Monday's Catch: 'Why Your Church Has to Replace 32 Percent of Its Attendance to Stay Even Each Year' And More

Why Your Church Has to Replace 32 Percent of Its Attendance to Stay Even Each Year

In a church with 100 in attendance, an additional 32 attendees would have to be added to stay even, and they would have to attend every Sunday. If they attend every other Sunday, the church would need an additional 64 attendees. In a church with 100 in attendance, an additional 32 attendees would have to be added to stay even, and they would have to attend every Sunday. If they attend every other Sunday, the church would need an additional 64 attendees. Where have all the church attendees gone? Let’s look at four important components....

On Migrants and Immigration: What Are We Afraid Of?
Blaming the Venezuelan mother seeking to alleviate her child's hunger or the Cuban teenager on our border won't actually save American lives.

How to Equip Your Church to do the Work of Ministry
Though you desire to share ministry with others, you might wonder about their ability to lead. How do you equip others for ministry?

Three Warnings for Those Who Preach the Word
Preaching is a high calling.

Audience Perception and the Length of Sunday Sermons
Not a surprise - pastors and congregations still don’t agree on sermon length.

How to “Sing Like Never Before”
Like millions of other people, I’ve enjoyed Matt Redman’s song “Ten Thousand Reasons” ever since he wrote it in 2011. I’ve sung it a lot, led it a lot, listened to it a lot, and been helped by it a lot. But one of the lines in the chorus has kind of always bugged me. “…Sing like never before, O my soul…”

We Don’t Sing for Fun
Singing is serious business! It is as serious as preaching and prayer and communion.

It’s not too late to pick a Bible reading plan for 2023. Here are 3 options.
So, here are three options for Bible reading plans that will take you from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 before the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 2, 2024 — should the Lord tarry, of course.

Why I Chose the Church with Worn-Out Bathrooms
Their hearts and their budget were set more on people than on their facility.

'The Church is not in decline,' says missiologist
Widespread belief in the resurrection of Jesus is an opportunity for the Church, a missiologist has said.

Responding to the Bishops’ Proposals for Same-Sex Blessings
There are so many things to say in response to this that it is hard to know where to begin. It may be best to outline some initial responses simply in bullet point form, before we get the more detailed proposals (on Friday apparently).

All Hallows Sunday Morning and Evening Worship (January 22, 2023) Is Now Online

 

This Sunday’s order of worship for the morning and the evening is based upon A Form for Ordering a Service of the Word, suggested in the Appendices of A New Zealand Prayer Book (2020). The four songs used in each service come from the United Methodist Church’s The Faith We Sing (2000) or Worship and Song (2011). The Faith We Sing and Worship and Song are supplements to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989). The hymns and worship songs in these two collections have proven their usefulness in worship. The choral benediction is Carlton R. Young's musical setting of the biblical benediction, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You."

Morning Worship begins at the top of the page. Scroll down the page for the beginning of Evening Worship.

Morning Worship:

Reading: 1 John 1: 1-4

Message: More than a Great Teacher

Evening Worship

Reading: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Message: A Prayer and a Thought

The link to the services of Morning and Evening Worship for this Sunday is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-sunday-morning-and-evening.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'More Than Jumper Cable Christianity' And More

More Than Jumper Cable Christianity

Jesus is calling us to more than a singular morning meeting.

Lost in the Wrong details, or Leveraging the Right Details? (And how you can know.)
There is a huge difference between details that are unimportant distractions, and details that can actually change a life. A good leader knows the difference.

4 Obstacles Pastors Face in Setting Boundaries
Healthy boundaries make for healthy souls. Unhealthy boundaries make for unhealthy souls.

Overcoming Objections to Leading Small Groups
Here are some common objections and ways to overcome them....

Church of England releases draft prayers for same-sex blessings
The Church of England released the details of a proposal to offer blessings, but not marriage, to same-sex couples on Jan. 20. The proposed prayers and liturgies would be the church’s first-ever formal recognition of same-sex relationships, though they would not change its traditional teaching on marriage and would be optional for clergy to offer.

CofE same-sex blessings will lead to change in doctrine, say evangelicals
Evangelicals in the Church of England have expressed concern about the apparent contradiction at the heart of proposals announced this week to allow prayers and blessings for same-sex couples.

An Eton Mess: The Failure of English Bishops
While the doctrine of marriage has not officially changed it has in practice … it will make nobody happy.

Will the Anglican Communion hold together?
In a stretch of logic few will be able to understand, the Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday announced that the publication of Prayers of Love and Faith, which enable couples to come to church to have their civil same-sex marriage blessed, "fall very clearly within" Lambeth 1998 Resolution I.10.

Traditionalists, reform and women
As the Catholic Synod on Synodality enters its "continental phase," some have wondered if the church is moving toward Vatican Three. Of course, there are still fights going on about Vatican Two.

Friday's Catch: 'New Data Reveals Big Gains for Non-Denominational Churches' And More

New Data Reveals Big Gains for Non-Denominational Churches
A recent Christianity Today article reported on data from the 2020 Religion Census. According to the report, every Protestant denomination has declined while those congregations claiming to be non-denominational gained millions of people. Thom Rainer and Sam Rainer discuss their thoughts on this report and what it may mean for the future of churches affiliated with Protestant denominations.

Leading a Church Revitalization Even When You Don’t Feel Like You Are a Leader – Part 2: Four Common Leadership Obstacles in a Church Revitalization

It is almost cliche to say revitalization is tough. But it is a challenge. Thom Rainer and Mark Clifton speak with countless pastors and staff who don’t think they are up to the task. This three-part series may prove to be a blessing to those who are discouraged and wonder if they can lead the revitalization. In this second episode, Thom and Mark look at four of the more common leadership obstacles in revitalization.

Necessary Conversations: The Church, Suicide, and Mental Health
The church is for the broken. A church without the broken is a broken church.

Sunday Schools Build Back After COVID Challenges
Episcopal Sunday schools across the country have long struggled to make do with very little. For some churches, that has meant a lack of funding, resources, teachers, or even children.

The struggles of Episcopal Sunday schools are not particular to the Episcopal Church but affect small churches of other denominations.

How to Use Social Media for Outreach Events
Large events and holiday celebrations can lead to huge boosts in church attendance, growth, and engagement. But if you’ve ever planned one, you know planning isn’t the hardest part. The menu is set, the band has practiced, the speaker is booked. All that’s left is getting people in the door. Easy enough, right?

Valuing Intentional Community
Community is a Christian buzzword, usually meaning a group of Christ followers that care for one another, but the scriptures expand on this definition to cast a vision for community that can truly change the world.

The Oxygen That Sustains Our Evangelism The oxygen that nourishes us and fuels our evangelism is largely composed of four things.

US worst country for pushing 'extreme gender ideology,' sex change surgeries on youth: study
The United States is the most permissive country when it comes to pushing gender ideology and prescribing puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children, compared to nearly a dozen European countries that have implemented more strenuous barriers for youth seeking to obtain drugs and body-mutilating surgeries to look more like the opposite sex.

Church of England publishes draft prayers for same-sex blessings
The Church of England has today published draft prayers to be used in blessing services for same-sex couples. The bishops have published a set of eight prayers and an acclamation for ministers to use at their discretion. They include prayers for thanksgiving, dedication and God's guidance.

The Church of England Takes a "Third Way" on Gay Marriage
...it came as something of a surprise that the Anglican bishops voted this week to stand firm on gay marriage. The result is somewhat qualified—the bishops also voted to permit blessings and prayers for same-sex civil partnerships and to issue a forthcoming apology about past sins against LGBTQ+ people.

Evangelicals may reject authority of liberal bishops in Church of England
Evangelical ministers in the Church of England are being urged to indicate their willingness to repudiate their obedience to any bishop who departs from established orthodoxy on issues of sexual morality – and to seek alternative episcopal oversight. It follows the announcement this week that the Church of England intends to allow blessings for same-sex couples.

All Hallows Saturday Evening Worship (January 21, 2023) Is Now Online

The order of worship for this Saturday evening is based upon A Form for Ordering a Service of the Word, suggested in the Appendices of A New Zealand Prayer Book (2020). The four songs used in the service come from the United Methodist Church’s The Faith We Sing (2000), a supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).

The Scripture reading is Matthew 18: 1-7.

The message is "Who Is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven? What Jesus’ Answer Means for Us."

The link to this service is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-saturday-evening-worship.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

Thursday's Catch: "7 Reasons Guests Don’t Return' And More

7 Reasons Guests Don’t Return

Why don’t guests return? This is a question most church leaders will ask themselves. It is encouraging to see visitors come into the church, but it can be discouraging when the vast majority seem to only be one-time visitors. Here is a list of possible reasons that may be helpful as you evaluate what is happening in your church.

Serving Together
We were created by God to serve, and our service is one way we glorify him. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do” (Eph. 2:10). Many churches are involved in service projects that help those in need and also make a positive impression on their communities.

When Were Christians First Regarded as Intolerant “Haters”?
In the midst of the high octane culture wars of the last ten years, Christians have been labelled all sorts of things: intolerant, bigoted, arrogant, narrow, dogmatic, just to name a few. But, one noteworthy word stands out. Christians have been labelled haters. Despite the fact that Christians are to be known by their love (John 13:35), it seems the world often associates us with hate.

5 Terrible Ideas That Will Make Your Worship Services Fake
Rich Kirkpatrick identifies 5 things not to do in our worsip services.

How Can We Welcome Kids to “Big Church”?
Many churches are returning to worship with all ages included in the service for the entire time or for a portion of the time. And for many, that is new, which means this question is being asked: “How can we welcome children and youth into worship service times?”

Churches are rediscovering what my generation discovered in the 1970s: churches that separate children from the adults and relegate them to children's church should not be surprised that they drift away from church in their teens.

7 Suprises for New Children's Ministry Leaders
As a new children's ministry leader, director or pastor, you may think you have everything under control and know what to expect. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You've got some big surprises ahead of you. Here are a few surprises that you may face and how to be prepared to deal with it.

4 Keys to Flourishing Small Group Friendships in 2023
Everyone knows in their heads that friendships are important...But the experience of many is that we’re in a pronounced decline when it comes to experiencing friendships.

Wedesday's Catch: 'Dinner Church, Anyone? ' And More

Dinner Church, Anyone?
What is dinner church? Well, it’s dinner. And church. Scrunched together. But there’s so much more to it than that. Here’s a few dinner churches from around the world to give you a little taste.

To Whom Much Is Given, Much Will Be Required: On Christians and Climate Change
The data in the new Pew Research Center study on Christians and the environment is conflicting. How can we best respond?

5 Ways to Teach the Art of Dying: Recognizing the Sanctity of Life Through all of Life
Everyone’s going to die, but no one wants to talk about it. Living well as Christians requires that we rediscover the art of dying well.

6 Things Pastors Should Say in Every Sermon
To address the reality of the unreached and those lacking knowledge among us, here are six things pastors should say in every sermon.

People You Should Avoid and Why
Their mouths say they love Jesus, but their actions don’t show it.

Evangelicals lament Church of England's plans to introduce blessings for same-sex couples
Evangelicals have come out in strong opposition to today's announcement by the Church of England outlining plans to introduce blessings for same-sex couples.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Winning the New and Old Front Doors' And More

Winning the New and Old Front Doors

Decades ago, the church doors were where people would check out a local church. On rare occasions, maybe the church had a radio or small market television ministry where nonmembers could connect to the church. But today, every church leader, through podcasts and social media availability, has a larger ministry footprint outside the geographical bounds of the church campus. So how does a church differentiate between the church down the street and them?

Seven Reasons Church Revitalization Begins with Me as a Church Leader
Most churches in North America need revitalization. Our Church Answers team seeks to offer support, encouragement, resources, and conversations to help church leaders move in that direction. At the same time, though, any true revitalization begins with those of us who lead those churches. Here’s why....

Churches that do not need revitalization, even replanting, form a small minority of churches in the United States and Canada. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the weaknesses of local churches in North America and accelerated the decline of a number of local churches. A growing number of local churches have been forced to close their doors. The pandemic was a wakeup call that church leaders would be very foolish to ignore.

One OTHER Reason to Read the Bible This Year
We know as Christians that there’s not a better thing we can do than to immerse ourselves in God’s Word, and the first of the year is a great time to try and incorporate that discipline into our lives. There are all kinds of reasons why this is a good and right thing for us to do, but the main one is that if you read the Bible every day, then you know you are going to grow spiritually....

How Should I Dispose of a Bible?
How do you dispose of a worn-out Bible? Is there a protocol, like with a flag?

My inclination is to seal the old Bible in an air-tight container that may prevent further deterioration of the Bible and bury it in a place where a future generation might discover it and read it. We do not know what the future holds and a time may come when the discover and reading of that Bible may be invaluable. God might use it to initiate a spiritual resurgence in North America.

The Speck You See in Their Eye Might Be the Exact Log in Your Eye
It is not uncommon for people to project onto someone else their own flaws and shortcomings. It is one way of avoiding them. A good question to ask ourselves when we notice what we perceive to be a flaw or shortcoming in someone else is to ask ourselves whether we might also suffer from this flaw or shortcoming and to ask others to share their observations with us. Everyone has blind spots, flaws and shortcomings that they do not recognize, which are hid from them but not from others.

Why Christians Should Not Get Angry with the Lost
There is a kind of Christianity that is angry with the sinful world and rails against the evils of our time. It is angry because it does not grasp the human condition: By nature, we are blind, bound, and dead...Blaring the horns of condemnation may give vent to Christian frustrations, but it does nothing to solve the human problem.

All Hallows Evening Worship for Wednesday Evening (January 18, 2023) Is Now Online

 

The order of worship for this Wednesday evening is based upon A Form for Ordering a Service of the Word, suggested in the Appendices of A New Zealand Prayer Book (2020). The three songs used in the service come from the United Methodist Church’s The Faith We Sing (2000), a supplement to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989).

The Scripture reading is Amos 8.

The message is “A Famine of God’s Word in the Midst of Plenty?.”

The link to this service is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-evening-worship-for.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

Free E-Book: 101 Ways to Overcome Burnout

Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout—and take steps to recover from it.

By Jamie Anan and Kent Annan

Download your free eBook: 101 Ways to Overcome Burnout. Then keep reading to better understand burnout, including how to spot its signs and symptoms.

Most people—including us—have difficulty knowing when it’s time to take a break from their helping efforts. If the needs of others take precedence over every other responsibility and activity, including self-care, you’ll burn out and lose your ability to effectively serve. It’s important to learn to care well for yourself as you care for others, which begins with learning to recognize burnout and practice strategies for healthy coping. Read More

All Hallows Morning and Evening Prayer for Sunday (January 15, 2023) Is Now Online

 

The order of service for this Sunday’s Morning and Evening Worship is taken from the Anglican Church of Australia’s A Prayer Book for Australia (1998). The songs used in the two services are taken from the United Methodist Church’s The Faith We Sing (2000).

Morning Worship begins at the top of the page. Scroll down the page for the beginning of Evening Worship.

Morning Worship:

Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Mark 1: 14-20

Message: Called to Serve

Evening Worship

Readings: Ezekiel 2:1-3:4; Galatians 1: 11-24

Message: God’s Transforming Grace

The link to the services of Morning and Evening Worship for this Sunday is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-morning-and-evening-worship.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: '12 Ways to Increase Attendance at Your Church This Weekend' And More

12 Ways to Increase Attendance at Your Church This Weekend

We’re now beginning to see attendance at some churches meet or exceed pre-COVID numbers, but other churches are still struggling. In either case, here are some simple ways to increase your church’s attendance this weekend....

What Is Distinct about the Theology of Mark? 

All four Gospels give us accounts of Jesus’s life, his teaching, his journey towards Jerusalem, and his death and his resurrection. Nevertheless, as we read the Gospels alongside each other, distinctives (not contradictions!) do appear.

The Ultimate Balanced Guide to Arminianism (from a Calvinist)
C. Michael Patton dispels a number of common misconceptions about Arminianism.

What Music Is For in Corporate Worship
The first common-language hymnal is a milestone to remember and an opportunity to reflect on how music serves Christian worship today.

How Christian Communicators Can Provide Comfort in Uncertain Times
A new crisis playbook for church communicators.

Most children have viewed porn before age of 13 - survey
Nearly three out of every four teenagers have viewed pornography at some point in their lives, with more than half first seeing sexually explicit material by age 13, according to a new study.

10 Commandments For Great Discussions
Geoff Surratt shares some principles for facilitating discussions, which he has picked up over the years.

An Evangelism Professor's List of Personal Lessons Learned about Telling the Good News
Chuck Lawless shares a number of lessons on evangelism he has learned in 26 years as a professor of evangelism.

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday Evening (January 14, 2023) Is Now Online

 

Every Sunday and feast day on the Christian calendar has two eves. The first eve is the evening before the Sunday or feast day and the second eve is the evening of that Sunday or feast day. We begin our observance of a Sunday or feast day on the first eve, and we conclude our observance on the second eve. In a number of Christian traditions, it is customary to begin and conclude the observance with a service of evening prayer.

The Scripture reading is Matthew 22: 34-40.

The homily is “The Greatest Commandment: What Is It and How Do We Keep It?”

The link to this service is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for-saturday_13.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

Friday's Catch: 'Wheel and Heal: Medical Bus Wins Award for Church Innovation' And More

Wheel and Heal: Medical Bus Wins Award for Church Innovation
After hospitals closed in rural Tennessee, church volunteers stepped in to provide basic care, cut hair, and pull teeth.

A lack of health care facilities and providers in rural areas is a nation-wide problem in the United States and it is growing worse.

A Tiny Pantry Becomes a Blessing Box
I originally was skeptical about the usefulness of what are known as "little pantries" or "blessing boxes," but I have come to see that they meet a need in an unexpected food emergency when social service agencies, community food banks, and church food pantries are closed. The challenge is keep them well-stocked with food that a family or individual may be able to use in such a food emergency. It is, however, a challenge that can be overcome.

Theology of Middle-Earth
Louis Markos reviews Austin M. Freeman's Tolkein's Dogmatics.

How Can Churches Create Space for Organic Mentoring Relationships?
Organic mentoring relationships enable pastors to steer their congregations with discipleship that harnesses the changing cultural currents.

God Has Not Given You a Stone
Jacob Croach writes, "I want to put a spotlight on this truth: God has not given you a stone." He goes on to explain.

Top 10 Guidelines For Growing Worship Leaders
"Worship leaders: what areas are you still working on? Which parts of your ministry can you improve on?" Mark Cole shares 10 guidelines he still reviews to make sure that he stays on track.

No Is a Perfectly Good Answer
As Christians, we get sucked into the social expectations of superficial niceness. We think saying "yes" to every request is what good Christians are supposed to do. This wasn't what Jesus did. Jesus said "no." In fact, Jesus said "no" a lot.

Thom Rainer: 7 Reasons Why Church Outreach Programs Fail
Thom Rainer explains why most church outreach programs fail.

Living the Fruit of the Spirit
Through the Church Evangelism Institute, the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College hosts cohorts of senior pastors across North America who are committed to growing both their personal and congregational evangelism and outreach passion. Josh Howlett, small groups and community pastor at Hill Country Bible Church in Pflugerville, Texas, shares why it is important for leaders to develop their character.

Developing our character is also important when we are not a church leader.

Thursday's Catch: 'Leading a Church Revitalization Even When You Don’t Feel Like You Are a Leader – Part 1' And More

Leading a Church Revitalization Even When You Don’t Feel Like You Are a Leader – Part 1: Why Some Revitalization Leaders Don’t Think They Are Leaders
It is almost cliche to say revitalization is tough. But it is a challenge. Thom Rainer and Mark Clifton speak with countless pastors and staff who don’t think they are up to the task. This three-part series may prove to be a blessing to those who are discouraged and wonder if they can lead the revitalization. In this first episode, Thom and Mark examine why some of these leaders have doubts.

Members who build the body
Healthy local churches make a powerful and attractive testimony to a watching world. This means that every member has to be devoted to building others up.

5 Simple Steps to Handle Conflict Like a Pro
The truth is that church conflict can be used as an opportunity for growth and progress. But getting there will take a shift in thinking, as well as embracing imperfections, discovering motivations, decoding conflicts, strategizing for success, and seeking deeper guidance.

3 Steps to a Better Understanding of Poverty
Poverty alleviation work is difficult. But with God’s help, we can tackle not only the symptoms of poverty, but also the root causes.

I Was Preaching to My Twitter Feed
The aim of preaching is the increase of love toward God and neighbor. That won’t happen if we focus on social media squabbles.

3 Reasons to Encourage Teenagers to Serve in the Church
Since being a pastor, Eric Geiger has never liked the idea of “youth-led Sunday”—of relegating teenagers to serving just once a year. Instead he want to see teenagers serving consistently. He explains why....

Children Being Raised in America Today Attend Church Far Less Frequently than Their Parents and Grandparents Did
Children being raised in America today attend church far less frequently than their parents and grandparents did, largely because their parents have stopped attending as adults.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Growing, Healthy Churches Need Protectors and Advancers' And More

Growing, Healthy Churches Need Protectors and Advancers

Every organization needs both protectors and advancers.

Take the Test: Is God Calling You to Ministry Leadership?
When someone expresses an interest in ministry or talks of a calling, there are several questions that are quite appropriate to be asked, and through which a prospective leader can and should be screened....

Seven Ways to Be a Better Servant Leader for Your Church
The best leaders for the church are those who demonstrate a willingness to serve first. Is servant leadership necessary for every situation? No, but pastors and church leaders should have a default posture of service. If you’re not willing to be a servant leader, then you are not fit to have authority and influence within the body of Christ.

7 Ways This Year Can Be Better Than Last Year
Chuck Lawless writes, "I realize 2022 was a struggle for some believers. We live in a fallen world, and Christians face the same storms others face. This new year can be better, though, and here are some reasons why...."

Everyone, All the Time
God’s vision of mission is spelled out in Exodus 19:4–6, which Peter revised and adopted in his epistle (1 Peter 2:9–11). It has a more comprehensive overture: everyone, every sphere of life, all the time. How can pastors and church leaders flesh out this vision within a local church? While the following application is in no way comprehensive, here are three ways we can exhort believers to engage in this vision of mission.

Can You Share the Gospel with Sexual Sinners without Sounding like a Bigot?
Alan Shlemon shares his thoughts on sharing the gospel with sexual sinners without sounding bigoted or hyper-judgmental.

3 Insights That Encourage Spiritual Conversations
Despite a deep concern for co-workers, neighbors, and the nation, most churchgoers feel frozen—unable to engage in spiritual conversations.

Catholic Church in Scotland faces 'crisis of closures' if members spend more on Netflix than tithes
Catholics in Scotland would much rather spend their extra cash on streaming and football matches than support their local parishes, which could ultimately lead to their demise, according to a new report.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Battling Familiarity in Your Church' And More

Battling Familiarity in Your Church

Has your church become so comfortable in the familiar that it misses what guests are experiencing? Guests will break through the confines of the comfortable and see Christ, or they will see the church stuck in the familiar and never return.

Three Reasons to Plant Churches in Your College Town
Historically speaking, if you want to help cultivate spiritual awakening, a college town is one of the best places to be. This is why Josh Miller is convinced that denominations and networks should devote themselves to planting collegiate-focused churches—multi-generational churches that prioritize reaching college students with the gospel, discipling them, and then sending them to the nations. Here are three reasons why....

4 Tipping Points for the Church Today
Research reveals a number of things in church and culture that are at a tipping point. What if these numbers shift—even just a little bit?

Praying for Eyes to See: A Different Kind of New Year's Resolution
The Christian faith is not so much about doing good, doing right, or doing more. It is about seeing correctly.

Why Artificial Intelligence Will Never Write a Decent Sermon
AI will never be able to preach a decent sermon. Why? Because the gospel is more than words. It’s the evidence of a changed life.

New Year’s Resolutions for You and Your Church
What would a set of New Year’s resolutions look like for you and your church, your role as a leader, or simply as someone who wants to live a life of strategic Kingdom investment? And specifically, what if they came from the Bible? Though many more could be added, here are fifteen to consider.... 

Church Attendance Dropped Among Young People, Singles, Liberals
Overall, most churchgoers—including most white evangelicals—returned to the pews after the pandemic, survey finds.

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Wednesday Evening (January 11, 2023) Is Now Online

 

All Hallows Evening Prayer for this Wednesday Evening uses The Service of Light and Order for Evening Prayer in the Anglican Church of Canada’s The Book of Alternative Services (1985). This is a very adaptable pattern of worship and can be used in a variety of settings ranging from a log cabin to a cathedral.

The Scripture reading is Ephesians 2: 1-10.

The homily is “A Gift from God.”

The link to this service is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for_9.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

Monday's Catch: "Faith After the Pandemic: How COVID-19 Changed American Religion' And More

Faith After the Pandemic: How COVID-19 Changed American Religion
The number of Americans who never attend religious services jumped over the past two years; roughly one in three Americans now report that they never attend religious services.

Chinese Pastors Can Teach You What John Calvin Can’t
We have more cultural proximity to Christians around the world today than we do to Calvin or Luther.

5 Signs You Might Be an Insecure Leader
Ask yourself if the following is true for you....

Two Main Principles for Getting the Bible Right
James Emory White explains the importance of these two main principles for interpreting the Bible: 1) Let Scripture interpret Scripture; and 2) Don’t take verses/passages out of context.

6 Catalysts for a Church-Wide Bible Reading Revolution
As one church embraced daily Bible reading, God used these six aspects of the year’s initiative to fuel a movement.

The danger of bypassing your emotions
Have you ever stuffed your emotions because you thought they couldn’t be trusted?

Most churchgoers prefer prayer to Bible reading: study
Most Protestant churchgoers in the United States spend time alone with God on a daily basis — but most talk to God through prayer rather than listening to Him through His Word, a new study has found.

Survey reveals who spends more time alone with God: Men or women?
Female Protestant churchgoers are more likely than men to spend time alone with God, according to a new survey analyzing how often non-Catholics engage in quiet moments with the Lord.

Two Religions That Claim to be Christian
Can a religion claim to be “Christian” if it changes biblical truths about Christ and God?

All Hallows Morning and Evening Prayer for Sunday (January 8, 2023) Is Now Online

 

The orders of service for the services of Morning and Evening Prayer for this Sunday come from the orders of service for the Divine Office in the Anglican Church of Canada’s The Book of Alternative Services (1985).

Morning Prayer begins at the top of the page. Scroll down the page for the beginning of Evening Prayer.

Morning Prayer

Readings: Isaiah 60: 1-6; Matthew 2: 1-12

Homily: What Gift Do You Have for the King?

Evening Prayer

Reading: Ephesians 3: 1-12

Homily: God’s Plan Revealed

The link to the services of Morning and Evening Prayer for this Sunday is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-morning-and-evening-prayer.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday Evening (January 7, 2023) Is Now Online

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Saturday Evening uses The Service of Light and Order for Evening Prayer in the Anglican Church of Canada’s The Book of Alternative Services (1985). This is a very adaptable pattern of worship and can be used in a variety of settings ranging from a log cabin to a cathedral.

The Scripture readings are Isaiah 49: 1-7 and John 4:7-26.

The homily is “How Do We Worship God ‘in Spirit and in Truth’?”

The link to this service is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for-saturday.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'The Organized Kindness of Strangers: Why We All Rely on It, and Why It's in Danger' And More

The Organized Kindness of Strangers: Why We All Rely on It, and Why It's in Danger

As church membership continue to decline, the important charitable work done by congregations is in danger.

How to Be the Leader Your Church Really Needs
At TGC’s 2021 National Conference, Trevin Wax taught on the importance of being a multi-directional leader and how to have a heightened awareness of problems your flock may encounter.

7 Reasons You’re Not Leading As Well As You Could Be
Ron Edmondson shares seven reasons why we may not be leadig as we could be leading.

How Chronic Stress Affects Leadership
Chronic stress diminishes our ability to lead because of how it affects our brain. In this post Chares Stone list five ways chronic stress does that.

How to Lead a Pessimist
Here's what to do if you have a pessimist on your team.

What to Say When You Don’t Have the Full Story
Frequently in the church and maybe especially in ministry, we’re told about a challenging situation and invited to make a response. And often we know only one small part of the whole story.

The Key to Loving People Who Hate You
Kurt Bubna shares how he responds to hatred directed at him.

Send Cards to Fight Back against the Winter Blues
Sending cards to others is one way of fighting the "winter blues."

Who Are the Christian Nationalists? A Taxonomy for the Post-Jan. 6 World
A guide to emerging Christian nationalist voices.

Friday's Catch: '6 Questions to Spark Evangelism and Outreach in Yourself and Your Church' And More

6 Questions to Spark Evangelism and Outreach in Yourself and Your Church
What kind of year will you and your church have? Will it be one of outreach and evangelism? Here are six questions to consider.

Also see: How to Train People for Spiritual Conversations and Most Open to Spiritual Conversations, Few Christians Speaking

More Americans stay away from church as pandemic nears year three
Many Americans already had dropped out of church life before the pandemic. COVID-19 gave them a reason to let go completely, according to a new survey.

What was the digital impact of the pandemic on religious communities?
A new research project, Religious Communities in the Virtual Age (Recovira), was launched in November to investigate how religious communities across Europe have embraced the digital world in response to Covid-19 and what long-term impact this might have on religious life. The study will last two years and run across the major faiths and seven countries - Denmark, Finland, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, and the UK.

How To Know If Your Church Should Be Adopted by Another Church – Part 3: First Steps Toward Church Adoption
In the past, a severely struggling church typically only had one option: the church had to close. Now we know that many churches are being successfully adopted or acquired by another church. In this three-part series, Thom and Mark examine and discuss the process and accompanying issues of a church adoption. In this third episode, they look at the first steps a church should take if it is seriously considering being adopted.

Pastors, Consider These 4 New Year’s Resolutions This Year
As we look ahead to 2023, here are four New Year’s resolutions pastors may consider committing themselves to.

Grow Your Children’s Ministry in the New Year With 10 Key Steps
How does a children’s ministry grow? What sets thriving ministries apart from stagnant ones? Here are 10 important considerations for growth.

3 Principles to Jump-Start Small Groups
The pandemic came without warning and forced our church to think about how we call our people to participate in small groups. If you’re in a similar place and have discovered a need to jump-start your small group ministry (or if you’re about to start one for the first time), here are three principles I’ve found helpful.

Recognize How God Uses Divine Connections in Our Lives
God always has a strategy.

Golden Rule vs. Platinum Rule: How should Christians respond?
The Platinum Rule shifts our perspective and says that we are to treat others as they want to be treated. Did you catch that? It doesn’t so much matter how you want to be treated, it’s all about the expectation of the other person.

Rev. Justin Clemente is parish pastor to New Creation Church (Anglican), Hagerstown, MD.

How to Hold On to Faith When 2023 Gets Tough
With persecution and false teaching tugging at us, we must continue on the same old path.

7 Reasons Winter Reminds Us to Hold on to Hope
Here are seven reminders to hold on to hope; whether in the physical season of winter or the personal wintery trials we encounter.

Thursday's Catch: 'Do You Know These 5 Things About Your Church’s Community?' And More

Do You Know These 5 Things About Your Church’s Community?
Pastors and church leaders often miss the basic demographics of their communities. Why?

5 Practical Ideas to Help Your Church Recognize God Cares About Their Everyday Lives
The devil tempts us to believe lies about who God is. Here are five ideas to encourage your church that God cares about their daily choices.

The Dangers of Being Future Blind
Phil Cooke draws attention to the dangers of not being able to see anything beyond the present, of being be blind to what’s coming; of failing to anticipate the future.

How Pastors Can Discern Their True Friends
Sam Rainer shares some ways he has discerned his true friends in the church.

UMC traditionalist group shuts down, sees new denomination as fulfillment of work
A theologically traditional group within The United Methodist Church has closed its doors, viewing the recent launch of a new conservative Methodist denomination as the fulfillment of their work.

Congress’ new class has much higher percentage of Christians than American public
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an independent from Arizona, remains the only member of the new Congress who uses the description of religiously unaffiliated.

Wednesday's Catch: 'What Changes with a Move from a Church of 50 to a Church of 150' And More

What Changes with a Move from a Church of 50 to a Church of 150

All churches have leadership challenges, regardless of size. Small churches are not easier to lead than large churches. Large churches are not easier to grow than small churches. But they are different. When pastors move from one size of church to another, they have to adapt.

Don’t Settle for Change That’s Only Skin-Deep
Whether you’ve written you’re your goals or not, you probably have habits, sin-patterns, or weaknesses that you’d like to change in 2023 and beyond. Some of those changes may be purely external, but be careful this year that your change isn’t only skin deep.

Fifteen Ways Lead Pastors Can Drive Their Staff Nuts
Lead pastors can have two personas. The congregation knows one. The church staff knows the other. While the goal is to be the same person around everyone, it does not always occur.

What Expository Preaching Is and What It’s Not
To explain what expository preaching is, we need to understand what expository preaching is not. There are three myths that we need to dispel....

10 Ideas for Your Small Groups in the New Year
The start of a new year is the perfect time for groups to consider ideas they could pursue together. Here are 10 ideas to get started.

Is Your Discipleship Model Missing Something?
"I’ve been discipled along the way not merely through education and experience but also through the example of mature believers."

Churchgoers Value Time Alone With God, Practice Varies
Most churchgoers value regularly spending time alone with God, but this time looks different for each person.

Street Apologetics
Field-tested strategies for effectively sharing your faith with anyone, anywhere.

All Hallows Evening Prayer for Wednesday Evening (January 4, 2023) Is Now Online

All Hallows Evening Prayer for this Wednesday Evening uses The Service of Light and Order for Evening Prayer in the Anglican Church of Canada’s The Book of Alternative Services (1985). This is a very adaptable pattern of worship and can be used in a variety of settings ranging from a log cabin to a cathedral.

The Scripture readings are Ruth 3 and Colossians 3: 12-17.

The homily is “A Representative of the Lord Jesus.”

The link to this service is—

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/01/all-hallows-evening-prayer-for.html

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

When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first. If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears. If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play. An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

Previous services are online at

https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/

May these services be a blessing to you.

Tuesday's Catch: 'How to (Painlessly) Connect Generations in Church' And More

How to (Painlessly) Connect Generations in Church
Christina Embree offers a few practices that could allow for your community to begin to connect children, youth, and the elderly (the groups that tend to be left out of communal gatherings) in meaningful ways.

Churches that segregate children and youth from adults on Sundays and at other times should not surprised when they leave church as young adults. John H. Westerhoff III drew that to our attention nearly 50 years ago with Will Our Children Have Faith (1976).

Young Adult, Embrace the Art of Neighboring
How might the truth of the gospel change the way young adults interact with neighbors? It’s as simple as opening your heart, your home, and your hands.

Building A Great Usher Team
Your ushers can make or break your worship service. The difference between a grumpy, distracted, and untrained usher compared to a cheerful, engaged, and “serve you with a smile” usher is huge!

Who Is Jesus?
At the center of Christianity is the person of Jesus. Because of that, it’s impossible to have a good grasp on the Christian gospel without having a grasp on who he is.

To Tremble with Glee
The image of the stars trembling with glee at the birth of the Lord Jesus, a line from from the Cherry Tree Carol, prompted the reflections in this article.

5 Extraordinary Gifts From God (and how they impact your leadership)
As church leaders, it’s incredibly easy to get so involved in the work of God that we can miss the wonder of God.

6 Bible Study Tools for Your Church This Year
Here are six Bible study tools for your church as you equip them to feast on the Word of God.

Small Group Evaluation Questions
A One Page Evaluation Sheet. On one side of the page is evaluation related to an individual group session. On the other side are questions related to the overall health of the group. Everyone has a little different philosophy of small groups, so feel free to adapt and edit to your situation.

Monday's Catch: 'Pope Benedict XVI (1927–2022): His Life and Legacy" And More

Pope Benedict XVI (1927–2022): His Life and Legacy

For Benedict, the Bible was the Word of God in some sense, but the Word of God was bigger than the Bible.

5 Ways to Fail Forward in 2023
Rebekah Simon-Peter offers five ways to "fail forward " in 2023, which she anticpates will be a pivotal year for churches.

3 Things Worship Leaders Must Consider for the Upcoming Year
Todd Wright offers a few suggestions of things to consider in the upcoming year. 

Why ‘Forgiveness Is a Gift You Give Yourself’ Is a Dangerous Myth
Here are six myths that are threatening our understanding and practice of biblical forgiveness.

Nurturing Our Relationship with God
Rose Ann Durant's experience in starting a garden in pots on her patio reminded of how important it is to take the time to nurture our relationship with the Lord.

12 Judges Recuse Themselves from UMC Church Disaffiliation Lawsuit
As many as 12 judges have declined to reside over a lawsuit filed by a United Methodist Church congregation in Arkansas seeking control of church property after the regional conference rejected its disaffiliation vote and suspended its pastor.