January feels like go time, but if you wait until the new year to decide your church's priorities, you are already behind. In this solo episode, Scott explains why your 2027 priorities need to be settled before December, how to keep your budget from quietly starving your vision, and why a sluggish January start can cost you the whole year. You will walk away with three simple steps your team can take in the next few weeks so you hit the ground running on January 1.
Could one in six US Episcopal congregations be gone in a decade?
Anglican Watch, the self-proclaimed “unofficial watchdog” of the US Episcopal Church, has questioned claims that church attendance at the denomination is “stabilizing” as it predicts that one in six congregations could effectively disappear in the next decade.
In its latest Parochial Report, the Episcopal Church said Sunday attendance is stabilizing following a brief post-Covid bounce. The same report, however, showed a significant decline in the last decade, with the denomination losing around a quarter of its membership.
In 2015 the church had two million members. By 2025 that figure had dropped to below 1.5 million.
Southwell Minster will close next year if millions of pounds cannot be raised for operating deficits and emergency repairs, warned its dean, the Very Rev. Stephen Evans. Rain pouring through its damaged roof and inoperable exterior lighting, he said, are symptoms of a financial crisis that has brought the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham’s cathedral to “the most critical point” in its 900-year history.
Rebekah Simon-Peter: Can a Denomination in Decline Plan for Widespread Renewal?
Can a denomination whose decisions are increasingly shaped by decline actually enact widespread renewal?
Finding the truth in Christianity often is harder than it seems. Because of the complexity of the Scriptures and the confusion of conflicting traditions, the average Christian often is obliged to become a lay scholar and be prepared to defend their faith beyond what is practical for an average working-class person.
Because of this, many Christians get stuck in the shallow end of the pool.
Churches challenged to make single Christians feel fully part of church life
Churches should strengthen their welcome for single Christians and ensure they feel fully valued in the life of their congregations, speakers at the inaugural Single Friendly Church Network conference have said.
The conference, titled ‘Belonging’, was held to initiate Single Friendly Church Week, a campaign by the Single Friendly Church Network seeking to inspire a culture shift in churches across denominations so that people can feel valued regardless of their relationship status.
The fall of the Etsy witch
Last year, Pew Research Center found that nearly 1 in 3 Americans consult a fortune teller, tarot cards or astrology on a yearly basis, meaning Americans are about as likely to consult these practices as they are to attend religious services at least monthly. Scholars who study religion and modern witchcraft say the popularity of click-and-buy spells show that many buyers are seeking agency and guidance at a time of cultural upheaval.
Can Local Churches once again become incubators for pastoral ministry?
Maybe, though, it’s time to ask about what is lost in this typical journey from laity to clergy.
Church organists, we need to talk.
The never-ending hymn introduction. The unexpected key change. The reharmonization that nobody asked for. And, of course, the final chord that simply refuses to end!
In this episode of FROM THE TOWER, we're having a little fun with **7 things organists do that drive congregations absolutely crazy!
Every youth pastor wants to see their students on fire for Jesus. But what’s the best way to help them get there? Youth ministry tradition says a weekly game, 20-minute sermon, and the occasional special event can do the trick. But tradition is losing its impact on today’s teens who need and want more. Instead, let’s look at 6 things that happen when you switch gears and start to focus on relational evangelism.
Could one in six US Episcopal congregations be gone in a decade?
Anglican Watch, the self-proclaimed “unofficial watchdog” of the US Episcopal Church, has questioned claims that church attendance at the denomination is “stabilizing” as it predicts that one in six congregations could effectively disappear in the next decade.
In its latest Parochial Report, the Episcopal Church said Sunday attendance is stabilizing following a brief post-Covid bounce. The same report, however, showed a significant decline in the last decade, with the denomination losing around a quarter of its membership.
In 2015 the church had two million members. By 2025 that figure had dropped to below 1.5 million.
Church decline is not confined to the Episcopal Church but is affecting most US denominations with non-denominational churches siphoning off dissaffected churchgoers from these denominations. The Episcopal Church does, however, appear particularly ill-equipped to deal with its decline.English Cathedral Could Close Next Year
Southwell Minster will close next year if millions of pounds cannot be raised for operating deficits and emergency repairs, warned its dean, the Very Rev. Stephen Evans. Rain pouring through its damaged roof and inoperable exterior lighting, he said, are symptoms of a financial crisis that has brought the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham’s cathedral to “the most critical point” in its 900-year history.
Rebekah Simon-Peter: Can a Denomination in Decline Plan for Widespread Renewal?
Can a denomination whose decisions are increasingly shaped by decline actually enact widespread renewal?
Spiritual renewal, however, does not begin from the top down. It begins at the local level and then like a wildfire spreads to wherever there is combustible material. It's a grassroots movement. United Methodist leaders should have learned that lesson from the history of their own movement: It did not begin with the Church of England's bishops or the larger number of its clergy and congregations. It largely spread outside the institution and not within it.On being ‘just Christian’
Finding the truth in Christianity often is harder than it seems. Because of the complexity of the Scriptures and the confusion of conflicting traditions, the average Christian often is obliged to become a lay scholar and be prepared to defend their faith beyond what is practical for an average working-class person.
Because of this, many Christians get stuck in the shallow end of the pool.
Churches challenged to make single Christians feel fully part of church life
Churches should strengthen their welcome for single Christians and ensure they feel fully valued in the life of their congregations, speakers at the inaugural Single Friendly Church Network conference have said.
The conference, titled ‘Belonging’, was held to initiate Single Friendly Church Week, a campaign by the Single Friendly Church Network seeking to inspire a culture shift in churches across denominations so that people can feel valued regardless of their relationship status.
The fall of the Etsy witch
Last year, Pew Research Center found that nearly 1 in 3 Americans consult a fortune teller, tarot cards or astrology on a yearly basis, meaning Americans are about as likely to consult these practices as they are to attend religious services at least monthly. Scholars who study religion and modern witchcraft say the popularity of click-and-buy spells show that many buyers are seeking agency and guidance at a time of cultural upheaval.
Can Local Churches once again become incubators for pastoral ministry?
Maybe, though, it’s time to ask about what is lost in this typical journey from laity to clergy.
The Episcopal Church and other mainline denominations have a similar problem and local churches are suffering from a lack of leadership.7 Things Organists Do That Drive Congregations Crazy
Church organists, we need to talk.
The never-ending hymn introduction. The unexpected key change. The reharmonization that nobody asked for. And, of course, the final chord that simply refuses to end!
In this episode of FROM THE TOWER, we're having a little fun with **7 things organists do that drive congregations absolutely crazy!
Church organists do need to learn how to properly accompany congregational singing.6 Things That Happen When a Youth Group Focuses on Evangelism
Every youth pastor wants to see their students on fire for Jesus. But what’s the best way to help them get there? Youth ministry tradition says a weekly game, 20-minute sermon, and the occasional special event can do the trick. But tradition is losing its impact on today’s teens who need and want more. Instead, let’s look at 6 things that happen when you switch gears and start to focus on relational evangelism.
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