Friday's Catch: Is Jesus Safe?

Is Jesus Safe?
He is not safe, but he is good.

Mastering Adoration: How to Worship the Lord
We are called to worship the Lord. Worship is an act of expressing reverence and love towards God, acknowledging His greatness and surrendering our hearts to Him. Mastering adoration in worship will strengthen our relationship with God and deepen our faith.

Empower Your Faith with Inspiring Christian Sermons
Christian sermons are an integral part of worship and spiritual growth for believers. They provide guidance and inspiration through biblical teachings.

Dynamic Bible Study Ideas for Deeper Faith
Dynamic Bible study is a vital part of growing in faith and understanding God’s Word. Try out these bold, dynamic Bible study ideas. The goal is to deepen your understanding of God’s Word and cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.

5 Steps for Starting New Groups
Starting new groups is necessary if you want your group ministry to grow. To successfully start a group, I follow this time-honored formula.

The Whole Commission: Why Making Disciples Includes More Than Evangelism
How you understand the goal of any task determines how you carry it out. Few questions are more significant for churches to answer than “Why are we running? What is our mission?”

Pediatricians group says evidence lacks to support gender sugeries, hormones for trans youth
The American College of Pediatricians has released a new position paper outlining findings based on a review of dozens of studies to claim that providing gender transition procedures to minors with gender dysphoria does not lead to an improvement in mental health.

Conservative bishops set out theological vision for Church of England
A group of conservative bishops has issued a new "theological vision" for the Church of England's process of discernment around issues of marriage, relationships, gender and identity.

Thursday's Catch: 'Outreach Insights: Understanding the Unchurched' And More

Outreach Insights: Understanding the Unchurched
We are called to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). But, before we do that, we need to understand the unchurched. This population is a growing demographic that needs attention and outreach from the church.

Catching Up with the Nones
So who are they?

Americans More Likely to Grow More Spiritual, Less Religious
More than 2 in 5 Americans say they’ve become more spiritual over their lives, but only around 1 in 4 say they’re now more religious.

4 Benefits of Building Your Team from New Believers
The goal of church planting is to see new people come to faith in Jesus Christ. Thus, a core team built from the harvest of lost men and women is an ideal foundation for the mission the plant is pursuing in the first place.

Three responses to the volunteer shortage
If your church has seen a drop in volunteering, you are not alone.

Yes, Churches Are Raising Young Leaders – And Yours Can, Too
We can’t just disciple potential young leaders, we have to release them. Then we have stand back and let them do ministry the way God is leading them to do it.

7 Big Lies You've Been Told about Children' Ministry
Many people do not understand what children's ministry is all about. This is often because they have been misinformed or haven't been given a clear vision and overview about children's ministry.

Metaverse use dips among churches as Zuckerberg remains committed to VR
Despite drawing significant interest during the coronavirus pandemic that created a buzz big enough to question whether it could replace megachurches, the excitement for the metaverse appears to have hit a bump as some 90% of churches have gravitated towards less expensive and more easily accessed online engagement.

3 Reasons Coaching Fails
Here are the three biggest reasons that coaching fails.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, February 8, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

Next Tuesday is Shrove Tuesday. Lent begins the following day with Ash Wednesday. The name of “Shrove Tuesday” comes from the word shrive. To “shrive” someone refers to the practice of a priest listening to their confession about what they have done wrong, offering them assurance of God’s forgiveness, and giving them necessary spiritual advice. In medieval England everyone was summoned to church on Shrove Tuesday to be shriven before the start of Lent on the following day. Shrove Tuesday is a day on which Christians may wish to “make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with.” They may also wish to consult on these matters with a spiritual counselor. They may wish to attend an Ash Wednesday service the next day and receive the imposition of ashes on their forehead as a visible sign of their repentance and a reminder of their mortality.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-11

Message: The Best News of All

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_8.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: 'Restoring Trust in the Institutional Church Requires Allegiance to Our True Purpose" And More

Restoring Trust in the Institutional Church Requires Allegiance to Our True Purpose
Gil Rendle says all institutions eventually gravitate from serving their stated purposes to satisfying powerful institutional constituencies. The current deep mistrust of the institutional church is fueled by the fact that we focus more on our own people, clergy, resources, and rules than on our true, lifegiving mission. Trust can only be restored when leaders have the courage and capacity to help our churches do what we were created to do.

4 Reasons Why You Don’t Make BOLD Moves
Here are four reasons why Tony Morgan thinks churches get stuck....

Is it okay if I don’t ‘feel’ God?
Theology takes her time building up to an emotional crescendo. It may take years but it is so worth it.

How Digital Apps Are Changing How We Read the Bible
Digital Bibles shape what we see—and don’t see—in the text and require us to be mindful of their power and peril.

10 things I wish Old Jim could teach Young Jim
“Experience is the best teacher, but it doesn’t have to be your experiences that you learn from.”

Yes, technology has become more critical for U.S. churches since pandemic
The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 prompted lasting changes in the ways U.S. religious groups use technology in congregational life, according to a new study by Hartford Institute for Religion Research.

A Surprising First Step, Pastors, toward Strengthening Your Evangelism
"An evangelistic church must have an evangelistic pastor."

Evangelism Without an Altar Call
Asking for a profession of faith to be credible is not to ask for maturity, as some claim. It’s to ask for believability, however young, immature, or nascent that faith might be.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Christians praying for King Charles after cancer diagnosis' And More

Christians praying for King Charles after cancer diagnosis
Christians are praying for King Charles after Buckingham Palace announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer.The type of cancer has not been revealed but Buckingham Palace confirmed that treatment has now begun.

Also See: Prayers and messages of good will sent to the King after cancer diagnosis.

What obligation do Christians have for the public welfare?
It seems alarming to many that the social fabric of our nation is tearing. The social compact that knits us together in mutual regard is more than frayed. Is there a common good that is worthy of the Christian’s attention — and the church’s vocation?

What Does a Special-Needs Family Experience When They Visit Your Church?
Visiting a church as a special-needs family is challenging. What can churches do to reach and welcome special-needs families?

Great Ideas to Celebrate Your Cherished Church Anniversary
A church anniversary is significant milestone that can hold great importance in the life of a congregation. These special occasions provide an opportunity for the church community to reflect on its history, celebrate its growth, and plan for the future.

Use a Sermon Outline to Sharpen Your Preaching
With this article, we will explore the significance of sermon outlines and provide tips to help you craft effective outlines that leave a lasting impact on your congregation.

Train Up a Child
One of the key findings was that most evangelical adults cannot point to a specific moment when they became Christian.

3 Little Ways To Make Big Impact in a Digital World
In a fast-paced world where everything seems to have gone digital, relationships sometimes suffer rather than thrive because we’ve neglected some of the old proven tools. Here are a few small things that you can do (and teach your kids to do) that can still make a huge impact in a digital world.

7 Simple Ways to Strengthen the Discipleship Strategy in Your Church
Here are some simple ways to do something to strengthen discipleship in your church....

Monday's Catch: 'More on the Graying of the Church: Find Ways for Your Congregation to Become Younger' And More

More on the Graying of the Church: Find Ways for Your Congregation to Become Younger

But there is a rightful concern in many churches today about the relative age composition of active church members. In fact, one of the most frequent consultation requests we receive at Church Answers is “help my church get younger.”

5 Discouraging Trends in Global Christianity
While there is much to celebrate about the church around the world, there are some discouraging trends in global Christianity.

Where Gen Z Gets It Right And What We Should Learn From Them
As church leaders mobilizing people of all ages, we must recognize and appreciate the unique qualities of each generation. In today’s ever-evolving landscape, Generation Z, born roughly between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, is making its mark on society, and we can learn a lot from them.

The relentless focus on White Christian nationalism is spreading a racist myth
The relentless coverage of White Christian nationalism is spreading a racist myth: that Whiteness is the default setting for evangelical Christianity.

With FlashPoint Live, roster of Pentecostal ‘prophets’ hits the road for Trump
The tour’s personalities and themes are borrowed from 'FlashPoint,' a Christian current-events program that features Trump and his former officials, members of Congress, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Fox News host Jeanine Pirro.

Who Is Alistair Begg? Exploring the Life and Ministry of a Revered Christian Pastor
In the landscape of Christian leadership, certain figures stand out as examples of inspiration and wisdom. Alistair Begg is one such luminary whose impact extends far beyond the walls of his church. Here, we will delve into the life and ministry of Alistair Begg, seeking to unravel the story behind this revered Christian pastor.

A Tennessee teen has pleaded guilty in the slaying of a prominent United Methodist Church leader
The daytime shooting shook United Methodist Church members in Memphis and elsewhere.

How I Use Technology for Sermon Prep
This article on Technology for Sermon Prep is the second half of of 7 Dangers and 7 Benefits of Church Technology.

The link to the first article on the Church Leaders website does not work and the article is also credited to the wrong author, to David Manner instead of David Murray. The link to the first article I have provided, however does work.

3 Things That Were Missing in My Youth Group—and What I Hope for Today
In this post Abby Buckles shares three things that were missing from my youth group experience: connection to the greater church body, true relevance, and positive expectations.

Millennial Perspectives on the Purpose of Small Groups
"Something is profoundly missing from the purpose of small groups in today’s churches. While we may not be able to put our finger on exactly what the problem is, many of us have silently wrestled with suspicions that the type of life we read about in Scripture does not line up with what we’re currently experiencing in our ecclesial communities...." 

God Sent Jonah to Nineveh--Where's He Sending You?
We believe that everyone needs Jesus, but do we believe that everyone needs grace?

Win People Rather Than Arguments
Christ is the true heart of evangelism.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, February 4, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

Jesus has certain expectations of those who respond to his call to follow him. One of these expectations is to be his witnesses to those around them where they live and work. In this Sunday’s message we look at a key principle which is found in the Bible, and which will help us do just that.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23

Message: A Key Principle for Telling Others about Jesus

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-february.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: "Who is Alistair Begg, and why are American fundamentalists so upset with him?' And More

Who is Alistair Begg, and why are American fundamentalists so upset with him?
“I’m not ready to repent over this. I don’t have to,” Alistair Begg boldly declared in a sermon titled “Compassion vs. Condemnation” at the non-denominational Parkside Church in Cleveland last Sunday. The accusations being leveled against Begg are that he has caved to the LGBTQ movement after encouraging a grandmother he didn’t know to attend her grandson’s wedding to a transgender person.

Throw-Away Culture is the Spirit of the Sexual Revolution, Too.
The sound and the fury lately has centered on pastor Alistair Begg, who finds himself at the center of evangelical angst after it was revealed that he advised a grandmother to attend the wedding of her granddaughter to person who identifies as transgendered. Controversy was swift and ruthless; Begg’s widely beloved radio preaching show, Truth for Life, was dropped by a major brodcast ministry, and more such recriminations will likely follow.

In Defense of Alistair Begg
Pastor Alistair Begg has spent decades building a reputation as a gifted preacher and faithful exegete. In recent weeks, however, that reputation has been called into question after it was revealed that he advised a woman to attend her grandchild’s wedding to a trans person. In an interview given in September 2023, Begg recounted a conversation he had with the woman, who called him distraught about the possibility of losing her relationship with her grandchild.

How Did Jesus Act Toward Sinners?
Jesus modeled well for us how to treat sinners. Ever since the SCOTUS decision in the United States, which legalized gay marriage, there have been scathing comments from all sides and an overwhelming amount of questions about how Christians should respond to the culture around us. The best thing we can do is follow Jesus regarding how to treat sinners.

Oregon lawmaker suggests non-Christians are unfit for elected office
Rep. E. Werner Reschke, a Republican Oregon lawmaker, has suggested that “you don’t want” Muslims, atheists and other non-Christians to serve in elected office. Reschke made the comments in a Jan. 17, 2024, appearance on “Save the Nation,” a talk show streamed on Facebook that is affiliated with the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported Monday, Jan 29.

The First Amendment to the US Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." While they do not specifically mention the concept of seperation of church and state, these two clauses establish that concept and the Supreme Court has so interpreted them. This includes the prohbitions of the establishment of religous tests to hold public offices, a practice which was on of the reasons that the Founding Fathers adopted the First Amendment. In the United Kingdom only members of the established church, the Church of England, could hold public office.

Jesus told the disciples to make more disciples, baptize them, and teach them what he commanded . He didn't tell them to ensconce themselves in positions of authority in a country and impose their values on the country by edict. This is not the way that he taught the Kingdom of God spreads Rather it spreads by disciples making more disciples.

Why Your Church Should Shorten Worship
People have more worship options than ever before. Remote and asynchronous worship experiences have become standard for many people. But one thing you may not have explored is experimenting with the length of worship. In this article I want to make the case for why your church should shorten worship.

The Secret of Powerful Prayer
When Jesus teaches on prayer in Matthew 6:5–15 he warns that not all prayers are equal. Before he teaches his disciples how to pray, Jesus warns them not to pray like others in the world might. As he does so, he shows where the power for prayer really comes from.

7 Great Ways To Teach Kids To Pray
Getting to know God on a heart level involves talking with Him, not just learning about Him. Children talk naturally with their friends and family. Wouldn’t it be exciting if we could teach kids to pray and talk to God just as easily!

Most people of faith plan to increase their giving to houses of worship in 2024: report Over half of people of faith in the United States intend to increase their giving to charity and houses of worship in 2024 compared to last year, while more than a third plan to stay at about the same rate, according to a new report.

Friday's Catch: 'Effective Multisite Ministry: The Ultimate Guide for Multisite Church Strategy' And More

Effective Multisite Ministry: The Ultimate Guide for Multisite Church Strategy
While there are many ways churches do multisite, only a handful of models are effective and create long-term health. Regardless of your unique context and strategy, there are six common questions every church considering multisite must address....

9 Things Strategic Leaders Do
"...there is a massive difference between having a strategy and thinking strategically. Both are important. But it is possible to implement a ministry strategy and fail to think strategically over the long haul." 

7 Ways to Earn Trust as a Leader
People follow leaders they trust. So, building and maintaining trust is critical to good leadership. Thankfully, there are ways to earn trust as a leader.

Leading Worship That Is Structured and Suitable
Throughout this article, “worship” doesn’t refer to (a) glorifying God in all of life or (b) singing in church. Instead, in keeping with the Reformed tradition, by worship the author means our Sunday gatherings or church services.

Ten Ways to Build a Stronger Youth Ministry
Feel like you’re scrambling to put together each week’s youth group meeting? Are you overwhelmed by carrying the leadership responsibilities alone? This resource can help. From developing a strong leadership team to handling administrative details to working with the church’s other ministries, these ideas from Faith Formation Ministries will help you strengthen your ministry to the youth in your congregation.

Take These 10 Steps to Improve Your Guest Services
Here's what we must understand. The people who are walking in the doors of your church are not comparing your customer service to just other churches. They are comparing your customer service to places of business, restaurants, clothing stores and other establishments they interact with. If you want to see guests return to your church, then you've got to deliver a great customer service experience. Here are 10 steps you can take to do this.

The Deconstruction of Christianity
Yet while apostasy is not new, the modern nomenclature is: Today it is often referred to as “deconstruction.” And the specific form it takes is new as well—people using social media to chart their rejection of the Christian faith and to join with others through shared apps, subreddits, or hashtags.

United Church of Christ lost over 286K members, 550 churches in last decade: report
The United Church of Christ declined by over 286,000 members from 2012 to 2022, according to recently released statistics on the theologically liberal mainline Protestant denomination. A recent report by the UCC Center for Analytics, Research & Development and Data found that, from 2012 to 2022, the denomination experienced a net loss of 286,610 members and 551 congregations. Additionally, from 2020 to 2022, the UCC went from having 4,794 congregations to 4,603 congregations, with membership dropping from approximately 773,000 to approximately 712,000.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, February 1, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

The first day of Lent, also known as Ash Wednesday, falls on a Wednesday a fortnight from today, February 14. In a number of church traditions Lent is a period of 40 days before Easter in which Christians devote themselves to fasting and abstinence, prayer, and almsgiving in preparation for the Feast of the Resurrection.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 11: 17-34

Message: Before You Eat the Lord's Supper, a Word....

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/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: 'Why Do Churches Resist Change? (And What You Can Do About It)' And More

Why Do Churches Resist Change? (And What You Can Do About It)

We often hear that people resist change. I’m not sure that’s entirely accurate. We’ll tackle that partial truth another time. For now, let’s focus on why pastors and churches resist change as well.

Christ and His Kingdom, Not Politics, Should Be the Central Fixture of Our Focus
This election year, many of us are already finding the political commentary and news exhausting. Never have God’s people needed the reminder more that the key to influence and change in this world is not, and never has been, politics. It is faithfulness to Jesus.

Ted Lasso in Wales
Call him Ted Lasso. Actually, call him Fr. Mark — unless you’re a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church in the hilly town of Brecon, Wales. A year ago, when a cheerful American priest, the Rev. Dr. Mark Clavier, became vicar of the small cathedral-town parish, St. Mary’s had 16 regular Sunday worshipers. Today it has nearly 60, a growth rate of over 300 percent in a year, making for an underdog turnaround story like that of the football team on Apple TV’s Ted Lasso.

Future-Forward Budgeting
The church leadership team should review the quarterly and yearly budgets, comparing what is coming in with what they had set aside for needs and expectations. These check-in times enable the leaders to reflect on the organization’s mission and how best to use the church’s finite resources through leadership conversations and data-driven decision-making from the financial and numerical numbers collected throughout the month through services, accounts, and payroll liabilities. These check-ins will help the team pivot when challenges come.

4 Aspirational Pathways to Help You Keep Growing as a Leader
One of the true perils of leading church ministry is being so invested in the growth of others that your personal growth goes unattended to. How do you ensure that the busyness of your life and ministry doesn’t take over and inadvertently prevent your intentional pursuit of personal growth?

Make the Call to Worship Great Again
Graham Heslop's aim for this post is to salvage the call to worship.

Is the New Evangelical Liturgy Really an Improvement?
...there is a New Evangelical Liturgy which is increasingly common in our churches. You find it in Baptist churches, Presbyterian churches, Reformed churches, free churches, and non-denominational churches. It’s familiar in rural churches and city churches. It can be found in tiny churches and megachurches.

If You Want People to Grow Spiritually Teach Them to Meditate on the Bible
The Bible says almost nothing about studying the Bible! Very often we are told in the scripture to obey and meditate on the Bible, and there are many passages that tell us to remember and not forget God’s word and God’s acts. But study the Bible? It’s almost never mentioned in all of scripture.

Take Your Faith to Work 

At some point, maybe even during a break in the rhythm of corporate worship, most everyone in your congregation has probably asked themselves the question, How does the work I do during the other six days of my life matter to my faith?

Wednesday's Catch: 'WAKE UP CALL! 5 truths a church must wake up to so that revival can happen' And More

WAKE UP CALL! 5 truths a church must wake up to so that revival can happen
It’s time to wake up our churches to the need for revival and spiritual awakening. It’s time to answer the Holy Spirit’s wake up call!

Churches Are Missing the Big Opportunity to Minister to Single-Parents
Single-parent homes are far more prevalent in the United States than most realize. They comprise one-quarter to one-third of homes with children in many communities.

Someone — Anyone — Please Volunteer
... we’re looking at volunteer ministry the wrong way. We see it as a way to get work done rather than a way to help people become more like Christ.

Okay Thought Leaders: It’s Time to Stop Bagging Out the “Average Church Member”
With the right gospel vision, the right training and framework, the right encouragement, and the right recognition of what the average church member’s life is already like, the average church member is more than willing to be part of the mission of the church. The key is to take their lives and experiences seriously as the first step.

Anglicans Celebrate Florence Li Tim-Oi
The first woman ordained to the Anglican priesthood practiced sacrificial ministry in a Chinese labor camp.

The Lost Art of Independent Thinking
...never before have we had so much access to information and so little wisdom. It would be difficult to forecast the many implications this will have on coming generations, but here is one dynamic that no longer needs imagining: The lost art of independent thinking.

What Are Demons, and How Should Christians Think about Them?
This article is adapted from Knowing God’s Truth: An Introduction to Systematic Theology by Jon Nielson.

4 Signs Decision Fatigue is Degrading your Decisions
The more decisons you make, the worse they can get.

5 Keys to Writing Sermon Titles That Make People Want to Listen
Have you ever thought about how you title a sermon or a sermon series?

College Summers Count: How Camps Prepare Your Students for Ministry
Summer camps aren’t the only ministry training ground, but for these former staffers, they were intensives that propelled them into ministry.

Get Creative with 8 KidMin Learning/Activity Stations
Have you considered the use of learning/activity stations in your children's ministry. 

The Most Pessimistic Religion in the World
Our deep-seated pessimism about human nature sets Christianity apart from nearly every other worldview.

VOICES: Does Alistair Begg have a point about gay weddings?
"...a particular logical fallacy is driving many of the responses to Begg’s advice to this conflicted grandmother and has been at the heart of the debate since we had to face this reality almost 14 years ago. It is called the False Equivalence Fallacy. A false equivalency is an informal fallacy in which an equivalence is drawn between two subjects based on flawed or false reasoning. The flawed reasoning here is that “presence” and “celebration” are the same thing. If you are present, you are by default celebrating."

Pastors and politicians slam DeSantis for luring immigrants from a church to be sent out of state.
U.S. Rep. Maxwell Frost pulled no punches in criticizing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for hiring private companies to distribute migrant relocation flyers at an Orlando-area church that serves immigrants. Titled “Welcome to my bright horizon,” the brochures promised immigrants of color free relocation to other states where they could build new lives. But the reality is they would be transported to Democratic-led states and abandoned without contacts or resources, Frost and numerous political and religious leaders said during a recent news conference.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Asbury revival – My reflection 1 year later' And More

VOICES: Asbury revival – My reflection 1 year later
Evangelicals have prayed for revival in America for decades. But do we know what to do when it happens?

The Dream of an Uncluttered Church
De-cluttering has one significant advantage: focus. When you clear away the clutter, you can focus on the most important tasks at hand.

Getting Honest About Church Planting
The truth about church planting never resembles the architect’s renderings and the slick “plant with us” pamphlets. The realities can leave you confused and disillusioned. Here are five truths that might keep you keep you sane and in the game.

Tackling Human Trafficking: Where Do We Go From Here?
There are a few things every church can do to help push back the darkness of human trafficking in their communities and even in their pews.

10 Truths Jesus Holds About Scripture
It seems everyone has a view of Scripture. Some think it is verbatim God’s Word to us. Others believe it is not the words themselves that are important; it is the experience we have while reading it. In other words, the true Word of God lies behind the text. Others believe it is a book merely written by men. Some will even say, “We follow Jesus, not the Bible.” With all these ideas floating around, asking how Jesus views Scripture seems wise. The first chapter of The Doctrine of Scripture: An Introduction by Mark D. Thompson does precisely that and gives us ten truths Jesus holds about Scripture. Doug Eaton summarizes them in his article.

3 Bible Verses that Teach Us 3 Things About Grace
If you wondered about the importance of “grace” in biblical theology, it’s pretty revelatory to see the word appearing 116 times in the New Testament. But in particular, here are three verses that help us see the truth about grace....

Learning Homiletics from Francis J. Grimké
"...every sermon should have one clear, forceful main point, and everything in the sermon should revolve around, be organized under that, and reinforce the application of that main point."

Preaching a Church Vision Sermon Series? 4 Principles and 4 Tips
Because the fall happens to be in the final weeks of Pentecost season, leading up to Advent, it’s also an optimum time to speak to the church’s identity as the institution Jesus commissioned to extend God’s Kingdom and the good news of Christ into every community. We’ve been empowered by the Spirit to take every opportunity to show and share the good news with everyone. Therefore, it’s an optimum time to preach a “vision series.”

Alistair Begg stands by same-sex wedding advice Pastor Alistair Begg is refusing to backdown following a backlash over his advice to Christians about attending same-sex weddings.

The controversy surroundi listair Beggs'advice to a grandmother who asked him whether she should attend her grandson's wedding to a transgender person has generated more heat than it has light. The question which has gone unanswered is how can Christians establish or maintain relatioships with sinners and share with them the gospel if they are avoiding them and the special events or occasions in their lives.

Diaspora Christians and Theological Education
One issue that preoccupies many theological educators is the post-COVID challenge of navigating the future amid pressure to shift to online learning. The immediate need to respond carefully and thoughtfully to the unknowns of mixed modes of delivery might make us overlook some of the other significant changes we are facing. Theological educators also face a demographic shift shaping both church and seminary.

Image Credit: Asbury University

Monday's Catch: 'A Quarter of Mainline Methodist Churches Left the Denomination Last Year. Now What?" And More

A Quarter of Mainline Methodist Churches Left the Denomination Last Year. Now What?
United Methodism is widely expected, absent many traditionalists, to finally liberalize the church’s policies on marriage and sex.

Whether or not they are willing to admit it, the traditionalists share the blame for the direction which the UMC takes. "How?" you ask. They chose to leave, and by their departure helped the progressives to advance their cause. See also: Churches continue to leave UMC after disaffiliation provision expires and The Global Methodist Church: These Things I Pray

Could the Rise of the Nones Be Over?
The latest research indicates that the growth of religiously unaffiliated Americans has slowed or even stopped.

See also: Here’s what I’m learning about the ‘nones’

A Call for Churches and Individuals to Ministry Among the Elderly
Caring for the elderly is seen as admirable, but only for a select group who are made for it. Spending time with those who are nearer to death is a little too close to home for most. This is especially true for retirees who have the time to spend, but are themselves also approaching the later stages of life.

See also: A Standing Ovation for the Older and Wiser

Civil War England and the Church
From 1643, in the time of the English Civil Wars (1642-51), in the areas they occupied the Parliamentarian forces instigated tribunals to screen local clergy for their suitability to carry on ministering.

Preaching to the Imagination
We don’t preach to entertain; we preach for transformation. But doing so may require us to use and preach to the imagination.

Are We Free to Worship God However We Choose? A Brief Case for the Regulative Principle
What is acceptable public worship of the one true God?

4 Powerful Steps to Leading Worship with Confidence
What is the key to leading worship with confidence?

In Praise of Rote Learning: Why We Need Catechisms
We expect young children won’t fully understand the answers they’ve memorized. The process is truly mechanical. Is this right?

Image Credit: Pasadena United Methodist Church

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Generational Shifts in Evangelism: Approaches for Today' And More

Generational Shifts in Evangelism: Approaches for Today

Over the last 20 years, churches have largely drifted from the practice of evangelism. At the same time, as younger generations like Gen Z and Gen Alpha come of age as digital natives, there is an ever-growing need to understand how to evangelize in the digital era. In order to respond to this evangelism lull, we need to look more at general approaches that are effective and less at this curriculum or that training method—we need to focus on what is working rather than nit-picking over what isn’t.

4 Missional Shifts for Churches in 2024
The beginning of a new year brings new opportunities to examine and adjust our priorities and our approach to life. Like clockwork after the ball drops in Times Square, fitness centers are flooded with newcomers, throngs of people commit to fad diets, couples commit to spend less and save more, and more.

4 More Missional Shifts for Churches in 2024
There’s little doubt that we are in a time of tremendous change, both within the church as well as the cultures God has called us to. In order for us to respond well to the cultural moment, we must identify significant shifts in how we minister to build flourishing, mission minded church communities in the years to come.

5 Vital Truths About Salvation
The way to be saved is so simple—and yet so easy to get wrong.

Opinion: The unconscionable rejection of food aid for hungry kids is all about politics
Food insecurity is a very real problem in the United States. Many low income children will go hungry when school is out of session because the state in which they reside has opted not to participate in the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program. Community food banks and church food pantries and food distribution ministries cannot meet the need.

Listening Well to Domestic Abuse Survivors
Victims of abuse often fail to disclose the abuse for fear of how their husbands may react, especially in marriage counseling sessions where their abusers are present. It is generally wise to separate couples and move to individual counseling any time abuse is suspected. To counsel victims of domestic abuse, the counselor must consider some of the characteristics of domestic abuse survivors and carefully provide what they most need.

Ministerial Platforms, Self-Praise, and Self-Glory
Recognise the difference between proclaiming the cause of Christ and promotion of self.

Love Your God More, Not Your Country Less
When you love something or someone, you are tempted to love that thing or person more than God. Because we are prone to idolatry, we can easily take good things—blessings in our lives—and give those blessings our worship. I can do this with Kaye, my daughters, my role, and so many things. C.S. Lewis wrote about how to solve the problem when we love others more than God.

Children’s Pastor: 9 Helpful Career Traits You’ll Need
To become a children’s pastor, the following qualities are helpful....

5 Steps for Purposeful Conversations
With all the information that needs to be shared, and all sorts of different technologies to do that communicating, here are five steps towards purposeful conversations and communicating[.

Choosing Godliness in 2024
Acts of recollection are those intentional and sometimes small acts whereby we consciously turn to God at regular times throughout our day. “It is a simple, momentary response to his ever-present love, a remembrance of his presence.” Such acts are one way to resist the habitually distracted state in which we find ourselves and to condition our souls toward habitual recollection instead, and thus are a good aim for the ordinary Christian.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, January 28, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

Jesus did not promise his disciples that following him would be easy. In fact, he warned them that their faithfulness to him and to his teaching and example might turn others against them. He foresaw that a number of his disciples might fall away, led astray by false prophets and false messiahs and their followers. He did, however, promise that those who persevered would be saved.

Readings: Deuteronomy 18:15–20; Mark 1:21–28

Message: What Jesus Did Not Say and Do

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-january_27.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: 'The Cult of Personality' And More

The Cult of Personality

A growing phenomenon within the ranks of churches, large and small (but mostly large), is the cult of personality. What is a cult of personality?

The cult of personality is also a growing phenomenon in twenty-first century US politics.

VOICES: 6 signs of power hungry leaders
God-ordained public service should never be about a person’s desire for power but should arise out of a servant’s heart to meet the needs of the people they represent.

Turn It Around: Restoring Momentum Through Clarity of Mission and Vision 

Facing a turnaround situation in your organization? 'Turn It Around' provides you with the essential tools to restore momentum by redefining and communicating a clear mission and vision. Explore practical advice from a seasoned leader who has walked the path and gain actionable strategies to lead with purpose.

Gray Matters: Aging Believers Can Serve an Eternal Kingdom
A unified church valuing every generation will have a greater global and eternal impact than any anti-aging technology.

Why I’m Hopeful for the Future of Disability Ministry
Both parents and ministry leaders acknowledge the need churches have for more education and training on disability ministry.

The UMC lost a quarter of its churches — most in the South
The same area of the country that tends to be the most politically conservative and Republican-leaning was where most United Methodist churches voted to leave the denomination.

Indictments fueled extremists’ support for Trump, survey finds
The criminal charges against Donald Trump have fueled increased radical support for the former president while his efforts to paint the government and Democrats as a threat to democracy have convinced more people to distrust democratic institutions.

Singing the Truth Within
Christian singing is countercultural. Outside of church we don’t formally sing with others.....

Do Good to All People – It’s God’s Will!
Do you ever wonder about the will of God? What he wants for you and your life? Where he wants you? What he wants you to do? What he doesn’t want you to do? Where should you go? How you should get there? When to start? When to stop?

Thursday's Catch: "Who are the ‘nones’? New Pew study debunks myths about America’s nonreligious." And More

Who are the ‘nones’? New Pew study debunks myths about America’s nonreligious.

Today, the ‘nones’ kind of look like everybody else,' said sociologist Ryan Cragun. 'At some level, we're saying, hey, actually, this is just your neighbor.'

Also see: Religious ‘Nones’ Now Outnumber All Individual Religious Cohorts, Outpacing Catholics and Evangelicals.

Unveiling the Numbers: The Global Spread of Pentecostalism and Charismatics
Pentecostalism and Charismatic Christianity are vibrant and dynamic streams within global Christianity. Defined by their emphasis on a direct personal experience with God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, these movements have witnessed unprecedented growth over the past century.

Exploring the Spectrum: Charismatic Practices in Various Christian Communities
Charismatic Christianity, with its vibrant expressions and emphasis on the Holy Spirit, transcends denominational boundaries, creating a rich tapestry of worship and belief.

6 Keys to Successful Church Member Assimilation
On January 23rd, Pastors.com held a FREE live webinar with Pastor Brian Moss to talk about the six keys to successful church member assimilation. You can now watch the replay, and get instant access to the full set of notes Pastor Brian Pastors.com us on the call... PLUS you'll also get access to Pastor Brian's "Secret Weapon" for assimilating new members in the church... and a free template to make your own!

Start With Serving
"We’re very intentional about providing quality opportunities for people to serve and to make a difference in our community," writes Helen Schnese. "Through that we have a lot of success in getting new people connected to the life of the church." 

The Strange and Wonderful Sociology of the Early Christians
What would the early Christians think about the 21st-century Western church? It might not be fair to throw all Christian groups together, but by and large, our ancient forebears would have trouble recognizing the way of Jesus in our lives and behavior. Unfortunately, the Western church too often mirrors the divisive, tribal and classist nature of wider society.

Is the Episcopal Church Anglican?
"Those involved in their desired revision of the 1979 prayer book (if we even have a prayer book instead of online resources) are very avant-garde in wanting to make language, gender, and theological changes. The development of experimental services so far has departed from a more traditional approach. All this raises the question that I have been struggling with for about 10 years now: Is the Episcopal Church still Anglican?"

The Episcopal Church is not the only ecclesial entity that claims historic ties to the Church of England, which has drifted away from the benchmarks of authentic historic Anglicanism. So has the Anglican Church in North America, the Continuing Anglican Churches, the Anglican Orthodox Church, and the Reformed Episcopal Church one way or another. In some of these entities the drift is more pronounced than in others.

Video Switcher Basics
Since so many houses of worship live-stream and/or record their productions, sermons, and classes, it’s important to note that using a video switcher is a great idea.

Also see: What Does a Video Switcher Do? 

Unraveling the View: Trump's Biblical Allegory as a Deceptive Prophet

Comparisons between former President Donald Trump and various biblical figures have recently sparked controversy and challenged perceptions of faith and politics in the United States. The idea of Trump being compared to a “false prophet,” as mentioned in biblical texts, has particularly stirred attention.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, January 25, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

As followers of Jesus, we are expected to be generous in loving others as God is generous in loving us. We may be tempted, however, to make God’s love narrower with our own false limits so that we can make our own love narrower.

Readings: Leviticus 25: 1-22; Luke 4: 14-30

Message: Far Greater Than We Can Imagine

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/01/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_25.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: 'The Hidden Costs of Top-Down Decisions: A 7-Step System for Better Decisions' And More

The Hidden Costs of Top-Down Decisions: A 7-Step System for Better Decisions

This post presents a 7-step system to improve decisions, enhance team morale, spark innovation, and build trust. Embrace inclusive leadership for lasting success.

Why the “Fishbowl” of Ministry is Not a Bad Thing, and One Step to Consider
Ordinary Christians as well as pastors live in a "fishbowl." Chuck Lawless explains why that may not be a bad thing.

VOICES: Why God never forces anyone to love Him
Dan Delzell explains why God gave us free will.

Seven Things Church Leaders Need to Consider
When we gather as churches for a celebration of the gospel, or when we sit together for prayer, or when we pore over the scriptures in a group, we are, in those moments, touching something much deeper than we realise. We are engaged in something more eternal than our marriages since at these moments we’ve stepped out of the rehearsal room and onto the stage.

Religious donors keep giving to houses of worship and beyond amid inflation
Most religious donors gave the same amount of money (or more) to their congregations in 2023 as in 2022, a new report finds.

Trump and evangelicals - round two 

It is genuinely baffling to most British Christians that so many of our US counterparts can support a man of Trump's – hardly Christlike – character and actions. And this time round, the prospect of his election threatens to destabilise the entire globe, as he proposes to withdraw support from Ukraine and pull out of NATO.

How to Raise the Spiritual Temperature of Your Church
No one does more to determine the spiritual temperature of your church than the Pastor. It’s part of shepherding. You’re the lid. You’re the limit.

Illness Policy for Children’s Ministry: How to Handle Cold & Flu Season
Why does your children’s ministry need an illness policy? And what type of information should it contain? Read on to learn about best practices for keeping everyone safe.

Redeem Time in the Age of TikTok
Even if you don’t use the app, TikTok represents the experience you’ve likely felt living in an era that emphasizes momentary engagement and instant gratification. TikTok reflects a societal shift from the rigid, though uniting, structures of Mechanical Time to a more fragmented, individualistic, and flexible understanding of time in the digital world.

Take the Test: Is God Calling You to Ministry Leadership?
Is God calling you to serve Him in ministry? First of all, it’s a big YES. God draws lost people to himself to save them, and his desire is that all saved people serve people. So, if you’re a believer, you are called! Obviously, however, there is a kind of “calling” that sets certain individuals apart for positions of ministry leadership. The New Testament refers to some people as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. And they are given to the church to teach, preach, shepherd, equip and instruct.

Tuesday's Catch: "Is it time to scrap the term ‘Evangelical’?" And More

VOICES: Is it time to scrap the term ‘Evangelical’?
There are many followers of Jesus in America today who do not describe themselves as “Christians.” It is not because they are ashamed of their faith. Instead, it is because the word “Christian” has become so diluted that almost anyone can call themselves a Christian, regardless of how they live or what they believe.

Colorful Compassion
When Jesus was asked to illustrate what loving others was all about, he painted a cross-racial picture. He told a surprisingly colorful (and scandalous) story about a marginalized Samaritan who lavishly loved a more privileged Jew.

VOICES: 10 ways to improve your daily Bible reading habit
Here are 10 practical ways to enhance your daily Bible reading habit and experience a deeper connection with God.

To Lead Quiet and Peaceful Lives: A Christian’s Prayer for Those In High Positions
In 1 Timothy 2:1–2, Paul wants believers to pray all kinds of prayers for all kinds of people. This practice is good and pleasing to God (1 Tim. 2:3). But what are the kinds of things we should pray for? Paul says to pray for “kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:2).

Youth Ministry Numbers in Decline? Please, Try Not to Panic!
Are your youth ministry numbers in decline? For kickoff weekend, the place was filled. Then the next couple of weeks, attendance numbers leveled out. Now you’re beginning to wonder, “Where did everyone go?”

Why Your Church Needs to Be Planning VBS in January
Earlier events on the calendar may push VBS planning to the back burner. But it may be the most important planning of the church year.

An Update on Rooted: One of the Best Discipleship Resources I’ve Ever Seen
"I’m hearing from more and more pastors, across different denominations and church sizes, that Rooted has been instrumental in the growth of their discipleship groups and increased volunteer engagement," reports Thom Rainer, "while significantly impacting the generosity of their people." 

A Believer’s Wake-Up Call
Too many Christians are napping through a high-stakes battle. Here’s why and how to get up and fight.

Monday's Catch: ''8 Encouraging Trends in Global Christianity for 2024' And More

8 Encouraging Trends in Global Christianity for 2024 

The 2024 Status of Global Christianity report provides at least eight positive trends that paint a picture of a healthy, growing global church.

How To Be A More Innovative Small Church (3 Starter Principles)
Jesus Christ was the most revolutionary, innovative, world-changing person who ever lived. His followers should be the same.

Pray (Don’t Play) Politics
In a politically obsessed world, Christians must elevate praying politics above playing politics. Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy is as timely as ever: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” (1 Tim. 2:1–2, NIV).

Must Every Christian Evangelize?
Church members sometimes wonder if they should just leave evangelism to the “professionals.” After all, isn’t evangelism a spiritual gift? In this article Tim Beougher offers a quick guide for pastors to know how to answer them.

New conservative Methodist denomination eyeing expansion in the Southwest
A recently launched theologically conservative alternative to the United Methodist Church is looking to expand its presence into the Southwestern and West Coast of the United States. The Global Methodist Church, which was launched in 2022 and already has more than 4,200 member congregations, is in the process of expanding its presence in the westernmost states.

Violent threats, rhetoric becoming commonplace, researchers warn
Violent threats and rhetoric targeting judges, poll workers and political figures are on the rise in the United States -- and not just on fringe websites or platforms by organized extremist groups. Advance Democracy, a nonprofit public interest research organization, said it has become particularly aware of threats lobbed at judges in cases involving former President Donald Trump.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, January 21, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows

Do you struggle with the question, “Do I have a unique purpose in life?” Christians believe that each of us does have a unique purpose. We all have a role to play in God’s scheme of things.

Readings: Jonah 3:1-10; Mark 1: 14-20

Message: Called to Serve

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-january_20.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.