Friday's Catch: 'Evangelicals make up smaller share of US population than commonly thought: report' And More

Evangelicals make up smaller share of US population than commonly thought: report
Evangelicals make up a far smaller share of the United States population than expected due to a misunderstanding of the term, a new research report states, finding that the lack of a uniform biblical worldview among Evangelicals has negative implications.

Only 6% of self-professed Christians hold biblical worldview amid increasing syncretism in the US: survey Only 6% of Christians have a biblical worldview as many Americans embrace syncretism, according to a new survey.

5 ways preachers blow it during the invitation
Here’s 5 ways most preachers blow it during the invitation....

Why Catholic bishops rocked out to megachurch worship hits
The rise in popularity of music from churches like Elevation, Hillsong and Bethel has helped launch a new kind of ecumenical movement.

While the worship songs from the so-called big Four megachurches dominate the worship music charts, I found that a number of them are not accessibe to the average congregational singer and are biblically or otherwise doctrinally unsound. While they are not as popular, there is mountain of worship songs from other sources, which are far more singable and doctrinally sound.

6 Ways To Embrace Culturally Diverse Worship
We are willing to go outside the church for culturally diverse worship but fail miserably to do so within. So why are we so ready to defer when we travel around the world but not across the aisle?

3 Questions I Ask During Every Bible Study
Good questions are at the core of good Bible study planning. And the best questions are crafted to relate both to the text at hand and the people in the group. However, there are some general questions I ask during just about every Bible study I lead. Sometimes I’ll modify these questions slightly, but mostly they can be used as is. These questions almost always help my group look closely at the Scriptures, work to understand its meaning, and draw out its implications.

5 Trends in Reaching College Students
College students and young adults are one of the best demographics for a bold, contextualized form of evangelism.

How the Presence of God Fuels Our Mission
When we understand that the presence of God is at work in the world, and the church—as a people—is called to be faithful to his presence through Jesus Christ, our understanding of mission is revitalized.

Thursday's Catch: 'Does a Church Have to Die?' And More

Does a Church Have to Die?
The churches in North America and many parts of the world are dying. Why? Because the local church has failed to adapt to the changing realities of the community in which they were planted decades before.

Gardens in the Desert
“I feel like I have been prepared for a world that no longer exists!”—does that sound familiar to anyone?

Calling in the Cast Out
There are many things that Jesus did exceptionally well that we as modern followers should embrace. We call this “discipleship,” which includes praying, teaching, learning, and growing…all the things we want to be more Christlike in. But there is one area around which I believe we need to discern a more engaged call, especially as the church: reaching the alienated.

Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith (1926-2024)
Timothy Dudley-Smith, who wrote “Tell Out My Soul” and more than 400 other hymns and served as Bishop of Thetford in the Church of England from 1981 to 1992, died August 12 at 97.

The Church of England and the Anglican Communion has lost one of its most prolific hymn writers.

Ed Stetzer: The Power of Small
Here are five reasons...why small churches matter.

3 Tips to Becoming an Environmental Steward
... it’s time to move into our communities and for churches to lead the way in change.

9 Steps to Take When Your Church Does Not Have Enough Workers 

I don’t think I’ve ever met a church leader who said, “Our church has more than enough workers.” Every church I’ve worked with had at least some members who were uninvolved—and I suspect the Covid pandemic only exacerbated the problem. If that’s where your church is, maybe one of these ideas will help you....

5 Truths to Remember About New Leaders in Your Church
As new leaders step into their ministry calling, we must prioritize discipleship and enabling them to find success in their new role.

A Unique and Fresh Approach to Bible Reading
Try reading your Bible in this way and see how it can freshen your experience. It’s also helpful to record insights you learn in a journal.

Be Ready with the Gospel. Memorize the Bible.
If you’re going to share the gospel, you’ll want to know verses that succinctly summarize the good news of Christ...You don’t have to live among oral learners in another culture to retell Bible stories; you can do it with children or anyone.

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

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows

I regularly attended church during my teen years, choosing to stay to hear the sermon when the other young people went to their Sunday school classes. In fact, the only time I stepped into a Sunday school classroom was to teach a group of fourth graders one summer. I read a Bible story to them, then handed out newsprint and crayons to them, and had them draw what they had heard. I then asked each student to explain what they had drawn.

Like many young adults at that time, I drifted away from the church while I was at university, and I did not return until more than a decade later. My nieces who had been attending their aunt’s church had a bad experience at that church and my mother and I decided to take them to our church. I agreed to sit with the girls during the service.

As it turned out, the girls chose to sit with friends that they had made at church and I ended up singing in the choir and serving as a lay reader, reading the lessons, leading the Prayers of the People, and administering the chalice at communion. Two members of the choir invited me to join their intercessory prayer group. These two women who are now with the Lord would have a profound impact upon my spiritual life.

In this evening’ message we take a look at some ways that Christians can help not only their fellow believers grow as disciples of Jesus Christ but also serve as instruments of God’s grace to those exploring the Christian faith and way of life.

Reading: Hebrews 12: 1-17

Message: Watch Over One Another in Love

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/08/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:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-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: 'Your Community is Your Congregation' And More

Your Community is Your Congregation
Pastor Joe Daniels says vital churches focus outward, engaging their communities, not only to serve but to build relationships and make disciples.

“Welcoming Young Adults” featuring Reggie Blount
How can congregations engage in ministry with young adults? Reggie Blount shares ways congregations can strengthen their ministry with young adults through hospitality, welcoming and meeting young adults where they are, and empowering them to engage in works of purpose and mission.

Five Ways to Reach and Keep Guests in a Post-COVID World
Several years ago, Thom Rainer wrote an article about this challenge, and most of the information is still relevant today. The difference is more of degree and urgency today. Here are five key steps to reach and retain guests from his previous article. Most of these can be implemented in your church right away.

You Cannot Lie Your Way to the Truth
Falsehoods are easy to tell in politics, and they can even creep into the church. But nothing takes us farther from the Truth himself.

David French says he’ll vote for Kamala Harris to save conservativism
In an Aug. 13 appearance on MSNBC, David French explained more of the rationale behind his op-ed published the day before. Asked if he thinks it would “send a message” if Republicans lose the White House, the Senate and the House of Representatives this year due to Trump’s influence, he responded affirmatively.

Abuse awareness group critical of new ACNA reporting standards for misconduct
An organization founded to spread awareness of abuse issues within the Anglican Church in North America is critical of the effectiveness of recently approved standards on reporting misconduct.

10 Practical Strategies for Effective Stewardship Campaigns
Could your church benefit from a more systematic and effective approach to your annual stewardship drive? Ann A. Michel from the Lewis Center staff lays out ten steps that can help your church do a better job of connecting with givers and inspiring generosity.

Comic Books Reveal How the World Misunderstands Christianity
Review: ‘Christianity and Comics’ by Blair Davis

Japanese anime and US animation also presents a distorted view of Christianity, Christian beliefs, and Christian practices.

Church Communication for Solo Pastors
Church communication for solo pastors can be difficult and time-consuming. Identify the most important areas and learn how to do them well.

The Early Church and Small Groups
his post on the early church was adapted from an original article by Larry Kreider titled “The Underground Church,” found on Dove International’s website.

Young Man, There’s a Place You Can Go
Sam O'Neil gives three reasons that he believes Kids Ministry is an amazing place for young men to serve.

Safeguarding concerns may account for why churches do not recruit young men for children's ministry.

The sweet time of life. When exactly is it?
"I posted this in 2012 when I was 72 years old," writes Joe McKeever. "At the moment I’m 84 and still counting. Could update this with meetings and such, but it seems to work the way it is, so decided to simply run it as it was then."

There is No 'Just' in the Body of Christ
No one is "just" a Sunday school teacher. No one is "just" an offering taker. No one is "just" a bringer of meals to the sick. No one is "just" a deacon. There is no "just." This is what Paul is getting at in 1 Corinthians 12 where he describes the essential nature of every church member.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Why Some Declining Churches Like Their Pastors More as They Get Smaller' And More

Why Some Declining Churches Like Their Pastors More as They Get Smaller
Though counterintuitive, some declining churches start to appreciate their pastors more. This dynamic is usually unhealthy, but not always. Thom and Sam discuss what they see in these situations. What was once unheard of has not become more common.

7 Ways the Church Can Support Military Families
Your role in the lives of our nation’s military families is crucial. The church is equipped to bring the healing power our military needs.

David French endorses Kamala Harris, blasts 'MAGA Christians'
French accuses Trump supporters of 'viciousness and intolerance'

The former president's habitual lying is well-documented as are his insensitive and unkind statements. French's description of Trump's supporters does fit a number of them on social media. Trump has an uncanny knack of bringing out the worst in people. Whether it can be generalized to all his supporters is another matter. French is not alone in his observation that the former president is having a detrimental effect upon evangelical Christianity in the United States. At the same time its obsession with Trump has arguably revealed its defects just as the COVID-19 epidemic exposed the shallowness of the Christian faith of a number of churchgoers.

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

Related Article: 4 Ways Pastors can Refill their Depleted Souls

Making Music Singable
This essay is adapted from Neal Michell’s book, How to Hit the Ground Running: A Quick-start Guide for Congregations with New Leadership, Revised, scheduled for release in September.

Lead clergy and music ministers working together can do more than what is suggested in this essay to transform a congregation into a singing congregation..

12 Keys to Improving Worship Keyboards
So you’re playing worship keyboards for your band this Sunday! Here are some proven steps and practices to help you do a great job.

Real vs. Fake Relationships
We are living in a connection driven world. Every day it seems technology is advancing to help us better stay in touch with those we love. The upside of this is that those high school reunions are way less awkward now that we can deal with all the drama before we ever get there. The downside is a generation is arising that doesn’t always know the difference between “real” and “fake” relationships.

7 Tips for Responding to Bullying in Your Ministry
Consider these seven concrete, practical steps to thwart bullying and to build a caring community in your ministry.

Trust - A Endangered Species? 4 Steps to Build Trust with Your Groups
If trust has become an endangered species, how can we turn the tide towards restoration?

Set up for a testimony video
In this tutorial, Stephen Kawakami talks about setting up the right location for your next testimony or interview shoot.

Videoed testimonies and interviews are a good way of not only encouraging your congregation but also keeping it informed of the activities of the different ministries in the church.

3 Certain Ways to Be Disappointed in Your Church
Leaving a church is a serious decision. It's a decision that should be made only after much prayer and reflection. There are valid reasons, of course, for someone to leave a church...Unfortunately, though, most of the time we leave churches not because of a vitally important issue like biblical faithfulness; we instead leave churches because something - or someone - has not met our expectations.

20 Biblical Motivations for Pursuing Holiness
Is there just one proper gospel-centered rationale for holiness? Should we, in speaking about sanctification, avoid threats and warnings and coming judgment and focus simply on our acceptance in Christ? How many motivations does the Bible have for godliness?

Who Is Your One?
Who is your one? One person, one name, one life—your “one” who you know needs a relationship with Jesus to change the trajectory of their life.

Monday's Catch: 'No One Is Ever Too Old to Be Used by God' And More

No One Is Ever Too Old to Be Used by God

Randy Alcorn reminds us that age is not a barrier that prevents God from using us for his purposes.

Age, however, can be a denominational and local church barrier for older Christians to a larger role in their church.

Cliques, exclusion top reasons Americans aren't getting more involved in their churches: survey
Exclusion and the existence of cliques are the most common reasons why Americans don't want to get more involved in their churches and houses of worship, even though most don't report any negative experiences with their congregations, a new survey suggests.

The Curious Case of the Christian Reformed Church
Two years ago, in a move that surprised almost everyone, the synod of the Christian Reformed Church in North America (CRC) voted 123–53 to affirm that “unchastity” in the Heidelberg Catechism includes adultery, premarital sex, extramarital sex, polyamory, pornography, and homosexual sex. “What now?” asked an article in the denominational publication, The Banner, two weeks later. “How will this decision play out?”

Understanding Evangelical Identity: A Call for Clarity and Commitment
Research on evangelical Identity and public perception presents significant implications for how we lead, evangelize, and define ourselves.

From Genesis to Judgment: Original Sin Fully Explained
Why does so much evil exist in the world? Why do men murder? Why do countries go to war? Why do people exploit others? Why do we live in a world marked by human evil? Foundational to answering these questions is the doctrine of original sin.

Why Many New Pastors Don’t Survive Their First Five Years—and How We Can Fix This
Newer pastors burnout generally not because regular preaching and teaching are more difficult than they expected, but because these activities too often happen under the stress of sharp conflict.

Seven Reasons We Should Encourage Our Members Not to Use Their Smartphones or Tablets in Worship Services 

Thom Rainer explains why he thinks that it is a good idea for church leaders to encourage church members and attendees to tur off their portable electronic devices during church services.

What Can We Do About All the Problems? We Can Keep Showing Up
You can’t follow Jesus and turn a blind eye to those who are suffering while enjoying personal peace and prosperity. It’s simply not an option for a disciple, or a church full of disciples.

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

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

Jesus taught his disciples to love even their enemies. He did not urge them to hate the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law who criticized him and rejected him, only not to follow their example. Rather he encouraged his disciples to do good to their enemies, to pray for them, and to ask God’s blessing on them. Jesus restrained James and John when they would have asked God to send down fire from heaven and burn up a Samaritan village that did not welcome Jesus and his disciples.

In this Sunday’s message we look at the instructions the apostle Paul gave to the church at Ephesus on how live as followers of Jesus and to treat others.

Readings: Leviticus 19: 1-37; Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Message: True Witnesses to the Risen Christ

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/08/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-august-11.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:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-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: 'When Evangelism Is Missing' And More

When Evangelism Is Missing

Tom Rainer explains what happens to a church without evangelism.

In scandal’s wake, ACNA adopts new rules on reporting misconduct
Amendments to the denomination’s bylaws on preventing and reporting misconduct lay the groundwork for larger revisions, ACNA officials said.

UMC says 'several hundred' Nigerian churches will stay in denomination despite LGBT affirmation
The United Methodist Church says there are hundreds of congregations in Nigeria that won't be leaving the denomination over its recent decision to allow the blessing of same-sex unions.

A bad leader has corrupted the Republican Party and churches that identify with it
"Jesus said a bad tree cannot bear good fruit (Matthew 7:18) and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored in his heart (Matthew 12:35)," writes Michael P. L. Friday. "Are the Christians who support this bad leader so grotesquely deluded as to fail to recognize what they seek is untenable and unsustainable, unwise and unhinged, and totally indefensible, inane and fraught with immense folly and betrayal of the Christ whom they say they claim?"

It is noteworthy that the Republican Party has dropped two of its longstanding planks from its platform, one opposing abortion and the other supporting marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman, both at the insistence of its present leader and candidate for US president in hopes that their omission would garner him more votes.

Pour Out Your Heart to God!
Deepen your connection to the Lord with a prayer journal of personal "psalms."

Family Sunday: Great Ways to Help Families Befriend and Feel Friended
Help families develop a sense of belonging by facilitating ways to meet and get to know each other through Family Sundays!

Open Groups vs. Closed Groups
“How do you feel about small groups being open or closed?” This was a recent question I was asked by a church that was in the beginning stages of formulating their church wide small group model. I smiled because this is a loaded question for several reasons that we will discuss here.

Differing Spiritual Temperaments
...we are called to be patient with one another and not to treat one another monolithically with regard to spiritual temperament or maturity.

Friday's Catch: 'Women in Acts: Women’s Role in the Birth of the Church' And More

Women in Acts: Women’s Role in the Birth of the Church
We see a profound collaboration between the Spirit and willing women throughout the ministry of Jesus as he called, included, commissioned, and was supported by women. And we see it in the birth and growth of the earliest church.

Rosemary — Half My Soul
Richard Kew remembers his late wife Rosemary who died from the injuries that she sustained in a road accident. Richard Kew is a priest associate at St. George's Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee. His wife taught foreign languages and literatures at Middle Tennessee State University for nearly twenty years.

Whose Christianity do Christian nationalists want?
It was the diversity of Christianity, as much as other faiths, that inspired the founders' concern for religious liberty.

Christians must reassert themselves in the public square and demand behavior consistent with belief
Being a Christian is about behaving rightly — and for the right reasons.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of What You Allow as a Leader
As leaders, two factors determine how leadership is understood and executed throughout the organization: the actions we take and the behaviors we tolerate. Our behavior and tolerance aren’t just personal choices—they are powerful signals that shape the entire landscape of our organization. Whether you’re leading a team in a corporate setting, a non-profit, or a faith-based organization, understanding this dynamic is crucial for your culture and leadership development.

11 Bad Listening Habits Leaders must Avoid
Listening is one of the most important competencies a leader can use. Leaders who listen well, lead well. But sometimes even good leaders slip into bad listening habits. As you read these bad habits below, mentally check which one(s) you most easily slip into.

Context—Behavior—Faith
In this Reformed Worship blog post Paul E. Detterman considers how the context in which we worship shapes our behavior, and how our behavior not only shapes our faith but also impacts the worship and the faith of the people around us.

FAQ: Do You Have a Job Description for a Small Group Director?
Here are the four things that Mark Howell thinks ought to be on the job description for a small group director (or pastor).

6 ½ Things Student Ministers Wish Senior Pastors Understood
Sometimes, in efforts to reach youth, we can overlook student ministers and their tireless efforts. Here’s what they want pastors to know.

Help Kids Value Nature in a Virtual World
Our humanity is deeply connected to the earth for which we were made.

The fatal mistake of the casually religious
Thinking that the Eternal God is like us is an ancient tradition with a noble heritage. Every culture has done it, every generation has adapted the art to its own idiosyncrasies, every worshiper struggles with the temptation to pull it off. It’s been said, “In the beginning, God made man in His image. Ever since, man has been returning the favor.”

Thursday's Catch: 'The Marks of a Multiplying Church' And More

The Marks of a Multiplying Church
Of the estimated 300,000-plus churches in the United States, 93% have never planted a single church. These numbers beg the question, Why? Why is almost every U.S. church ignoring or neglecting the multiplication plan that Jesus set in motion for his church when he gave his Great Commission?

Daring Boldly: Discerning Your Church's Call to New Places
How do we discern what God is calling our churches to do in the world? How do we listen and follow with great boldness?

4 Steps for Forming an Inclusive Group
How can church leaders embrace inclusivity and forge intercultural partnerships to chart a new course towards vibrant, equitable communities? Dale Weatherspoon shares four essential steps to foster inclusivity, from articulating the why to executing inclusive planning, and sustaining momentum for lasting change. Follow these steps as you seek to build bridges and elevate every voice in our shared quest for a better tomorrow.

This is an article about making churches more racially and ethnically diverse. Too many churches decline because they do nothing to expand their base. As their base shrinks, they decline.

Church Culture: What It Is and What It Isn't
It is commonly understood in the church world that culture is important because it shapes the way things are done in any local church. Strategies easily come and go, but culture is deeply embedded and difficult to change.

11 Simple Ideas to Make Your Church More Intergenerational
A congregation can start becoming more intergenerational by simply inviting one more generation to take part in any congregational event or activity. The authors of Intergenerational Christian Formation offer these simple possibilities for bringing different generations together.

7 Suggestions For A Declining Church
What should you do in a declining church? While noting that there are no cookie-cutter solutions for reversing a church in decline, Ron Edmondson offers 7 suggestions.

How can Christians first (sic) back against disinformation?
...how can Christians fight back against the tide of disinformation and fake news sweeping across the internet, and arriving at the smartphone in your hand?

How Christians Can Fight the War on Lies
For the past decade, we’ve been living in what many scholars and cultural observers call the “post-truth” age.

Outrage Is Not a Fruit of the Spirit
In today’s digital world—and especially in an election year—it’s heartbreaking to see God’s people become a bickering, angry mob. (If you don’t believe me, spend a few minutes reading comments on YouTube, Instagram, or Twitter/X.) We are not called to be a herd of online bullies, rushing to judgment and egging each other on to defame our brothers and sisters. (Some of whom may well be more faithful and honorable in God’s sight than we are.)

New reports connect dots between demographic change and ‘strange political ideas’
Do you find yourself wondering why so many strange political ideas that have little public appeal are coming forth? Normally, politicians stay away from unpopular proposals. For what reasons are these ideas surfacing now?

The Prayer Book, Memorialization, and Communion Across Difference, Part III
This is the final part of my three-part essay on these matters. Part I discussed the resolutions proposed by the Task Force on Communion Across Difference that were considered in Louisville. Yesterday, I looked at the first step in the process to add gender-neutral marriage to the Book of Common Prayer. Today, I explore the changes to the Constitution and Canons related to liturgy and the Book of Common Prayer at the 81st General Convention in Louisville and propose some ways to think about the future.

7 Questions Pastors Should Ask Before Leaving A Church
This post provides a series of questions to help you process what God is saying to you, leave or stay? And if it’s leave, how to leave in the right way.

Preaching Masterclass - Free
Am I a good preacher? What can I do to become a better one? Am I doing enough to prepare? Is anyone listening? How can I touch the hearts of people with God’s Word? Have you ever asked yourself these questions? That’s why we’ve created Preaching Masterclass—a course to help you refine the art of outlines and sermon preparation, preach with purpose, and lead listeners to apply God’s Word to their lives.

Community Formation and Stone Soup
A little while ago, I wrote on the power of food as it relates to being formed into community. Because of our technological age, which is premised on easy everywhere, we have somehow become less connected. Authentic, transformative relationships seem harder. One of the most beautiful aspects of eating together is in the mutual recognition of the beauty in each and every person.

5 Steps to Kick Off a Successful New Church Year
As you make plans for a new church year, challenge yourself to try something new, expecting God to do what only He can do.

Welcoming Kids on the High End of the Autism Spectrum
Research from Clemson University discovered that families of kids with autism are 84 percent less likely to attend church. This is one of the largest unreached groups, right in your community! Yet it takes intentionality to create an environment that welcomes these often-isolated parents and kids, giving them a place to build relationships, get support, and be discipled to grow in friendship with Jesus.

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

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows

In many places the summer vacation has ended, and children are returning to school. In a number of churches, it is an annual tradition to bless the children and to ask members and attendees of the church to commit themselves to praying for one or more children throughout the school year. Praying for a child, whether the child is our own, our grandchild, a child of a relative or friend, a child who attends our church or lives in our neighborhood or with whom we have a connection in some other way is one way that we can express our love for a fellow human being.

In this evening’s message we take a look at what advice the apostle Paul has to offer us in how Christians are to treat each other, particularly in our age in which Christians are more known for their divisions than they are for their love for each other.

Reading: Romans 15:1-6

Message: Living as a Christian in the Age of Outrage

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/08/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_8.html

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

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

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-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.

Wedesday's Catch: 'How Important Is the Feeling of Belonging at Church?' And More

How Important Is the Feeling of Belonging at Church?
People leave churches for various reasons. Sometimes they leave a church because they don’t have a sense of belonging there.

Some Churchgoers Feel Congregations Have Chronological Confusion
The decade in which churchgoers feel their church’s ministry belongs contributes to the tone of the congregational conversations.

Politics and Issue Disagreements Send Some Churchgoers Looking for a New Congregation
More than 1 in 5 churchgoers left a congregation because they couldn’t agree with some of its teachings or positions on issues or politics.

Is the Denomination in Your Church Name a Liability?
Most denominations are in decline, which means the churches within them are decreasing in size. Does the baggage of a name have anything to do with it? Josh and Sam discuss whether having the denomination in your church name is a liability.

I learned 11 years ago how the denomination in a church name can be a serious liability. In my former diocese the election. confirmation, and consecration of an openly gay bishop, the first in a major Christian denomination believing in the historic episcopate, brought my former diocese's church planting initiative to a grinding halt, leading to the shutting down of one new work and a sharp decline in attendance of another new work. Both new works had been thriving before this development. It also led to a significant drop in attendance across the diocese, resulting in at least one growing parish becoming a mission again. This development showed how a change in the public image of a denomination can a adversely affect its churches. 

After Trump shooting, calls for violence and civil war spiked online
The day after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, the internet saw a huge spike in calls for violence, and in particular an increase in calls for a modern-day civil war — a chilling reflection of a small group of users who create and amplify messages glorifying mass shooters and perpetrators of targeted violence.

The existence of this group of users should concern religious leaders as churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship are often the targets of arson, shootings, and vandalism.

The Prayer Book, Memorialization, and Communion Across Difference, Part II
This second part of my three-part essay on these matters begins the conversation about the first step in the process to add gender-neutral marriage to the Book of Common Prayer. Yesterday’s article explored the resolutions proposed by the Task Force on Communion Across Difference, which were considered Louisville. Tomorrow’s Part III will look at changes to the Constitution and Canons related to liturgy and the Book of Common Prayer and proposes some ways to think about the future.

Church/state mandates then and now: A tenuous freedom
Church/state mandates began early in the American colonies.

What People Hear When A Leader Doesn’t Communicate
Leader, do you realize what you communicate when you don’t communicate as a leader?

4 Temptations That Leaders Face
It’s troubling to see a called, gifted and talented leader give up a lifetime of ministry for a moment of temptation. And the sobering truth is that we all face temptation. It’s rarely a “I never saw it coming – it took me by surprise” situation.

Pastor Like It’s AD 299
Review: Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls by Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite.

Message Prep and 3 Rhythms to Avoid the Agony of a Blank Page
A blank page on a Monday, six to seven days before you must preach, is agony. At least for me. I do all I can to avoid it. Here are three things I do....

When Should You Stop Praying?
Sir Walter Raleigh filled many roles and wore many hats over the course of his life, among them politician, soldier, and writer. But he is best known to history as an explorer. In 1584, Queen Elizabeth granted him a charter to explore, colonize, and rule any “remote, heathen and barbarous lands, countries and territories, not actually possessed of any Christian Prince or inhabited by Christian People.” In return, he was expected to extend the reach and riches of the crown. The first region he claimed, he named “Virginia” in honor of Elizabeth, the virgin queen.

How to Choose, Train, and Keep Women’s Ministry Volunteers
Committed, prepared, unpaid workers are necessary for our women’s ministries. So how do we find “volunteers” (even when no one has volunteered)? How do we train them for their assigned roles? And how do we keep them involved?

Qualities of a Youth Leader in Church: Must-Haves for Volunteers
What are must-have qualities of a youth leader in church today? Youth leaders need to understand the importance of recruiting and developing volunteers. It isn’t rocket science, but few people do this the right way.

Do You Know the Strengths of Your Congregation?
....what if you did an inventory of the unique skill set at your church and focused your outreach efforts with that in mind?

How well do you really know your congregation? What are its strengths? What does it have going for it? How might you build on these strengths to reach your community?

People Reaching People
The last couple of years have reshaped churches’ activities, numbers and thinking. Many of the fastest-growing churches have shifted their evangelism strategies or renewed their focus on their mission. Their increased awareness and specific emphases are worth considering for any church leader. Three important shifts contributed to the stirring of evangelism: equipping people to be everyday missionaries, elevating the role of groups, and amplifying opportunities to serve.

Tuesday's Catch: 'The Strength (and Possible Weakness) of Small-Church Life' And More

The Strength (and Possible Weakness) of Small-Church Life
What is the primary strength of a small church? I have asked this question in many settings and with many different people, and they all reply in the same way. Their wording may be different, but their answer is the same.

The Six Purposes of the Church: How They Really Play Out in a Local Congregation.
The purposes of the church originate with the early churches in the New Testament. When Rick Warren wrote The Purpose Driven Church in 1995, the purposes became commonplace in conversations in churches around the world. Thom takes a detailed journey about the purposes of the church through nine episodes. Keep all of them together to share with your church leaders and members. Here are the links to all nine episodes.

Part 1 of 9: Why We Talk about the Purposes of the Church Today
Part 2 of 9: How We Landed on Six Purposes
Part 3 of 9: The Practical Benefits of Understanding the Purposes of the Church
Part 4 of 9: The Purpose of Evangelism
Part 5 of 9: The Purpose of Discipleship
Part 6 of 9: The Purpose of Ministry
Part 7 of 9: The Purpose of Fellowship
Part 8 of 9: The Purpose of Worship
Part 9 of 9: The Purpose of Prayer

Welcoming the Stranger
...how do we truly welcome the stranger?

The Prayer Book, Memorialization, and Communion Across Difference
I want to lay out what took place in Louisville, both for those who are still understandably a bit confused and for posterity, as these matters will not be going away. As we will see, these issues overlap in some important ways.

What comes next for the United Methodist Church?
Not even the sainted hymnist of Methodism, Charles Wesley, could sing better of the United Methodist Church’s future than King George III in the musical Hamilton: What comes next?

Meet Cathy, the new AI chatbot and Episcopal Church expert
Unlike many of her religious AI predecessors, Cathy isn’t posing as a pastor or guru but a virtual guide.

4 surprisingly simple keys to effectively sharing the Gospel
Sharing the Gospel is like flying an airplane. You want to take off smoothly, have a solid flight plan, know how to deal with emergency situations and then, of course, land safely.

Monday's Catch: 'Church Revitalization Triage: What’s the First Step to Save a Declining Church?' And More

Church Revitalization Triage: What’s the First Step to Save a Declining Church?
Church revitalization triage helps pastors work in a logical manner and not give into the pressures of people who want their problems fixed.

The Collapse of the Anglican Church of Canada
New numbers for the Anglican Church of Canada (ACoC) are out, and they show that Canada is the first major province of the Anglican Communion to have collapsed. This is highly significant, both for Canada and for other Western provinces following its trajectory.

Central Pennsylvania, Bethlehem eye vote on diocesan merger; Indiana dioceses’ talks advance

The authorization of a series of diocesan mergers was one of the big stories at the 81st General Convention in June, when bishops and deputies celebrated the reunion of the three Wisconsin dioceses and the juncture of two dioceses in Michigan, as well as the combination of the church’s Micronesia area mission with the Diocese of Hawai’i. Collaboration isn’t just a matter of pooling resources at a time of denominational decline. The leaders of these and other partnering dioceses also say that working together can strengthen the church’s approach to Christian mission and ministry in the world. Additional mergers are likely in the coming triennium.

Christ Church Riverdale Builds on a 160-Year History
Christ Church Riverdale in the Bronx experienced 13 percent growth from 2017 to 2021, and now it is adjusting to life after COVID. “There’s no magic bullet for growth,” said the Rev. Emily Anderson Lukanich, rector. “We experienced the growth from 2017, but with a change in leadership.”

Vermont Episcopalians recover from back-to-back floods, find hope in helping others
Episcopalians and others in Vermont are reeling after two major flooding events in three weeks, including the most recent rainfall that the Rev. Ann Hockridge said the National Weather Service called a “once in a 1,000-year flood.” Hockridge is the part-time priest-in-charge at St. Andrew’s in St. Johnsbury, a town of about 6,000 that is located in the northeast corner of the state that officially is called the Northeast Kingdom. That area was among the hardest hit in the most recent July 29-30 rains that Hockridge said at one point produced more than 8 inches in 6 hours.

When Teams Can’t Trust Their Leaders
There have been plenty of stories recently about pastors and other ministry leaders failing or falling from grace. This isn’t one of those stories. This post is about pastors and leaders with teams who don’t trust them to keep their word. Keep in mind that these aren’t bad people, and I’m not talking about outright liars. I’m talking about leaders who’ve spent so many years changing their minds, making rash decisions, or back-peddling that their closest friends and employees can’t trust their decisions anymore.

Does Your Team Lack Trust? You CAN Rebuild It!
Have you ever noticed that it takes time to build trust in an organization? As a corollary to this, cynicism seems to multiply like weeds. Cynicism tends to permeate an organization where trust is in short supply. The good news is that once trust is established, a church team can enter into appropriate, constructive conflict, without fear that it will turn destructive. Trust has to do with a willingness on people’s part to be vulnerable within the team. It’s an openness about mistakes and weaknesses. Organizations and teams that lack trust are unable to engage in unfiltered and passionate disagreement around the mission of the organization. Instead, they resort to veiled discussions and guarded comments.

Why Do Good People Do Bad Things? The Problem of Free Will
Admittedly, this is not one of the first questions people ask. Much more common is the question, Why do bad things happen to good people? For Christians, though, an equally disturbing question is: Why do good people do bad things? It is a theological problem. Why do people made in the image of God defy God and choose what is wrong? Why do they sin?

9 Myths About Hell
In a short article today at the blogsite of Crossway, my friend Tom Schreiner posted a few brief comments about the nature and reality of hell. I thought it would be good to follow up on this by reminding us all of several misconceptions or myths about the nature of hell.

Church leaders, have we lost our ability to shepherd? When shepherds aren’t really interested in the spiritual work that is the heart of their calling from God, the consequences of that lack of interest can negatively impact the people in the congregations they lead.

8 Free Online Bible Study Tools
Kevin Halloran and the subscribers to his newsletter have put together a list of some favorite free online tools for Bible study.

Reaching Out Online
Most churches make one of two mistakes when it comes to marketing. Either they fail to market their church or message in any way, or they market them ineffectively. During my church planting days, the internet was a nonfactor. You would put ads in the newspaper, make flyers, or, if you were cutting edge, use direct mail. Unfortunately, many churches, if they make any marketing effort at all, are still using those approaches. But with the vast majority of the unchurched community reachable almost exclusively online, we need to rethink marketing our churches.

Blow Up Your Church Newsletter
Rewind to 2019 and our church email newsletter looked like most. It was a highlight reel of upcoming events and advertisements, suffering from abysmal open rates and even more abysmal click-through rates. If it hit the inbox of 1000 people, fewer than 10 would click on anything. And those who read it were our most insidery insiders who love being in the know. Of course, these are also the sincerely wonderful people who sign up for everything no matter what — which means they need serialized email event advertisements less than anyone else.

5 Places to Find New Group Members
Need more people in your small group? Not sure where to find them? Surely, not everyone’s already in a group in your church? Where are they hiding? How can you find them? Don’t worry, sometimes Christians hide, and that’s ok, but we don’t want them to stay hidden. Other times, they’re looking for you too. Here are 5 places you can find new people to invite to your group.

Related Articles: A Key to Growing Passionate Disciples of Jesus in Small Groups and Being a Navigator of Discussion.

The photo shows the front of the church building of St. Mark's Anglican Church, Benton, Kentucky, a Continuing Anglican church, now disbanded. 

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

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

Aside from Jesus’ resurrection, his feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. In John’s Gospel it is followed by what is known as “the Bread of Life discourse,” one of seven major discourses into which John’s Gospel can be divided.

In this Sunday’s message we take a look at what Jesus is saying in that discourse.

Readings: Exodus 16: 2-15, Ephesians 4: 1-16, and John 6: 24-35

Message: Jesus Is the Bread of Life

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/08/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-august-4.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:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-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: 'Churches Must Beware of Dangerous Heat in August' And More

Churches Must Beware of Dangerous Heat in August
Nearly half of Americans are expected to experience heat made at least three times more likely because of climate change on Friday, August 2, 2024. This climate change-fueled heat will affect much of the U.S. and extend into Canada and Mexico, from July 31 through August 8, 2024. This will affect Aug. 2 outdoor activities and Aug. 4 worship times for United Methodist churches across the United States.

The Rebranding of Latter-Day Saints to a Christian Denomination: How Should Christians Respond?
Historically, it has been easy to acknowledge that Christianity is one religion and Mormonism is a distinct and separate religious category—like Jehovah’s Witnesses—which do not claim to be Christians. But Mormons today are clearly trying to deemphasize the differences between LDS beliefs and the Christian faith. This marks a significant shift from the past.

It’s Time to Forget “Faith”
I have a suggestion. I want you to forget talking about faith—your faith, others’ faith, even the Christian faith. Here’s why you should take my advice.

We Stopped Catechising
How does the average new Christian in your church learn the faith?

Practicing What You Preach in Evangelism
If you’re like me, then you probably entered ministry because you had a burden for the lost, and you were encouraged by others to continue in ministry because you were one of the few who were actually telling others about Jesus. How can you get back to that place of being burdened to reach the lost in the midst of the craziness of church ministry?

Is the Bible Actually Trustworthy?
As Christians, we are unapologetic about this fact: Everything hinges on the Bible. All we believe, all we proclaim, all we do, all we hope for—it all depends on Scripture. If the Bible is not true, our faith is not true. If the Bible is not reliable, our faith is not reliable. If the Bible is not trustworthy, we are most to be pitied.

What is Accuracy in Bible Translation?
Bible translations differ widely in many respects, but they all share in common the claim to be “accurate” and “faithful” to the source. How can every translation be accurate? Is accuracy a subjective quality? Is it in the eye of the beholder? Is it just a social fiction? Or could it still be the most important quality of a Bible translation?

‘Same Old Stuff’: Focusing our attention on God’s good word
The discipline of reading the Bible lies at the heart of Christian experience. Our daily return to the Bible makes God’s difference for the times we live and the ways our days unfold.

Youth want parents to listen, not offer advice, Gallup survey finds
The best way for parents to comfort anxious, sad or stressed-out youth is simply to let them vent, according to a new survey by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation. “Generation Z youth report having a deep arsenal of coping techniques when they are upset, but when it comes to what they want from their parents in those situations, listening is more important than giving advice and reassurance,” Gallup reported.

How to Disciple Your Kids to Love the Church
As pastors and fathers, how do we create environments in our homes where our kids grow to love the church and ministry?

As Christians we also need to create environments in our churches, which foster a love of the church and ministry in kids.

6 Things You Need to Start a Family Devotion
...here are 6 things you must have to start a family devotion.

The Power of Music in Your Preschool Classroom
Even if you can’t play an instrument or carry a tune, you can find plenty of ways to use music with your preschoolers. And a good curriculum has great music baked right in! Whether you’re playing an instrument, singing a cappella, or playing purchased music from your mobile device, a laptop, or an old-school boombox, look to music as an influential way to get kids’ attention, help them learn, and positively affect the mood in your room.

Friday's Catch: 'East Africa: Future Face of the Global Church' And More

East Africa: Future Face of the Global Church

We’ll likely see the face of global Christianity become not simply African but decidedly sub-Saharan. In fact, it could be predominantly East African.

Can struggling houses of worship be turned into housing? Not always
...the notion that all surplus faith properties should become 100% affordable housing is carelessly simplistic. Sometimes this approach makes sense. Other times, it doesn’t. Not every faith property is suited to be converted into affordable housing. Other potential uses — and mixed-use solutions — may shout out as preferable, depending upon a wide range of factors.

The slow fade of denominational publishing
Shrinking churches means the market for Christian print resources diminishes, too.

Would a third province undercut the ecclesiology of the Church of England?
In an open letter responding to a statement from the conservative 'Alliance' grouping in the Church of England the Bishop of Oxford has declared that the creation of a conservative third province in the Church of England, as proposed by the Alliance, would be something that 'undercuts the very essence of Anglican ecclesiology.' In this article I shall set out the ecclesiology of the Church of England and then ask whether, in the light of this evidence, the bishop's claim is true.

I am not privy to the mind of Steve Croft. He may believe that the Church of England's ecclesiology is greographically-based. In that view only one jurisdiction can occupy a specific territory at a time. But that notion is a thing of the past. Two Anglican churches occupy the same territory in Europe--the Church of England and the Episcopal Church. Several denominations have overlapping jurisdictions in the United Kingdom. The establishment of a non-geographic province in the UK may be the most equitable solution to the disagreement over same sex marriage in the Churchof England.

The late Lyle E Schaller in From Geography to Affinity: How Congregations Can Learn From One Another proposed the establishments of affinity networks within denominations. An affinity network is a group of congregations that share particular goals and visions. He believed that "that allowing and encouraging the formation of such affinity networks will recognize the differences between congregations within a denominations as the strength it truly is, and will, foster a greater unity of purpose between the denomination's churches."

Lutherans, Orthodox Church reach agreement on 1,000-year debate over Nicene Creed
The Lutheran World Federation and the Orthodox Church have announced an agreement on the debate over the “Filioque” clause of the Nicene Creed, which prompted the schism between Western and Eastern churches over 1,000 years ago.

The addition of the "Filoque' clause was intended as a corrective to the Greek version of the Nicene Creed which suggests that the Son is not equal to the Father, a heretical Arian belief. A number of recent surveys of the religious beliefs of US Christians indicates that a large percentage of them have an Arian view of the Son. This suggests that the Lutheran abandonment of the "Filoque" clause may be premature.

What Does a Humble Pastor Really Look Like?
Humility is the ability to see people as God sees them and empathize with their lives. In the context of a local church, what makes a humble pastor?

Getting the Word of God to Oral Contexts
Over three billion people worldwide cannot hear or accept the gospel because no one around them knows it.

4 Tips For Rehearsing Great Worship Song Intros
How do we rehearse worship song intros in a band rehearsal?

Related Articles: 6 Power Tips for Making Music Together and 5 Tips For Rehearsing Great Worship Song Outros

7 Ways to Prepare to Share Your Faith
As I train leaders, pastors and church members all over the globe, I am learning that there are some things we need to do as part of our preparation that go beyond learning evangelism skills. Here are seven ways to prepare yourself to be a person that God can use to share his good news—and to whom others will actually listen.

Thursday' Catch: 'Small is Underrated" And More

Small is Underrated
We’re impressed with bigness, but I believe that small is vastly underrated.

The Momentous Maintenance Challenge
As the church growth movement waned, many aging and half-empty church buildings were left behind. Once the moniker was ‘bigger is better,’ the words’ repair, replace and refurbish’ have become driving forces inside the aging church of today. Due to lack of maintenance, the structure has been left desolate and vulnerable in too many churches. As many point out, the destruction of the church is not due to the lack of attendance but the lack of proper upkeep of the facilities birthed by the former ministry. Churches, as they fall into disrepair, are being sold to be used as offices, clothing stores, or even pubs like O’Neills in North London.

Politics and Issue Disagreements Send Some Churchgoers Looking for a New Congregation
More than 1 in 5 churchgoers left a congregation because they couldn’t agree with some of its teachings or positions on issues or politics.

How to Handle the Crazy People in Your Church
Some people have strange views about things. Perhaps they are in your church. Josh and Sam discuss what pastors can do when church members approach them with conspiracy theories, fringe theological perspectives, and extreme political views.

Made to Thrive: Tips for Building a Healthy Church Culture
Having people thrive and accomplishing your mission are a good GPS for your church. Just like how a train traveling down a track needs both rails to work well, the same is true for a healthy church culture. It needs to have a right environment that keeps people growing and happy, and pushes them to high performance. The hard part is intentionally growing that right environment.

Bethlehem Moravian church settlement in Pennsylvania named World Heritage Site
Founded in 1741 by a small band of Moravian Church immigrants, the historic district joins a list that includes the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Giza and the Eiffel Tower.

French Christians ask for respect after Paris Olympics 'Last Supper' controversy
Evangelicals in France have taken their concerns about the Paris Olympics Opening ceremony to the French government. Organisers were accused of mocking Christianity over a scene with drag queens and a haloed lesbian DJ that many Christians interpreted as a representation of Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper.

Have a Child About to Head to College? Here Are a Few Things That Can Help
Now that it’s officially August, the “back to school” conversations have begun. For many parents, however, it is not back to school for their kids, but “away” to school. Some parents are sending kids to college—perhaps for the first time.

Turn Your Sermons into Small Group Studies
Many pastors are interested in creating their own video-based curriculum. But, they put it on the backburner because they feel the pressure of creating the next Purpose-Driven Life. Let me relieve some pressure for you – that’s not going to happen. There is both good and bad news in that statement. The bad news is that you’re probably not in line to write the second bestselling non-fiction book of all time (second only to the Bible). But, the good news is you have content. When you think about your sermon files, digital, analog, or otherwise, you are loaded with content. But, how do you repurpose your vast content into curriculum?

Avoiding Pitfalls in Small Group Dynamics
Let’s take a look at some of the more common pitfalls and how to avoid them so that your small group can be a safe place where grace reigns and authentic biblical community can grow.

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

Welcome to Thursday evenings at All Hallows

The Lord’s Supper has been described as “a sacrament of redemption by Christ’s death,” as well as “a sign of the love that Christians ought to have among themselves for each other.”

In this evening’s message we take a look at the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, taking our cue from what the apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

Reading: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.

Message; The Lord’s Supper

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2024/08/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:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-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.