Tuesday's Catch: 'Gallup poll: More than half of Americans rarely go to church' And More

Gallup poll: More than half of Americans rarely go to church
The percentage of Americans who never attend services outnumbers those who go every week, according to a new Gallup report.

Time for a Change
It can be tempting to focus only on the future when thinking about our congregation. What do we want to do? Who do we want to reach? But periodically we need to remember to look back and check on the condition of our flock to see who we have lost and why. We should avoid asking, “Who is to blame?” and instead ask, “How can we improve?”

Is Church Membership Biblical?
Though the New Testament does not explicitly use the term membership, the concept is very much implied.

Six Reasons Your Church Welcome Ministry Is More Important Than Ever
The church welcome ministry (or whatever your church calls it) has always been important. But the ministry is more important today than it’s ever been. Look at six reasons this level of importance has risen.

It’s Holy Week, and Trump is comparing himself to Jesus once again
On the second day of the Christian Holy Week, Donald Trump once again compared himself to Jesus Christ.

Donald Trump 'cult' set for 'even more violent' administration as he compares himself to Christ
Donald Trump is seeking a "biblical legitimization" of his promise for violence by comparing himself to Jesus Christ, an expert has argued.

Here comes a progressive response to demagogic and authoritarian politics
Mainline Christians, progressive Christians and the religiously unaffiliated are not the only ones who can see the danger that Donald Trump represents to this country and to the world. Conservative Chrstians who have not let themselves fall under his influence and are not allowing themselves to be manipulated by him see it too. They take seriously the warnings of Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament and have not forgotten the lessons of the past.

The Dead Sea Scrolls, the Book of Esther, and the Argument from Silence
Some scholars will conclude that if an author doesn’t use/cite a book that he doesn’t know it or value it. Or if a manuscript of a certain book is not discovered at a certain locale, then some will conclude that that particular community must not have known or valued that book. The problem with this line of reasoning, however, is that it is a form of the argument from silence. And the argument from silence is regarded as fallacious for a number of reasons....

How to Discover Your True North Values
Every leader should be clear on his or hear true north values. Such values aren’t the essential values every believer should embrace like keeping the ten commandments, obeying the golden rule, or living out Jesus’ great command and great commission. Rather they are more nuanced ones that deep down capture the essence of the real you. These values should so infuse our souls that nothing external can cause us to compromise them. Granted, they might be aspirational, ones not yet fully developed. Nevertheless, they would describe the authentic, Christ-honoring you to which you aspire. Here’s a way to discover them.

8 Benefits of Silence and Solitude in a Leader’s Life
All Christians can benefit from building the discipline of silence and solitude ito their lives, not just leaders.

How Every Christian Can Participate in the Great Commission
God did not save us and take us straight to heaven. He left us in a world of urgent spiritual and physical need for a finite amount of time, which is why we must give our lives sacrificially for the spread of the gospel. We do not exist merely to coast through casual Christianity on a week-by-week basis; we were created for so much more than that. As Christians, we come together in local churches that exist for the accomplishment of global mission.

Image Credit: Religion News Service, Tom Killoran

Monday's Catch: An Easy Formula to Evaluate Your Church’s Growth (or Decline)

An Easy Formula to Evaluate Your Church’s Growth (or Decline)
While admittng no numerical formula is perfect, Thom Rainer offers church leaders a simple way of evaluating their churches’ growth or lack thereof.

How the Babylonian Exile Informs Gen Z’s Evangelism
If we’re to reach Babylon for Christ, we’ll need to do more than just post content that might be found—but might also get lost—amid the glut of media. We need to be a faithful, countercultural, compelling everyday presence.

Risking Experiments for God’s Reign
Where is God’s movement taking place in new ways for new times? Cherished narratives, programs, language, and structures are no longer producing the fruit associated with them during past eras. Lovett Weems says innovation is possible if church leaders challenge the assumptions behind what we are doing because they no longer match the current reality.

Survey: US Hispanic Churches Could Do More if They Had More
Their pastors are mostly evangelical, sometimes bivocational, and eager for additional workers and funding to better serve their communities.

Might Will Not Make Right
You don’t have to be a hitman or tribal headhunter to use violence to serve your ambition. You can commit violence to someone’s name, reputation, or finances. Violence is a frame of mind before it is physical act. It is an ends-justify-the-means philosophy. You harden your heart to the pain you inflict on others in order to advance yourself.

A Royal Lesson on the Rumor Mill from The Princess of Wales
Gossip and rumor-mongering were bad enough in the days before the internet and social media. They have gotten far worse since their invention.

Your idea of goodness may not be kindness
Too often we in the church think our way is always righteous.

How does the Annunciation underpin fundamental beliefs within Christian faith?
The Annunciation holds a profound place in Christian theology, marking the moment when the angel Gabriel visited the Virgin Mary with a message of immense significance: the conception of Jesus, the Son of God.

Jesus’ Resurrection Confronts and Comforts
The truthfulness of Jesus’ resurrection should challenge skeptics and bring life-changing hope and comfort to every Christian.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, March 24, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Sixth Sunday in Lent, is called Palm Sunday. It is the Sunday before Easter Sunday and is the beginning of Holy Week. In a number of Christian traditions on this Sunday a special liturgy, the Liturgy of the Palms, begins the service, recalling Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Palm branches are blessed and then distributed to the congregation who form a procession. As the congregation processes around the community and then into the church’s sanctuary or worship center, the congregation sings “All Glory, Laud and Honor” and other hymns and sacred songs appropriate for the occasion. In England freshly cut willow branches are substituted for the palm branches.

On this Sunday the Passion Gospel, which retells the events leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and burial may also be read. The Passion Gospel appointed for this liturgical year is Mark 14:1-15:27.

In some churches the congregation is given small crosses, made from palms, as a reminder of the occasion and the events that it commemorates.

Reading: Philippians 2:1-11

Message: “He was humble….”

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/03/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-march-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.

Saturday's Lagniappe: 'Reaching Oral Learners with the Gospel' And More

Reaching Oral Learners with the Gospel
...between seventy and eighty percent of people in the world are oral learners.

What happens when people encounter Jesus in their own heart's language?
Nelson Mandela once said, "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart."

White Evangelicals Want Christian Influence, Not a ‘Christian Nation’
A new study finds white evangelicals are most eager to see their faith reflected more in the government, but very few say they support Christian nationalism.

Threats to Catholic Charities staffers increase amid far-right anti-migrant campaign
Catholic Charities locations have become the target of far-right media personalities, conspiracy theorists and even members of Congress.

Jim Wallis calls for an American revival flowing from a ‘remnant church’
Saving American Christianity from the idolatry of religious nationalism requires the creation of a church untainted by MAGA conservatism and its lust for racial and political dominance, according to Sojourners founder Jim Wallis. The new creation would be comprised mostly of Christians accustomed to embracing theological and racial diversity and willing to evangelize those given over to white supremacist ideology, Wallis said in a webinar hosted by Robert P. Jones, president of Public Religion Research Institute.

The ‘foolish’ message every Christian believes
Christians understand and believe that without the cross, we would be lost forever. In fact, every Christian over the past 2,000 years has believed that Christ’s death on the cross is what secures our salvation. The Anglican bishop Charles Ryle (1816-1900) said, “Take away the cross of Christ, and the Bible is a dark book.”

Don’t Give Up on Physical Bibles
Chris Polski explains why holding a physical Bible in our laps during worship has unique benefits.

Multiply Your Impact With Volunteers
Jesus spent time reaching the crowds hands on…and he also spent time developing his leaders. Ask yourself honestly: Do you regularly do both?

11 Ways To Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment
For families, keeping their kids safe is always top of mind. They want to know how you intend to protect and ensure safety while their children are in your care. Child safety encompasses more than strict adherence to policy and procedures. It also involves creating an environment that prioritizes communication and transparency, where kids feel safe and included.

6 Keys to Sharing the Gospel with Strangers
Striking up spiritual conversations can be easier than you’d think.

Friday's Catch: 'Pastoral Hypocrisy and Bad Preaching Are a Turnoff to Churchgoers' And More

Pastoral Hypocrisy and Bad Preaching Are a Turnoff to Churchgoers 

Most churchgoers aren’t leaving a church because they have a personal complaint against the pastor or his preaching, but some are.

Which Kind of Transformation Does Your Preaching Bring?
Our only hope for real transformation through our preaching is the gospel of Christ. Knowing Jesus is the means and goal of transformation.

5 Puritan Prescriptions for Gospel-Centered Preaching
The Puritans possessed what J. I. Packer called “a minute acquaintance with the human heart.” While historical caricatures tend to emphasize their external scrupulosity, in reality they aimed at the inner person by means of what they called the “plain style” of preaching. This method, as outlined by the renowned Puritan expositor William Perkins (1558–1602), encouraged preachers to first explain the text of Scripture, then describe its doctrinal significance, and finally to apply it to the particular “experiences and condition of the church.” The best of the Puritans weren’t content merely to defend doctrine from the pulpit; they sought to apply truth in the pews by engaging the hearts of their hearers. The directives below highlight five key strategies for applying the gospel to the heart.

Preachers, Aspire to Be Relentlessly Interesting
... there’s no reason for solid, biblical preaching to bore people. Crafting a sermon well, with intention, and being passionate in your delivery so your tone reflects the seriousness of the substance, isn’t something new. This has been and remains a perennial concern of Christian exegetes.

A Word to Those who Wish to Help Others Apply the Bible
...whether you are a preacher, Sunday school teacher, small group leader, instructor, coach, parent, discipler, or friend, you must never forget one crucial principle: Do not try to help others to apply a Bible passage without first applying it to yourself.

Four Sermons You Should Write in 2024
Kellen Roggenbuck has created a list of four important sermon topics he believes are "must preach" topics in 2024 along with scripture references that can serve as a foundation.

Thursday's Catch: 'The Power of Personal Invitations: 10 Tips for Inviting People to Church' And More

The Power of Personal Invitations: 10 Tips for Inviting People to Church
...inviting people to church can sometimes feel like a daunting task. So here are 10 tips as you seek to love your neighbors by inviting them into a community centered around Jesus.

Why College Grads and Retirees Make Great Church Planters
The question is no longer if we are called to leverage our lives for the Great Commission; it’s only where and how.

Tell Your Story as a Church Plant
Church planting is incredibly challenging but rewarding work. In the post-COVID-19 world, church doors are open again, and congregations of all sizes are welcoming people back to in-person services. If you’re planting a new church now, it’s more important than ever to tell a connected story across all the spaces where you show up.

Flee, Fight, or Pray?
What should you do if you find yourself in a position where a key leader has left the church and laid the blame at your feet? You can flee, fight, or reconfigure your leadership. What would you choose?

Second vote on Law Amendment will take the spotlight at this summer’s SBC annual meeting
When the Southern Baptist Convention meets in annual session in Indianapolis in June, one vote may be the most consequential in determining the future of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. And it will not be the vote to elect an SBC president. This vote will be the ultimate litmus test for whether the modern-day SBC will be defined by missional cooperation or by doctrinal conformity. And yet it is a vote about something most inside the SBC thought already was settled doctrine — until it suddenly wasn’t. The issue is whether women may hold the office of pastor. Not just “senior pastor” as many churches use the term but any role with the title pastor or with perceived pastoral authority.

Yes, Women Should Go to Seminary
Regardless of where a person sits on the spectrum between complementarian and egalitarian, it is difficult to argue that women cannot or should not benefit from theological training. Whether a church permits a woman to preach on Sunday or serve on a governing board has no bearing on the wealth of insight a seminary-trained Christian can bring to a spiritual community. Church leaders should welcome, celebrate, and champion more people attending seminary, not less.

The Origins of Spiritual Gifts Profiles: Fascinating Research on the How People Think about Spiritual Gifts
The doctrine of spiritual gifts, as we think of it today, is of relatively recent interest. Historically, while the Bible contains doctrines, they were not handed to the church in a systematic form. Rather, over its 2,000 plus years of history, the church progressively discovered and developed doctrines.

Did Paul Preach a Different Gospel than Jesus?
Does Paul create a “theological” story about Jesus that contradicts the “social and ethical” gospel Jesus preached?

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, March 21, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday evenings at All Hallows.

Jesus not only came into this world to suffer and die on the cross for the sins of the world and open the way to salvation for all who believe in him but also he came in fulfillment of a promise that God himself would teach his people to be his disciples. For Christians, Jesus’s teaching and example are the God-given standard by which they are to live and measure their lives.

Reading: Matthew 5: 1-12

Message: Should Christians Care about the Wellbeing of Other People?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/03/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_21.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: 'Voting Out of Fear' And More

Voting Out of Fear
This is an election year. No, this isn’t a blog about who you should vote for. It is a blog about why we often vote the way we do... and shouldn’t.

One of the Most Urgent Biblical Commands for Our Day
One of the most urgent biblical commands for our day—and perhaps for any day—is to speak the truth in love. Different people at different times tend to overemphasize one of the two factors and underemphasize the other so that some lean away from truth while others lean away from love. But the Lord expects that we will do both without competition or contradiction.

Can you hear him now?
He is speaking clearly and more dangerously by the day.

How Trump is Following Hitler's Playbook
Could Trump actually turn America into a fascist state? Yes. Here's how, in five steps.

Presidential Historian: Trump Actually Doing 'Us All A Favor' With Fascist Rhetoric
NBC News presidential historian and author Michael Beschloss on Monday shared a major bugbear he has about the 2024 election.

Trump is ‘Using One of the Main Tactics of Autocrats’ With Psychological Warfare, Pollster Claims
After examining former president Donald Trump's recent campaign activities, a Republican pollster concluded that he is effectively using a method many autocrats have employed: exhausting American citizens' capacity to feel outrage.

Opinion: Trump’s praise of dictators tells us all we need to know
Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Viktor Orban, Adolf Hitler, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, Saddam Hussein: What do they have in common? All of these authoritarians have reportedly drawn praise from former US president — and now GOP presidential nominee — Donald Trump, who has promised Americans that he, too, will be a dictator “on Day One” of his time in office.

The Psychology of Strongmen
We live in an era of strongmen rulers who see themselves as the saviors of their nations while denying their people the protection of democracy and truth.

Pastor, Use This Checklist for Better Preaching
Here are a few things that Michael Lukaszewski has learned along the way as a preacher and and things that he is currently trying to implement.

Why Have Well-Known Worship Leaders Left Christianity? Allen Parr Explores Whether These 4 Reasons Are Valid
Several high-profile worship leaders have announced over the past few years that they no longer believe in Christianity, rattling many evangelical Christians. Ministry leader Allen Parr believes there are four common reasons why people leave the Christian faith, and he offered his views on the validity of those reasons, as well as advice for people who are doubting.

Do You Have a Philosophy of Worship?
Does your congregation have a philosophy of worship? Mark Cole recently came across a very well-written philosophy of worship from ‘The Meeting Place’ church (TMP). If you are developing your own standards for your worship ministry, this is a good place to start.

Go, Therefore, And Make Disciples
The call to make disciples isn’t a new one. It is as ancient as the Christian faith, given by Christ himself before His ascension into heaven. The journey of a disciple isn’t a new phenomenon. Christian Scripture and history are both filled with stories and testimonies of people who have come to know and follow Christ, from young to old, from all over the world.

How We Can Empower and Multiply Disciples
...if leaders are not at the center of these movements, what is our role in a gospel movement? I think two things are key—reproducible disciples and de-emphasized clergy.

How to Disciple a New Christian
Discipling a new Christian ... can be a daunting task for the inexperienced who do not know where to start, or it could be overwhelming to the experienced who may find themselves with too many ideas and very little direction. So, how then can we approach discipleship?

Remember the Missionaries: Caring for Those We Send
How can your church remember its missionaries and continue to care for them as they serve? What’s the church’s role after launching them?

Tuesday's Catch: "Truly Local: Church as the ‘Soul’ of the City" And More

Truly Local: Church as the ‘Soul’ of the City
Renown missiologist Lesslie Newbigin reflected: “It is of the very essence of the church that it is for that place, for that section of the world for which it has been made responsible.”

Which Cities are the Least Religious?
And, what factors drive down religious attendance in those areas?

Churches all in for total solar eclipse
Excitement is building for a total solar eclipse that will occur across much of North America on April 8. Some United Methodist churches in the “path of totality” are finding creative ways to engage the public during the big event. More than a few United Methodists will be traveling to position themselves for a good look at the eclipse.

The Receding Tides of New Atheism
Pip Witheridge reviews Justin Brierly's The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again.

Beyond Survival: 6 Strategies for Flourishing as a Pastor
Don't quit until you do this. The role of a pastor is perhaps the most challenging role you can have. Even more reason to implement these 6 strategies to go beyond just surviving.

Was Jesus vegetarian? New ‘Christspiracy’ documentary says yes.
'He was one of the most hardcore animal activists,' one of the filmmakers told RNS.

One can be a Christian and a vegetarian or vegan without embracing the notion that Jesus was a vegetarian. I have been a vegetarian since the early 1970s. A book for Christians wishing to explore compassionate living and vegetarianism is Richard Alan Young's Is God a Vegetarian: Christianity, Vegetarianism, and Animal Rights (Open Court, 1999).

Good News! You Can’t Engineer an Experience with God
...the feeling of God’s nearness—that palpable sense of being in the presence of God, where shivers run down your spine; that tingling sensation that rolls across your body; or a less physical but no less profound sense of deep peace that washes over you, similar to a powerful worship service where the space between heaven and earth suddenly gets thin and you taste the blessedness of sensing with spiritual sight the God you love . . . That experience cannot be engineered. It cannot be manufactured.

Why Youth Ministry Is Important
Here are three factors that make underscore that youth ministry is important for the future of the church....

It Takes a Church To Raise Your Child
You’ve probably heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child. Parenting is so difficult, so complex, so relentless, that it is more than any two people can successfully handle. Children thrive under the responsibility of loving parents but also under the watchful eye of a caring community.

Equipping Children in Your Church With the Right Bible for the Right Age
When choosing a Bible for children in your church or recommending one for parents to purchase, consider the child’s age and development.

Being a peacemaker: practical tips from the Bible on how to resolve conflict
Many Bible verses encourage us to resolve conflict within our families, churches and communities. Here are just a few examples....

What Is Your Personal Multiplication Capacity?
Every believer, and especially every leader, develops a certain level of PMC. So, what Is PMC?

Monday's Catch: 'The One Unexpected Question That Reveals the Heart of Your Church' And More

The One Unexpected Question That Reveals the Heart of Your Church
“What gets your church most excited?” Or if you want a personal perspective, “What gets you most excited about your church?”

5 Characteristics of Church’s that Demonstrate Strength and Stability
Dan Reiland identifies 5 characteristics that help churches cultivate and demonstrate strength and stability.

Baptists are body and blood related to Mary Magdalene
Baptists may also be guilty of giving little thought to the role of Mary Magdalene.

3 Parts of the Law: A Case for Continuity of the Moral Law
What should Christians do with the Old Testament law? Is it still binding on us? If so, which parts? And how do we know?

Worthy of the Gospel
While I see Marli Scarboruh's point, she makes an artificial distiction between how we conduct ourselves and the way we live. The two are connected. A changed way of life is not only expressed in chaged attitudes and ways of thinking but also i changd ways of behaving.

How To Lead Volunteers Who Are Older Than You
Dale Hudson offers advice on working with older volunteers.

How to Become a Do-Something Preacher (Part 1)
Jesus was a do-something preacher. He didn’t want people to just listen to what he said. He wanted them to do something as a result of what he taught them.

Becoming a Do-Something Preacher (Part 2)
As a preacher, it’s never enough just to communicate information. God didn’t call us to be seminary professors or entertainers. God called us to be do-something preachers. He expects us to preach for transformation.

Big churches sound alike. Little churches are the 'Wild West' of music, study finds.
Step into a big Baptist church on Sunday morning and chances are you’ll hear the same popular worship songs played at other big churches around the country. But show up in a small church, and you never know what you’ll find — anything from “How Great Thou Art” to “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

‘Be Careful’ With Worship Music From Bethel, Hillsong and Elevation, Says Ministry Leader Allen Parr
“Some of the most popular worship songs that you’re probably listening to right now more than likely need to be removed from your worship playlist,” said author, speaker and ministry leader Allen Parr on his podcast, “THE BEAT by Allen Parr.”

Church Revival Can Begin in Your Very Own Youth Room
Church revival is a hot topic these days. And it doesn’t always involve adults. Discover why teens in your youth ministry can serve as catalysts for widespread revival.

6 Ways Churches Can Support Children Suffering Acute Trauma
As you seek to support children who’ve experienced trauma, equip yourself and your church with these tools for ministry.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, March 17, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Fifth Sunday is Lent, is known as Passion Sunday. In today's reading we find Jesus and his disciples on their way to Jerusalem where Jesus will suffer and die on the cross. Although Jesus explains to his disciples why he must go to Jerusalem, they do not appear to grasp quite what he is saying. It does not fit with what they have been expecting Jesus as the Messiah to do.

In many ways we are like the twelve. What Jesus tells us is often not what we want to hear. We wish Jesus to say something else. When that happens, we may be tempted to imagine him saying what we want to hear. But to be a true disciple of Jesus we must follow his teaching and example and not the imaginings of a deceitful heart.

Reading: Mark 10: 32-45

Message: What Did Jesus Teach about Leadership?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/03/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-march-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.

  

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Poll: Most Americans say religion’s influence is waning, and half think that’s bad' And More

Poll: Most Americans say religion’s influence is waning, and half think that’s bad
There is also growing concern among an array of religious Americans that their beliefs are in conflict with mainstream American culture.

Thousands of churches will likely close down. What happens to all that real estate?
A new book called 'Gone for Good' looks at the ways that churches could be reused for the public good in the future.

Full-time ministry drains too many clergy and church budgets. Part-time pastors can help.
The happier, healthier future of ministry is in part-time clergy.

The Hallmark of Genuine Christianity
What is the hallmark of genuine Christianity? What is the outward sign that a person is truly Christian, or that a community of Christians is the real thing? What is the inevitable fruit of obeying the gospel?

One Downside of Listening to Online Preaching
The ability to hear any text online from any teacher raises the temptation to be a lopsided listener. A lopsided listener is someone who finds their pet topic and listens exclusively to that topic. Or it is someone who listens exclusively to a certain style of preaching. This lopsided listening can have detrimental effects.

Kids Dn't Get Anything Out of Church. And You Don't Have to Either
The trouble with looking to “get something out of” worship is that it is fundamentally mis-ordered; it places us, and not God, at the center of our worship. It indicates that we are thinking about worship as a show directed at the audience, and not a sacrifice offered to the glory of the one who calls us to worship in the first place.

Fulfilling the call to make disciples
Westminster Chapel saw church leaders and Christian organisations from across the UK gather for the annual Ekklesia Church Leaders Conference on Wednesday. Pastors Chris Frost and Mark Waterfield delivered the keynote address introducing the theme for this year's conference 'In but not of' taken from John 17:14.

How can your church have such a tremendous, positive impact on the community that if it disappeared during the night, it would be sorely missed?

What Two Raw Vegans Taught Me About Sharing Jesus
They say the best salesperson is a satisfied customer. These people were “selling” raw veganism with a capital RV.

Friday's Catch: 'Dying to Live' And More

Dying to Live
God has a fantastic plan for the local church, but it seems like people continue to block or distort that plan for their own needs and personal preferences. If your local church is going to live, it will have to commit to a greater vision, commit to each other, and commit to an extraordinary God.

The Power of Small Church Outreach
' Kevin Harney shares three lessons he learned from two small churches that he pastored, lessons that he believes will encourage and help small church leaders in a wide variety of settings.

5 Ways to Equip Women for Ministry in Small Churches
Budgets may be less for smaller churches, but women in small churches still need to be equipped and trained for leadership.

If It Were Me, I'd Try Not Helping the Christian Nationalists
A lengthy article but Jake Meador has a point.

Forced marriage of Christian women becoming 'concerningly common' worldwide
Persecution watchdog Open Doors has released its annual Gender Report revealing that forced marriage is becoming a "concerningly common practice" impacting Christian women worldwide.

Egypt officials abet kidnappers of Christian college student; Muslim Brotherhood behind abduction
Authorities in Egypt have abetted the kidnapping and forcible conversion to Islam of a Coptic Christian woman, according to a widely published expert on the Middle East and Islam.

Who Is Listening to You?
Your congregation is always changing. So, keep repeating yourself.

Jesus, Children and the Kingdom of God
One of the enduring images of Jesus in the minds of many is of Jesus surrounded by children, some sitting on his knees with his arms around them. It may raise eyebrows in our ‘safe space’ world, but it captures an attractive aspect of the Jesus we meet in the Gospels. But if Jesus’ disciples had had their way, it would not have happened.

Thursday's Catch: 'God Has You Here for This Generation' And More

God Has You Here for This Generation
You were born for THIS generation. At this moment. And there has never been a greater time to be involved in the ministry of sharing Christ and his Kingdom values with the world around you.

4 Questions to Better Understand Your Nonreligious Neighbors
Around 1 in 4 Americans are nonreligious, so some people far from God are near your church. What do you need to know about your nonreligious neighbors?

Familiarity Blindness in your Church: 7 Ways to Cure It
Familiarity blindness is a malady that infects us all. It happens when we become so familiar with something that we no longer consciously see it. In fact, the brain does this all the time so it doesn’t have to work as hard...Familiarity blindness is common in many churches today. In this post I give 7 ways to cure it.

What Can You Do to Prevent Your Congregation from Being Scammed?
Scammers are doing a better job of impersonating people, so it’s getting harder to spot a fake email from a legitimate one. With the power of AI, voice cloning could be the next way a scammer might target your congregation.

How Do Our Kids Stay Christian? 

How do our kids stay Christian? Some version of this question has animated both scholarly and pastoral discussion over the last several years, especially as the great dechurching marches on unabated. This is not merely an academic question, but one that has kept younger parents anxious as they watch more and more of their peers turn away from the faith.

3 Difficulties in Starting Groups After Easter
Allen White shares the ways he discovered to to sustain 80 percent of new spring groups in the fall.

Image Credit: Wesley Bolin

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, March 14, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday evenings at All Hallows.

In his teaching Jesus put a special emphasis on how his disciples are to treat other people and one another. They are to be known for their compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. While other people might harbor strong feelings of anger and dislike for a person for a lifetime, they are to take the path of reconciliation, finding a way to become friends with those with whom they had a misunderstanding. In a world which encourages people to feel hatred and ill-will toward each other for the slightest reason and to get even for the smallest offense, Jesus’ disciples are to stand out from the crowd for the love they show not only toward each other but also toward all people.

Reading: Ephesians 4: 1-16

Message: Good Communication—A Must for Good Relations Between Christians

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/03/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_14.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: 'How to Manage a Constant Complainer in the Church' And More

How to Manage a Constant Complainer in the Church
The grouchy grumbler. The negative naysayer. The gloomy pessimist. Complaining has many forms. Not every complaint is toxic. Sometimes, a complaint is warranted and can help to identify problems. Additionally, everyone needs to vent from time to time. But many churches have at least one person who complains about everything.

For a better understanding of constant complainers, I recommend Marshall Shelley's Well-Intentioned Dragons: Ministering to Problem People in the Church (Bethany House, 1994).

It wasn’t your imagination: New study proves divisions created in churches by COVID
A new study exposes the stress and pain clergy endured during the COVID-19 pandemic as divisions over public health restrictions transformed many churches into culture-war battlefields.

New book offers help for churches and civic leaders on how to transition church properties
Congregations facing closure or downsizing must think about more than maximizing profits from the sale of facilities and other assets, social entrepreneur and church finance expert Mark Elsdon said.

7 Steps: How to Do an Inductive Bible Study
Learning to read and study Scripture is an important part of the Christian life. And while pastors and teachers are essential gifts of Christ to his church, individual Christians should also be able to pick up any passage and read it with basic understanding and application. How do you do that? The inductive Bible study method is one reliable way.

7 Ideas for Teaching Children in Your Church About Missions
It’s never too early to begin teaching children about missions. How can your church prepare children to believe and share the gospel?

Seriously, How Do You Overcome Social Media Idolatry?
Social media engagement can easily turn into enslavement. How can you overcome its idolatry and enjoy the reality of Christ?

Christians face harassment in over 160 countries as restrictions reach record levels: Pew study
In an alarming trend, Christians experienced harassment in 160 countries in 2021, according to a comprehensive study of 190 countries published by the Pew Research Center, which revealed that government restrictions on religion also reached an all-time high.

Indian State Moves to Criminalize Praying for the Sick
A proposed ban on “magical healing” is the latest government initiative targeting Christian practice and evangelism in Assam.

Poll shows slight dip in US support for LGBTQ rights across religious groups
A strong majority of Americans, and majorities of many religious groups, still broadly support LGBTQ rights.

England's NHS to stop prescribing puberty blockers for kids: 'Not enough evidence'
The National Health Service of England says it will stop providing puberty-blocking drugs for children with gender dysphoria, save for when the drugs are part of a clinical trial. NHS England made the announcement on Tuesday, following several months of research and a review of evidence provided by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Tuesday' Catch: "A ‘First Aid Kit’ for Churches' And More

A ‘First Aid Kit’ for Churches: Why Churches Must Be Concerned about the Hurting. An Interview with Eddie Moody
Thom welcomes Dr. Eddie Moody, Executive Director of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, for a special series on the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs faced in today’s society. They discuss how the “First Aid Kit” provides pastors and laypeople with the tools and knowledge needed to help the hurting. In this first part, they discuss why individual Christians should be concerned about helping others.

Get Your Church to Love the Community by Helping the Community: An Interview with Eddie Moody
Thom welcomes Dr. Eddie Moody, Executive Director of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, for a special series on the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs faced in today’s society. They discuss how the “First Aid Kit” provides pastors and laypeople with the tools and knowledge needed to help the hurting. In this second part, they discuss why churches should be concerned about helping their communities.

Practical Ways Churches Can Use a ‘First Aid Kit’ to Help Others: An Interview with Eddie Moody
Thom welcomes Dr. Eddie Moody, Executive Director of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, for a special series on the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs faced in today’s society. They discuss how the “First Aid Kit” provides pastors and laypeople with the tools and knowledge needed to help the hurting. In this third part, they discuss how churches can be ready to help others.

Are the People in Your Pews Good Theologians?
Our children’s teachers, adult teachers, deacons, and every person in our churches need to be good theologians.

10 practices to help us cultivate a Jesus worldview
It’s one thing to confess, “I believe in Jesus.” It’s another thing to learn and live by a Jesus worldview. Cultivating a Jesus worldview is the heart of discipleship. In a world filled with diverse ideologies and beliefs, cultivating a Jesus worldview can provide a compass for navigating life’s complexities. Here are 10 key practices to help you foster and deepen this perspective....

Reading the Bible Through a “Jesus Lens”
Followers of Jesus around the world recognize the importance of the Bible to our faith. Whether in daily devotions, Bible studies, or church services, the assumption is that the Bible is a book worthy of reading – and reading often. While there is broad agreement that the Bible ought to be read, there is often less reflection on how it is meant to be read.

Small Groups, Mental Health & A Few Good Men
As you may well know, mental and relational health issues are at what experts believe to be an all-time high in our world. Therapists, counselors, life coaches and psychiatrists routinely have waiting lists for clients who are mentally, emotionally and spiritually desperate to see them.

White evangelicals stand out again in survey of immigration attitudes but other surveys show more openness to a solution
White evangelicals outpace other Christian groups in assuming the worst about immigrants and immigration, Pew Research Center found in a new study. The March 4 report also found Christians overall have more negative attitudes about immigration than those who claim no religious affiliation.

Monday's Catch: 'The Death of the Baby Boomers: 7 Things That Will Take Place in Your Church' And More

The Death of the Baby Boomers: 7 Things That Will Take Place in Your Church (A Church Answers Research Article)
While the implications of the death of this generation go far beyond church life, we who lead and love churches should prepare for this unavoidable reality. Here are seven brief reminders of which we are reasonably certain from a simple demographic perspective.

Recognizing Generational Values That Could Divide Your Church
As you minister to a mix of generational values and beliefs, remember they all need Jesus. Love them. Listen to them. Lead them.

The Beauty in People Building
Death has a way of putting life in perspective. It helps you to see more clearly that the seemingly “ordinary” life can be extraordinary when you live it for something that will outlast you.

Pets Aren’t People
Animals are one of the best gifts God bestowed on us. But they aren’t people.

Trump’s vaccine rhetoric sends chills through public health circles
Public health advocates are watching in growing alarm as former President Trump increasingly embraces the anti-vaccine movement. “I will not give one penny to any school that has a vaccine mandate or a mask mandate,” Trump said in a recent campaign rally in Richmond, Va.

Trump mocks Biden’s stutter again, drawing outrage
Former president Donald Trump mocked President Biden’s stutter at a campaign rally in Rome, Ga., on Saturday, the latest in a series of insults he has hurled at his rival but one that disability advocates regard as a demeaning form of bullying.

Trump and the Top Ten
Andrew Manis argues in this opinion piece that Donald Trump's evangelical supporters have elevated him to divine status and equate him with God, thereby violating the First Commandment against making idols and worshiping other gods.

No, the U.S. Constitution is not based on the book of Deuteronomy
In addition to calling for a Coca Cola-sponsored decapitation of Donald Trump’s political opponents to be broadcast live for children to watch, Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk is making headlines again, this time claiming the United States government was formed based on the book of Deuteronomy.

Saturday Lagniappe: '3 Signs of Biblical Revival' And More

3 Signs of Biblical Revival
Is the Holy Spirit moving? Here’s how you can tell.

3 Ways To Make the Local Church Feel More Like a Family
...here are three simple things your local church can do to feel more like a loving family and less like a stuffy institution.

‘In the name of the Mother, Daughter and Holy Spirit’: Catholic women advocate change
Women meeting in Rome this week to promote female leadership in the Catholic Church are challenging the hierarchy’s resistance to change and its theological emphasis on ‘natural’ gender divisions.

Preaching on Mental Health: Sermons to Demystify and De-Stigmatize
Stress and anxiety seem to be the daily bread for many and the need for a compassionate and understanding approach to mental health in sermons has never been more crucial. We as pastors have the opportunity to create a safe and supportive environment for our congregants to seek healing and understanding through sermons that address mental health with empathy and insight. Here are some strategies to consider....

Why Christians are returning to learning lists, Latin, literature and the liberal arts: the astonishing revival of classical education
Schools have become a political battleground on both sides of the Atlantic in recent years and are often perceived to be hostile to faith. Increasingly, Christians are responding by choosing a very different kind of education for their children. Parents are motivated by research that suggests graduates of what's known as 'classical education' are more likely to grow up to be practising Christians, show tolerance and kindness, and succeed in important areas of life such as family and career.

6 Habits of a Healthy Group Leader
... several characteristics do distinguish a successful healthy group leader. These differentiating factors relate to what a person does as a part of his or her typical weekly lifestyle. It has nothing to do with personality, background or how long one has been a Christian. Instead, healthy cell leaders have incorporated certain habits into their lives. You can join them.

7 Reasons Groups Resist Starting New Ones
Broaching the topic of starting new groups can be painful. If Christians are to go and make disciples, why do groups resist starting new ones?

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, March 10, 2024) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Fourth Sunday in Lent, in The Church of England, The Church of Ireland and The Methodist Church in Britain is Mothering Sunday. In England and Ireland in the past apprentices and servants were customarily given the day off so they could visit the church where they were baptized or their parish church or the cathedral of the diocese. Apprentices and servants would use this occasion to visit their mothers and other members of their family and to bring them food and money. In the present day Mothering Sunday is used to honor mothers.

The Fourth Sunday in Lent is also known as Laetare Sunday, or Refreshment Sunday, so named as it at one time served as a break from the fasting and other austerities of Lent. The Simnel Cake, a type of fruit cake topped with marzipan, or sweet almond paste, was baked for this particular Sunday.

Reading: John 9:1–41

Message: The Dangers of Spiritual Blindness

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/03/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-march-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.

Friday's Catch: 'The 3 S’s of Re-Building Community' And More

The 3 S’s of Re-Building Community
Welcome to the next normal in which people are more disconnected and more polarized than in previous generations. And more lonely. Yet the need for belonging is at an all-time high. That’s why I have been exploring what I call the 3 S’s of Re-Building Community: being social, being spiritual, and being of service.

Also See: The Hidden Healing Power of Serving Others and Spirituality is the Key to Re-Building Community.

The little known story of Spurgeon's preacher sister
Charles Haddon Spurgeon, the world famous Baptist preacher, had a sister who was also a popular preacher in her day. This is the story....

Gospel-shaped hospitality: witnessing to God’s grace in our ordinary spaces
...how do we structure or center the lives we live in our homes around the gospel? Or what might distinguish the home of a Christian from the home of their secular or Muslim neighbour?

As Trump support merges with Christian nationalism, experts warn of extremist risks
Suddenly, it seems, the term “Christian nationalism” is everywhere. News reports about a rising conservative think tank express concerns about its ties to the movement. A high profile documentary asks whether a new wave of believers will wash away democracy in America. And Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, is increasingly embracing the narrative that he has been chosen by God — that only he can save America from Satan.

Christian Petition Accuses Texas Republican of Attack on Religious Freedom
A large Catholic community is defending an El Paso-based migrant shelter against serious allegations made by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

Chaplains and religious leaders mount campaign against school chaplain bill in a dozen states
A growing coalition of faith-based and civil rights groups has launched an opposition movement to bills in more than a dozen states that seek to replace school counselors with untrained chaplains.

How Contemporary Worship Music Is Shaping Us—for Better or Worse
The main value of Singing the Congregation is its thorough description of the world that contemporary worship music has created.

10 Tips for Choosing Worship Songs
Have you ever wondered how worship leaders choose which songs they use? Have you ever wondered how YOU should choose the songs you bring to your church?

Thursday's Catch: 'The Roadmap to Renewal' And More

The Roadmap to Renewal

These steps could help your church refocus on the mission that God has called your local church to.

How Best to Use Overflow Worship Space on Easter
Tom Berlin describes strategies for encouraging your regular attenders to worship in overflow spaces outside the sanctuary when additional seating is needed on Easter so that visitors will feel welcome and have a quality worship experience.

12 Questions Your Church Needs to Ask About Ministry to Women
Women’s ministry is effective in the church, but there’s room for improvement. Pastors need to be asking these 12 questions.

5 Delegation Lessons for Church Leaders
A balanced delegation of tasks may necessitate doing fewer activities and doing better discipleship training. Drawing on his own experience, Karl Vaters offers five delegation lessons for church leaders including: leave guilt at the door, adapt to suit your size, stop activities that are without leadership, do nothing without two leaders, and assess and hone your delegation skills.

‘Baptism Now Saves You’ The Meaning of a Misunderstood Text
Throughout church history, 1 Peter 3:21 has proved to be one of the more challenging texts to interpret in all of Scripture. Not only does the verse appear in one of the more puzzling paragraphs in the New Testament (1 Peter 3:18–22), but Peter seems to depict baptism as actually being salvific. How does baptism save us?

How many types of Jesus are in the Old Testament?
"How many types of Jesus are in the Old Testament? What is typology in the Bible?" Dr. Mitchell Chase answers in Honest Answers, Episode 102.

How to Lead a Bible Study for Men
There are many good reasons to start a Bible study for men. They include growth in understanding and applying the Bible, mutually encouraging relationships, and ultimately lives pleasing to God that have an impact for his glory. In short, getting men into fellowship around Scripture has implications for what God is doing in the world—building his church and fulfilling the Great Commission.

How I Learned to Share My Faith on the Pickleball Court
Half our congregation is made up of new Christians we met at pickleball.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, March 7, 2024) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday evenings at All Hallows.

The State of Theology survey conducted by LifeWay Research and Ligonier Ministries in 2020 revealed that many US Christians are confused on a number of basic theological issues. Their views on these issues mirrored those of the broader US population. Among the issues on which they were confused was salvation. In this evening's message, "A Faith That Is Alive," we take a look at this issue.

Reading: Romans 10: 4-13

Message: A Faith That Is Alive

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/03/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.

Wednesday's Catch: '5 Reasons Your Church May Need a Podcast' And More

5 Reasons Your Church May Need a Podcast

Creating podcast content that encourages spiritual growth in your church is an effective way to connect with people we minister to on Sundays.

The Christian case for democracy
There is a Christian case to be made for real democracy; it’s just that we’ve forgotten it or rejected it.

Politics and Parenting: Guiding Our Children Through 2024
...most parents and caregivers don’t view their political engagement as an opportunity to help their children know who Jesus is and what it means to follow Him. But as Christian parents and caregivers that exactly what it is!

In the region of the country in which I live, I hear a growing number of reports of school children acting out the animosity their parents feel toward those who do not share their political views and support their preferred candidate for President of the United States. The hatred and ill-will the parents feel toward such individuals are being directed at their children.

My Experience of Post-Christianity
Based upon his own experience, Tyler Been suspects that with the exception of those actively engaged in clinical pastoral education (CPE) and those who have gone through it recently, the Episcopal Church is widely out of touch with what people experience in CPE.

Tips on the Selection and Use of Contemporary Worship Songs in Services of Public Worship
This is the most recent article that I have written for my companion blog, Methodists on Mission. The tips given in the article are applicable to choosing and using contemporary worship songs in Anglican and Episcopal worship services as well as Methodist ones.

One of My Biggest Regrets in Ministry
Chuck Lawless shares one of his biggest regrets: he did not invest in college students well.

8 Things That Keep Young People in Church
It’s no secret that many college-age students who were raised in church drop out once they’re on their own. On the other hand, some churches have done a good job of keeping and reaching this group. Here’s what Chuck Lawless sees that keeps young people in church.

Be the Church Member You Want Your Church to Have
"I’m convinced that more can be accomplished by consciously pursuing the things that God calls you to be in the church, than by complaining about what others may be lacking," writes Jacob Crouch.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Does Your Church Have Churchgoers With Unfulfilled Needs?' And More

Does Your Church Have Churchgoers With Unfulfilled Needs?
More than 1 in 4 church switchers say they changed because they had unfulfilled needs in the church (29%).

3 Strategies for Doing Church Online
Heidi Campbell, who has studied online churches since the early days of the internet, describes three online church strategies that emerged during the pandemic. The most common strategies mirror or modify the aspects of normal worship. But she sees the greatest promise in strategies that reimagine worship to take advantage of the unique possibilities of digital technology.

‘Loving the City’ of Seguin, Texas
An hour outside of San Antonio, nestled in beautiful Texas Hill Country, Seguin is a vibrant and growing community. Benefiting from the growth of the Sunbelt in recent years, Seguin’s population has increased by over 16 percent in the last decade. At the center of this dynamic city stands St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.

Political Homelessness Is a Good Start
We ought to remain pilgrims in a time of partisans.

7 Leadership Bottlenecks to Avoid
There are leadership bottlenecks all leaders need to avoid.

Find the Edge in Your Preaching
We’re chefs in the kitchen, taking the ingredients of God’s Word and whipping up a nourishing meal for people in need of growth in holiness.

Immaturity and Inconsistency Are Not Hypocrisy
Yes, there are hypocrites. But no, not everyone who is called a hypocrite is a hypocrite. Someone growing in Christlikeness, struggling and stumbling but still pressing forward, is not a hypocrite.

Reaching the Nations Starts with Loving the Local Church
God’s strategy for accomplishing his redemptive purpose is through the ordinary means of grace in local churches.