Tuesday's Catch: "Easy Evangelical Answers to the Anglican Anomaly" and More

Easy Evangelical Answers to the Anglican Anomaly

Canadian Evangelicals often see a large gap between Anglicanism and Evangelicalism. Many of my friends have asked me how an Evangelical “Bible-guy” like me can settle for Anglicanism, and I have had the pleasure of attempting to bridge that gap. I would like to offer a very brief, beginner-level, and Bible-based answers to show that Anglicanism is rooted in and reformed by God’s Word written, and therefore compatible with the main thrust of Evangelicalism. Read More

Authentic historic Anglicanism is Protestant, Reformed, and evangelical. With the Oxford Movement and the Catholic Revival in the nineteenth century and Catholic Modernism and the Ancient-Future Church Movement in the twentieth century, however, the beliefs and practices of various forms of Anglo-Catholicism have become associated in the public mind with the word "Anglican." Those who are genuinely Anglican in their beliefs and practices must constantly confront this misperception of Anglicanism. Since the misperception of Anglicanism as unreformed Catholic is often reinforced by the governing documents and doctrinal statements of a number of North American ecclesial bodies that identify themselves as "Anglican," a pressing need exists for the formation of a North American ecclesial body that is genuinely Anglican. The latest addition to North American self-identified "Anglican" ecclesial bodies--the Anglican Church in North America--falls far short in this regard.

The Quiet Church-Planting Movement in the Global South

What its surge tells us about what multiplying churches can do. Read More

South Korean Officials Want 4,000 Church Members to Quarantine

After being widely praised for containing COVID-19 without locking down, South Korea is facing what could be the worst outbreak the country has seen since the pandemic began. Monday was the fourth day in a row South Korea coronavirus cases spiked to the triple digits, with the largest cluster of new cases tied to Sarang Jeil Church. Read More

It’s Not Enough to Broadcast a Service. Churches Need to Foster Community.

What pastors can learn from plummeting online attendance. Read More

Crisis Leadership from a Christian Perspective: When Crisis Hits

Practical leadership strategies to weather the storm of a crisis. Read More

Practicing Biblical Equality in the Church

Graham Hill gives fifteen practices for greater equality in the church. Read More

This is a follow-up article to the book review that I posted yesterday.

Are Churches Losing the Battle to Form Christians?

Among the many ways 2020 has been punishing for pastors, one of the most disheartening is the way COVID-19 has further accelerated the already troubling tendency of Christians being shaped more by online life and its partisan ideological ecosystem than by church life and its formational practices. Read More

Monday's Catch: "Why Faith Church Listens to the Health Department" and More

Why Faith Church Listens to the Health Department

This essay is not intended to be a shot over anyone else’s bow. Each church and elder team serve the Lord in a unique community and cultural setting. What works in mid-central Indiana may not work in, well, you fill in the blank. Plus, judging the servant of another is a patently unbiblical thing to do (Romans 14:4). Read More

Five Ways Churches Will Have Changed One Year From Now

I am not prophetic. And if I am prescient, it’s only because I have the incredible vantage point of hearing from tens of thousands of church leaders every year. While it is admittedly difficult to project trends in typical times, it is exceedingly difficult to do so in a time of pandemic headed for, hopefully, a post-quarantine era. Because we hear from so many church leaders and church members, allow me to venture where local churches will be in one year. Read More

How Churchgoers Want Their Churches to Operate during COVID-19 

Pastors and church leaders say they are struggling with making reopening decisions because of the divides within their congregation, according to LifeWay Research. A new Pew Research study found churchgoers opinions on what churches should be doing mostly lines up with what their church is currently doing. Read More

5 Ways to Reach People Who Have Not Returned to Church

Online worship and Zoom Bible study groups have been a lifesaver for churches during COVID-19. People have been able to worship together even though they were apart, and Bible study groups have continued to meet in a virtual environment. Read More

Unless a church that has returned to its building addresses the safety concerns and needs of those who have not returned, any attempt to re-engage them that entails their return to the building will not work.  Church leaders and church members who dismiss their safety concerns and needs and flout public health guidelines eventually may prove to be a liability to the church.

A Biblical Case for Women Leading and Teaching

The case must be made biblically or many simply won’t accept the argument. So Graham Hill, in his new book Holding Up Half the Sky, has a long chapter going through the biblical case for women teaching and preaching and leading. Here is his summary.... Read More

A new book in the ongoing debate over women in teaching, preaching, and leadership roles in the church.

3 Traits of a Transformational Kids Ministry

Here are three attributes to help you build your kids ministry on an unshakable foundation that will hold strong no matter what circumstances arise, so you can lead with confidence, even in uncertain times. Read More

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Sunday Evening (August 16, 2020) Now Online

Traditionally the celebration of the Lord’s Day begins at sunset on Saturday evening and ends at sunset on Sunday evening. A service of Evening Prayer, or Vespers, at dusk when the sun goes down, the shadows grow long, and the first stars appear is a wonderfully prayerful way of concluding our celebration of the Lord’s Day. All Hallows Evening Prayer offers such a conclusion to your Lord’s Day celebration.

The order of service is based upon the order of service for the Divine Office in the Anglican Church of Canada’s The Book of Alternative Services (1985). It was selected for its simplicity, brevity, and adaptability—essential characteristics for an in-person or online service in the COVID-19 era.

Each service opens with an invocation, the Phos Hilaron, and a thanksgiving. Each service includes an penitential psalm—Psalm 141, a variable psalm, a Scripture reading, a homily, the Magnificat, prayers of intercession, free prayer, a collect, and the Lord’s Prayer. Each service concludes with a dismissal hymn, the Benedicamus, and a blessing.

Candles may be lit at the beginning of the service and incense may be burned during the singing of Psalm 141. The sign of the cross is customarily made at the beginning of the Magnificat in some traditions. The blessing may be given by a deacon or a lay person.

Each service is built around a theme. The hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs are selected for their appropriateness to the evening or the theme of the service. They are taken from a variety of sources and traditions and the choral arrangements are in most instances well within the abilities of a small choir or schola cantorum. The number of songs used has been intentionally limited so as to familiarize those using the services with them.

The order of service for this evening is as follows:

Phos Hilaron: “O Gracious Light” arr. Stephen Sturk

Psalm 141: “Like Burning Incense, O Lord” arr. Tony Alonso

Psalm 139: “O God, You Search Me, and You Know Me” Bernadette Farrell

Reading: 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11

Homily: The Gifts of the Holy Spirit

Magnificat: “My Soul proclaims Your Greatness, Lord” arr. Chaz Bower

Dismissal Hymn: “Spirit Song” John Wimber

The link to the service is: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2020/08/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for-sunday_16.html#more

Please feel free to share this link with anyone whom you believe might benefit from the service.

The link to the All Hallows Murray weblog for previous services is: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/.

May the service be a blessing to you and those with whom you share the link. May it provide a prayerful conclusion to your Lord’s Day celebration.

COVID-19 Cannot Stop the Hum of a Church Choir

We got a gift from a friend this week—a true note of grace in discordant times. You may know our friend: Amy Dickinson, who writes the advice column "Ask Amy", and is a panelist on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me."

Amy grew up singing in the choir of the Freeville United Methodist Church in Freeville, New York, where her grandmother was the organist and choir director.

Amy is still in that choir today.

But they've had to stop singing during the pandemic. Singing, even words of inspiration, propels aerosol droplets that can carry COVID-19 particles. It is especially incautious in close confines, including the spaces of a church. Read More

Also See:
Scientists to choirs: Group singing can spread the coronavirus, despite what CDC may say
COVID Update Choral Singers PDF (Emory University)
Singing in times of COVID-19: more space to the front than to the side

Five Clear Rules For Preaching From C. S. Lewis

Whether you are a preacher or an aspiring writer, master communicator C.S. Lewis has some suggestions for you.

C. S. Lewis once wrote to an American boy with advice on clear writing. It turns out to be excellent advice for pastors on preaching as well:

1. Always try to use the language so as to make quite clear what you mean and make sure your sentence couldn’t mean anything else.

2. Always prefer the clean direct word to the long, vague one. Don’t implement promises, but keep them. Read More

Why Christians Should Lead the Ban on Killer Robots

The Story: A new report highlights the attempts to ban “killer robots.” Here’s why Christians should be leading that effort.

The Background: In 2013, the international non-governmental organization Human Right Watch (HRW) helped launch the Campaign to Stop Killer Robots to “ban fully autonomous weapons and thereby retain meaningful human control over the use of force.” HRW has previously been effective in leading campaigns against weapons of warfare, having shared in the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize as a founding member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and having played a leading role in the 2008 treaty banning cluster munitions.

This week HRW released a 55-page report, “Stopping Killer Robots: Country Positions on Banning Fully Autonomous Weapons and Retaining Human Control,” which reviews the policies of the 97 countries that have publicly elaborated their views on killer robots since 2013.

About 30 countries have called for an international ban on lethal autonomous weapons systems (LAWS), colloquially known as “killer robots.” However, a small number of countries—most notably the United States and Russia—have blocked efforts to regulate such weapons systems. Read More

All Hallows Evening Service for Saturday Evening (August 15, 2020) Now Online

Traditionally the celebration of the Lord’s Day begins at sunset on Saturday evening and ends at sunset on Sunday evening. A service of Evening Prayer, or Vespers, at dusk when the sun goes down, the shadows grow long, and the first stars appear is a wonderfully prayerful way of beginning our celebration of the Lord’s Day. All Hallows Evening Prayer offers such a beginning to your Lord’s Day celebration.

The order of service is based upon the order of service for the Divine Office in the Anglican Church of Canada’s The Book of Alternative Services (1985). It was selected for its simplicity, brevity, and adaptability—essential characteristics for an in-person or online service in the COVID-19 era.

Each service opens with an invocation, the Phos Hilaron, and a thanksgiving. Each service includes an penitential psalm—Psalm 141, a variable psalm, a Scripture reading, a homily, the Magnificat, prayers of intercession, free prayer, a collect, and the Lord’s Prayer. Each service concludes with a dismissal hymn, the Benedicamus, and a blessing.

Candles may be lit at the beginning of the service and incense may be burned during the singing of Psalm 141. The sign of the cross is customarily made at the beginning of the Magnificat in some traditions. The blessing may be given by a deacon or a lay person.

Each service is built around a theme. The hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs are selected for their appropriateness to the evening or the theme of the service. They are taken from a variety of sources and traditions and the choral arrangements are in most instances well within the abilities of a small choir or schola cantorum. The number of songs used has been intentionally limited so as to familiarize those using the services with them.

The order of service for Saturday evening is as follows:

Phos Hilaron: “O Gladsome Light” arr. Stephen Sturk

Psalm 141: “Like Burning Incense, O Lord” arr. Tony Alonso

Psalm 139: “O God, You Search Me, and You Know Me” Bernadette Farrell

Reading: Matthew 15: 1-20

Homily: Guard Your Heart

Magnificat: “My Soul proclaims Your Greatness, Lord” arr. Chaz Bower

Dismissal Hymn: “Lord Jesus, Think on Me” adapt. Gregory Wilbur

The link to the service is: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2020/08/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for-saturday_14.html#more.

Please feel free to share this link with anyone whom you believe might benefit from the service.

The link to the All Hallows Murray weblog for previous services is: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/.

May the service be a blessing to you and those with whom you share the link. May it provide a prayerful beginning to your Lord's Day celebration.

Friday's Catch: What Is Legalism? and More

What Exactly is Legalism? It’s More Complicated Than You Think

What exactly counts as legalism? How do we know it when we see it? The confusion is exacerbated by the fact that the term can be used in different ways. People can use the same word but infuse it with very different meanings. In hopes of dissipating a little of the fogginess, here’s a breakdown of different ways to understand legalism. Read More

7 Reasons an Unexpected Short Phone Call from a Pastor Can Be Encouraging

It doesn’t take long at all. Five minutes. Just a quick phone call from a pastor to a church member. When it’s unexpected, it can be especially encouraging. Here’s why this simple ministry activity matters.... Read More

How to CRAFT a Sermon

I don’t care what you call your preaching style, but our preaching should lead to life change. I’ve developed my sermon-preparation method around that goal. I call it the CRAFT method. Read More

A Bunch of Good Reasons To Saturate Your Worship Services in the Bible

Today I want to offer a few more reasons that churches should have tons of Bible in their worship services, and especially to have a skilled reader read a substantial portion as an element that stands on its own. These reasons are not as directly and obviously drawn from the Bible, but are drawn from my experience and the experience of other pastors. Read More

The Use of Individual Communion Cups in Anglican and Episcopal Churches

By Robin G. Jordan

The way we celebrate Holy Communion is largely determined by custom, tradition that has only the authority which we give it. Tradition has no intrinsic authority of its own. Tradition is only binding upon us to the extent that we allow to bind us. Our preferences and tradition may align but such an alignment will not infuse tradition with its own authority.

It is within the realm of tradition that the practice of using the common cup falls. From Luke’s account of the institution of the Lord’s Supper (Luke 22:17-20) we learn that Jesus gave thanks over two cups of wine, one at the beginning of the meal and the other later in the meal. Jesus instructed his disciples to divide the first among themselves. We are not told how the disciples went about dividing the cup. Luke does not provide this detail and it is not important to the narrative. Luke does not tell us whether Jesus instructed the disciples to divide the second cup among themselves but I believe that we can safely assume that they did just that.

What matters most, based upon Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Paul’s accounts of the Last Supper is that Jesus took bread and wine, gave thanks over them, and then gave them to his disciples with words that connected his actions to his suffering and death on the cross and established these actions as a commemoration of his salvific work, instructing his disciples to repeat them in remembrance of what he was about to do. Whenever we take bread and wine or unfermented grape juice, give thanks, and do what Jesus commanded with the intention of doing what he commanded, we are fulfilling his command. Whether the bread is a loaf of bread or individual wafers, leaven or unleaven, and the wine or unfermented grape juice in a common cup or individual cups does not matter. What matters is that we are repeating his actions with the intention of doing what he commanded.

Article 30 of the Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion articulates what has been the reformed Anglican Church’s position on communion in two kinds. “The cup is not to be denied to the laity, for both parts of the Lord’s Sacrament, the wine as well as the bread, ought by Christ’s ordinance and commandment to be ministered alike to all Christian persons.” The decision of the bishops of the Church of England to permit communion in one kind while prohibiting the use of individual cups is a departure from that position. It is a return to a practice that the English Reformers rejected in the sixteenth century and which was a major cause of controversy in the Church of England in the nineteenth century when the Romanists sought to revive the practice. Jesus gave both the bread and the cup to his disciples and the Articles affirm communion in both kinds, not as a tradition of the Church but as a divine ordinance.

Both Scripture and the Thirty-Nine Articles prescribe communion in both kinds but do permit leeway in how the bread and wine may be administered. I have attended communion services in Baptist, Lutheran, and Methodist churches as well as Anglican and Episcopal ones. I have observed the elements distributed with the same solemnity in these churches as one might expect to find in an Anglican or Episcopal church. The wine or unfermented grape juice were distributed in individual cups with the same dignity and seriousness as it would be in a common cup. While Anglican and Episcopal churches have a longstanding custom of using the common cup, this tradition should not deter them from using individual cups due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the transmission risks associated with the common cup.

What about prefilled communion cup bread and wine sets? A growing number of churches were using these hermetically sealed communion cups before the COVID-19 pandemic due to their convenience. The church did not have to fill communion trays with communion wafers or squares of communion bread before communion services. They also did not have to fill communion trays with individual cups of wine or unfermented grape juice  The prefilled communion cup bread and wine sets came with a communion wafer under the first seal and a small quantity of wine or unfermented grape juice beneath the second seal.

Unfortunately the use of the prefilled communion cups, also known as "fellowship cups" or “celebration cups,” has had a negative effect upon the communion time in a number of churches that are using them. A church in which I was involved put one or two “celebration cups” under each seat before each communion service rather than passing around communion trays of the cups at the beginning of the communion time. Participants in the Lord’s Supper were required to grope under their seats for one of these cups among the empty coffee cups, discarded granola bar wrappers, and other trash. The solemnity of the occasion was completely lost. The church also gave attendees no advanced notice of the Lord’s Supper so that they could prepare for the ordinance. A number of churches put a box of these cups on a table next to the exit to the sanctuary and the pastor will invite anyone who wants to receive communion to take one of the cups at the end of the service as they are departing. As a consequence I have some reservations about their use.

The actions of giving thanks and then giving the bread and wine to those who are participating in the Lord’s Supper is a part of the ordinance itself. If prefilled communion cup bread and wine sets are used, they should be distributed with solemnity appropriate to the ordinance, and then after a suitable prayer of thanksgiving and the words of institution.

During the COVID-19 pandemic prefilled communion cup bread and wine sets, however, may be the best option for churches desiring to celebrate communion in person or online. The prefilled communion cup bread and wine sets that I recommend can be purchased from Concordia Supply. Called TrueVine Chalice Cup Bread and Wine Sets, they come in wine or unfermented grape juice, standard bread or gluten free. The cup is shaped like a miniature chalice with wine under a seal at one end and bread under a seal at the other end. Most communion cups look like the tubs of jelly, butter, or creamer that restaurants provide diners. Their only drawback for churches accustomed to using wafers is the bread which is squares of hard communion bread, and not wafers. A church can purchase small boxes of 6 cups as well as larger boxes of 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 cups. The small boxes of 6 cups can be sent to church members who are unable to attend in-person communion services because they are in a high-risk category and the cups can be used in an online communion service.

Bishops' Ban on Individual Communion Cups Is Wrong, Say Top Lawyers

Leading lawyers have asserted that a ban by Church of England bishops on the use of individual communion cups for wine during the current pandemic is incorrect.

In a statement just released, six QCs and barristers say they believe "it is lawful to use individual cups" in services – despite the bishops declaring that even in the current health emergency they should not be used.

The hard-hitting legal opinion by the lawyers says: "The House of Bishops' present position – that the use of individual cups for distributing communion is illegal – is incorrect as a matter of law. There is no legal barrier to the use of individual cups. It follows that we believe it is lawful to use individual cups." Read More

Also See:
Can We Receive Both Bread and Wine during the Pandemic?
Receiving Communion in Individual Cups: Round Two

Thursday's Catch: A Cautionary Tale and More

I Preached Where the Worship Leader Sang and Now I Have Covid

Josh Laxton offers some cautions about COVID-19 and church. Read More

While Josh Laxton makes a number of good suggestions, he overlooks an important one--opting for a temporary moratorium on all singing. Singing is preference, not a necessity. What I have noticed underlying the argument made for singing despite the COVID-19 transmission risks is a legalistic view of the Christian faith, a view that emphasizes law over grace.

A Pastor's Ultimate Accountability

We are responsible for the souls of God’s people on behalf of Jesus. Hence, it is Jesus alone who will evaluate and determine our faithfulness to this task he has given us. Read More

Christian Colleges: God Wants You to Wear a Mask to Class

With new campus covenants, dozens of evangelical schools are extending calls to “love your neighbor” to apply to a range of coronavirus safeguards. Read More

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Wednesday Evening (August 12, 2020) Now Online

I have posted All Hallows Evening Prayer for Wednesday Evening (August 12, 2020) on the All Hallows Murray weblog.

The order of service is the same as that of the preceding services. The music selection is the same as Sunday evening’s service with the following exceptions. The variable psalm is John Rutter’s arrangement of Henry Baker’s metrical version of Psalm 23, “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” for SATB voices and harp. The tune is ST. COLUMBA. The dismissal hymn is Molly Ijames’ arrangement of Scott Wesley Brown and Jeff Nelson’s hymn, “Grace Alone” for SATB voices and piano, with optional violin and cello.

The second psalm prayer is taken from Common Worship (2000).

The reading is Luke 13: 10-17. The homily is titled “Only by His Grace” and looks at what it means to be merciful as God is merciful and how we need the help of God’s grace to do so.

The link to the service is: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2020/08/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for_20.html#more. Please feel free to share this link with anyone whom you believe might benefit from this service.

I hope that the service will be a blessing to you and to those with whom you share the link.

Black and Hispanic Churchgoers Concerned About Safety of In-Person Services

The Story: A new survey finds significant racial and ethnic differences in the perceived safety of attending religious services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Background: According the survey conducted by Pew Research in mid-July, nearly three-quarters of white adults (72 percent) who report they regularly attend religious services say they are “very” or “somewhat” confident they could safely attend in-person services right now at their regular house of worship without spreading or catching the coronavirus. By contrast, around half of black (49 percent) and Hispanic (51 percent) Americans who are similarly observant express such confidence. The other half of black and Hispanic attenders say they are “not too” or “not at all” confident they could safely go to in-person religious services right now without spreading or catching the virus.

(In this survey, regular religious service attenders are defined as those who said in a 2019 survey that they typically attend services at least once or twice a month or say in the new survey that they attended in-person services in the last month.)

Black and Hispanic worshippers also are less likely than their white counterparts to say they have actually gone to church or another house of worship recently. About one in five black adults (19 percent) who typically attend religious services at least monthly (according to the 2019 survey) say they have gone to in-person services in the past month, and one-in-four Hispanic worshippers (24 percent) report having done so. By comparison, 39 percent of white worshippers say they attended in-person services in the last month.

Black and Hispanic attenders are far more likely than white attenders to say their own congregation should be closed for in-person services: About four-in-ten Black (42 percent) and Hispanic attenders (37 percent) say this, compared with 21 percent of white attenders. Among white attenders, a majority (63 percent) think their congregation should be open for in-person religious services with modifications (such as social distancing, mask requirements or limited attendance), while much fewer black (44 percent) and Hispanic (51 percent) attenders say this is the right option for their congregations. Read More

How to Use Ventilation and Air Filtration to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus Indoors

The vast majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs indoors, most of it from the inhalation of airborne particles that contain the coronavirus. The best way to prevent the virus from spreading in a home or business would be to simply keep infected people away. But this is hard to do when an estimated 40% of cases are asymptomatic and asymptomatic people can still spread the coronavirus to others.

Masks do a decent job at keeping the virus from spreading into the environment, but if an infected person is inside a building, inevitably some virus will escape into the air.

I am a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. Much of my work has focused on how to control the transmission of airborne infectious diseases indoors, and I’ve been asked by my own university, my kids’ schools and even the Alaska State Legislature for advice on how to make indoor spaces safe during this pandemic.

Once the virus escapes into the air inside a building, you have two options: bring in fresh air from outside or remove the virus from the air inside the building. Read More

Also See:
Aerosols Are a Bigger Coronavirus Threat than WHO Guidelines Suggest – Here’s What You Need to Know
The Constitution Doesn’t Have a Problem with Mask Mandates
Mask Resistance during a Pandemic Isn’t New – in 1918 Many Americans Were ‘Slackers’

In discussions of what precautionary measures churches should take to reduce COVID-19 transmission risks, the need for good ventilation is one of the most neglected areas. In its initial recommendations which the White House withheld from the public the Centers for Disease Control recommended that church services should be held outdoors or in a large, open room with its doors and windows open and ventilated by electric fans.

Holding a gathering outside will not by itself reduce transmission risks. The participants will also need to wear face masks and maintain social distancing. In addition the size of the gathering should be limited. A number of COVID-19 outbreaks have been traced to large outdoor gatherings where the participants stood or sat in close proximity to each other and did nor wear face masks. Like holding a gathering outdoors, limiting the size of the gathering will not by itself reduce transmission risks. Clusters of new COVID-19 cases have been traced to barbecues and other small outdoor gatherings where the participants were not wearing face masks or maintaining social distancing.

The scientists who published an open letter to the WHO calling upon that organization to recognize the growing body of evidence of the airborne transmission of the COVID-19 coronavirus drew attention to the inadequacy of ventilation systems that recirculate the air in a room or building rather than exhausting stale air and replace it with fresh air from outside.

Too many churches have not kept abreast of the latest research findings and are following outdated and inadequate guidance. A number of churches are ignoring guidance entirely and are endangering the health, safety, and well-being of their congregations and their communities.

Wednesday's Catch: "COVID-19 and the Power of a Pastor’s Phone" and More

COVID-19 and the Power of a Pastor’s Phone

There’s an underreported ministry practice that has surged in the days since COVID-19 arrived in the United States: the prevalence of pastors committed to calling all of their church members. Read More

8 Ways the Enemy Is Attacking the Church Today

First, a caveat. While we face a real enemy in Satan and his forces, we are our own worst enemy. In no way can we blame Satan for our sinful choices. On the other hand, he is a schemer who strategizes to take down God’s people. Few of these following ways are unique to these crazy days, but here are some ways I’m seeing Satan use as we continue to respond to COVID-19. Read More

6 Dangerous Social Media Habits for Pastors to Avoid

What are some critical mistakes pastors can make on social media? Here are six of the most common ones we should avoid. Read More

The COVID-19 Pandemic in the United States: Frustration with the Foolishness of America's Response

By Robin G. Jordan

How many people must suffer and how many people must die before the lunacy stops? Lunacy is a strong word but it describes what we have been observing since the first outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus in the United States. Other countries are amazed at the United States because its number of new COVID cases is skyrocketing and the country is doing so little to check the spread of the virus and to mitigate its effects.

The lunacy is not confined to the Christian community albeit it is well-represented in that community. Churches refuse to comply with necessary public measures intended to reduce transmission risks. One West Coast pastor is making a name for himself encouraging other church leaders to follow his lead and to expose their congregations to danger. A worship leader who is associated with a church whose orthodoxy has been questioned is holding large outdoor gatherings where people from different parts of the country mingle together, come in close contact with each other, and engage in activities such as vigorous singing that have been implicated in the spread of the virus.

Now this segment of the Christian community believes that God will protect them from the virus. A number of churches took that view and became the epicenter of fresh outbreaks of the virus. Have they considered the possibility that the virus might be a judgement against them? One of the reasons that we have epidemics is that we live in a fallen world. Sin brought with it disease and death. What this segment of the Christian community sees as a test of their faith in God’s protection may actually be a test of their obedience to live in accordance with Jesus’ teaching and to show mercy and compassion for their fellow human beings. They are failing that test.

The arguments marshalled in support of conducting worship services regardless of the consequences are reminiscent of the reaction of the Pharisees and scribes to Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath. They accused Jesus of breaking the commandment not to labor on the Sabbath. They were sticklers for the letter of the Law. But Jesus draws to their attention that God desires mercy above all else. They may observe the minutiae of the Law. However, if they do not show compassion towards others, to their neighbors and to the strangers in their midst, they are not obeying God. In fact their hearts are far from God.

Worshiping God is more than singing hymns and worship songs and listening to a sermon on Sunday. We show our love for God by showing our love for Jesus. We show our love for Jesus by keeping his word and obeying his commandments. In other words, we frame our lives around his teaching. If anyone doubts what I am saying, I urge him to read the Gospel of John and John’s First Epistle.

The lunacy extends beyond the Christian community. The town of Sturges is hosting a motorcycle rally that is attracting bikers from across the country and these bikers are crowding into bars and restaurants without any regard for social distancing or other precautionary measures. 60 % of the population of Sturges was opposed to the event but the town council authorized it.

A number of states reopened prematurely. They did not follow the CDC guidelines. Those states are now experiencing high numbers of new COVID-19 cases.

My county is experiencing a spike in new COVID-19 cases. The main reason for the growing number of new cases is that a segment of the local population is not complying with state and local public health measures intended to reduce the spread of the virus. They do not observe social distancing, wear face masks, avoid non-essential trips, or wash their hands. They travel out state to virus hot spots and they do not self-quarantine when they return to the state.

The grocery store where I shop has special hours for older people like myself and for those with pre-existing conditions. The store has a big sign at its front entrance warning customers that it is complying with the governor’s executive order regarding wearing face masks. Every time I shop at the store, I see a customer who is not wearing a face mask. The store does nothing about these customers. I gather from friends that the situation is worse at the other grocery stores in town.

The town is a college town. The university is beginning classes next week and the local health authorities are concerned that the return of the students to the university will boost the number of new cases. The county hospital is concerned that it will be overwhelmed. While the university has implemented a number of precautionary measures, the success of these measures is dependent upon the cooperation of the students. Based upon little regard that the students have shown for their own health and the health of others in the past during flu and cold season, I am not optimistic.

While the Bible does not have a lot to say about epidemics beyond that God uses them to fulfill his purposes, it does have a good deal to say about fools and their folly. A number of proverbs in the Book of Proverbs are devoted to the subject. We are warned against their foolishness—their lack of common sense and good judgement. We are also warned to steer clear of fools lest we should be drawn into their folly to our own undoing. I believe that we would be wise to heed this warning.

The Bible tells us that it is pointless to argue with a fool because he will never listen to wisdom. He will persist in his folly even if he endangers himself and others. He will continue on his reckless course and drag others down with him. The Bible also tells us that the fool believes that he is wise when he is not and sets great store in his own judgement. He does not listen to those who are wiser than himself.

The Bible’s warning against fools and their folly is a warning not just against keeping company with fools but also becoming a fool ourselves. While it is tempting to see others as fools, particularly those with whom we disagree, we are also quite capable of foolishness. The Bible counsels us to pursue wisdom, the wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord.

Jesus told both his critics and his disciples that the words he spoke were not his but what he heard from the Father. They were God’s words. Those who truly fear the Lord, heed Jesus’ words. They obey his commandments to love our neighbors as ourselves, to love each other as Jesus loves us, and to love our enemies.

Love of God and love of others are inseparable. One cannot claim to love God and turn his back on his fellow human beings and ignore their health, safety, and well being. That was the point Jesus was making to the Pharisees and the scribes. They were not honoring God as they may have thought that they were. God desires mercy and they were not showing the mercy that he desires.

The wisdom that begins with the fear of the Lord is also the wisdom that begins with the love of others. As Christians we should not allow our political convictions or anything else come between us and that love. It would be a critical step toward ending the lunacy.

Tuesday's Catch: "The New Characteristics of Churches That Will Be in Decline Five Years from Now" and More

The New Characteristics of Churches That Will Be in Decline Five Years from Now

The decisions you make today impact the future you live tomorrow. Five years from now we’ll see how accurate these are, but here are 7 new characteristics of churches that will I suggest lead them into decline in the future. Read More

How to Re-engage Church Members Who Dropped Out During the Pandemic [Podcast]

The number of people who have dropped out during the pandemic is a highly relevant topic for church leaders. A lot of leaders are wondering where these people have gone and more importantly, how to re-engage with these church members. Listen Now

Our Parents Should Have Told Us: Manners for Social Media in Polarized Times

Jim Elliff urges Christians to watch their hearts and their words on social media. Read More

Causing Little Ones to Stumble

Is our speech and behavior breeding in our own children disillusionment and doubt in the veracity of Christianity? Read More

Is Singing Together Safe In The Era Of Coronavirus? Not Really, Experts Say

In...March...singers and choral directors across the country became concerned after a chorus in Washington state made national headlines. Sixty singers in the Skagit Valley Chorale showed up to a two-and-a-half-hour rehearsal. Fifty-three of them became sick with the coronavirus, and two people died.

The CDC issued a report about the group in May, writing: "SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19] might be highly transmissible in certain settings, including group singing events." But since then, the CDC has erased that messaging from its current posted guidelines, due to what American scientists worry are political concerns.

"Singing in a room for an extended period of time, in close contact with lots of people and no ventilation — that's a recipe for disaster," says Shelly Miller, a professor at the University of Colorado Boulder. Along with Jelena Srebric at the University of Maryland, Miller is leading a six-month research project looking at singers' and other musicians' transmission of aerosol particles.

Their team's research is funded by a consortium of organizations — from professional advocacy groups like Opera America to associations representing high school bands and choruses — who are all trying to figure out how they can get back together safely.

In preliminary research published on July 13, Miller and her fellow researchers found that singers, as well as certain wind and brass instrumentalists, generate respiratory aerosols at high rates. In other words, they spew a lot of droplets into the air when they warble or blow. A second round of research published on Aug. 6 reinforced those findings and the team's recommendations. Read More

Also See: 
Performing Arts Aerosol Study
Second Round of Performing Arts Aerosol Study Produces Encouraging Preliminary Results
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by inhalation of respiratory aerosol in the Skagit Valley Chorale superspreading event
COVID-19 Airborne Transmission Tool Available
Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: implications for infection prevention precautions
CDC Quickly Changed Its Guidance On Limiting Choirs At Religious Services

I am posting links to these articles as follow-up to the article on church camps and pipe organs to which I posted links earlier. Where COVID-19 transmission is concerned, the evidence is mounting that singing is a high risk activity. Unfortunately some churches will ignore this evidence and will not take necessary precautionary measures to protect their congregations and their communities. While singing has played an important role in Christian worship, it is certainly not the only way to worship God. Indeed worshiping God is not just something Christians do on Sundays. Christians should be honoring God with everything do and say every waking moment of the day. Those who do that are the true worshipers that the Father seeks, the ones who worship him in spirit and in truth. 

Coronavirus: Organs Can Now Be Played Again, Says Church in Wales

Advice against organists playing their instruments in church because they could spread coronavirus has been changed, says the Church in Wales. T

The Welsh Government had said their use should be "specifically avoided, along with singing, chanting and shouting".

But the Church in Wales said it had now received new guidance on the matter.

It said: "The decision to use an organ 'should be based on a risk assessment and adherence with social distancing, hand hygiene and cleaning guidance'. Read More

Recommended Reading:
High SARS-CoV-2 Attack Rate Following Exposure at a Choir Practice — Skagit County, Washington, March 2020
COVID-19 and Organists: Q & A
Safety of Pipe Organs: Q & A

Whether playing a pipe organ increased COVID-19 transmission risks would depend upon a number of factors, based upon the research that I have been reading. These factors include the size of the room, the height of the organ pipes, the location of the air intake for the organ, the adequacy of the ventilation of the room, and the effects of playing the organ on air circulation in the room. Some forms of mechanical ventilation recirculate the air in a room and do increase the transmission risks. If playing a pipe organ in a particular room has a similar effect, I would think twice about using the organ. How might a church determine the effect of playing a pipe organ on air circulation? One possible method would be to set off a smoke flare next to the air intake and then observe how the smoke circulates when it emerges from the organ pipes. This should be done carefully to reduce the risk of fire. If the air circulation study is inconclusive, the church might want to pre-record any organ music, making sure to remunerate the organist for his or her services.

Monday's Catch: 'Avoiding the Comparison Trap' and More

Avoiding the Comparison Trap

It is hard to lead a small church or a young church. Perhaps it is even more challenging today than it once was. Church planters and small church pastors have a tall order—I know from personal experience. Read More

Survey: Majority of American Christians Don’t Believe the Gospel

A new survey finds that a majority of people who describe themselves as Christian accept a “works-oriented” means to God’s acceptance. Read More

Five Types of Church Members Who Will Not Return after the Quarantine

It is one of the most common questions we get from church leaders: When will all the church members return to in-persons services? Leaders do not like my response: Never. Read More

10 Ways to Improve and Re-Focus Fellowship Events at Church

New Testament fellowship is about much more than food. It’s about coming together to provoke one another to good works (Heb. 10:24-25). It’s not about retreating from the world to eat; it’s about gathering together to be re-armed for the war. With that goal in mind, here are some ways to strengthen fellowship events–recognizing that social distancing is still a requirement in many places, and the COVID-19 crisis may change the way we gather.... Read More

Christian Camps Tried to Keep COVID-19 Away. It Didn’t Always Work.

Can schools learn from summer successes and outbreaks? Read More

What's Fueling the Divisions in Your Church

Many factors no doubt play a role in this problem, but one statistic may underscore a significant contributors to our current division. On any given day, evangelical Christians in the U.S. are twice as likely to open Facebook as their Bible, according to LifeWay Research. Read More

On Facebook one encounters a cacophony of voices promoting all kinds of disinformation and misinformation. Everyone has an opinion and everyone is peddling his opinion. Woe betide you if you don't buy into their opinion.

But I’ve Never Been Discipled!

Quite a few of my friends say they’ve “never been discipled”—and so they are hesitant about discipling someone else. In addition to belonging to a church and attending Bible study, they serve in various capacities. Yet when it comes to the idea of discipling someone, the task seems daunting and mysterious. How can we create a discipleship culture in our churches when so many of us feel ill-prepared? Read More

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Sunday Evening (August 9, 2020)

I have posted All Hallows Evening Prayer for Sunday Evening (August 9, 2020) on the All Hallows Murray blog.

The variable psalm is Luke Mayernik’s responsorial setting of Psalm 113, “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord.”

The reading is Luke 6: 27-36.

The homily is titled “Children of the Most High” and unpacks Jesus’ teaching that we should love our enemies.

The dismissal hymn is James Quinn’s translation of the Latin hymn Ubi Caritas, “God Is Love, and Where True Love Is God Himself Is There,” sung to A. Gregory Murray’s hymn tune UBI CARITAS.

The link to the service is: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2020/08/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for-sunday_9.html#more.

Please feel free to share this link with anyone whom you believe might benefit from the service.

I hope that the service is a blessing to you and to those with whom you share the link. May it round out your Sunday for you.

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday Evening (August 8, 2020)

I have posted All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday Evening (August 8, 2020) on the All Hallows Murray weblog.

The order of service is taken from The Book of Alternative Services (1985).

The Phos hilaron is Stephen Sturk’s choral arrangement (SATB) of “O Gracious Light” from The Book of Common Prayer (1979).

The evening penitential psalm is Will Chiles’ choral arrangement (SATB) of Psalm 141, “O God, My Lord, on Thee I Call” from the Bay Psalm Book (1640).

The variable psalm is Roger Holtz and Jane Terwillinger’s responsorial setting of Psalm 8, “O Lord, Our God, How Wonderful.”

The reading is Romans 10: 5-15.

The homily is titled “Beautiful Feet.” The thrust of the homily is that all Christians share a common calling to proclaim Jesus in word and deed.

The gospel canticle is Chaz Bower’s choral arrangement (SATB) of “My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord” from With One Voice (1995). "My Soul Proclaims Your Greatness, Lord” is based upon the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-56)—Mary’s Song of Praise and is set to the traditional English melody KINGSFOLD.

The Intercessions are taken from Ecumenical Services of Prayer: Consultation on Common Texts (1983).

The dismissal hymn is Delores Dufner’s hymn, “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve.” The hymn tune is AZMON. “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve” may also be sung to RICHMOND (Haweis), also known as CHESTERFIELD, and LAND OF REST.

The blessing is adapted from Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006).

The link to the service is https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2020/08/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for-saturday.html#more.

Please feel free to share this link with anyone whom you believe may benefit from the service.

I hope that the service is a blessing to you and those with whom you share the link and provides a prayerful beginning to your Sunday.

Saturday Lagniappe: Team Goal Crushing and More

5 Reasons Your Team Isn't Crushing Their Goals

Church buildings are closed or at limited capacity, organizations are having to change strategy constantly, and you’re leading in a world you never thought you would lead.As a result, many teams feel disoriented, which makes missing targets or objectives even more likely. And speaking of targets and objectives, how do you even know what to shoot for in an environment as confusing as the environment right now? All of these are great questions, and fortunately there are answers. After leading teams for over two decades, here are five possible reasons your team isn’t crushing their goals. Read More

Leading a Whiteboard Session with Your Staff or Church Leaders

By now, you’ve heard the call to capture the opportunity of a blank slate. The current pandemic is prompting every church to reconsider approaches to ministry. Practically, how do you start this process? Read More

Push, Pull, and Changing Jobs in the Middle of a Pandemic

The absolute best counsel I have received on transitioning from one role to another comes from Brad Waggoner. Brad was one of my professors in seminary, and later I reported to him as he was Chief Operating Officer at LifeWay. Through those seasons, he was a mentor who I respected a great deal. I still do. According to Brad, whenever you consider a job transition, it is wise to consider “the push” and “the pull.” Read More

5 COVID-19 Problems That Worsened for Pastors This Summer

As the nation confronts a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, several issues have become problematic for more churches since spring. The latest round of LifeWay Research studies on the coronavirus’ impact on churches and pastors identified at least five struggles that became more pronounced since April. Read More

Why Are People Ghosting Online Small Groups?

People are ghosting online small groups in an alarming rate. Typically, when people sign up for a small group, we expect a certain number to not show up. That’s just how things are in small group world. At the church my family attends, people just choose a group from the website. The problem is what happens next. Read More

I have been involved in in-person small group ministry for a number of years. This problem is not unique to online small groups.

What Type of Online Group is Right for You?

When you think about types of online groups, you actually need to consider two questions: Why is the group meeting? and How will the group meet? Let’s look at both. Read More

3 Tips on Reaching Your Cross-Cultural Neighbors from a Social Distance

God, in His goodness, has been bringing the nations to us. He’s given us gospel work to do right where we are—even in a pandemic. You may have missed your summer mission trip to Africa, but you still may have the opportunity to engage the Gambian ex-pat living in your neighborhood. Even in a global pandemic, you can find creative ways to reach the nations near you. Read More

Friday's Catch: World Christianity's African Future and More

The Future of World Christianity Is African

Philip Jenkins explores one of the most significant trends facing the world in the coming century, the declining fertility rate in most areas of the world, and how it will affect world Christianity. Read More

Also see "Fertility, Faith, and a Secular America?"

The Difference between Christian Grace and Mormon Grace

J. Warner Wallace explains the difference between the way Protestant Christians understand grace and the way Mormons understand grace. Read More

You Are the Least Common Denominator

Leaders reading this fall into one of two categories: (1) the senior leader, (2) everybody else. Regardless of category it is crucial for you to be self-aware. Here are some questions to ask yourself.... Read More

5 Questions about the Psalms

The ultimate purpose of the book of Psalms is to model for God’s people how and why to praise the Lord. Read More

12 Ways to Respond in a Spiritual Rut

I wrote yesterday about signs to see if you’re in currently in a spiritual rut. Today, here are some options for getting out of the rut.... Read More

Also see "10 Signs You Might Be in a Spiritual Rut."

5 Practices to Get You Through the Pandemic

Have you ever felt like you’re on the backside of the desert or in some twisted form of an apocalyptic wasteland? Do you feel a bit isolated and irritated in your struggle with the COVID dilemma? Read More

The Unique US Failure to Control the Virus - UPDATED

Nearly every country has struggled to contain the coronavirus and made mistakes along the way.

China committed the first major failure, silencing doctors who tried to raise alarms about the virus and allowing it to escape from Wuhan. Much of Europe went next, failing to avoid enormous outbreaks. Today, many countries — Japan, Canada, France, Australia and more — are coping with new increases in cases after reopening parts of society.

Yet even with all of these problems, one country stands alone, as the only affluent nation to have suffered a severe, sustained outbreak for more than four months: the United States. Read More

Related Articles:
Inside Trump’s Failure: The Rush to Abandon Leadership Role on the Virus
Coronavirus: Dr Fauci Says Daughters Have Been Harassed NEW
Coronavirus: Trump’s Signals 'Not Helpful', Says Fauci NEW

91 People Get COVID-19 in Connection with Ohio Church Service

At a press conference Tuesday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine shared a graphic demonstrating how a 56-year-old man who attended a church service in Tuscarawas County spread COVID-19 to 91 people. One surprising aspect of the chart was how few of the people who contracted the virus were in what we have understood to be the high-risk age group.

“It spread like wildfire. Very, very scary,” said DeWine. He noted, “We’ve been very careful throughout this pandemic to exempt religious services from any regulations. The only exception to that is that we’re now asking people who attend church to wear a mask. But it’s vital that to control the spread of the virus that any time—any time—people get together, including for religious services, that everyone wear masks, practice social distancing, wash their hands and also while indoors, make sure there’s good ventilation and air flow.”

The governor said he would be sending a letter to Ohio’s faith-based communities providing the latest health information and sharing measures by which faith leaders could protect worshipers. “We know that our faith-based leaders want nothing more than to protect those who come to worship,” said DeWine. “We want to provide our faith communities with all the information we can from doctors and health experts to arm them with the tools to conduct services safely. Our religious faiths are at the core of our great state and our great country. We thank our faith-based leaders for all they do to serve God and God’s people.” Read More

Image Credit: Tuscarawa County Health Department

Christian Nationalists Least Likely to Take Coronavirus Precautions Study Finds

Many are asking why the United States is having such a hard time curtailing the coronavirus within its borders. An equally perplexing point of discussion is why adherence to things like social distancing measures, designed to slow the spread of the virus, have become politicized in the U.S. According to a new study, Christian nationalism may give us some insight into both of these questions. The study, published in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, proposes that Christian nationalists are the ones most likely to eschew precautionary measures and engage in “incautious” activity, thus “potentially worsening the pandemic.”

“We find Christian nationalism was the leading predictor that Americans engaged in incautious behavior like eating in restaurants, visiting family/friends, or gathering with 10+ persons (though not attending church), and was the second strongest predictor that Americans took fewer precautions like wearing a mask or sanitizing/washing one’s hands,” the authors of the study write. In other words, Christian nationalists are less likely to do the things that scientists and government officials have proposed to slow the spread of the coronavirus and are more likely to engage in activities that spread it.

Furthermore, the study proposes that what prompts this incautious response is Christian nationalists’ beliefs. Namely, “belief in divine protection, distrust of scientists and the news media, and devotion to Trump.” Read More

Also See:
Culture Wars and COVID‐19 Conduct: Christian Nationalism, Religiosity, and Americans’ Behavior During the Coronavirus Pandemic - Original Article
Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States
Americans with Christian Nationalist Views More Likely to Flout COVID-19 Precautions: Study - Interview with Prof. Samuel Perry

This study appears to corroborate what has been the observation of a number of people that a correlation exists between the political and religious views of a particular segment of the US population and their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. I find that it is interesting that those who were surveyed in this study believe that public confession of "immorality" will resolve the pandemic since they look for leadership to an individual whose attitudes and behaviors do not meet Biblical standards of morality in a number of key areas such as marital fidelity, truth-telling, and forgiveness. The belief that the United States is God's chosen nation is traceable to the nineteenth century doctrine of manifest destiny which was used to justify US expansionism in the final decades of the nineteenth century and has no basis in Scripture.