Hindu radicals like Nazis, Indian government silence ominous

An Indian bishop has compared Hindu radicals who attack churches to 'Nazis' at a rally in Mumbai.

Addressing a crowd of nearly 1,500 at a rally organised by the Bombay Catholic Sabha and Indian Christian Voice, auxiliary Bishop Agnelo Gracias of the Bombay Archdiocese referred to the spate of attacks on churches and the disruption of meetings and said that the BJP party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi had failed to address the problem. Keep reading

Also see
Delhi police arrest Christians protesting church attacks

Getting the Gospel Right: An Interview with R.C. Sproul

In the latest issue of Expositor magazine, Steven Lawson interviewed R.C. Sproul on “Getting the Gospel Right.” Keep reading

Do You Literally Interpret the Bible Literally?

It is a futile desire, to be sure. But there are times I wish we could have a moratorium on the word “literally.”

I am not referring to the use of literally as an intensifier or a stand-in for the word actually or really, which Vice President Biden uses liberally. (For what it’s worth, Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and James Joyce were all known to use this form of “literally.”)

Instead, I am thinking of the use of the term when someone doubts the historicity of the Bible and asks if you “take the Bible literally.” Keep reading

Who Are Your 3? Your 12? Your 70? Your Thousands?

With whom are you doing life? What I mean is, with whom do you spend time hanging out and talking about the deepest things of life? Whom do you sharpen, and who sharpens you? Keep reading

Also see
The Master Plan of Evangelism - Contents
Free Ebook – The Master Plan of Evangelism, Revisited

The Master Plan of Evangelism - Contents has links to each chapter of Robert E. Coleman's original book in which he sets out the eight principles of Jesus' discipleship method. Revisiting the Master Plan of Evangelism has "a summary and review of Coleman’s eight (now) nine principles of Jesus’ discipleship method after 51 years since writing The Master Plan of Evangelism, personal stories of both Coleman’s life and others illustrating the real-life impact of Jesus’ discipleship method, Coleman’s evaluation of the principles and the modifications he has made to these principles, insightful discussion on Jesus’ selection of the disciples; discipleship in the family; leading people to obedience; the priesthood of all believers; how Jesus delegated ministry and more, and hindsight reflections on the impact of following Jesus’ discipleship method."

Future of religion in Britain is Islam and black majority churches

The future of religion in Britain is in black majority churches and Islam, according to a leading expert in religious trends.

For white British people, it is particularly bleak. Leaders who can inspire and build congregations are few and far between. Keep reading

Also see
Half Of Brits Say Religion Does More Harm Than Good, And Atheists Can Be Just As Moral
Exclusive: New figures reveal massive decline in religious affiliation
How reverse missionaries built the UK's fastest-growing church

Anglicans Ablaze Weekend Edition: February 7, 2015

In this weekend's edition of Anglicans Ablaze:

• Why Plant Churches in the South?
• Core Values: Getting the Most Out of What Defines Your Church
• The Critics Will Win If You Let Them
• Vaccinations discussed by Christians
• Issues in Pastoral Ministry: Three Articles
• Free Ebook: Are You Putting Your Church At Risk?
• 10 Pointers for Young Preachers
• My Congregation Barely Sings; How Can I Help?
• 4 Obsessions of the Extraordinary Small Group Pastor
• Fresh Expressions of Church won't halt decline, research says

Why Plant Churches in the South?

As someone who speaks and writes quite often about church planting, there are a few specific questions I’m asked more frequently. One that always seems to arise is “Why plant churches in the South?” It’s a good question.

First, let me say that if you are not sure where to plant a church, I’d encourage you to consider international planting first. In other words, think about planting a church in the 10/40 window. If God does not want you there, think about planting in one of the megacities in North America. If not there, what about reaching the lost in rural (and unchurched) Maine or Montana (or lost of other similar areas)? If still not there, then at that point– maybe– you should consider the South.

It’s not that I don’t love the South– I just don’t think that everyone needs to plant there, and a disproportionate number of people say that God has called them to the South, forcing me to choose between the idea that God is not good at math or that church planters are going where there are already a lot of believers.

So, why plant churches in the South? And, obviously, why am I not taking my own advice?

Well, the short (and probably snarky) answer is simply “Why not?” But that obviously doesn’t begin to cover the multiple intricacies of the question. So let me attempt to cover a few of those. Keep reading

I thought that I had run this article on Anglicans Ablaze but when I googled it, I found no post. I went ahead and posted it. If I have posted it before and you have read it, now may be the time to read it again. I live in the Bible Belt. There are a lot of churches–two or three or more even in small rural communities. If there is not one in the community itself, there is likely to be one on the outskirts of the community. There are also churches out in the middle of nowhere with may be only one house in sight. Yet if I remember my figures correctly more than 70% of the population in my county alone is unchurched. The percentage may be larger. New churches are needed to reach and engage the unchurched population. Revalitalized, turned-around existing churches are needed too.

Core Values: Getting the Most Out of What Defines Your Church

Do you know what distinguishes your church from all others?

Are you able to articulate those things that define a person’s experience at your church?

If your answer to those questions is “yes,” then you know your church’s core values. You can state with honesty and authenticity the things that provide a clear and complete picture of the everyday behaviors essential to your church’s identity.

As important as it is to define your core values, if the members of your church are not clear about them, those values are worth little more than the paper they are printed on. To that end, consider these three powerful yet simple strategies for instilling your church’s core values. Keep reading

The Critics Will Win If You Let Them

Just under two years ago, Target expanded into Canada, opening 133 stores quickly.

Last month, Target announced they’re pulling out. By May 2015, all their stores will be closed…26 months after opening, having taken a $7 billion USD loss. Over 17,000 jobs are also disappearing. Ouch.

I think church planters and church leaders can learn something from what happened. Keep reading

Vaccinations discussed by Christians

Amid controversy about the safety of using vaccines, Christians have found themselves discussing the scientific, public policy and moral implications of immunizations.

Following a measles outbreak in Southern California and discussion of vaccinations by several potential 2016 presidential candidates, Southern Baptists' Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission has published an article by a Christian pediatrician touting the safety and effectiveness of vaccinating children.

Meanwhile, the public policy aspect of vaccination discussions has centered on the question of whether governments should require all children to be vaccinated or allow conscientious objectors to opt out on religious and moral grounds. One homeschool advocacy group has withdrawn its support from a vaccination bill in the Mississippi legislature because lawmakers removed a provision allowing children to be exempt from immunizations based on the beliefs of their parents.

In yet another facet of the discussion, some vaccination opponents have raised concerns that many common vaccines were first developed using cell lines generated from tissues of aborted fetuses. Keep reading

Also see
Anti-vaxxers and epistemological narcissism

Issues in Pastoral Ministry: Three Articles

Urban bivocational ministry

When people think of bivocational ministry, the image that comes to mind often includes a small rural church led by a pastor who may have come to ministry later in life or has less formal training.

Perhaps the reason why this stereotype is so strong is because small rural churches for generations have been faithfully led by pastors who worked other jobs. Such pastors were often local farmers, carpenters or cowboys who felt a call to ministry and labored to serve the church while remaining in their profession.

There are many small churches in urban areas, however, that also are served by bivocational pastors. This might surprise some people because urban areas have more people, and therefore one might think, larger churches that are able to fully compensate pastors. Yet, a growing number of urban pastors are bivocational. Keep reading

4 Ways to Become a Horrible Pastor

No one sets out to be a horrible pastor, it just sort of happens. My guess is you aren’t reading this article to learn how to be more horrible as a pastor, but to make sure that you aren’t on the list. Sometimes horrible pastors are bad from the very beginning, but often they don’t start out that way. Their slide into horribleness is a gradual process. Being a horrible pastor is easy; you just need to love the wrong things. Keep reading

Why Pastors Need Mentors

Just a couple of years ago, in the city where I am a pastor, I saw another pastor go through a series of moral failures that the elders of the church believed disqualified him from pastoral ministry. This was a fairly influential pastor in our town and word traveled quickly about the events and his removal from leadership.

Usually, my first instinct would have been a judgmental attitude in my heart about his poor decisions, but by the grace of God, I had a different immediate thought: “That could happen to me.” There were no current habitual sins or vulnerable situations that were alarming or present in my life, but the words from Paul to the Corinthian Church, warning about Israel’s history, still occupied my mind: “So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12 HCSB).

What happened to that pastor could happen to me in an instant. I had a sense of urgency that I would not become another illustration in Paul Tripp’s book, “A Dangerous Calling,” and knew that could not be done on my own. Keep reading

Free Ebook: Are You Putting Your Church At Risk?

Risk. It’s probably not the most fun topic to discuss – no one likes to think about the bad things that could happen to your church. However, we’ve all heard of churches who’ve had horrible things occur within their congregations. Natural disasters, financial mismanagement, abuse, or a PR fiasco can derail the ministry God has entrusted to you within a very short period of time. In light of those facts, it’s simply using wisdom to carefully consider what could go wrong so you can take appropriate actions now to prevent those risks or at least lessen their impact.

This is a topic I’m very passionate about because so many of these risks are preventable. These events can seriously hurt the people we’re trying to serve and can erode the trust you’ve so diligently tried to earn. Thankfully, the folks over at Church Community Builder think this is an important topic as well. We’ve co-authored a new eBook aptly titled, “Are You Putting Your Church At Risk? 10 Potential Threats That Can Derail Your Ministry.” Keep reading

10 Pointers for Young Preachers

I am way too young to be called a sage, but I don’t get called young any more either. So while there is better advice to be found, here are some pointers from me for young preachers. Keep reading

My Congregation Barely Sings; How Can I Help?

Spend some time with members of a Khosa church in South Africa, and you will quickly discover how wonderfully they sing. No instruments. No microphones. One individual leading, the rest following. Many hands clapping. And how they join their voices in full-throated praise!

This article is not written for them. It’s written for a traditional Western church. Westerners are accustomed to professional-quality and performance-oriented music. And for better or worse, this affects what Christians expect musically when we walk into the church gathering. Unless a church deliberately pushes in an alternative direction, we expect the music to demonstrate the same quality of performance as what we hear on the car radio or through our Mp3 ear buds. Anything less can sound clunky, tacky, even embarrassing. Keep reading

This article is a re-post. I first posted the article in May of last year--almost nine months ago. With the discussion of the importance of congregational singing on the Internet I thought that I would post it again. Rereading an article is not a bad thing. Sometimes we catch something that we missed the first time we read the article. Reading an article may also help to crystallize our thoughts and prompt us to take action. Any ideas the article has sown have had long enough time to gestate. Now is the time to give birth to them.

4 Obsessions of the Extraordinary Small Group Pastor

I’ve written quite a bit about small group pastors. I’ve shared their most important contribution and what they need to know on day one. I’ve talked about their most common rookie mistakes and biggest problems.

What I haven’t written about is what a small group pastor needs to be preoccupied with, obsessed with, in order to succeed in their role. With an obvious reference to Patrick Lencioni’s fabulous book, here are the four obsessions.... Keep reading

Fresh Expressions of Church won't halt decline, research says

'Fresh expressions' will not solve the problem of declining numbers of churchgoers, according to research carried out in the Diocese of Canterbury.

A study by the Rev Dr John Walker claims to show that the innovative evangelistic and church-planting methods into which the Church of England and Methodist Churches have poured resources over the last few years are no more effective than more traditional approaches. Keep reading

Does Your Church Really Need a Bigger Building?

Church buildings can be a major barrier to exponential growth. Massive building programs are often a waste of money. History has proven over and over that future generations never fill the cavernous temples of previous generations. For instance, every time Spurgeon’s Tabernacle was rebuilt (three times) it was downsized. The list of empty great cathedrals would be quite long. God wants to do something new in each generation. He blesses anointed people, not buildings.

We also need to remember that the period of fastest growth for Christianity was during the first 300 years – when there were no church buildings at all. And today most of the rapidly exploding church-planting movements around the world are multiplying without having physical church buildings. They’ve learned to spread out!

Buildings should be tools for ministry, not monuments. I’ve said repeatedly to our congregation that Saddleback will never build a building that could not be torn down if it prevented us from reaching more people. Churches should focus on building people, not building buildings! (Tweet that!) That’s what being purpose-driven is all about. It’s a people-building process. Build your people before your steeple. Keep reading

Photo:© Copyright Gillian Thomas and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

3 Ways Satan will Attempt to Hinder Your Church

It amazes me how often opportunities for growth are incited by challenges, problems, or even attacks.

The book of Acts details the advance of the early church through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ under the power of the Holy Spirit. Time and again the early believers faced persecution, problems, and challenges. But the advance of the gospel would not be hindered. Acts describes the sovereign advance of God’s gospel. Our job is to remain faithful to preach the good news in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In his commentary on Acts, John Stott identified three ways Satan attempted to hinder the church’s advance: suppression, corruption, and distraction. In chapter 3, Peter and John healed a crippled man and used this platform to preach the gospel. Subsequently, chapter 4 relates how the religious leaders imprisoned Peter and John and charged them to cease preaching about Jesus. Keep reading

Deprogramming Your Ministry

What is the single greatest barrier to your ministry fulfilling its mission? The answer just might be that you’re making too many attempts at fulfilling the mission. Take a look at your ministry’s schedule for this year, this month, and this week. How many trips, events, and meetings are on your schedule? What percentage of these are designed to advance your mission?

It is human nature to see a problem and assume that the solution is to do something. In ministry contexts, this tends to result in new programs. Struggling with outreach? Start an outreach night. Giving is low? Start a giving campaign. Discipleship is not as strong as you’d like it to be? Launch a new discipleship class. Have you ever considered, however, that perhaps the reason our ministries aren’t as fruitful as we’d like them to be is because we are doing too much? Keep reading

“You Must Be Born Again”

I distinctly remember the birth of both of my children. Although they were born six years apart, I remember the preparation for each trip to the hospital. The drive there. Escorting my wife to the elevator. The rooms, the monitors, the nurses, doctors, and family members. The anticipation and waiting. Most of all I remember seeing my children for the first time and seeing the look on my wife’s face when the nurses handed her this tightly bundled little person. I look up now and see a photograph taken of me holding my newborn daughter twelve and a half years ago. The birth of a child is truly an amazing and unforgettable experience.

As amazing as the birth of a child is, it pales in comparison to the miracle of spiritual birth. You see, my children were born physically healthy, and for that I thank God. But they, like every descendant of Adam, were spiritually stillborn. They were born spiritually dead, and they are not alone. You and I and every other person were born dead — dead in sin (see Eph. 2:1). We were born dead because of the sin of our representative head, Adam. The apostle Paul teaches us that “sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Rom. 5:12). And spiritual death is not the end of it. Even if we are born physically healthy, our spiritual death will be followed at some point by our physical death: “For you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Gen. 3:19). Keep reading

Bivocational Pastors and Church Staff – Rainer on Leadership #096 [Podcast]

Bivocational pastors and church staff are my heroes. While there may be part-time pay involved, the job of ministry is always full-time. And those who work full-time in their secular jobs and still minister to and lead a local community of faith. Keep reading

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:10 — 19.4MB)

5 Tips for Multiplying Your Groups (#4 Is One That Everyone Needs to Hear)

Gospel communities on mission are sending agencies into new neighborhoods, cities, and nations. To be clear, it is not that gospel communities grow in numbers and need to split, or that communities have a pyramid-like growth chart. Multiplication is a function a gospel work and empowerment of the Spirit.

New communities are sent out of existing gospel communities because the gospel is advancing and sending us into new parts of the world. The gospel will propel people in your own community to leave your community to start a new work in another part of the city, another city altogether, or even another country and culture entirely. Sending is a function of gospel growth and maturity.

Sending, or multiplication, is one of the sexier parts of gospel communities on mission for many people as they envision a rapid expansion of the church throughout the globe. The truth is, it isn’t sexy but difficult on almost every level. It takes energy, emotion, and relationship.

Ultimately, it means some of your dearest friends and those you have invested in the most leave you for something else. The only reason you would do any of it is a trust that the gospel is worth it, that Jesus has asked us to and obedience is reward.

For all it’s hardship, the sending of new communities is an incredible apologetic for the gospel to others. My wife and I have multiplied four gospel communities out of our neighborhood. Each time, our neighbors got to observe as we sent friends to start new communities, serving new neighborhoods, and speaking the gospel in new ways.

I am regularly asked by neighbors about those we sent and why. A neighbor asked me recently about a couple we sent out to India, “So they went to India to share the good news? That’s such a good thing.” I responded, “Yes, it’s completely worth it.” (And this neighbor is not a Christian!) Sending new people out means an increase of gospel demonstration and proclamation opportunities. Keep reading

Why Waiting to Have it All Together is a BIG Mistake

Beth Seversen stops by to talk about the importance of sharing the gospel even when we don't feel "ready."

Have you ever noticed when Jesus strikes up evangelism conversations he doesn’t use The Circle of Belonging, The Big Story, or even The Bridge Diagram? These gospel outlines certainly have their place in evangelism, but notice that Jesus starts the process by initiating conversation and just talking. And what he starts talking about often surprises me.

Take the woman at the well in John 4. It’s kind of odd how Jesus engages her: He begins their conversation by sharing his need and asking her for a drink of water.

Jesus doesn’t wait to talk to people until he’s spiffed up either. I’m thinking about what Jesus might have looked like when he asked the woman for water. We know he was thirsty and he’d been traveling, so I’d imagine he was probably dirty and a little scruffy if he’d been walking a while. You know, a grittier version of how you probably look after you’ve been traveling all day or after a particularly long day.

Now, I’m going to stretch the meaning of the text a little here. Ready? Keep reading

Islamic State Selling, Crucifying, Burying Children Alive in Iraq-U.N.

Islamic State militants are selling abducted Iraqi children at markets as sex slaves, and killing other youth, including by crucifixion or burying them alive, a United Nations watchdog said on Wednesday.

Iraqi boys aged under 18 are increasingly being used by the militant group as suicide bombers, bomb makers, informants or human shields to protect facilities against U.S.-led air strikes, the U.N. Committee on the Rights of the Child said.

"We are really deeply concerned at torture and murder of those children, especially those belonging to minorities, but not only from minorities," committee expert Renate Winter told a news briefing. "The scope of the problem is huge."

Children from the Yazidi sect or Christian communities, but also Shi'ites and Sunnis, have been victims, she said.

"We have had reports of children, especially children who are mentally challenged, who have been used as suicide bombers, most probably without them even understanding," Winter told Reuters. "There was a video placed (online) that showed children at a very young age, approximately eight years of age and younger, to be trained already to become child soldiers." Keep reading

Also see
Girls aged 9 can marry, says new ISIS document
ISIS Hijacks Anti-Islamic State Video Game, Modifies It to Recruit Children to Kill Westerners

9 Essential Elements of a Healthy Small Church Experience

When someone goes to a healthy Small Church for the first time, what should they expect?

That’s an easier question to answer for big churches, because they have a lot more in common with each other. Once any group – church or not – is serving 1,000 or more people at a time, certain systems have to be in place. So, while big churches each have their own personality, there is a level of quality control that we all expect to see. Age-appropriate Kid Ministries, high-end musicianship, professional-quality graphics and printed materials, etc. It’s like going to a brand-name restaurant when you’re travelling. There’s a comfort level in knowing what you’re going to get.

But the kinds of experiences you’ll have in Small Churches varies widely. It’s more like visiting a new town and deciding to check out the local diner. You don’t know what you’re going to get, but you take the risk because you want regional cuisine. And you’re hoping for an experience you can’t get anywhere else.

But, even in a Small Church, as varied as they are, first-time guests have the right to expect certain things that tell them the church is healthy. Like a local restaurant should observe standard requirements for cleanliness, service and food quality, Small Churches should have a baseline of quality that people can rely on.

In one of my most-read posts, 23 Non-Numerical Signs of a Healthy Church, I wrote about some of the ways we can tell if a church is healthy, even if we don’t have the numerical growth that many seem to believe is a requirement.

Here are a few things that I think are a baseline that every guest has a right to expect in any healthy Small Church. These are universal. The standards every church needs to observe if they want to create a great worship experience that people will want to come back for.

This list isn’t complete. So feel free to add your ideas in the comment section. Keep reading

Photo: Trinity Episcopal Church, Fulton, Kentucky

Three Reasons Why Singing is Essential in the Life of the Disciple

There are certain habits that are synonymous with spiritual growth. We call these things spiritual disciplines, and they’re things like reading the Bible, praying, fasting, and others. But one habit that doesn’t make the list very often is singing. That’s a bit surprising given how many times in Scripture we aren’t just asked to sing, but commanded to do so. Indeed, it seems that in the Bible, singing is not an option; it’s a command. And maybe even more than being commanded, singing is essential for the life of the disciple. Let me give you a few brief reasons why I believe this to be true.... Keep reading

Do You Dare Audit Your Church’s Communication Strategy? 33 Questions to Ask

Everything your church does is communication, from the condition of the parking lot to the content in your bulletin to the tone of your sermon. Everything you do communicates something about what you really value, regardless of what you say you value.

I’m a church communications nut. I read dozens of blogs on design, branding, social media and marketing. I’ve designed logos, websites, and print pieces for dozens of churches. So I’ve perfected the art and science of church communications, right? Actually, in the last week, I received an email from someone who couldn’t find a location for our services, another who had a hard time finding out how to get involved, and a third who couldn’t find details on a couple of upcoming events. #humbled

But our bulletin does look kind of pretty....

Since the publishing and communication of the gospel is paramount, I’ve learned the value of doing some punch-me-in-the-gut audits of our communication strategy. We’re constantly tweaking and improving so that we can put our best foot forward and do the best possible job of getting the word out, connecting people to each other, plugging people in, and staying in touch.

To every Lead Pastor I would say, you need to perform an audit of your church’s communication strategy to see if all those sermons you’re studying so hard for will have maximum reach in your community. Here’s a questionnaire, divided by areas of communication. Keep reading

Also see
14 Things Every Communications Director Needs to Know

Communicate Jesus: Digital Inspiration for Ministry: Two Articles

The number 1 audience for a church website

Putting others first is what Christians do. Considering their needs, and doing what we can to meet them.

Unfortunately, this approach isn’t always adopted when developing and maintaining church websites.

I have visited many church websites, and many if not most appear confused about who the website is for. Is it for church members, or is it for people who don’t yet attend the church? Is it for both? Keep reading

20 ways your church website can serve unchurched people (with examples)

Put yourself in the shoes of someone who has never visited your church before.

In our increasingly secularised society, there are more and more people who are like this – people who have never attended a church service. Never been to Sunday school. Perhaps not even set foot in a church for a wedding or a funeral.

These people have little to no understanding of what happens in church, or what Christians believe. Some people may even think you need to purchase a ticket to attend. Keep reading

5 Things to Know About the Vaccine Debate

With the recent measles outbreak in the United States, Americans are once again debating whether or not children should be vaccinated to stop the spread illness and disease. Below, in no particular order, are some things that you should know about the vaccine debate, including official positions of medical groups, surveys on vaccination opinion, and more. Keep reading

The failure of parents to obtain the proper immunizations for their children is a serious public health problem in the US and the UK as is the practice of parents deliberately exposing their children to childhood diseases like measles. A number of what parents erroneously view as harmless childhood diseases can cripple or kill some children. They can also seriously damage unborn children in their mother's womb.

Ancient 'gospel' may have been used to tell fortunes

A 1,500-year-old 'gospel' may have been used as a spiritual guide to everyday problems, according to a researcher who has deciphered the text.

Written in Coptic, the language of ancient Egypt still used in the Coptic Church's liturgy today, the tiny book – only three inches high – was deciphered by Princeton papyrologist Anne Marie Luijendijk. It begins: "The Gospel of the lots of Mary, the mother of the Lord Jesus Christ, she to whom Gabriel the Archangel brought the good news. He who will go forward with his whole heart will obtain what he seeks. Only do not be of two minds."

In her book 'Forbidden Oracles? The Gospel of the Lots of Mary', Luijendijk says that she expected to find an account of the life of Jesus when she read the opening. However, the book consists of 37 vague 'oracles' which would have been used to help someone make decisions about a problem facing them, something like a newspaper horoscope. Keep reading

Photo: Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum

Joe McKeever: Don’t be afraid. Your life depends on it.

“And the angel said (to the shepherds), ‘Fear not.’ And the shepherds said, ‘Are you out of your mind? We are frightened out of our skulls!!’

Okay, I made that up. But it makes sense to me.

Sometimes being frightened is the right reaction. Being scared is not always wrong.

What scares people the most? You might be surprised. It isn’t terrorism, earthquakes or tsunamis.

According to one report, it’s walking alone in the dark. Keep reading

For those who may not know, Joe McKeever's wife, Margaret, entered the nearer presence of God on January 29, 2015. You can read about her here and here.

5 Damaging Messages about God’s Presence

My friend Mollie was sitting in a grocery store parking lot. She was upset. She was mad at the universe. In the midst of her rage, God spoke to her.

According to Mollie, it was undeniable, almost audible. God responded to her questions. God comforted her and cooled her rage. She said that she seemed to just know that the “God-voice” was Jesus.

Here’s the thing; Mollie was not a Christian. She would not align herself with any religion. She believed that the spiritual encompassed all things. And yet “Jesus” spoke to her ... in the most tangible way. Keep reading

This article is posted as "registered, limited access" on Christianity Today's Leadership Journal website. You may have to register to read it.

7 Suggestions to Encourage Innovation on a Team

Most leaders want to lead an innovative organization. We don’t necessarily have to be the first to do something new, but we don’t want to be years behind either. As conservative as we might be — as long as we remain true to our core values — we still want to be “cutting edge” to some degree. We certainly don’t want to be stuck in the last decade.

But, here’s the problem.

As leaders, we can’t force innovation. We can’t mandate innovative people. And, if our people haven’t been innovative in a while, then there may not be much innovation going on in our world.

Innovation, in its purest form, means change, and while change can be forced upon people, the best changes, the kind that make an organization excellent, come from the heart of a person. Great innovation comes from the gut. You cannot legislate those kinds of changes.

There are things leaders can do, however, to encourage team members to be more innovative.

Here are a 7 ideas to encourage innovation.... Keep reading

How to train Bible study leaders: Who should we train?

Steve and Jenny were about ready to quit. They had been leading a Bible study group for young adults at their church for four years now and the strain was starting to show. One night, at about 11:15, as the last of the group filed out, Jenny flopped onto the lounge.

“I think we might have a sabbatical next year.” She heaved a weary sigh. “I just don’t know how much more of this I can take.”

“Yes, I know,” said Steve. “I feel the same. But who’d take over? I mean, it’s not as if the group is winding down or anything. There were 13 here tonight, and that’s not counting Mark and Vicki and the Cromptons!”

“If only we had someone who could take half the group. I think I could cope with 7 or 8, as opposed to 16!” Jenny sighed again. This one had a resigned air to it.

“You’re right,” said Steve. “But unless someone comes along, we can’t dip out. We just… can’t.” Keep reading

Also see
4 Suggestions to Deepen Your Small Group Prayer
One Indispensable Rule

The singles multitude

A stunning fact you may not know: According to U. S. Census data, more than one-fourth of all adults have never been married (27 percent). Another 6 percent are widowed and 12 percent divorced or separated.

Most churches minister well to adults who are married. But, do we also acknowledge the great value and importance of that "invisible" multitude of unmarried adults?

In interviewing several unmarried Christian friends, I discovered 10 tips for loving and ministering to single adults who are members or guests at church. Keep reading

Breakaway South Carolina diocese can keep $500 million of church property, judge says

A conservative breakaway Anglican diocese in the US has won a court battle to keep more than $500 million worth of church property.

The Episcopal Church (TEC) has no claim on the property of the Diocese of South Carolina or its churches, according to Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein.

She wrote in her decision this week that the conservative diocese and its parishes are "the owners of their real, personal and intellectual property" and that the national church has no legal interest in the properties. Keep reading

I doubt seriously that this ruling is going to discourage TEC from further pursing legal action against the Diocese of South Carolina. TEC's attorneys have a vested interest in taking the case through various court systems as far as it will go. They are not working pro bono.  It would be interesting to see the results of a study of how the attorneys that TEC is retaining are profiting from all this litigation. I tend to avoid posting this type of story, choosing to wait and see what happens at the very last appeal hearing. What has the appearance of being a victory may simply turn out to be  holding action. 

3 Ways to Encourage Peace Between Generations in Denominations

Your denomination is not defined by a style. So don’t let style become a point of contention.

It takes work to have a harmonious family.

That's true of your biological family and your church family.

It's also true of your denominational family.

The fact is, each member within a family has a tendency to find their own style and way in life. But as each individual develops their own unique identity, they should not develop a spirit of pride over the others in the family.

That's a key to peace and unity in denominations.

Denominations should recognize that their uniqueness is part of a healthy diversity that can serve the family well. There should be a complementary understanding of uniqueness. Each generation can idolize its own ways to the point of conflict. (We call this “the teenage years" at home.)

But maturity and unity takes effort and understanding... and it can and does come to denominations that will pursue it. Keep reading

A Healthy Church Should Always Look Something Like This

Last Sunday, Skylar and Gene chatted in the hallway between services at our church. I secretly took this picture of them. (I showed them the photo later and got their permission to use it here.)

That day happened to be Gene’s 90th birthday – a fact I didn’t discover until later. Skylar is in her early teens.

Three-quarters of a century separates their ages. Gene has great-grandchildren older than Skylar.

On Monday through Saturday their lives could not look more different. But on Sunday mornings, that distance gets reduced to no wider than the space between their chairs. Keep reading

6 Pinciples for Effective, Redemptive Communication

One thing that strikes me about some pockets of conservative Christian writing on the internet is how little attention is given toward the art of persuasion. It’s one thing to be right; it’s another thing to present true doctrine in a compelling way that adorns our doctrine (Titus 2:10). We are sometimes satisfied merely to proclaim instead of following the apostle Paul who sought to “persuade Jews and Greeks” and who said that the “knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others” (2 Cor. 5:11).

Several years ago, David Powlison was invited to answer some questions for a secular journal, Psychology Today, seeking to introduce a wide range of religious therapies. (Also answering the questions were advocates for counseling from within the worldviews of Judaism, Native American Spirituality, Catholicism, Islam, Hinduism, Mormonism, African Spirituality, Secular Humanism, Twelve Step Spirituality, Christian Psychology, and Buddhism).

In seeking to provide compelling answers to genuine questions from those outside the faith, Powlison studied the biblical model for effective, redemptive persuasion. He notes that “Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman in John 4 and Paul’s speech at the Areopagus in Acts 17 provide rich examples of what these communication tasks look like in action.” [For a whole book analyzing one of these interactions, see Paul Copan and Kenneth Litwak’s The Gospel in the Marketplace of Ideas: Paul’s Mars Hill Experience for Our Pluralistic World (IVP Academic, 2014).

Below is an outline of what he saw in Scripture. I find these to be helpful reminders for evangelism and for all of our discourse as we seek to win the world to Christ. Keep reading

Should Heather Cook have been consecrated a bishop?

Bishop Heather Cook, who has been charged in connection with the death of a cyclist, was suspected of being drunk at her own consecration, according to an official Church timeline of events.

Cook hit 41-year-old cyclist Tom Palermo after driving her SUV into a bicycle lane in Baltimore on December 27 last year. She then left the scene of the accident, but returned around 20 minutes later.

Testing showed that the bishop was three times over the alcohol limit for drivers in Maryland at the time of the incident and she later confessed in court that she has an alcohol problem.

Now a timeline posted on the website of the Diocese of Maryland shows that a bishop at the lunch before her consecration in September reported her for being drunk. The entry reads: "Bishop Sutton suspects that Cook is inebriated during pre-consecration dinner and conveys concern to Presiding Bishop. Presiding Bishop indicates she will discuss with Cook. Cook consecrated a bishop." Keep reading

Also see
Bishop warned 815 of Heather Cook's public intoxication before her consecration

"The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife,sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil." 1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESVUK

Photo: Episcopal Diocese of Maryland 

Research finds major barrier to mission is 'paralysing fear of rejection'

Churchgoers are reluctant to invite non-Christian friends or family to join them in the pews because they are "paralysed" by fear of rejection or damaging a relationship.

New research shows that fear of losing friends prevents many from asking the question: "Would you like to come to our service on Sunday?"

The research comes as the Church of England has launched a series of reports designed to boost church attendance. Clergy will be scouted for talent and sent on management training schemes as the two Archbishops of Canterbury and York attempt to foster a culture of going for growth rather than that of managing decline that has characterised the past few decades. Many of the reports will be debated at the next General Synod in London in February.

However, the latest findings from Christian Research suggest that, while good leaders are important, the problems may go deeper. Keep reading

One of the reasons members of smaller churches do not invite people to their church’s worship services is that they are embarrassed by what they perceive to be the poor quality of these services. A part of the solution to this problem is to get the congregation excited about Sunday morning again. People who are excited about something want others to share in their excitement. Church members, when they are excited about Sunday morning at their church, will invite all kinds of people to their church’s worship services.

Photo: Peggy Cannell

Rural vicars struggling with multiple churches and dying congregations

Vicars in rural Britain are rushing between multiple churches to take Sunday services while their congregations are dying off faster than they can be replaced, according to a new report.

Urgent calls for reform of rural ministry, such as appointing parish administrators to relieve clergy of the burden of running several churches at once, are proposed in the report, to be debated at General Synod in February.

Fewer than one in five rural churches is experiencing growth - a statistic repeated in urban areas - and parishes are struggling to fill all the positions on the church council, especially to find church wardens. In some parishes, if all positions were filled, they would outnumber the worshippers in the pew. Keep reading

Photo: Andreas Krappweis

Why Black Churches Are Keeping Millennials

The reasons are rooted in history.

Should blacks be counted as Millennials?

That’s the question Thabiti Anyabwile, an African American pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church, asks when handwringing commences about young people leaving US churches.

“Researchers describe millennials as a fairly privileged and special group, which is so far from the reality of so many African Americans,” said Anyabwile. “When it comes to describing broad demographic trends, you’re woefully in danger of building a profile based on the assumed normative experiences of majority culture.” Keep reading

Does James 2:24 Deny Justification by Faith Alone?

This question is not critical only today, but it was in the eye of the storm we call the Protestant Reformation that swept through and divided the Christian church in the sixteenth century. Martin Luther declared his position: Justification is by faith alone, our works add nothing to our justification whatsoever, and we have no merit to offer God that in any way enhances our justification. This created the worst schism in the history of Christendom. Keep reading

When The Holy Spirit Takes Over

Do you prepare you sermons in advance or do you rely upon the Holy Spirit?

This statement represents a false-dichotomy that Greg Heisler sought to overcome in his book, Spirit-Led Preaching, writing, “Spirit-led preaching seeks to overcome the false dichotomy between the Word and the Spirit and instead unites them as the powerful catalyst for Spirit-demonstrated preaching.”

Sermons that rely upon God’s Word necessarily involve the Holy Spirit, but there is more to Spirit-led preaching than reading from the Bible, it involves an active surrender to the movement and direction of the Holy Spirit throughout the preparation and delivery of the sermon. Keep reading

Seven Trends in the Offertory in Churches

For most Protestant churches, the offertory is the time of worship where church members make financial gifts to God through the church. It may be combined with special music or announcements, but the central theme is giving to God.

I am seeing seven major trends develop related to this aspect of worship services. The changes have been subtle but noticeable. Keep reading

When You Don’t Have Time to Pray

It’s dark. The house is silent. Breakfast is still three hours away.

Dressed warm enough to go outside, I ease down to my basement study and turn on the desk lamp. It flickers once or twice before its dusty yellow light focuses on the Bible laid open beneath it. The table had been set; my soul had been starving, and now, I made it on time. The banquet is before me. It’s dark. The house is silent. Breakfast is still three hours away.

But then I hear footsteps. This is unusual. Footsteps, now? This early? But wait, not just one set, not two — is that three? I make my way back up the stairs to find three of my children strangely awake, wandering around with sleep in their eyes. One had to use the bathroom, the other had a bad dream, and the third just wants to party. I attend to everyone and escort them back to bed. Then I am down the stairs again, only to hear another round of footsteps moments later. So I go up to deal with that. There are some tears and hugs, and then I retrace the well-worn path down to my study. But tears and hugs don’t put kids to sleep. It isn’t long before I am up again, and then back down. Up, down, doors opened, doors closed, and then again, and again — God! I am trying to pray! Keep reading

Everyone's a Theologian - Free Audio Book

This month’s free audiobook from Christian Audio is R.C. Sproul’s systematic theology Everyone’s a Theologian. As Tim Challies writes on his blog, "it would be crazy not to grab it!" Learn more

Canon Michael Saward Found Dead in Hotel Room

Prominent Anglican priest Canon Michael Saward was found dead in his hotel room in Switzerland on Sunday morning, Christian Today has learned.

The 82-year-old was on holiday at the time. His body was found by hotel staff. Keep reading

See also
Canon Michael Saward, clergyman - obituary
If I had carried on hating it would have destroyed me...

Michael Saward was a prodigious hymn writer as well as a gifted preacher and broadcaster. North American Christians, Anglican and non-Anglican, are most likely to be familiar with his baptismal hymn, "Baptized in Water," set to the lovely Gaelic melody BUNESSAN. A partial list of his hymns may be found at hymnary.org.

The Jehadis Are Waging a Religious War, Mr. President

ISIS Threatens to Kill More Japanese After Kenji Goto's Death; Japan Says It Will 'Never, Never Forgive' Islamic State

The Islamic State terror group calls Japan an ally of a "Satanic coalition" and warns that it has "an entire army thirsty for your blood" in a video showing the beheading of a second Japanese hostage, Kenji Goto.

"To the Japanese government: You, like your foolish allies in the Satanic coalition, have yet to understand that we, by Allah's grace, are an Islamic caliphate with authority and power, an entire army thirsty for your blood," says the man in English in a video released Friday, according to the SITE Intelligence group.

"Abe, because of your reckless decision to take part in an unwinnable war, this knife will not only slaughter Kenji, but will also carry on and cause carnage wherever your people are found," adds the man known as "Jihadi John" holding a knife in his hand and standing behind Goto, who can be seen kneeling and wearing an orange outfit. "So let the nightmare for Japan begin." Keep reading

Nigerian Pastor 'Butchered' to Death by Muslim Herdsmen; Remembered as Dedicated Servant to the Poor Who Educated Over 400 Kids for Free

A popular Nigerian pastor, who is touted as a dedicated servant to the poor, was "butchered" to death last week on his way back from pastoral duties by Muslim Fulani herdsmen, whom some say could be linked to the terrorist group Boko Haram. As Morning Star News reports, pastor Joshua Adah, who founded and operated a school that provides over 400 kids with free education in the village of Bantaje, fell victim to the wrath of Muslim extremists belonging to the Fulani ethno-linguistic group, the same herdsmen that also reportedly attacked Nigerian Christian communities last week. Keep reading

President Obama may not want to characterize as a "religious war" the violence and other atrocities perpetrated by militant Muslim groups against those they regard as infidels but from the jehadis' own perspective they are engaging in a religious war, a war to impose their religion on the rest of the world.  They believe what they are doing is their religious obligation. From a biblical perspective what we are seeing is proof of what theologians call "total depravity," human nature that is tainted by sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20, John 1:8; Romans 3:10), and a human heart that is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9)