewardship.” But when Francis is invoked primarily as a symbol of environmental concern, detached from the evangelical poverty and obedience that defined him, the Church loses access to the fuller scope of the divine goods his witness discloses.
Why Preachers Should Pick One Translation (And Which One Is Best)
am welcomes Dr. Nijay Gupta back to the Rainer on Leadership podcast. Nijay is a senior translator for the New Living Translation, a Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, and the author of several books, including "A Beginner's Guide to New Testament Studies" and "Tell Her Story." Today they discuss why preachers should commit to one primary translation in the pulpit, and why the New Living Translation is the best choice.
The New Living Translation (NLT) is not authorized for use in the Episcopal Church.
"Resolved, That Canon II.2.1 is hereby amended to read as follows:Fighting Lust
Sec. 1. The Lessons prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer shall be read from the translation of the Holy Scriptures commonly known as the King James or Authorized Version (which is the historic Bible of this Church) together with the Marginal Readings authorized for use by the General Convention of 1901; or from one of the three translations known as Revised Versions, including the English Revision of 1881, the American Revision of 1901, and the Revised Standard Version of 1952; from the Jerusalem Bible of 1966; from the New English Bible with the Apocrypha of 1970; or from The 1976 Good News Bible (Today’s English Version); or from The New American Bible (1970); or from The Revised Standard Version, an Ecumenical Edition, commonly known as the “R.S.V. Common Bible” (1973); or from The New International Version (1978); or from The New Jerusalem Bible (1987); or from the Revised English Bible (1989); or from the New Revised Standard Version (19901989, 2022); or from the Contemporary English Version (1995); or from the Contemporary English Version Global (2005); or Common English Bible (2011); from The Revised New Jerusalem Bible (2019); or from translations, authorized by the diocesan bishop, of those approved versions published in any other language; or from other versions of the Bible, including those in languages other than English, which shall be authorized by diocesan bishops for specific use in congregations or ministries within their dioceses.
The NLT, on the other hand, is authorized for use in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. Note that the Episcopal Church's canon does permit diocesan bishops to authorize the NLT for specific use in congregations or ministries within their dioceses (if I am interpreting the canon correctly).
Other Anglican juridictions have similar canons listing what Bible translations may be read publicly in their cathedrals, college chapels, parish churches, missions, and schools. These restrictions generally do not extend to Sunday school classes, small groups, private devotions, or most importantly, to sermon preparation.
Strong’s Concordance says that lust is a strong desire or craving, especially for that which is forbidden.
James, in James 4:2, goes on to say,
“You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.”
These strong desires lead to terrifying results. They cause a severe lack of thankfulness, which leads to anger, fighting, arguing, and even murder. The problem is that we want something we cannot have, so we hurt each other to get it.
Lust, manifest as "a very strong sexual desire" and as "a a very powerful feeling of wanting something" is a major problem besetting the Church in our times, and has led to the downfall of both clergy and lay persons. It may also be arguably influencing doctrine and practice in some denominations and churches. Self-denial has fallen on hard times and self-gratification has taken its place.12 Crazy Cool Church Outreach Ideas from Churches Just Like Yours
A Princeton church served three-course dinners on linen tablecloths and let every guest pay whatever they could. An Oklahoma City pastor started fixing up donated bikes so people without cars could get to work. A group of Kansas teenagers who barely knew how to sew made quilts for kids in crisis.
None of these started with a big budget or a marketing plan. Each one started when someone noticed a need nobody else was meeting and decided their church should do something about it.
These 12 church outreach ideas come from congregations profiled by Outreach Magazine. Some are large churches. Many are small. Every one of them gives you a pattern you can borrow this month, and the last idea on the list is the boldest of the bunch.
Jason C. Stanley: 5 Tips for Your Trunk-or-Treat
Tis the season for fall decorations, pumpkin spice, costumes, and Trunk-or-Treats. Soon, church parking lots and social halls will be transformed into a safe space for costumed children and their parents. While Trunk-or-Treats are fun, they are an excellent opportunity to meet your neighbors and develop relationships. Yet, it requires intentionality to ensure that a Trunk-or-Treat is fun and relationship-building. Here are five tips for your Trunk-or-Treat.
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