Monday's Catch: 'The CHRINO: Christian in Name Only' And More

The CHRINO: Christian in Name Only

Nearly seven out of ten (69%, Cultural Research Center) of American adults self-identify as a Christian...But how many of those people are really Christians?

The Deconstructed Christian: Navigating Faith and Doubt
In recent times, the term “deconstructed Christian” has gained significant attention. This concept refers to individuals who embark on a journey to critically examine and evaluate the tenets and doctrines of the traditional Christianity they embraced in their youth.

Church Planting with Great (Realistic) Expectations
False expecations can turn into real disappointment. What can you expect in the difficult and rewarding task of church planting?

Unpacking “No Creed but the Bible”
This article is part of the Unpacking Culture series in which we examine a well-known axiom and weigh any true or positive aspects of it against any negative or misleading connotations of the phrase.

When Leading Means Disappointing People (and Other Fear of Man Issues)
As women leaders, we find ourselves grappling with the fear of man, eager to foster unity but often realizing that true leadership requires choices that might be met with resistance. If you are finding yourself on an endless cycle of doubt, insecurity, and second guessing, here are a few reminders to help you navigate the tension and move forward.

9 Things I’ve Learned About Leadership From My Family
Leadership starts at home. How you love and lead at home has a dramatic effect on how you love and lead in the church. That’s not always an easy truth to embrace, but it’s undeniable.

Facts About the Bible: A Guide for Beginners
The Bible stands as a cornerstone of faith and history. It’s God’s words, captured and preserved in human writings. It’s not just a spiritual guide but also a historical and cultural artifact, filled with fascinating facts that intrigue believers and skeptics alike.

Fostering a Small Group Mindset in a Small Church Setting
When small churches keep it simple and focus on the basics, they can foster a small-group mindset in their church.

Christians Should Long For Giftedness
When was the last time you prayed for spiritual gifts? Spiritual gifts can only come from the Spirit, and so prayer is the best way to pursue them.

Forgive Others: The Bible Path to Healing and Peace
To forgive others is a cornerstone of God’s action toward humankind and Christian teachings, deeply embedded in the fabric of the Bible. It’s a theme that not only offers solace but also commands us to mirror the grace and mercy extended to us by God. Through various passages and teachings, the Bible elucidates the importance, methods, and divine command of forgiveness, guiding believers towards a life of compassion, understanding, and peace.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Church’s free music lessons transform the community' And More

Church’s free music lessons transform the community
What can your church leverage to expand its footprint in your community?

Fresh Expressions movement offers hope
It sounds strange, but nowadays a brew pub or a website may be a more effective place to seek God than a church.The stakes to that idea are high for The United Methodist Church, whose membership in the U.S. has been aging and drifting away for decades, along with other mainline Protestant denominations.

New Study Finds Christian Nationalism in All 50 States
The replacement of the United States' existing form of government with a pseudo-religious authoriarian state is not going to advance the cause of the gospel. Indeed, it is likely to have an extremely negative effect on that cause.

7 Blessings Older Saints Offer the Church
Christians who are growing old have the opportunity to teach younger believers how to keep the faith and finish the race well.

Sunday School Strategies for Every Grade
How can we shape our children’s programs to nurture kids who understand the full breadth of Scripture?

4 Keys to Small Group Friendships
...the experience of many is that we’re in a pronounced decline when it comes to experiencing friendships. This makes small group friendships even more important in todays world.

9 Healthy Ways to Respond to Criticism
The truth is, if we are going to faithfully persevere in our ministries, we will have to learn how to rightly respond to criticism that is sure to come our way, fairly or unfairly. So, let’s consider several of these....

Why You Can Bring Anything to Jesus
Fact: You can’t out-suffer Christ—which makes Him the ultimate empathizer.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, March 3, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

In calling us to follow him, Jesus calls us to be counter-cultural, to embrace a way of life and a set of ideas that are completely different from those which may be accepted by our family, kin, and neighbors. Jesus calls us to be his representatives in our community and the larger world and embody what he taught and exemplified.

Reading: John 2:13–22

Message: What Are We to Make of Jesus’ Cleansing of the Temple?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/03/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-march-3.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: 'Seeing Red' And More

Seeing Red
...God gave us the emotion of anger for a reason. What are we supposed to do with it? What did Jesus do with it?

How to Have an Honest Conversation (that might be uncomfortable)
Honesty, candor and being frank, all easy in a Christian environment, right? Not always. Why are we tempted to hold back?

Training and Community Critical for Churches Ministering to Problem Gamblers
While gambling has surged in recent years, churches have largely remained on the sidelines, leaving problem gamblers in need of help.

An Old Testament Theology of Prosperity
In this article Danson Ottawa seeks to show how having a better understanding of the Bible’s overarching redemptive story—and covenants—is an important corrective to the prosperity gospel.

Know Your Heresies: How Not to Be a Heretic
What is heresy? While this term is often casually thrown around in the many wars of words on social media, it does have a historic technical usage in the context of Christian theology. Simply put, we can define heresy as the deliberate affirmation of a belief that subverts a central doctrine of the faith.

Lessons from the Classroom: How Pastors Can Draw Inspiration from Teachers
Pastors can learn how to enliven their sermons from teachers who engage their students through stories and interactions.

Four Benefits of Inviting Evaluation of Your Preaching
...if a pastor cannot, and perhaps should not, rely on his own people to supply constructive feedback, where will he get it?

7 Habits of Highly Effective Church Communicators
The digital age is changing the way information is received. Habits of highly effective church communicators must take into consideration the increased noise level of communication and the reduced attention spans. As a protection mechanism, to field the messaging bombarding them, people screen the information by ignoring it (not listening or daydreaming while physically present).

Thursday's Catch: 'Rumblings of Revival Among Gen Z?' And More

Rumblings of Revival Among Gen Z?
As Trevin Wax surveys the landscape, he sees signs of hope and renewal that strike him as unexpected and remarkable.

The threat of Christian nationalism in all 50 states, illustrated in eight charts
Robert P. Jones shares his insights from the largest survey of Christian nationalism conducted to date, which was released by PRRI on February 28.

Jesus and Nationalism
...Jesus knew that the Kingdom of God was so much more than the kingdoms of men. And so should we.

Evangelicals Back Immigration Reform, Increased Border Security
While most want immigration reform to secure the border, evangelicals also advocate for a path to citizenship for those already in the U.S. The issue of immigration gives all the signs of dominating the upcoming presidental election.

What one study found to be the single biggest motivation for the January 6 insurrection may explain why immigration will be the number one issue of the upcoming presidential election.

The Long View of Preaching
...it often takes the long view to see the effectiveness of preaching. Moreover, that long view may even extend out of our own lifespan on this earth.

Preteens on Track to Abandon Biblical Christianity in Record Numbers
America’s preteen children are following in the spiritual footsteps of their parents and according to new research released by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, not only is there massive resistance by young people to traditional biblical teachings, the foundational beliefs held by today’s 8- to 12-year-olds have them on track to abandon biblical Christianity in record numbers.

Evangelism-Training Sermon Series
Pastors and youth leaders: If you’re looking for an ideal sermon series or curriculum to inspire your congregation and teenagers to share the Gospel, I have great news: There’s one sermon series that’s free, easily accessible, and works every time. That sermon series is you.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, February 29, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday evenings at All Hallows.

In the Bible the phrase “Kingdom of God” is used in three different senses. While all three senses hold importance for followers of Jesus, the sense that may be most important for those who seek to follow Jesus in this day and age is the sense of the phrase as Jesus used it in the Gospels.

Reading: Matthew 13: 31-35; 44-46

Message: The Kingdom of God

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_29.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.

Wdnesday's Catch: 'Next Generation Evangelism: 3 Approaches and a Way Forward' And More

Next Generation Evangelism: 3 Approaches and a Way Forward
Though the practice of sharing their faith is much more challenging for young people in an increasingly secularized society, young Christians do evangelize. Taking a broad look, there seem to be three primary approaches that young people today seem to take towards the practice of evangelism.

How Faithful Diversity Testifies to the Gospel
A diverse and faithful church can function as a powerful defense of God’s presence among his people.

8 Strategies for Reaching and Developing Gen Z
How can congregations build meaningful connections with young adults? Brandi Nicole Williams, Director for the African American Church Evangelism Institute, offers eight practical strategies for bridging the generational gap and fostering relationships with Gen Z to build a more relevant church community.

Think Outside the Box: What Would God Plant?
Planting “teaching” services where people sing and get preached to is a good thing, but doing church in the traditional way may not be good enough in the mission context in which we are all living.

Overcoming Divisions in the Church
God loves unity and hates division. How can we be faithful peacemakers in Christ who contribute to more unity and less divisions in the church?

7 Qualities of an Easy to Follow Leader
Are you easy to follow as a leader? In other words – are you followable?

The Biggest Problem in Worship Education
Invest in worship ministries, not worship services

5 Compass Points Guide Character Formation and Lifelong Discipleship for Youth
The Fuller Youth Institute’s “Faith Beyond Youth Group” research initiative explored character as the vehicle for both faith longevity and faith vibrancy throughout the week. Their research yielded five compass points to guide the formation of character in young people — cultivating trust, modeling growth, teaching for transformation, practicing together, and making meaning.

“New Approaches to Help Youth Form Lasting Faith” featuring Brad Griffin How can your youth ministry cultivate a faith that stays with a young person as they mature through adulthood? We speak with Brad Griffin of the Fuller Youth Institute about five compass points that can guide an impactful youth ministry. The approach emphasizes building trust and relationships while teaching in transformative and experiential ways that help young people make meaning of their faith and life experiences.

Tuesday's Catch: 'The little known story of the first Anglican female preachers' And More

The little known story of the first Anglican female preachers
The Church of England first appointed female preachers during the First World War. This is the story....

4 Surprises About America’s Religious ‘Nones’
...taking a closer look at religiously unaffiliated Americans brings a few surprises, upending presuppositions and assumptions of what our friends and neighbors think and how they live.

The Rise of the Non-Christian Evangelical
Some Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists are identifying as Evangelicals. Why?

Why We Must Be Vigilant Against Hypocrisy
Living in repentance is the starting point for removing judgment and hypocrisy from our own lives and encouraging the same in our churches.

The East African Revival at 95
The East African Balokole (saved ones) has been described as Africa’s foremost conversionist and revival movement within Protestant churches. The Christian conversion movement started in northern Rwanda and southern Uganda in 1929 as a response to what was perceived as the deadness and decay of conventional religion, associated with the missionary church. It sought to bring vigor to Christian life.

Leading Worship That Glorifies and Serves
We serve as those who serve by the strength God supplies.

How To Partner With Parents in Your Children’s Ministry Each Week
Brandon Horst makes six suggestions for how to partner with parents every single week.

5 Tips for Facilitating Small Groups Effectively Josh Evans gives give you some tips for help facilitate small groups effectively.

Tennessee passes bill allowing officials not to perform same-sex marriages
A new Tennessee law will allow public officials to refuse to perform same-sex marriages if their religious beliefs make them unable to do so in good conscience.

Monday's Catch: ''Top Evangelical Leader: 'We’ve Lost Our Credibility to the Outside World'”And More

Top Evangelical Leader: “We’ve Lost Our Credibility to the Outside World”
Russell Moore is the editor-in-chief of Christianity Today. In his new book he explores democracy, cynicism, and the state of the evangelical church. Moore joins Michel Martin to discuss the challenges of religious identity and his hopes for future expressions of Christianity in America and beyond.

Anti-immigrant pastors may be drawing attention – but faith leaders are central to the movement to protect migrant rights
Religious beliefs can provide motivation, hope and endurance in the long and often discouraging task of mobilizing people for social change.

Loneliness in clergywomen — its causes and impacts and what we can do about it
While loneliness is a problem for ministers of both sexes, woman in ministry have additional causes of loneliness unique to them.

4 Ways to Create a Culture of Raising New Leaders
Most “movements” die with the original leaders. In the church, however, we must create a culture of raising leaders to carry on the work.

When Bible Reading Becomes a Struggle
To change our current Bible-reading patterns, it’s helpful to see what the Bible proclaims about itself.

10 Reasons the Old Testament Matters to Christians
Jason DeRouchie gives ten reasons why the first word in the phrase “Old Testament” must not mean “unimportant or insignificant to Christians.”

How Not to Apply the Bible
Here are four questions that will help you arrive at reliable applications of any section of the Bible....

Overcoming Your Fear of Praying in Public

In 2012, researchers at the University of Nebraska-Omaha asked 815 college students to identify their three greatest fears. Far more than they feared heights, flying, deep water and even death, the students feared “speaking before a group.” If public speaking is the general population’s greatest fear, praying in public very well may be its Christian equivalent.

Saturday Lagniappe: '4 Tips for Connecting With Seekers' And More

4 Tips for Connecting With Seekers
...here are four things for pastors and church leaders to remember as they seek to reach unchurched people.

How to Disagree Constructively (in Church)
Jesus often declined to answer questions; he redirected people to the best way to consider an issue.

VOICES: When your preconceived notions collide with Christ
When was the last time you were forced to admit to yourself that your preconceived notions about someone or something had been incorrect? Whenever we are not well-versed in a particular matter, we can easily get it wrong by forming ideas and opinions based on a small subset of factors.

What to Do When People Leave Your Church
Here are five suggestions when people leave your church....

Which Bible Translation is the Most Accurate?
In the vast landscape of Biblepublished, selecting the most accurate Bible translation can be a daunting task. With numerous options available, each boasting its own strengths and translation philosophy, determining which translation best aligns with one’s theological convictions and study needs requires careful consideration.

Understanding and Answering Islamic Criticisms of the Bible
What a Muslim may have been taught about the Bible will vary, but the most common view is that the Bible has been corrupted and replaced by the Qur’an which has been perfectly preserved. In this article we will look at what the Qur’an says about the Bible, why Islamic leaders teach the Bible is corrupted, and how we can move forward.

Are Unhealthy Small Groups Dividing Your Church?
Unhealthy small groups often divide the church into cliques....

Balmer: ‘Once you begin to lust after political power and political influence, you lose your prophetic voice’
The closer faith groups get to approving the ideology of white Christian nationalism, the further they drift from the original teachings of Christ, author and historian Randall Balmer said during a webinar hosted by Faithful America.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, February 25, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Second Sunday in Lent, we take a look at a key Christian doctrine—salvation by grace through faith. It lies at the heart of the Christian religion.

Reading: Romans 4: 13-25

Message: Saved by Grace through Faith

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-february_24.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: 'Religion as a Cultural and Political Identity"

Religion as a Cultural and Political Identity
Republicans like the *idea* of religion, without the actual religion part.

Why I’m Not an Exvangelical 

Carey Nieuwhof explains why he's not an Exvangelical.

7 Parenting Errors That Can Influence Adult Children to Leave the Faith
...here are seven parenting errors that can influence adult children to turn their back on Christ....

How to Have an Honest Conversation (that might be uncomfortable)
Honesty, candor and being frank, all easy in a Christian environment, right? Not always.

5 Reasons Pastors Should Attend Summer Camp
If your students are attending camp this summer, have you, as their pastor, made plans to attend with them?

5 Reasons Why Kids Can’t Remember What You Taught Last Month
Here are five reasons why kids can’t remember what you taught last month.

How To Preach to Youth Effectively
Brandon Hilgemann shares 7 important tips on how to preach to youth.

Becoming Fishers of Men: Spreading the Gospel and Bringing Others to Faith
The concept of being “fishers of men” holds profound significance in the Christian faith, representing the mandate given by Jesus to His disciples to spread the message of the Gospel and bring others to faith.

Missing Half the Gospel
By focusing on one aspect of our salvation, we, whether knowingly or unknowingly, minimize other aspects of our Christian Life.

Thursday's Catch: 'Authenticity, Excellence, and Small, Rural Churches with Brandon J. O’Brien' And More

Authenticity, Excellence, and Small, Rural Churches with Brandon J. O’Brien
Should small, rural churches aim for excellence, authenticity, or both? Many well-known, usually large churches, are known to strive for “excellence” in their production of weekend worship. This can leave small churches, with fewer means, feeling like they have to keep up.

Texas attorney general moves to shut down Catholic migrant shelters
The lawsuit from Ken Paxton’s office ‘seeks to revoke Annunciation House’s authorization to do business in Texas and asks the court to appoint a receiver to liquidate their assets.’

Why You’re Still Not Teaching Enough About Jesus’ Resurrection
Having a weak understanding of the implications of Jesus’ resurrection keeps Christians from living fully in Spirit-filled power.

The 5 Temptations of a Struggling Leader
Here’s what you’ll likely be tempted to do when you hit a season of struggle....

3 Questions to Ask Yourself As You Leave a Worship Service
Here are three other questions you might consider asking as you head home after church on Sunday....

“Spare the Rod Spoil the Child” Is Not in Proverbs – Are There Alternatives?
Discipline administered in anger or cruelty contradicts the spirit of the scripture and can be detrimental to a child’s emotional and psychological development.

Multiplying Disciples in North America
How do the Biblical principles captured in the Disciple Making Movement apply to North America? How do we multiply disciple makers in the United States and Canada? A growing number of church and ministry leaders are asking these questions.

Evangelism in Children’s and Youth Ministry
We need to focus on evangelizing children and youth as well as adults.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, February 22, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday evenings at All Hallows.

What better way to keep a holy Lent than to pray for revival, to pray for the spiritual awakening of those who do not yet know Christ and to pray for the spiritual renewal of those who have set their feet upon the path of discipleship, who, hearing his call, have responded in repentance and faith and with Holy Spirit’s help seek to follow him.

Reading: Ephesians 2: 1-10

Message: How to Pray for Revival

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_22.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: "George Barna: The US needs a 'spiritual awakening' to achieve 'unity'" And More

George Barna: The US needs a 'spiritual awakening' to achieve 'unity'
A prominent Christian researcher is insisting that with the 2024 presidential election less than a year away, the United States needs a “spiritual awakening” to resolve the pervasive division and polarization that has come to define American politics.

What Do I Do When My Church Stops Growing?
When growth stops, pastors sentence themselves. It’s a vulnerable moment, to be sure. Let’s face it head-on. What should church leaders do when the church stops growing?

The Culture of Bullying in the Body of Christ
Bullying is not solely the realm of testosterone-overloaded teenage males. Alas, today we live in what might describe as a nationwide bullying culture, both in real life, online, and amplified by cable television news. Hardly a day passes without our hearing of another fatal bullying incident, while it has become the norm with politicians to shout abusive odds at one another, modeling the bullying culture for our “edification.”

Leaders Go Last: 5 Life-Changing Qualities That Servant Leaders Possess
Jason Robinson identifies what he believes are 5 life-changing qualities that servant leaders should strive to model when leading others.

How to Face Apparent Contradictions in the Gospels
Are we able to trust the Gospels even if there are unresolved challenges? Here are a few principles to consider, followed by a specific (and recent) example.

Why Do Christians Use Words like “Trinity” That Are Not in the Bible?
Wyatt Graham gives three reasons to explain why we can and should use non-biblical words to explain biblical doctrines.

Small Church Youth Ministry: Ideas to Help Your Teen Program Thrive
Small church youth ministry is a hot topic. One reason is the efforts of ministry veteran Stephanie Caro. For three decades, she’s helped youth workers through her books and her work with Ministry Architects. In this YS Idea Lab, Stephanie shares some of her best ideas for small church youth ministry....

Reaching the “Converted”
Some of our most obvious evangelistic opportunities are with the people who are members of our churches. You already have a relationship with them. You already have the advantage of consistently telling them the gospel. You also have some God-ordained opportunities to personally point them to Christ.

Southern Baptist leaders expel two churches for allegedly mismanaging abuse
The committee also voted out a church in Kentucky for having a woman pastor.

Churches that support women in ministry should leave the SBC preemptively
Once again, the SBC Executive Committee has decided that a church who called a woman as their senior pastor should be disfellowshipped. This time, the church is Immanuel Baptist Church in Paducah, Ky., where Katie McKown was called to become senior minister Feb. 26, 2023.

FlashPoint ‘prophets’ declare God supports Trump and Christian nationalism
God is on Donald Trump’s side in this year’s election, said the pro-Trump “prophets” at a recent FlashPoint Live event.

Tuesday's Catch: 'What if It’s All True? Going Back to the Basics of Belief' And More

What if It’s All True? Going Back to the Basics of Belief
We must return to the basics of the faith and help others answer the question that informs every area of life: “Who is Jesus of Nazareth?”

The Distorting Power of the Prosperity Gospel
...as one of the world’s poorest continents, Africa was and still is fertile ground for such teaching. Everyone wants their best life now. And most would settle for a materially better life too, but especially those in hard circumstances.

10 Suggestions for Bridging Racial Divides
The racial reckoning that’s been happening across the country has been critically important, but if we let it wane, it will be for nothing.

The Bond of Love
When we come together for the Lord’s Supper, it should remind us of the oneness of the body and spur us to compassion that we might do what we can to share the burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

6 Reasons Why Church Mergers Are A Good Idea Mergers are not the right thing for all churches to do, but the idea is worthy of consideration.

Diffusing Tensions on Social Media
... how can you diffuse the tension on social media? Here are four tips that can help....

Monday's Catch: '3 Truths for Ministering After the Chaos' And More

3 Truths for Ministering After the Chaos
Research shows some of the cultural chaos seems to be settling. We are in a new world, which calls for new skills and a new mindset.

Why Discipleship Must Target Apathy
Apathy emerges less from lack of knowledge than from lack of conviction about what you know to be true.

Michael Wear talks ‘politics-sorting churches,’ Christian nationalism and if Biden will run a 'post-Christian' campaign
Former Obama administration official Michael Wear spoke with The Christian Post about various issues connected to the current political climate in the United States, including his views on the term Christian nationalism and the role of churches in political discourse.

NRB head explains Trump’s appeal to evangelicals: ‘He gets us’
People feel he understands them. Even though some of his life stuff doesn’t fit into their personal lifestyle or morality, they still feel like he gets them.

Because a politician is adept at sizing up a particular constituency and speaking to its prejudices, fears, and asprations does not mean that the politician in question has the best interests of that constituency at heart. It simply demonstrates that he knows how to exploit those prejudices, fears and aspirations to his own advantage. When one looks at the larger picture, Trump has done a great deal of damage to the cause of the gospel, enough to view him as an anti-Christ like figure, appealing as he does to the worst in human nature and undermining the message and teaching of Christ.

Lawyers admit: There’s no evidence for 2000 Mules election fraud claims
The film 2000 Mules made sensational claims: widespread election fraud had swung the 2020 election for Joe Biden. But lawyers defending the filmmakers have admitted in an Atlanta courtroom they didn’t have any evidence for these charges. The admission came last December but wasn’t reported until Wednesday by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Associated Press.

From a biblical perspective perpetuating and promoting a narrative which is untrue is bearing false witness against one's neighbor. Jesus told his critics that spreading lies about him showed that they were children of the devil since the devil was the father of lies. They were imitating the devil as children imitate their father. This observation is applicable to anyone who is constantly distorting the truth and spreading lies. They are acting like the devil.

Here’s How To Recruit Great Volunteers
Phil Cooke asked Jeremiah Ricks, the Sunday production director for Celebration Church in Austin, Texas how the church has become so effective with its volunteer team – particulary when it comes to media. Here’s heir conversation....

Jesus Didn’t Diss the Poor: Making Sense of Matthew 26:11
Jesus has not contrasted caring for the poor with preaching, singing, prayer, or any other faith driven ministry. Rather he contrasts the time needed to care for the poor against the time needed to commemorate his death and resurrection. In other words, Mary has grasped the temporal uniqueness of this historical moment and commemorated it in a right and meaningful way.

A Difference-Making Ministry for Any Christian
Not all of us can preach, but all of us can listen. Not all of us can apply ourselves to diligently expositing the Word, but all of us can apply ourselves to diligently receiving it.

What do you do when God says no?
What do we then do when we take our request to God and He says no?

6 Reasons to Sit in a Different Seat at Church This Weekend
Chuck Lawless explains why we shoud sit in a different place at church this weekend.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'What does it mean to claim the US is a Christian nation, and what does the Constitution say?' And More

What does it mean to claim the US is a Christian nation, and what does the Constitution say?
Many Americans believe the United States was founded as a Christian nation, and the idea is energizing some conservative and Republican activists. But the concept means different things to different people, and historians say that while the issue is complex, the founding documents prioritize religious freedom and do not create a Christian nation.

Creative Facility Solutions for New Churches
Buildings too often hinder gospel advancement.

Results May Vary
Has anyone ever found “fine print” in the Lord’s offer of salvation?

Breath Prayers: The Ancient Practice of “Pray Without Ceasing”
Integrating breath prayers into daily routines can be a simple yet profound way to maintain spiritual mindfulness.

Nurturing Young Souls: Building a Strong Foundation in Faith
By nurturing young souls, children’s ministry workers and parents grow a legacy of faith and faithfulness. Instilling strong Christian values and a solid spiritual foundation in children is crucial.

The Next Big Thing in Small Groups
The next big thing in small groups… and discipleship… and evangelism is the disciple-making movement (DMM). DMM is new way of reaching the unreached, making disciples, and mobilizing leaders that is built around a simple, yet powerful way of doing small groups. It is sweeping around the world, and actually the United States is late to the game. Yet, as churches here start to work with it, it is proving to be a powerful and practical approach with incredible potential.

Help! My Loved One Is Deconstructing.
It’s important to remember that without a deconstructor, there’s no deconstruction. Every faith deconstruction story is about a person.

Why People in Your Church Don’t Do Evangelism—and One Really Important Thing to Do About It
Pastor, when it comes to helping your people in their evangelism, patiently and faithfully encourage them!

WCA and Good News still lobbying
The traditionalist caucuses Good News and Wesleyan Covenant Association have been encouraging congregations to leave The United Methodist Church for the Global Methodist Church. Both groups plan to be lobbying at the United Methodist General Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. Critics say the meeting should be for those committed to The United Methodist Church. The groups say they need to advocate for churches and conferences that may still want to disaffiliate.

Trump’s language of evil
A manner of speaking is infesting our politics that is insulting to both the subject and the listener.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, February 18, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Lent. We refer to Sundays in Lent as Sundays in that season rather than Sundays of Lent because every Sunday is a little feast of the resurrection, a celebration of risen Jesus’ victory over death, a joyful occasion in an otherwise penitential season.

The theme of this Sunday is Jesus’ call to us, the act of a gracious God toward us, which warrants our rejoicing.

Reading: Mark 1: 9-20

Message: Jesus Is Calling

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-february_17.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: 'What Does the Bible Say about Dealing with Divisive People in the Church?' And More

What Does the Bible Say about Dealing with Divisive People in the Church?
As society is presently ripped apart with divisions on every issue, the church is likewise bombarded with divisive people who are using the current cultural divide to mimic the culture and tear apart the body of Christ. Christians have to be acutely aware that Satan uses cultural moments like this in the church to separate the body of Christ.

The Asbury Outpouring
What happened at Asbury University? On Feb. 8, 2023, what began as a routine Wednesday morning Chapel service with the student body turned into a multiweek Outpouring that some have described as a revival. Led by students, the services attracted college students from hundreds of other colleges and universities, beginning as soon as Wednesday evening.

It’s a Matter of Trust
Last year, Gallup released a poll which found that confidence was in a freefall for many leading societal institutions.

‘They're Frightened of Diversity': Rob Reiner on the Threat of Christian Nationalism
As the numerous clergy and religious scholars in God and Country make clear, Christian Nationalism is more of a political movement in religious garb than anything based in the Bible or Christian theology.

Can American congregations learn to embrace the uncoupled?
Many American congregations tend to focus on traditional families, recollecting a mid-20th-century model for church growth or else simply as a model of what a Christian life should be. 

Please Don’t Make Me Stand: Welcoming Introverts into the Church
Many churches’ focus on visitors is geared toward the extroverted, who draw energy from being around large groups of people and are innately social. They often thrive under this sort of social stimulation. But by creating an environment that respects and accommodates introverted individuals, you can foster a sense of inclusivity and ensure that everyone feels valued and comfortable. Many churches focus on inclusive spaces for different ages, different ethnicities and cultures, and people of different abilities, but we rarely consider what it looks like to be inclusive toward those with introverted personalities. Here are some strategies to make your church a more welcoming place for introverts.

Five facts about pastors most church members are unclear on
What follows is the truth on the role of pastors as taught in Scripture. It’s not “all” the truth, for this is but one simple article. However, it cuts to the heart of the issues....

Church Members Dial In for Fellowship
Gordon Memorial United Methodist Church in Nashville, Tennessee, provides Sunday worship service through the church’s conference phone line so participants who can’t attend in person can stay connected.The dial-up service has been most helpful to those who have physical ailments or geographic limitations that prevent them from attending worship in person. Church member Tina Boone coordinates the calls. She goes beyond simply making sure the technology works, providing a time of fellowship for her callers.

I personally would find having someone commenting on a service distracting and I believe that other people would too. A church service is not a baseball game. When setting up this kind of system for a church, I believe that those calling in to hear the service should have a no commentator option. If they don't want to hear a running commentary on the service, they shuld be able to listen to the service alone. When I was younger and it was more common to broadcast church services on the radio, I often listened to the Lutheran Hour broadcast by the Lutheran Brotherhood on Sundays that I was unable to attend church. Their services had no commentator. Neither did the local church services I listened to on the radio.

Never Preach to One Person
Be prepared for a lifetime of ministry to your congregation, one where you will see them struggle with certain sins and shortcomings for years. Be prepared to labor at great lengths and be long-suffering. Over time, you will see Christ sanctify his people. It just probably won’t happen in one day because of one sermon.

Does a Church Need Marketing?
Is marketing necessary for a church? What are the potential praises and pitfalls of marketing in the church space?

Thursday's Catch: 'What the Asbury Revival Taught Me About Gen Z' And More

What the Asbury Revival Taught Me About Gen Z
A year ago, I saw the cure for casual Christianity.

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

One of the Most Important Ministry Skills That Nobody Talks About
Michael J. Kruger explains why knowing how to run a meeting matters.

Trump's cruelty plays to worst of human nature. For his MAGA supporters, that's the point.
There is no point in making a rule that no one wants to break. The reason almost every religion teaches some form of the Golden Rule − "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" − is because humans are wired to do the opposite.

This Lent, take up some practices that counter the worst of our politics
Yes, we have to go through this presidential campaign season. Here’s a way to do it better.

‘Bless your heart; you don’t get worship’
They don’t understand that sitting is not the point. How sad is it to be surrounded by a congregation praising God and miss it?

My Kid Doesn’t “Get Anything” Out of Church
Of all Refocus Ministry’s posts over the last nine years, this one has by far been the most widely read and shared across a wide variety of platforms and media sources. Its relevance continues to spur us on to share the importance of welcoming children into our spaces of worship.

Family Ministry Should Be Separate From Youth Ministry: Here’s Why
Many teens who attend our youth meetings don’t come from a Christian family. And sadly, too many who do lack models of solid, solvent Christian faith.

Rescuing the Lost Lambs
How a chance wilderness encounter fueled my fire for every teenager to hear the Gospel.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, February 15, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday evenings at All Hallows.

There are a number of ways to observe a holy Lent, a season of the church calendar in a number of Christian traditions, which last forty days and precedes Easter. In the early Church it was season when the catechumens, those who were new converts to the Christian faith underwent instruction before they were baptized. It was also the season when Christians who had fallen into grievous sin demonstrated their repentance before they were readmitted to the fellowship of the Christian community.

One of the ways to observe a holy Lent is to adopt a new spiritual discipline and make it a permanent addition to our rule of life. A rule of life is “is an intentional pattern of spiritual disciplines that provides structure and direction for growth in holiness.” For example, you might adopt the practice of memorizing a short passage of Scripture and meditating upon it throughout the day.

Reading: Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21

Message: Our Motives Matter

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_15.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: 'What is Lent and why do we keep it' And More

What is Lent and why do we keep it
Lent is a traditional period in the Church calendar which precedes Easter. This the story....

The Real Love of Valentine’s Day
Wednesday is Valentine’s Day, marked by many with romantic dates, gifts of flowers and chocolates, and expressions of love to our significant other. Many forget that it is, more accurately, Saint Valentine’s Day (or the Feast of Saint Valentine). Saint Valentine of Rome was a third-century Roman saint who is commemorated on February 14, the day he was martyred and buried. It has been honored that way since A.D. 496. So why do we associate his day with love?

What modern Christians might learn from the patron saint of plagues, St. Valentine
This year, thanks to a mischievous convergence of the cultural and liturgical calendars, Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day. It’s not the first time (2018 wasn’t that long ago) nor will it be the last (next up is 2029). Theologically, intertwining the start of Lent with a focus on love really ought to be an annual occurrence. We do not enter Lent hopeless or spurned. Properly understood, Lent is more sober than somber

3 Reasons You Need to a Build a Diverse Leadership Team
When people from different cultures become part of one team, it takes time to learn how to work together. But it’s worth it.

Five Essential Sources for Sermon Illustrations and Why They Are Important
Sam Rainer shares the five primary sources from which he gets his sermon illustrations.

Worship Spectators or Participators?
If those of us who lead want congregants to be participators rather than spectators, then we must facilitate worship not just depending on our own strengths and abilities. We must also invest in the strengths and abilities of those with whom we worship and engage them on the field rather than being satisfied with them observing from the stands.

Breaking the Monotony: Tips on finding music to make Holy Communion a more joyful part of the Eucharist
I wrote this article for The Living Church more than two decades ago. The title is not mine. It is the one that TLC gave the article. We still could do more to make Holy Communon a more joyful part of the Eucharist. We have a lot more music available to us today than we did in 1999.

Is Mindfulness Helpful for Stressed-Out Teenagers?
The most stressed-out people in the world are sitting right there in your youth room every Wednesday night. Listen, and you’ll likely hear your teenagers complaining about their workload—homework, college apps, choir tryouts, after-school jobs, SAT prep, chaos at home… The list of woes is long. And they’re not blowing smoke. According to a 2014 American Psychological Association study, no demographic in contemporary culture is more stressed out than adolescents.

4 Practical Tips for Building a Strong Sunday School Team
As a Sunday school leader, you want to ensure that your ministry has a solid foundation—and that includes your team. Consider these practical tips for building a strong Sunday school team.

How to Equip the Church for Evangelism
Big-hearted, well-intentioned Christians want to see the gospel go forth, but they’re at a loss over what to do. That’s because our churches don’t need another event. Instead, the people needed to be equipped. If evangelism is the expectation of every disciple (Matt. 28:19), then disciples need to be equipped in evangelism. But how?

Tuesday's Catch: "‘Nones’ Have Always Been with Us" And More

‘Nones’ Have Always Been with Us
The presumption is the rise of the Nones signals an abandonment of faith and increasing irreligiosity. That could be true. But it seems more likely that the Nones have always been with us.

Preteens rejecting several biblical teachings, survey reveals
A prominent Christian researcher is warning that “we are on the precipice of Christian invisibility in this nation,” as new research shows that preteens are rejecting beliefs associated with a biblical worldview.

Navigating a Changing World
How can we navigate change instead of simply avoiding it? What would it take to engage with a changing world and remain faithful in it?

Understanding the Danger of Misinterpreting ‘Born Again’
The concept of being born again in Christianity is essential to the faith. It stems from the words of Jesus Himself in John chapter three. However, the phrase “born again” has sometimes been associated with a range of misconceptions and misapplications that carry potential dangers. Let’s shed some light on these concerns and offer guidance on adhering to a biblically sound understanding of being born again.

What We Learned From Changing Up Our Coffee Area
Hosting a class that is not a class has reminded me that Jesus works in different ways, and as a leader in the church, you should be open to the move of God wherever and whenever he chooses. I have learned three lessons. from observing how sharing Jesus in unstructured ways has impacted the church....

Servant-Leaders Are Distinguished by What They Serve
As heralds of the King, our service and our leadership will be measured by what we serve—the message we deliver.

4 Keys To Get Useful Feedback On Your Worship Leading
How do we get useful feedback from our congregation about our gathered worship life together? Just as is necessary for growth in any areas of our lives, we can improve our worship leading by asking for the opinions and feedback of those around us. While not everything will be observed by those in our congregation, getting feedback gives us some level of objective input on our individual strengths and weaknesses as worship leaders, and also on our team’s strengths and weaknesses.

Sustainable Youth Ministry: 8 Tools for a Strong Teen Program
Sustainable youth ministry is the ultimate goal of youth work. That’s the message of Mark DeVries, author of Sustainable Youth Ministry and leader ahttps://churchleaders.com/youth/150157-8_tools_to_build_sustainable_youth_ministry.htmlt Youth Ministry Architects. He teaches how to engineer a youth ministry program for the long haul. Check out these highlights from my interview with Mark about sustainable youth ministry.

Volunteer Culture at Church: Here’s How to Add Faith, Family & Fun
Cultures don’t just happen; people create them. So use these three steps to grow a great volunteer culture at your church and kidmin program.

Make Good Use of Your High-Capacity Volunteers
In children’s ministry, we often think that the worst possible scenario is to overwork a zealous volunteer. We definitely need to be cautious and conscious of overworking someone, but there is something far more sinister and far deadlier than overworking a volunteer: The underutilization of a key volunteer is the danger to your ministry you need to watch out for.

Monday's Catch: 'The Moribund Church" And More

The Moribund Church
The more we learn about church death and church sickness, the more we can understand how God can use us to prevent these problems and, in the case of moribund churches, to turn them around.

Henry Blackaby, author of ‘Experiencing God,’ has died at age 88
Blackaby turned his experiences reviving a dying church into a spiritual bestseller.

Connecting Passion with Purpose: How to Engage Gen Z
Gen Z has passion; the church has purpose. Making these three shifts will help us connect the two so the church can reengage Gen Z.

Why Liturgy Is Important for Outreach Whether it has come from hundreds of years of tradition or it’s just from how we are feeling as we put together service elements, we all operate with a plan, and that is what a liturgy is—a plan. And here’s why liturgy is important for the church’s outreach.

Graphic Preaching
Learning about preaching from other preachers is essential, both listening to their sermons and reading what they write about the craft. 'Simply Preaching: a visual guide' by Daniel Goodman offers a novel take on this - 150 illustrations highlighting some do's & don't's of preaching. Here's a sample....

The Deep Significance of Communion – 7 Reasons We Partake
Communion, also known as The Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist, is the central sacrament of the Christian faith. It is a ceremony steeped in deep spiritual meaning and serves as a tangible connection to the foundational truths of Christianity. Here are seven reasons why Christians partake in this sacred practice, which is more than just a ritualistic observance but a profound expression of faith.

The Worship Leader’s Guide to Creating A Contagious, Healthy Team Culture 

As a leader, there’s nothing more important than defining and protecting your team’s culture.

The need for bold evangelism
Counties UK has released a new book about how the Gospel can be shared effectively in the challenging climate of 21st century Britain, when many churches are closing their doors and struggling to attract young people. Counties CEO, Martin Erwin, speaks to Christian Today about Making Jesus Known Today and Tomorrow and how Christians and churches can be confident in sharing the Gospel.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, February 11, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the last Sunday of Epiphanytide. In some Christian traditions it is the last Sunday on which the Gloria in Excelsis and hymns and songs with alleluia in their lyrics are sung until the Feast of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

Next Sunday is the First Sunday in Lent. In these same traditions church services take on a more penitential tone during the Season of Lent and the Kyries or the Trisagion is sung in place of the Gloria in Excelsis.

Readings: 2 Kings 5: 1-14; Mark 1:40–45

Message: It’s God’s Call

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/02/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-february_10.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: 'I am not going to hate you' And More

I am not going to hate you
Hate drives so many of Americans' attitudes today. Can a yard sign help?

Anti-immigrant frenzy creates dangerous situation at U.S. border, advocates warn
Anti-immigrant bigotry is reaching a frenzied pitch as Texas continues to defy a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that grants U.S. border agents permission to remove razor wire Gov. Greg Abbott has erected along portions of the Rio Grande.

10 Ways to Make Your Worship Space Less Ableist
Too many disabled people encounter excuses when they ask for access to worship spaces. “It’s not in our budget,” religious leaders will say to the wheelchair user who can’t fit into a bathroom stall. Or, “We can’t make that alteration just for you.”

How the Church Can End the Loneliness Pandemic
We live in one of the loneliest times in human history. Even as we have more ways to connect, we are increasingly less connected to each other. We have many platforms for being “social”, but they don’t always provide a deep sense of belonging. In fact studies show that too much time spent on popular social media platforms increases the sense of disconnect, isolation and loneliness. Mental health struggles seem to be at an all-time high. The good news is that the church can respond to the loneliness pandemic.

Four Common Ministry Errors That Leaders Make
Our tendency to drift impacts not only our health, but also our approach to the ministries God has given us. Here are four sets of common and opposite errors that ministry leaders must avoid to be faithful stewards of the sacred calling that God has given us.

Learn From Failure
The difference between successful and unsuccessful leaders isn’t that the successful people don’t fail. The difference is that successful leaders learn from their failures.

Ready for Church: 5 Ways to Be Present in Worship
Here are five rules of engagement that can help us put more into corporate worship.

Preteen Bible Lesson: We Pray for Each Other
Use this lesson to help kids explore how we communicate with God through prayer.

9 Obstacles to Family and Friends Believing the Gospel
Chuck Lawless shares his thoughts about why folks struggle with believing the gospel.

Image Credit: RNS photo/Bob Smietana