Saturday Laniappe: '7 Reasons Why Some Prodigals Return' And More

7 Reasons Why Some Prodigals Return

Based on his own experience, Chuck Lawless identifies 7 reasons why some prodigals return to their family and their faith.

Why You Need Senior Adults in Your Church
Don’t get so focused on reaching the next generation that you forget to reach and disciple seniors as well.

Initiative will help congregations nurture faith lives of children through worship and prayer
Lilly Endowment is seeking to support efforts that nurture the faith of children by helping Christian congregations more fully and intentionally engage children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices.

Leaders and Managing the Gift of Momentum
Eric Geiger shares some lessons he has learned about managing the gift of momentum, through the lens of time, money, people, and energy.

Exhausted by Title IV, Parish Quits Connecticut Diocese
After years of unresolved disciplinary charges against their rector, which completely drained their bank accounts, the members of a historic Connecticut church have voted to disassociate themselves from the Episcopal Church in Connecticut (ECCT) — and they are not going quietly.

Twenty-Five Percent of Churches Disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church
The Lewis Center has issued a final report on disaffiliating churches in the United Methodist Church covering 7,631 churches approved by annual conferences for disaffiliation by December 31, 2023. There continue to be more similarities than differences between the cohort of disaffiliating churches and the total pool of United Methodist churches. Disaffiliating churches are disproportionately in the Southeastern (50 percent) and South Central (21 percent) jurisdictions.

Some Questions for Further Research from the Disaffiliation Process
One stark difference seen between disaffiliating churches and similar departures from other mainline denominations is the decision of disaffiliating churches to remain independent of any denomination, at least for now.

Thousands Sign Christian Petition Urging Bishops Not to Back Donald Trump
Faithful America, which backs social justice causes and opposes "Christian nationalism," urged Catholics to condemn bishops who "boost the Christofascist campaign of Donald Trump" in a recently launched online petition that had been signed by over 12,500 as of Friday afternoon.

Friday's Catch: 'Living With a Single Priority' And More

Living With a Single Priority
One of the most important questions you can ever answer about yourself is, what is the one thing for which I’m really living?

Award winning Episcopal history of a tradition of racism for adult and youth study groups
There are many good books on racism but few notable works that have as their focus the turmoil in the Episcopal Church as it lumbered toward integration. Justified By Her Children: Deeds of Courage Confronting a Tradition of Racism recounts the brave deeds of little known men, women and young people coming into conflict with the evils of racial segregation in the church.

Equipping Women to Begin a Women’s Ministry in Your Church
If you are a pastor or church leader considering ways to equip women to begin a women’s ministry, here are four things to consider.

Use Social Media Reinforcement After Your Sermon—And Before!
Social media is a powerful medium, you can use it to make your Sunday morning preaching more effective and more likely to enact life-change in your congregation. Call it social media reinforcement. Here are some super easy ideas to engage with people about your sermon in the days before or after you actually preach it.

What Is the Most Important Thing Taught in the Bible?
The apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian church of the most important thing in all of Scripture—the gospel.In many churches today the focus ends up drifting away from the gospel to other things.

Be Confident in God’s Direction
Confidence is important for all leaders, but it’s particularly important for leaders pursuing God’s mission in the world. Why is confidence so important for biblical leadership?

Dean Alan W. Jones of San Francisco, 1940-2024
The Very Rev. Alan W. Jones, dean emeritus of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, died Sunday at 83. The dean’s most recent successor, the Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, announced his death on Grace’s website on January 15.

Heartbreak, hope follow season of church exits
The Lewis Center for Church Leadership has released its third and final report comparing U.S. congregations disaffiliating from The United Methodist Church with those staying. About 25% of the denomination’s U.S. churches have left since 2019 under a policy prompted by intensifying debate over LGBTQ inclusion. But even as they mourn these losses, United Methodists are starting new faith communities and welcoming people long unaffiliated with any church. Also worth noting: The vast majority of United Methodist congregations remain in the denomination.

We can’t take democracy for granted
Racial and religious minorities depend upon the values of pluralism and the rule of law for our rights to be protected.

The ‘god’ many American Christians worship
Driving along Highway 27 in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., in mid-September 2021, motorists were surprised to see a billboard bearing a phrase from the Bible they had often heard during the Christmas season in their churches: “Unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders.” The quotation is taken from the King James Version of Isaiah 9:6 and is also the text of one of the beloved choruses of Handel’s Messiah. But this billboard was not an early Christmas message of hope. It was instead a partisan political trope.

Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.  But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people.

“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time. (Matthew 24: 4-13; 23-25 NLT)

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, January 18, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

A cold, dark winter’s night is a good time for reflection and prayer.

Reading: 2 Timothy 4: 1-8

Message: People of Light

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/01/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_18.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-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.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Thursday's Catch: 'Is Your Church Ready for the New World?' And More

Is Your Church Ready for the New World?
How can we encourage church members to be evangelistic in this new world as they interact with people from different faiths and cultures?

Improve Your Youth Ministry Program With 7 Simple Steps
Looking for easy ideas to improve your youth ministry? Then check out these 7 pro tips that lead to powerful impact.

Unleash Your Youth Group
It’s easy to think of Gen Z (the current generation of teenagers) and Gen Alpha (the coming generation of teenagers) as somehow exempt from this gospel call. We may be tempted to think things like, Well, they are too post-Christian or Teenagers are far more concerned about social issues than spiritual ones, or whatever. But the reality is that the gospel is as effective today as it ever was, and teenagers are open to its message.

6 Things That Happen When a Youth Group Focuses on Evangelism
Every youth pastor wants to see their students on fire for Jesus. But what’s the best way to help them get there? Youth ministry tradition says a weekly game, 20-minute sermon, and the occasional special event can do the trick. But tradition is losing its impact on today’s teens who need and want more. Instead, let’s look at 6 things that happen when you switch gears and start to focus on relational evangelism.

They Will Listen: Evangelistic Confidence in a Cynical Age
When it comes to personal evangelism, many Christians might say, “I’m not at all cynical, I’m only experienced.” They’ve tried, and it just doesn’t seem to go anywhere. Again and again, they’ve sought to build relationships and share the gospel with others, only to bump up against apathy or antagonism. Soon, sharing their faith begins to seem like a waste of time.

Bishops Issue Pastoral Letter about Trump’s Rhetoric
Writing as “teachers of the faith” and “shepherds of the souls of our parishioners,” 13 Southern and Southwestern bishops from Province VII issued the following pastoral letter on January 9, about the racial rhetoric of presidential candidate, Donald Trump.... 

Is God the partner of racists?
"I am having trouble understanding, or making sense of, what I am hearing and seeing in this country," writes Susan Smith. "So many white people — and plenty of non-whites as well — are fully committed to the former president. Nothing he has said or done has moved them; the efforts to hold him accountable for his crimes have instead driven more people to support him."

Trump keeps wooing evangelical voters through grievance and promises of protection
“He’s the only savior I can see,” one woman told a reporter as she explained her plans to vote for Donald Trump for the third time this fall. “I believe Trump is appointed by God — appointed-slash-anointed, however you want to say it,” explained another woman. “He’s the only one that’s speaking the truth.”

Wednesday's Catch: 'How to Recognize Real Revival' And More

How to Recognize Real Revival

What is revival? And how do you know if what you’re experiencing is real revival or if it’s simply emotionalism?

Generation Alpha Comes into Focus
... a few things are beginning to come into focus about understanding and reaching them. Axios brought many of those things together in a recent article about the only generation born fully in the 21st century. Here’s a precis....

7 Key Steps of Recruiting, Training and Retaining Church Volunteers
Anthoy Coppedge describes 7 key steps for recruiting, training and retaining church volunteers.

How to Recruit Volunteers in Your Church All Year Long (Without Really Recruiting)
Here are five ways you can recruit volunteers all year long.

Church Volunteers Are Only The Beginning: Coaching Your Team Makes All The Difference
Church members bring the gifts but you must train them on how to best utilize their talents and gifts to support your IT infrastructure. This is the key to ensuring a stable, secure, and scalable environment capable of supporting the growth of your organization. The following steps will help you build that foundation and have a strong technical volunteer group.

Discerning in Doctrine But Not Discerning in Character
Sometimes the people who most value discernment in doctrine are the people most prone to neglect discernment in character. They can display a kind of credulity that makes them especially susceptible to listening to and believing untrustworthy sources. Ironically, their emphasis on discernment leaves them vulnerable to lies.

Why Pastors Struggle to Ask for Help (And How to Get Past It)
Why do so many pastors struggle to ask for help?

Three Reasons the Old Testament is More Important than You Think
Here are three reasons why the OT might actually matter a lot more than we think.

Truths the devil uses to stop us from praying
The forces of hell will do anything to keep us from praying.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry subject of clergy misconduct complaint over handling of allegations
The complaint is regarding Curry’s response to abuse allegations against Bishop Prince Singh, the former bishop of the Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan.

A dangerous undercurrent is pulling Americans toward the political extreme. The media is turning a blind eye to it
There is a dangerous undercurrent dragging Americans who wade into the political waters out toward the extreme. But much of the national press, basking ashore on the sun-soaked beach, refuses to acknowledge it in a serious manner.

This undercurrent is not only a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law in this country but also it will greatly harm the cause of the gospel in the United States.

Tuesday's Catch: 'What Does the Bible Say About Domestic Abuse?' And More

What Does the Bible Say About Domestic Abuse?

What exactly is domestic abuse and who encounters it?

Governors of 15 states opt out of summer food program for children
Governors of 15 U.S. states are putting politics ahead of the needs of hungry children by opting out of a new federal food assistance program that launches this year, critics say. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced the remaining 35 states, four Native American tribes and all five U.S. territories have signed up for the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer program, which will provide low-income families $40 a month for each child.

Is my church a cult (or cultish)? 500 words
Clint Archer identifies 5 characteristics of cultic groups.

Creating the Habit of Inviting in Your Church
One of the most powerful things that happens in the life of a believer or church-goer is when they invite someone to church, that person actually comes, and they have their life changed. You know personal invitations are powerful. And chances are, you've preached or passionately pleaded with your people to invite others to church. So why don't you hear these types of stories more often?

4 Clues for Inviting Others to Church Effectively
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe says many people just don’t like inviting other people to church, in part because faith is so personal and in part because they fear rejection. He provides four clues for inviting in a way that is genuine, specific, honest, and expectant.

Also see: An Opportunity for an Invitation; Evangelism Today Requires New Wineskins; and Time to Invite

Jesus Christ is under attack In a recent editorial for Baptist Press, professors Malcolm Yarnell and Steve McKinion presented a candid assessment of the theological landscape within their midst: “We believe the greatest challenge facing Southern Baptists today comes not from confusion over church offices but from teachers who distort the entire and equal divinity of Jesus Christ.”

VOICES: 10 guidelines to repair relationships
In a world increasingly characterized by what Jesus described at the end of the age, people “offended, betraying and hating” (Matt.24:10), how we need to pay particular attention to doing good by nurturing healthy relationships and repairing broken ones.

Don’t Underestimate Generational Changes—and the Need for Cultural Apologetics
The root of our generational and cultural divide is the belief that the universe is a blank canvas on which to paint our own meanings and craft our own identities.

Monday's Catch: 'The Most Surprising Issue about Church Facilities' And More

The Most Surprising Issue about Church Facilities

...what is the one surprising issue about church facilities?

Why You Should Understand ‘New Religious Movements’
We can shape our explanation of the gospel in helpful ways if we understand who we’re talking to and what they believe.

Life Without Romans 8:28
Without Romans 8:28 we would not have confidence that our experiences in this world “work … for good.”

3 Reasons Some Churches Struggle to Empower Younger Leaders
In churches that struggle to empower younger leaders, these three cultural realities exist....

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.

What Do Mormons Believe About Humanity?
According to Mormonism, one man saw God and noted his physical form in a vision.

Mormonism shows how easy it is for a false prophet to lead people into error. As well as warning his disciples about false prophets, Jesus also warned them about false messiahs. They too can lead many astray.

ACNA College of Bishops Consents to the Eection of New Bishops
During this week of January 8 through January 12, 2024, the College of Bishops of the Anglican Church in North America is gathered for its regular winter meeting. Of significant note on the agenda is to interview and vote on whether to consent to the election of six new bishops.

In Iowa and beyond, evangelical Christian voters follow their party more than their faith
An evangelical kingmaker in Iowa warned that Donald Trump's campaign is doomed and is backing Ron DeSantis in the upcoming caucuses. Still, Trump seems poised for an easy win in Iowa and beyond.

Reactionary Christians are pushing the country toward authoritarianism — and a Trump 2024 win, ethics professor warns
As we head into one of the most significant election years the nation has faced in recent history, David Gushee, a Baptist pastor and professor of Christian ethics at Mercer University, warns that democracy itself is facing a grave threat from an unlikely source: his fellow Christians.

‘A failure of imagination would be fatal to democracy’
There can be no free speech in a mob. Free speech is one thing a mob can’t stand.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, January 14, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the second Sunday of the season of Epiphany, also known as Epiphanytide. The season of Epiphany may include anywhere from four to nine Sundays, depending upon the date of Easter. It begins on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 7, and concludes on Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent.

Readings: 1 Samuel 3:1–20; John 1:43–51

Message: Called by God

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-january.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-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.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'How We Make the Message Relatable" And More

How We Make the Message Relatable

As Christians work to identify issues of concern in communities—either our own or those elsewhere—a posture of respect becomes critical. Ultimately, it’s not about forcing others into agreement or “winning” a debate. It’s about sharing the message of hope that we have and trusting God to change hearts and minds.

Notes on Staying Sane in an Election Year
"As we prepare then for another election year, a year in which this election will, doubtless, be referred to frequently and with no memory of prior elections as 'the most important in our lifetimes,'" writes Jake Meador, "I offer some notes in hopes that they can help our churches, at least, to resist the greatest excesses of stupidity this year and perhaps even to model a still better way to our neighbors."

‘Border control cannot be achieved at the border alone,’ study shows, calling for partnership and reform
Simply beefing up the ranks of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, building walls or installing razor wire along the Rio Grande will not adequately address the challenge.

The 'gender revolution,' seven years later
Seven years ago this month, National Geographic published an issue that they now refer to as "historic." With a cover featuring a young boy with long pink hair and pink leggings, they announced a "Gender Revolution."

Will following my heart set me free?
...our culture loves to tell: that success in the world means presenting your truest self, pushing off what society tells you to be, to be you. It’s almost like that’s the meaning of life. You are free to be yourself.

Is being rich bad for your soul? Yes, but not for the reason you expect
The rich don’t just end up making themselves unhappy. They want us to be unhappy too.

Remembering a Friend and Defender of C.S. Lewis
David M. Baumann remembers the C.S. Lewis scholar and author, Kathryn Lindskoog.

3 Virtuous Traits in a Leader — That Make Us Want To Follow
Why do you follow the leaders you choose to follow? The key word in that question is “choose.” We all make a deliberate choice to follow who we follow. No one follows a leader by accident.

Are Tattoos a Sin? Explore Biblical Perspectives on Body Modification
Teens today wonder are tattoos a sin. And kids are likely to ask you, their youth minister, what the Bible says about body modification. So…how will you answer? By doing a little research and preparation beforehand, you can present well-developed thoughts on this controversial topic.

PRRI survey connects where people worship to their views on climate change
Religious perspectives play a major role in determining how Americans view climate change, according to a survey conducted by PRRI, the Public Religion Research Institute.

Friday's Catch: 'How America Got Mean' And More

How America Got Mean

David Brooks wrote an important article for the Atlantic that was simply titled, “How America Got Mean.” His conclusion was both insightful and deeply disturbing.

10 Trends Impacting the Church in 2024
As church leaders plan for 2024, they should keep these statistics and trends in mind for their congregation.

Love the Ones Who Drive You Crazy
An election year is upon us and with it all the debate, suspicion, and rancor that is sure to accompany the culmination of another four-year cycle.

How Do We Communicate Our Church’s Doctrinal Beliefs to Guests?
Should churches make clear their doctrinal beliefs to guests? Thom examines some of the issues.

How Do We Communicate Our Church’s Doctrinal Beliefs to Church Members?
It is becoming increasingly obvious that many church members, including a number of church leaders, do not know (or even adhere to) a church’s doctrinal position. Thom looks at this issue that has become increasingly challenging.

A Worthy Successor in English Hymnals
"The much-delayed publication of The Revised English Hymnal (intended for publication in 2018) is another milestone in the history of English hymnody," writes reviewer Stephen Platten.

18 Ways To Ruin Your Reputation on Facebook
Facebook is a great way for you to build and maintain relationships with people both inside your church and in your community. But Facebook is not without its risks. Every time you post something, you risk hurting, offending or distancing yourself from people. You risk ruining your reputation on Facebook.

Outreach Strategy for Advertising: 10 Helps
Here are ten guiding principles for outreach strategy, adapted from a manual co-authored with Eric Ramsey, to consider as you get started.

Thursday's Catch: 'Building A Great Usher Team' And More

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!

C.S. Lewis, the Culture War, and Critical Reading
Don’t just read Lewis’ quotes. Read Lewis’ letters, essays, and books. Instead of mining for gotcha quotes to use on ideological opponents, dig into his works to discover treasures that can shape your thinking.

The absolute worst kind of Christian faith
If being passionate about Jesus Christ means to care most deeply for the Lord, to focus on Him completely, to be willing to devote great amounts of time and energy to pleasing Him, then what would passionless Christianity look like?

Name Your Youth Ministry: Why You Need to Go Beyond Branding
Yes, you can come up with a million names for your teen program. But if you don’t communicate the names correctly, no one will care. Although you should take time to create an effective and catchy youth ministry name, you need to do more than that. The more involves 5 considerations.

What if I’m Not Ready to Be Healed?
Healing comes with a heavy cost.We can release our grip on resentment and rebellion, receive help, and experience renewal in every part of our lives. But....

Multiplication Mindset
What can we learn from the life of Christ about disciple making for church multiplication? What are the transferable concepts for today’s church leaders who are planting churches? How can we intentionally disciple others as we move toward a multiplication mindset?

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, January 11, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

Faced as we are with uncertainty that a new year brings, we can take comfort in the changelessness of Christ. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Readings: Nehemiah 7:73-8:12; 2 Timthy 3:14-17

Message: The Ministry of the Word

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/01/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_11.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-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.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Wednesday's Catch: 'I Feel At Home in Your Church'

I Feel At Home in Your Church
Tim Challies explains why he feels at home in so many different churches.

Seminary lists 7 trends impacting church leadership in 2024
A ministry resource center at a seminary based in Washington, D.C., has listed seven trends that it believes will impact church leadership in the new year. In a report published last week, the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary laid out seven trends that they expect to see influence church leadership.

Also see: 7 Trends Impacting Church Leadership for 2024.

New study documents how race influenced congregational reactions to COVID challenges
The percentage of new attenders also dropped steeply across all groups due to the pandemic.

The Relative Positions of the Presider, Table, and Assembly at Communion: Part III
This article is one of the better articles on this particular subject, the priest presidig from the north side of the table, which I have read. 

The Bible is too inexhaustibly interesting to be boring
There is always more to say (and to learn)....

8 Reasons Some Young People Are Walking away from Their Faith
Chuck Lawless shares what e ears leared from youn people why they walk in a new direction.

7 Steps to Take When Dealing with Criticism 

When the criticism comes, here are 7 steps you can take. Use these 7 steps and you will handle criticism like a pro.

37 Brilliant Ways to Make Your Kidmin Budget Last
No matter what size their budget is, children’s ministers are always looking for ways to save money. That’s why we asked experienced penny-pinching children’s ministers to give us their best ideas for “streeetching” dollars. You’ll find 37 of their best budget ideas here.

Prayer Is a Gateway to Evangelism
As we have led Organic Outreach International, it has become clear to us that prayer is a central, essential and often-missed part of evangelism. Here are two simple but useful ideas that have helped us infuse prayer into the process of natural faith sharing.

Church Pastoral Aid Society under pressure over sexuality statement
The Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) has been forced to reconsider its position on sexuality after a social media storm.

Tuesday's Catch: 'New Year’s Resolutions for You and Your Church' And More

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....

Indian Christian communities revitalising British churches amid declining congregations
An encouraging report published on December 24 by The Guardian, brings hope during a prevailing trend of shrinking church congregations in the UK. The article titled Indian Christians find comfort and joy in church communities across Britain, tells an exciting story of strength and renewal in traditional places of worship.

‘Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing’
The Episcopal Church continues to attract young families in some communities across the United States. This has been the case in my commuity where a number of young adults who migrated to the local Episcoapl church after they married and had children. They had previously attended a local Baptist church as children and teenagers.

What is Most Important for a Church Guest Services Team?
What do you think?

Guiding Your Congregation With Expositional Leadership
Leaders don’t just lead; they lead somewhere. There are four roads you need to pave for your congregation through expositional leadership.

Why We Need the Bad News of Israelite History
There’s nothing wrong with the creation-fall-salvation model except that the habit of skipping the in-between part—Israel’s messy history—can lead us to think it insignificant.

8 Honest, Powerful Prayers in the Bible 

The simplest definition of prayer is talking to God. While that’s certainly true, prayer is also a unique place where we experience the breadth and depth of the Christian life.Still, prayer isn’t easy—even though it’s one of the most vital parts of our relationship with God. Thankfully, God didn’t leave us without guides to help us learn to pray. Throughout his Word, we see many examples of powerful, honest prayers that we can use as models—or even repeat word for word.

10 Things Great Children's Ministry Leaders Know
Let's look at 10 things great children's ministry leaders know and do.

The Primary Source of Your Sin ... Is You
In almost every trial, there will be a chance to take a short-cut, make a compromise, use a sinful stress-reliever. And while it might be easy to think that God is testing us, the Bible makes it clear that God himself tempts no one (James 1:13).

5 Key Questions about Your Meaningful Purpose in the Kingdom of God.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re passionate about opening doors for people with a friendly smile or planting a new church. God doesn’t rank the love in your heart for others. Instead, he multiplies it for the advancement of his Kingdom.

‘Evangelize’ Is in the Bible; ‘Evangelism’ Isn’t
Although the concept of evangelism is all over the New Testament, the actual word evangelism is never used once, that’s right, not once.

How to deal with same-sex unions? It’s a question fracturing major Christian denominations
Strikingly, the flare-up of debate in Catholic ranks coincides with developments in two other international Christian denominations that are fracturing over differences in LGBTQ-related policies.

VOICES: Enough already with the prophecies
...if there is a prophetic word that God is speaking now about the 2024 elections it is simply this: “Enough already with the Donald Trump prophecies!”

The Old Testament as several accounts of how the faithless people of Israel listened to false prophets who told them what they wanted to hear and what happened to them when they chose to listen to these false prophets. Jesus warned his disciples against false prophets as well as false messiahs.

‘God Made Trump’ Video Portrays 45th President as Messiah Figure
Former president and 2024 Republican front runner Donald Trump created a stir last week by sharing a fan-made video proclaiming why “God Made Trump.” After the 45th president shared the video on Truth Social, it went viral on other social media platforms. 

See also: Iowa pastors denounce ‘God Made Trump’ video and David Mills: The dangerous Christian belief that Donald Trump is a ‘man of faith’,

Monday's Catch: 'Southern Baptists are teaching us to bring people back to church' And More

VOICES: Southern Baptists are teaching us to bring people back to church
Amid spiraling church attendance nationwide, theologically conservative Southern Baptists are paving the way for church growth in the most unlikely of places: the notably progressive land of New England. The denomination’s churches are thriving in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, where church attendance has historically been remarkably low.

After COVID: The Deepening Decline of the Church of England
COVID was bad for the Church of England. And new data show just how bad. Overall, the church lost one in five of its Sunday worshipers during COVID. For children at worship, it’s worse.

One Key Reason Why Church Consultations Fail
...one major factor that most often determines success in church consultations. Let’s look at that one key factor. You might be surprised.

Every Three Years: The Impact of Millennial Job Hopping on Workplace Culture
Feeling the strain of frequent team changes at work? Discover how job hopping is reshaping workplace culture and what it means for you and your organization's future.

Why Your Church Should Care About Your Members’ Giving
Why should you be interested in your church members’ giving? Their giving correlates to the kind of disciple they are becoming in your church.

Dear Retired Pastor: Off with the Slippers, On with the Boots Mike Minter shares four lessons he leared as a retired pastor.

Why do some Christians celebrate Christmas on 7 January?
Across most of the Orthodox world, many millions of people celebrate Christmas on 7 January. This is the story....

How to liven up a dull worship service
The ways to liven up a dull worship service cannot be counted. Here are a few thoughts on that, some more dynamic than others, but we send them forth with the hope that something here will help someone…..

When You’re Starting on Empty: How to Start a New Year with Little To Give
If you’re starting this year on empty, take heart—you’re in good company. There are steps you can take to refuel, reevaluate, and renew your sense of purpose in ministry.

The Unmatched Impact of Being Christians in Front of Each Other
Gospel proclamation is necessary. However, in the realm of Christian discipleship, the church also desperately needs Christians to simply live the Christian life in front of one another.

Should Our Faith Be More Easily Perceived by What We Do Than What We Believe?
No matter what a person professes, he must live an obedient, Spirit-empowered life to effectively point people toward Jesus.

In praise of 'bus stop theology'
What lessons can Christians learn from a London rail worker honoured by King Charles for talking 29 people out of taking their own lives? Maybe something about the power of conversation and being willing to 'stop for a chat'.

Preaching Jewish in a Greek World
Remember that the average teenager is more Greek (unfamiliar with the full story of Christianity and not accepting God’s Word as fully inspired) than Jewish. So before we unfurl our scrolls and start proving that Jesus is the messiah and that they fall short of God’s standards, let’s make sure they understand which God and gospel story we are talking about.

How religion and politics will mix in 2024 – three trends to track
The 2024 elections may see a more intense end-times rhetoric, claims of divine support and a failure to condemn the rise in Christian nationalism, writes a religion scholar.

Jesus warned his disciples against false prophets and pseudo (or fake) messiahs who will lead many astray. In this election year we not only have evangelicals attributing divine anointing to one of the candidates but also that candidate donning the mantle of being a messiah. In videos on the internet that candidate has asserted that he is the “caretaker” and “shepherd of mankind.” We also read polls in which evangelicals view the candidate in question as “a man of faith,” not on the basis of the candidate’s professing faith in Jesus and living an obedient, Spirit-filled life” but on his support for causes that are dear to their hearts.

If we are honest with ourselves, this support does not make that candidate “a man of faith,” just an astute politician who recognizes what goes over well with the segment of the population whose support that he is seeking to gain or retain. The same politician has shown a knack for sizing up an audience and telling that audience what it wants to hear. In his videos on the internet, he has begun to make references to God which he has not made in the past. At the same politician also appeals to the worst in people. These developments should ring alarm bells and raise red flags in the minds of Christians who take seriously what Jesus said.

One of the sins of the people of Israel, recorded in the Old Testament, was that they desired an authoritarian leader, a king, instead of their true King—God. They not only rejected God for idols but also for a king. The Old Testament further records how these kings led them into greater disobedience to God. Both what Jesus said and what the Old Testament records are a warning to us. Psalm 146:3 puts it succinctly. “Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save….”

Saturday Lagniappe: 'What is Epiphany and why do we celebrate it?' And More

What is Epiphany and why do we celebrate it?
At Epiphany, we remember the wise men who came to find Jesus. This is the story....

Who were the magi remembered by the Church at Epiphany?
Epiphany on January 6 recalls the visit of three Magi, or wise men, to the infant Jesus. It falls on the 12th day after Christmas and brings the Christmas season to a close. But who were the wise men that are remembered on this day?

Bishop Colin Buchanan (1934-2023)
The Rt. Rev. Colin Buchanan, the last of a certain kind of evangelical bishop in the Church of England, died suddenly in the Leeds General Infirmary on November 29, at 89.

Turning Your New Members’ Class into a Great Commission Class (Part 1)
The time to start members on a path of Great Commission obedience is when they enter your new members’ class. Thom shares two ways to transform that class.

Turning Your New Members’ Class into a Great Commission Class (Part 2)
The time to start members on a path of Great Commission obedience is when they enter your new members’ class. Thom shares two more ways to transform that class.

The Future of KidMin for Small and Mid-Size Churches
Children’s ministry has changed rapidly in the last few years, especially at small and mid-size churches. Curriculum choices are becoming more important. Volunteer needs are creating new stress points. Anxiety among children is on the rise. And hiring is shifting as churches select internal candidates. Jenny Smith, Awana’s lead curriculum developer, joins the show with Josh and Sam to discuss these developments.

Vatican issues 5-page clarification amid backlash to same-sex blessing guidance
The Vatican's doctrinal office issued a five-page statement Thursday clarifying last month's controversial "Fiducia Supplicans" guidance, which led to an eruption of pushback from theologically conservative Roman Catholic prelates worldwide.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, January 7, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, the first Sunday of Epiphanytide, the season after the Feast of the Epiphany, in the Church Calendar. It is one of four occasions on which the sacrament of Baptism traditionally has been celebrated. The other three are the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday, the feast of Whitsun, or Pentecost, 30 days after Easter, and the feast of Hallowmas, also known as the feast of All Hallows, or All Saints. In some church traditions on these feast days and other occasions the members of the congregation may be sprinkled with water as a reminder of their baptism.

Reading: Mark 1:4–11

Message: "...but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-january-7.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-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.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Friday's Catch: '10 lessons on leading God’s church, all learned the hard way' And More

10 lessons on leading God’s church, all learned the hard way
Anyone who begins to pastor a church should recognize two big things: There are lessons to be learned if you are ever to do this well, and most of them are learned the hard way. Your scars will attest to your education. Most of this is counter-intuitive; that is, not what one might expect.

Organic Christian Living in the Local Church
The New Testament gives us more than enough commands for believers to live out the Christian life organically among the members of the congregation to which we belong. There are 59 "one another" passages in the New Testament that we can only understand and carry out in light of the relationship each believer has to other believers in the same worshiping community.

Stop Speaking Christianese, Please
We try to tell non-Christians valuable truths about the Christian faith: “Jesus died for your sins. Put your faith in him. He, alone, is holy.” All that non-Christians hear is, “Blah blah blah blah.” Unlike on an airplane, they’re at least looking at you. They’re still not understanding what you’re saying, though. Why? You’re speaking Christianese. It’s parlance they’re unfamiliar with.

I see a lot of posts on Facebook in Christianese. The people who post them are well-meaning. However, the only people who pay attention them are already Christians.

5 Ways to Become a “Bounce Back” Leader
Since every leader will face difficulty, what can we do to become more resilient? Consider these practical steps you can apply in your life and leadership to ‘bounce back’ more quickly.

Also see: Resilience: 5 Signs You’re a “Bounce Back” Leader

What Is the Prayer of Faith?
This, then, is the prayer of faith: to ask God to accomplish what He has promised in His Word.

A New Year, A New You
There’s something different about this generation—the old tricks of the trade don’t work the way they always have. A new year, with the promise of a new ministry-you, leads us to deconstruct our ministry back down to its foundation, then rebuild it in a fresh way.

10 Reasons Your Church Needs to Start New Groups
It is a challenge for churches to start new small groups, but it is some of the most significant work a church does.

Why You Should Attend Church (in Person) This Sunday
Here are five incentives God gives every Christian to wake up and go worship with your local church.

How to Deal With People Who Don’t Like You
Rejection is powerful. How do you deal with it?

How Missionaries Can Inspire Their Sending Church to Mission
Missionaries can do at least three things to play an ongoing role in stirring their home churches to identify not merely as senders, but also as the sent.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, January 4, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thursday Evening at All Hallows.

Tonight's service is All Hallow's first service in the New Year. May your New Year be a most blessed one.

Readings: Exodus 20: 1-17; John 4: 19-26

Message: The Where and How of Worshipping God

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/01/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-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.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Thursday's Catch: '4 Ways to Tackle Deferred Maintenance in the Church' And More

4 Ways to Tackle Deferred Maintenance in the Church
The American church has a problem. It is aging. Not only is the attendance of members aging but so are its buildings. Any revitalizer who has gone to a church faces the obstacle of deferred maintenance. With an aging population and facilities, the one-two-punch of deferred maintenance is killing the church. So, what should a church leadership team do if they find themselves in a situation where the deferred maintenance issues are swallowing up the church’s budget?

Tolkein's Treebeard and th Root Problem of Hastiness
Although few biblical verses outright characterize hastiness as a terrible sin, its existence is a sure sign and warning of a greater sin: pride.

4 Advantages of Advanced Planning for Sermons/Teaching Series
ric Geiger explains the advantages of planning a sermon or teachig series several months in advance.

The Best Nursery Paging Systems For Your Church
If you’re looking for the best nursery paging system for your church, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll look at the top five systems on the market, and we’ll give you an overview of their features and benefits. We’ll also provide a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right system for your church

Beyond Invite and Invest: A Better Plan for Outreach
The church plan for outreach used to be all about the invite. Everyone went to church whether they wanted to or not. It was a cultural expectation. All you had to do was invite someone, and there was a very good chance if your church had the right denominational sign on the building that whoever you invited would show up and get connected to the church. The invite worked; and then it didn’t.

The Urgency of Sending Missionaries to the Unreached
The exclusivity of the gospel demands urgency to extend the gospel.

Conservative alternative to the United Methodist Church surpasses 4,200 member congregations
A theologically conservative denomination that was launched in 2022 to serve as an alternative to the United Methodist Church has already garnered over 4,200 member congregations. The Global Methodist Church, which was officially launched on May 1, 2022, ended 2023 with 4,281 member churches, according to GMC Transitional Connectional Officer Keith Boyette.

The article does not mention what percentage of the congregations forming the new denomination disaffiliated from the Uited Methodist Church nor does it give their size range, the regions in which they are located, or other useful statistics.

Wedesday's Catch: '8 Ways to Lose Churchgoers Through Change' And More

8 Ways to Lose Churchgoers Through Change

If you want your regular churchgoers to keep coming back even through change, here are eight things you should avoid.

10 Fresh Pastoral Prayers for the New Year
Before you launch your New Year ministry plan, begin with prayer. How might you pray to start the year?

7 Eye-Opening Misunderstandings Younger Minds Have About Older Generations

Ron Edmondson reflects on misunderstandings he has observed from younger generations about older generations.

Worship is Both Reflective and Determinative
Hymn, palm, and spiritual song provide words that give expression to our thoughts and feelings and help to mold and shape us as Chrisian.Howevr, they ar not the only way that we worship God. Indeed, they are meaningless if our daily lives do not honor God.

To the New and Nervous Scripture Reader
Cindy Matson anticipates some problems, assuage some worries, and add a word of caution.

How You Can Use Your Job Skills to Help the Poor
...in addition to opening up our homes, we need to ask if there are ways our jobs or skill sets can benefit the disadvantaged and poor in our own communities.

Should (Reformed) Missionaries Care About Results?
If missionaries aren’t laboring for lasting fruit, we’re not truly faithful.

Methodist Church issues guidance discouraging use of terms 'husband' and 'wife'
The Methodist Church in Great Britain released an "Inclusive Language Guide" this month advising Methodists to avoid using gendered terms such as "husband" and "wife" because such allegedly assumes what is not "the reality for many people."

Calvin Robinson blames this latest development on his favorite bugaboos, Critical Race Theory and Neo-Marxism, a view that may resonate with a like-mindd segment of the population in the UK and the USA. A more accurate explanation of this development would be an overzealous desire to be culturally sensitive and to not give offense to minority groups in the population.

My impression of Hampton is he is seeking to make a name for himself by embroiling himself in the various contraversies dividing the Church in the twenty-first century and will latch onto anything that draws attention to himself. I am willing to admit that I may be wrong but that is the impression of him which I have.

Downplaying the use of "husband" and "wife" to my mind serves to weaken the biblical doctrine of marriage. This does not have to be intentional. What concerns me is not only the weakening of this doctrine, which our Lord affirms, but also the use of varous bugaboos to cause fear or distress out of proportion to their importance. I see too much of that kind of fear-mongering on social media and the Internet.

Tuesday's Catch: 'How a church's deaf ministry is sharing the Gospel with those hard of hearing" And More

How a church's deaf ministry is sharing the Gospel with those hard of hearing
A deaf Pennsylvania couple is helping to lead a ministry for the deaf community and encouraging churches to understand the needs of those hard of hearing in their communities.

How Pastors Can Prepare Their People for an Election Year
Church leaders need to equip their people to navigate the politics of an election year. And some guiding principles can serve pastors well. 

Schiess shows how politicians use and abuse Scripture to shape history and hermeneutics
Our binary thinking blinds us to the way Scripture confronts our favored party or policy.

How To Apologize When You Mess Up in Youth Ministry
The details don’t really matter. Maybe you lost a freshman in the corn maze. Maybe there was a fight—like an actual fight—about predestination. Or maybe it was more serious. A volunteer said something inappropriate. Kids acted recklessly when you were responsible for them. We all mess up, and we all say we’re sorry. But we don’t all know how to apologize well.

Nurturing our relationship with God
Our relationship with the Lord is not something to neglect; if we wish to bear fruits and grow, we must abide in Him.

How to Start the Year Strong: An Actionable Plan 

Here’s a sobering truth: the wasted life is possible. It is a lurking enemy we must be aware of. Talents can be buried, time can be squandered, opportunities can be missed. You will not drift towards the vision of life God has for you. Seriously, let that sink in. You will not accidentally end up building an excellent life. We can spin our wheels, put out fires, run in circles, fill up our calendars, and yet still be missing what God has.But there is a better way.

Monday's Catch: '10 True-False Statements on the State of Churches and Denominations in America' And More

10 True-False Statements on the State of Churches and Denominations in America
...let’s look at ten statements connected with current research on Christianity, churches, and denominations. Before you look at the answers, see how many you get correctly.

Authentic
Merriam-Webster’s Word of the Year for 2023 is authentic. In other words, they picked a word that reflected what all of us, right now, seem to most long for. It’s what we’re all thinking about, writing about, hoping for, and judging others by.

12 Keys To Picking Great Songs For Worship
Picking great songs for worship is one of the most important skills a worship leader needs to learn. There are many different kinds and levels of worship songs.

Also see the rest of Mark Cole's Top 25 Worship Posts.

Why I Transcribe the Bible During My Quiet Time
"...transcribing the Bible—word by word—leads me to listen attentively to the heart of God and to disclose my troubled heart to him," writes Ana Avila.

3 Ways Fasting Opes Doors
Every follower of Christ who seeks God with fasting and prayer can experience sudden and surprising open doors of spiritual opportunity, even if those open doors were never apparent before. It has happened in Scripture and it has happened to me. I am certain it will happen for many others as well.

75 Icebreaker Questions for Church Small Groups
Here are 75 fun icebreaker questions along with multiple choice answers to warm up the room and get your people chatting.

When We Hurt Those Who Are Hurting
People in the church often say foolish and hurtful words to those who are grieving.

Gen Z Wants to Be Involved in Missions
The Gospel Coalition asked CROSS speaker and Reaching and Teaching International Ministries president Ryan Robertson how Gen Z thinks differently about missions than previous generations, if it’s possible to be a social media missionary, and what areas of the world Gen Z wants to evangelize.

Evangelism in a post-Christian world
We might be tempted to think the biggest evangelistic blockage in society is external. A hostile world. Opposition. Persecution. Disinterest. But that’s not what Jesus says. The perspective Jesus offers is that the biggest problem in evangelism is not a lack of people ready to become Christians, but a lack of disciples ready to do the work of evangelism.