Reaching and Revitalizing Rural America: Overcoming Misconceptions, and Answering the Call (Part 1)

We live in a world of paradoxes.

As in Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, it is the best of times and somehow also the worst of times. It appears to be the age of information and knowledge, yet proves to be an age of foolishness. It is an era of belief and a time of faithlessness, a season of light in a world of complete darkness, a spring of hope amidst the winter of despair. This seems to be the narrative of many churches in America, but especially in rural America.

The story of rural America is one of grit, resourcefulness, independence, craftsmanship, and sheer determination. It is the story of community, lifelong relationships and family bonds. This image holds a nostalgic place in many hearts.

Those who live in, or have spent significant time in, rural areas may have witnessed its endurance — the warm-heartedness of neighbors, the firmness of family values, the closeness of relationships and community. There are still examples of this today throughout rural America. It is a wonderful narrative to embrace and catalyze in ministry and mission, an ideal worthy of aspiration.

But it is not the full picture.

There is another story of rural America, and it is much more troubling. Read More

Monday's Catch: The Kingdom-centric Church and More

Four Marks of a Kingdom-centric Church

A church existing for the Kingdom of God will always be reminiscent of a heroic, rescue mission for one very loved and lost lamb. Read More

What Research Tells Us About the ‘Seal’ of Believer’s Baptism

A new study suggests that the rite doesn’t bind young Christians to a certain level of faith commitment, but to a faith community. Read More

This study strengthens the case for credobaptism. Very few people baptized as infants have any recollection of their baptism and the rite of confirmation is too often performed in a perfunctory manner.

12 Lies American Evangelicals Believe

Evangelical Christians are supposedly united in their belief that only those who believe the gospel—that Jesus Christ died on the cross for humanity’s sins and rose from the dead three days later—will be saved. But not all who identify as evangelicals even believe this about God. Read More

This study may be three years old but it draws attention to a major problem in North America's evangelical churches--theological illiteracy.

Caterpillars, Butterflies, and Replacement Theology

It isn’t replacement but fulfillment. Read More

7 Overlooked Needs of Church Planters 

How can your local established church support a planter in your area and keep them on the mission field? Here are a few ideas of overlooked needs most church planters have and ways you can meet those needs. Read More

Understanding Transgender, Non-Binary, and Intersex

We’re in the middle of a tough series on sexuality and gender, and I want to warn you up front: this is going to be perhaps the most difficult message in the series. It’s good to acknowledge that up front. We’re going to talk about transgender, non-binary, and intersex issues and people. This is a very complicated topic, and I am a learner. I don’t want to speak beyond my level of knowledge, and I want to approach this topic as carefully and accurately as I can. Read More

Why Your Youth Group Needs Generational Integration

We see in Scripture two realities that should shape our approach to youth ministry. One is that when God’s people gather to worship, all the generations tend to be included. The other is that faith being passed from one generation to the next is the Lord’s intention. The family is the primary place for this, but the assembly of believers is also part of the process. Through these we know that younger generations grow up understanding what it means to be in God’s covenant community. If a church decides to take seriously the patterns and instructions seen in God’s Word, then the task is to move from segregated or associated into a more integrated model of youth ministry. The process for doing this includes educating, including, and raising expectations. Read More

Four Unique Approaches to Church Outreach That Are Gaining Traction

Though the ways to reach a community are seemingly unending, allow me to share four that seem to be growing in use and effectiveness. Read More

Anglicans Ablaze Turns 16 in 2020

Sweet Sixteen

In 2020 Anglicans Ablaze* will be celebrating its sixteenth year in existence. Anglicans Ablaze was launched in 2004. Originally launched as a news and commentary blog devoted to developments in the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and the extramural Anglican churches, Anglicans Ablaze has evolved over the past fifteen years. Its mission is summed up in the blog description in the header at the top of the front page of the blog— “Committed to building up the Christ’s Church in North America and beyond.” This statement has defined the focus of the blog for the last few years.

Early in the life of the blog I recognized the need to change the focus of the blog. There were a number of news and commentary blogs devoted to developments in the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and the extramural Anglican churches. There was no blog devoted to linking those planting and pioneering new Anglican churches or remissioning existing ones with helpful information and resources or analyzing the merits and faults of the newly-formed Anglican entities and suggesting corrective measures. For the better part of the past two decades I have sought to meet this need. God willing, Anglicans Ablaze will be fulfilling its present mission for the foreseeable future.

Anglicans Ablaze's mission is not limited to building up one tradition within Christ's Church but the whole church. It is hoped that the information and resources to which links are posted on the blog and my own articles will benefit all Christians who are committed to spreading the gospel and making disciples of Jesus Christ.

*Anglicans Ablaze has no connection with the South African renewal movement with the same name launched in 2010, six years after Anglicans Ablaze was launched. Its adoption of the same name and its launching of a Facebook page under that name is one of the reasons that Anglicans Ablaze does not have a Facebook page.

Saturday Lagniappe: Five Strategic Advantages of Small Churches and More

Smaller Churches Have At Least Five Advantages—do You Know Them?

Leverage these characteristics, and you'll see greater ministry success. Read More

An earlier version of this article titled, "Five Strategic Advantages Of Small Churches" was also posted on SermonCentral.

6 Common Traits of Gen Z, in Their Own Words

One of the things I love the most about young people is if you want to know what they’re thinking, all you have to do is ask them. Sometimes, you don’t even have to ask! So, instead of adults telling other adults how to reach students, I decided to ask students, “What do adults need to know about your generation, known as Gen Z?” It was an incredible journey. I became a student so that I could hear ideas from this generation about reaching their generation. Read More

4 Principles for the Exercise of Christian Liberty

Sinclair Ferguson examines four principles from Paul's Letter to the Romans that offer "healthy (and very necessary) guidelines for the exercise of Christian liberty." Read More

What Are We Teaching the Next Generation about Following Christ?

Here are several inconsistencies we may be unwittingly giving the next generation of potential followers of Christ.... Read More

Why The Spiritual Discipline of Silence Is Important

A consumeristic approach to Sunday morning worship asks, “What can I gain from this?” but the discipline of silence asks, “What will God reveal to me?” Read More

Some Favorite Quotes from Confronting Christianity

Gavin Ortlund reviews Rebecca McLaughlin’s Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion (Crossway, 2019). Based on Gavin's review, Confronting Christianity would be a handy resource for Christians struggling to answer the questions and criticisms of non-Christians in the twenty-first century. Read More

6 Key Evangelistic Strategies to Help Your Church Grow

Here are six evangelistic principles, modeled by Jesus, that will help your church reach new people. Read More

Why You Need to Think Like a Fish

You can’t be a good fisherman unless you learn to think like a fish. You need to learn their habits, preferences, and feeding patterns if you want to catch them. If you don’t understand the patterns of the fish you’re trying to catch, you’re wasting your time. The same is true when you’re trying to reach people with the Gospel. Read More

Less than Half of US Evangelicals Identify as 'Pro-Life,' New Poll Suggests

Only a quarter of evangelicals in the United States believe abortion should be illegal in all cases, according to a new poll showing that a majority of self-identified Christians in the U.S. identify as “pro-choice” and less than half of evangelicals identify as “pro-life.” Read More

Friday's Catch: Break Up of the United Methodist Church and More

WCA Looks Toward New, Traditionalist Church

The Wesleyan Covenant Association held its fourth Global Gathering on Nov. 9 at Asbury United Methodist Church in Tulsa, Okla. Leaders described a breakup of The United Methodist Church as inevitable and planned for the creation of a traditionalist Methodist denomination. Read More

10 Hymns Youth Groups Should Sing

While the language might be lofty and unfamiliar, hymns can teach students that worshiping the Almighty God is not a casual encounter. Read More

Three Steps to Launch Your Live Streaming Ministry

When I started out 3 years ago trying to figure out how to live stream my church’s Sunday services, it was difficult. The information available was outdated, unhelpful, and ended up costing me money and time. Hopefully, this article will make your journey a whole lot easier and will save you time and effort as you reach out to your community with your live streaming ministry. Read More

An Example of a Statement of Faith

I have a high view of church membership. The book of Romans refers to followers of Christ being members of a body. I believe it to be a helpful way in which we can encourage one another and hold each other accountable.

At my church, we emphasize two key areas with church membership. The first is doctrine. The second is expectations. We ask members to work towards fulfilling seven expectations, which is also our church covenant. The seven expectations involve worship, growing, serving, giving, praying, seeking unity, and being sacrificial.

Agreeing on doctrine is the starting point. Doctrine lets people know upfront what you believe. You can no longer assume people understand historical denominational differences. Additionally, churches within the same denomination in the same town can be quite different now. Don’t surprise people. Don’t downplay doctrine. Don’t confuse people. Be clear about what you believe and who you are.

A statement of faith reveals the doctrine of the church. Our church asks members to be in general agreement with our statement of faith. Understandably, people might word things differently. Additionally, as the lead pastor and main teacher in the church, I also realize people will not agree with everything I preach. Expecting all people to agree with everything is more cult-like than Christ-like. However, we must have parameters of belief. Otherwise, the church will break under the stress of disunity. Read More

"...churches within the same denomination in the same town can be quite different now." This is particularly true in the case of the Anglican Church in North America and the other self-identified Anglican entities in Canada and the United States. In these entities disparate theological traditions vie with each other in their claim to represent authentic historic Anglicanism. A number of these traditions fall outside of the parameters of the historic Anglican formularies and the central Anglican theological tradition.

Thursday's Catch: Bi-Vocational Ministry and More

What Skills Does a Bi-Vocational Pastor Need?

More and more, I hear pastors say that bi-vo is the way to go. By supporting themselves they can start a church from scratch without having to solicit funds from supporting congregations until they become self-sustaining. By supporting himself, a pastor cannot be held hostage by a church bully–or a committee of controllers–who insist that he do things their way to keep from losing his job and throwing his family into financial crisis. Read More

The New Normal: 9 Realities And Trends In Bivocational Ministry

Bivocational ministry is more than a pit-stop along the way to "real" pastoral ministry. It's as real as pastoring gets. And it's becoming very common, very fast. Read More

5 Benefits to Bivocational Ministry

Despite the focus on full-time ministry, more than 1 in 3 churches (37.8%) in America have bivocational pastors according to the 2015 Faith Communities Today survey. That’s up from 28.6% in 2010. There are indeed a growing number of pastors who are choosing to work two or more jobs. Here are five benefits to serving in bivocational ministry. Read More

4 Steps to Spiritual Survival for Bi-Vocational Pastors

The unique challenges of pastoral ministry are well known. These unique challenges are only compounded when the pastor is bi-vocational. Time constraints, financial concerns, and difficulty accomplishing basic pastoral priorities often define this ministry. These constraints cause a unique temptation for the bi-vocational pastor to neglect caring for his own soul. Read More

Desiring God: Bi-Vocational Ministry [Podcast]

Bi-vocational ministry is a strategic and challenging call. Danny Ovalle, a bi-vocational pastor in New England, recently joined us to talk about the rationale and practice of serving as a pastor while supporting his family with an additional job. Listen Now

4 Reasons You Can't Assume People Know the Gospel

While we as pastors explain the gospel and invite people to respond to Christ in our preaching and personal conversations, I’m afraid we sometimes believe the gospel is clear when it isn’t. Here are four reasons why it’s important we don’t assume people understand the gospel. Read More

7 Ways to Draw Millennials to Your Church

LifeWay Research found 70 percent of young adults who indicated they attended church regularly for at least one year in high school do drop out of regular church attendance. That does not mean, however, they have left never to return. In fact, according to LifeWay Research, almost two-thirds return and currently attend church (within the time frame of the study). That same study found most don’t make a conscious decision to leave due to a doctrinal dispute or significant disagreement. They simply drift away because the church doesn’t seem as important to their lives as it once did. Many have looked at a church and decided it is no longer relevant. Read More

4 People Influencing Your Kids You Have Never Heard Of

Previously, parents felt good if they knew the names of their children’s friends. Student pastors wanted to stay up to date on the top music artists. For those seeking to point the next generation to Christ, they may have some relentless competition from names they’ve never heard of and never even thought to investigate. Do you know who PewDiePie is? What about Jeffree Star or Shane Dawson? How about Markiplier? According to a recent study from Morning Consult, those are the four most influential people to millennials and Generation Z. The thing they all have in common? YouTube. Read More

Wednesday's Catch: The End of Multisite? And More

The End Of Multisite Is Near (Sort Of)

...there are rumblings of the demise of the multisite model. High profile churches like Tim Keller’s Redeemer Presbyterian and Matt Chandler’s Village Church are spinning off their locations as autonomous congregations, and other churches are closing offsite campuses. Yesterday one of the early adopters of multisite, Dr. James Emery White at Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, posted an article explaining why they are closing their satellite locations and consolidating everything back to their 80 acre campus in the suburbs. Is this the beginning of the end of the multisite fad? Read More

"...it is still very challenging for people to connect deeply with a church that is more than 20 minutes from home. A church can certainly attract people who live further away, but unless the goal is for people to only attend online, this barrier still exists for many." My own personal experience supports this conclusion. It is challenging to connect deeply with a church in one community when one lives in another community. It is also challenging to provide pastoral care to attendees who live scattered around a region rather than together in a particular community. A number of Continuing Anglican churches were started as regional churches. In the long term this has proven a barrier to their growth and partially explains their decline.

On the other hand, an ongoing disadvantage of multisite is the sermon which is live-streamed from a central location and may not address local concerns and needs.

One-on-One with Bryan Jarrett on Resourcing Rural America, Part 1

"We've not looked at rural as a mission field. We haven't seen it through missiological lenses." Ed Stetzer welcomes Bryan Jarrett to The Exchange for a two-part interview. Bryan is Lead Pastor of Northplace Church in Sachse, Texas. In Part 1 today they talk about the Water Tower Leadership Network. Tomorrow they will discuss Lonesome Dove Ranch. Read 

More Seven Ways to Love Your Community

Church leaders should love their churches where they are now, not where they wish their congregations could be in the future. That’s a given, or at least should be. But what about the community? Church leaders should love their communities as much as their churches. Granted, some churches are easier to love than others, and some communities are easier to love than others. A calling to a place, however, requires a love for that place. Read More

The Peculiar Tale of an Anglican-Baptist Church Plant

Why would two distinctly different denominations work together? And what have they learned? In the fall of 2014, a Baptist church in Edmonds, Washington, planted another congregation. But this wasn’t an ordinary planting experience—rather than starting another church in their own tradition, they planted an Anglican one. Read More

3 Ministry Lies Church Leaders Must Silence

If you’re attempting to lead in ministry, you have an enemy who wants to discourage and distract you from the mission to which God has called you. If he can cripple you with doubts, fears and excuses, the ministry will be hindered. Remember, this is a battle for the souls of people. We can’t afford to waste time with the mind games of the enemy. Here are three, of many, lies that I have fought regularly, along with some encouragement the Lord has given me related to each one. Read More

9 Things You Should Know About Cohabitation in America

A new survey finds that cohabitation is pervasive in the United States, and is increasingly viewed as acceptable by Christians—even if it doesn’t lead to marriage. Here is what you should know—and that most American don’t—about cohabitation. Read More

How Shifts in Digital Behavior Are Changing Outreach

You can be a good leader and communicator and yet your church can be in decline simply because you’re not making certain shifts toward the digital world. After all, everybody you want to reach is online. If you’re not there, you’re missing them. Here are five digital shifts that affect church growth.... Read More

The Problem With “Spiritual but Not Religious”

“I’m spiritual but not religious.” Have you heard that expression before? I recently had a conversation with someone about faith. After a delay to articulate his beliefs, someone nearby helped by saying, “spiritual but not religious.” “Yeah,” he said, “I’m spiritual but not religious.” This is a common phrase, but it abounds with many faults. Read More

Tuesday's Catch: Turning the Corner and More

5 Indicators Your Church Is Turning the Corner

As you take each step toward change in the church you lead, what are some indicators that your church is turning the corner? What should you be looking for? Read More

How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset as a Leader

Whether you have a growth mindset or a fixed mindset has a big impact on your leadership. Read More

Where Does Evangelism Fit on Sunday Morning?

Just as Jesus reminds the Pharisees not to elevate tradition to the level of sanctity (Mark 7:8–9), we too should be careful not idolize our favorite worship practices at the cost of excluding those who desperately need to hear the good news. Instead, in the words of Psalm 105 we, “Give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!” Read More

I Was a Misunderstood Muslim: Common Misconceptions About Islam

Many Christians are apprehensive about engaging a relationship or even a conversation with Muslims. Some have a misperception that Muslims will not be friendly. Others are gripped with the fear of potentially offending Muslims by committing a cultural faux pas. Essentially, many are overcome by the fear of the unknown. I want to shed light on some common misconceptions that hinder Christians from reaching out to Muslims with the saving truth of Christ. Read More

The Troubling Trajectory of the Sexual Schismatics

A number of high-profile authors and speakers today have embraced the Herculean task of reshaping the Christian faith into something that can coincide with the core tenets of the sexual revolution. We see this strange syncretism growing in the West, more slowly in adoption than its evangelists would hope, but more quickly in its abandonment of nearly every core tenet of Christian belief and practice. It’s fascinating to watch how nearly every leader who crosses over into “affirming” territory loses all authority (or desire) to uphold any other aspect of traditional Christian morality. Read More

Conservative United Methodist Group Endorses 'Amicable Separation' over LGBT Debate

A theologically conservative group has endorsed a plan for “amicable separation” for The United Methodist Church due to the denomination’s ongoing debate over LGBT issues. Over the past several years, the UMC has experienced increasingly divisive debates over the church body’s official stance against homosexuality, gay marriage, and the ordination of noncelibate homosexual clergy. The Wesleyan Covenant Association released a statement last Thursday expressing their leadership’s support for the Indianapolis Plan for Amicable Separation, a proposal that will be considered at the UMC General Conference next year. Read More

Also see LGBT Group Proposes Dissolving UMC into 4 New Denominations, Adam Hamilton Says UMC Will Lose At Least 3,400 Churches Next Year over LGBT Debate, and Hundreds of Congregations Joining Conservative United Methodist Association.

Statue of Ancient God of Child Sacrifice Put on Display in Rome

A reconstruction of a pagan idol who demanded child sacrifice was stationed at the entrance of Rome’s Colosseum as part of a secular historical exhibition. The presence of the idol raised particular concern among Catholics, as it was erected nine days before the Amazon Synod and the subsequent scandal over the veneration of the Pachamama idol at the Vatican. Read More

Monday's Catch: "Jesus Loves Small, ‘Insignificant’ Places" and More

Jesus Loves Small, ‘Insignificant’ Places. So Should We.

It’s a popular quote, commonly attributed to Charles Spurgeon: “Discernment is not simply telling the difference between right and wrong; it’s telling the difference between right and almost right.” This maxim, I’d suggest, also applies to ministry paradigms and practices. In his book A Big Gospel in Small Places: Why Ministry in Forgotten Communities Matters, Stephen Witmer argues that when it comes to missions and church planting today, the prevailing paradigm that focuses on reaching urban centers of size and influence is, well, almost right—but it may be missing some important things. Read More

Churches See Need, Pay Thousands in School Lunch Debt

In its “2019 School Nutrition Trends Report,” the School Nutrition Association (SNA) found that having “unpaid student meal debt is common.” That was from a survey of almost 800 school districts across the country. Some districts do offer the option of free or reduced-price meals if students qualify. However, completing the paperwork can be a challenge, found education reporter Elsa Gillis in a story on school lunch debt in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area. And then there are still students who do not qualify for such meals. School lunch debt is higher in regions that do not offer reduced-cost options. Read More

One Rhode Island public school made the international headlines this past May when it announced that it would be giving a soy nut butter and jelly sandwich instead of a hot lunch to children who were unable to pay for their lunch. As a result of the public outcry the school would reverse this policy. What happened highlights the problem of "unpaid student meal debt." 

Food Insecurity in America Tied to Prices, Poverty

High food prices have contributed to a stubborn food-insecurity rate across the more than 3,100 counties in the U.S. during the last decade, a new report shows. But exactly who is at risk of going hungry varies across the country. "If we want to look at the health and well-being of America, one of the best ways to look at it is through food insecurity," says Craig Gundersen, lead researcher for hunger relief organization Feeding America's Map the Meal Gap project, which explores hunger and related trends in local communities. Read More

Backpack Programs: Actions for Healthy Kids

What is a backpack food program? Backpack food programs provide nutritious, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food to children to ensure they get enough food on weekends and holidays to avoid hunger when they can’t depend on school meals. Learn More

For further information see Backpack Food Program Models: Rural Health Information Hub. It describes a number of school-based models including summer meals and school food pantries. On its website the Child Care Council of Kentucky explains how it is working in partnership with a community food bank to provide weekend meals to students in need at a local elementary school. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, now is a good time for your church to get involved if it is not already involved.

Keith Getty: Modern Worship Movement a 'de-Christianizing of God’s people'

The Christian Post interviews the "In Christ Alone' writer Keith Getty. According to Getty, many modern worship songs focus on emotionalism rather than sound doctrine and Scriptural truths, leading to a generation ill-equipped to understand or defend the Christian faith. Read More

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Be a Good Neighbor' and More

Be a Good Neighbor

We are called to be neighbors. There is no one for whom we can absolve ourselves from being neighborly. Read More

3 Ways to Stay Christian During the Election Season

Barring an abstention from or ambivalence about politics altogether, how can we avoid getting caught up in the fray? How can Christians participate in our electoral privileges, and even discuss and debate relevant issues, without compromising our witness? Here are three ways I’d suggest we can wisely engage in the upcoming election cycle without losing perspective on what matters more than who wins or loses. Read More

Another Way for Immigration Reform? How Evangelicals Can Help Lead It

Evangelical Call for Restitution-Based Immigration Reform allows evangelicals to voice their support. Read More

9 Things You Should Know About the Armenian Genocide

Last week the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 296, a resolution “recognizing and condemning the Armenian Genocide, the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923.” A total of 405 representatives voted for the bill, while only 11 voted against it and three voted “present.” Here is what you should know about one of the most horrific atrocities against Christians in modern times. Read More

Circuit Rider: Intentional Spirituality (Nov/Dec/January 2019-20)

"Intentional spirituality has a way of touching each aspect of our Christian identity as we move between the internal and external, the individual and communal. Our careful attention to our disciplines can lead us to spiritual growth within and without. In this issue, we look to the lyrical, literary, and intentional quality of our daily lives as created and faithful beings." Read Articles

What It Was Like Inside the Homes of the Pilgrims

Take a look at how the Pilgrims who left England in pursuit of the religious freedom lived in the New World. View Slides

4 Things that Caused the Early Church to Spread Like Wildfire

If we look closely at Acts 1:1–14, we can find four characteristics of the early church that we can apply to our own lives. Read More

Nearly Half of Young Adults with Ties to Christianity Say Church Can’t Answer Their Questions: Survey

Extensive new research from The Barna Group shows that nearly half of young adults worldwide who have a connection to Christianity feel that the Church can’t answer their questions. Read More

Also see Millennials, Gen Z Growing More Uncomfortable with LGBT Movement: Survey and Report Projects 35 Million Youth to Leave Christianity by 2050; Greg Stier Responds

UMC's Western Jurisdiction Announces 'Safe Harbor' for LGBTQ Clergy

The bishops of the Western Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church have declared their churches a “safe harbor” for LGBTQ clergy. The Safe Harbor Declaration was announced Wednesday (Nov. 6) as United Methodists’ Council of Bishops wrapped up its autumn meeting in Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Read More

Practical Preaching Advice for Pastors and Lay Preachers #52

In this selection of articles I have included several articles that I recently posted on Anglicans Ablaze. I thought that it would be a good idea to bring them together with a number of new articles in this edition of "Practical Preaching Advice for Pastors and Lay Preachers."

Pastors: Don’t Assume Everyone Knows What You’re Talking About

Why you need to explain things when you preach.... Read More

10 Pointers For Older Preachers

To stay effective in the preaching ministry, we need the humble, hearing heart of novice. Read More

Rick Warren's Advice For Stronger Sermon Points

What you learned in seminary isn't the only way to develop great sermons. Rick Warren offers practical advice based on years of experience. Read More

Less Is More: Improve Tomorrow's Sermon By Making It Shorter

Few public speakers can keep an audience's attention for an hour. Fewer should even try. Read More

Saturday Night And Your Sermon Stinks—what To Do?

First, don't panic! Second, here's help! Read More

Preaching: God's Gift To Our Personal Growth

God has inspired His word in such a way that it shapes us, molds us and forms us as we hear it taught and expounded. Read More

Slow Down! And Connect Your Preaching To Lectio Divina

If we re-cast preaching as a kind of "slow reading," we might lead our congregations into deeper engagement with the biblical text--and with one another.Read More

How Long Should It Take To Prepare Your Sermon?

How could there be only one answer? Charles Stone suggests five factors to consider. Read More

4 Threats To Every Sermon You Preach

The reason we have to work harder to gain and keep attention has to do with what competes for the attention of our people every time we preach. Read More

Inject Grace Into Your Next Sermon—here Are Four Ways

It's true: We can preach grace to the point of ignoring the truth. But that's not usually our problem. Read More

How (And Why) To Preach An Offensive Sermon

Every church has to choose whether it is willing to hear from God or to be rocked to sleep by the Lord's messenger. Read More

Five Problems with Too Many "Main Things" in a Church

In this podcast Thom and Sam Rainer discuss five problems of having too many “main things.” As the frequency of church attenders decreases we will depend on fewer people more frequently. Leaders will burn out those most committed to the church. Listen Now

Related Article:
Percentage of American Christians Continues to Decline

Thursday's Catch: Encouragement for Church Revitalization Leaders and More

Six Encouraging Statements for Church Revitalization Leaders

Church Revitalization is hard. Pastors often feel like they are drowning. Thom Rainer and Mark Clifford take some time to encourage leaders in the thick of church revitalization. Listen Now

Three Unchanging Truths for a Post-Truth World

Jared C. Wilson had the chance last week to speak at the Shepherds 360 Church Leaders Conference in Cary, NC to a group of pastors and church leaders on three unchanging truths for a “post-truth” world. Here are some of the highlights from that talk.... Read More

5 Steps for Expanding Your Influence While Empowering Others

The best leaders do more than complete tasks. Great leaders create leaders. Here’s a simple five-step strategy to help you empower others so you can grow your ministry role. Read More

10 Thoughts about Today's Preaching

I make no claims to be an extraordinary preacher, but I do love to help preachers think about ways to improve their preaching. That’s one reason I’m excited to work with Church Answers to offer “Next-Level Preaching” coaching, and I encourage you to take a look at this possibility. Here are some of my thoughts about today’s preaching in hopes of helping all of us continually improve. Read More

How to Pray for Unbelieving Family Members

One of the greatest concerns—and heartaches—for many Christians is with the members of their families who have not come to faith in Christ, or who perhaps have abandoned the faith they grew up with. Many, many of us are burdened in our prayers for such loved-ones, and sometimes it is hard to know how and what to pray. Read More

Why You Should Go to Church [28 Biblical Reasons]

While we might want to skip church, the real question is what does God want us to do? This article is an all-out attack on the idea that we can be healthy Christians without the church. Being a part of a church isn’t just important, it’s essential. Here are 28 reasons rooted in scripture on why we should faithfully go to church.... Read More

Wednesday's Catch: How to Discover Your Purpose and More

How to Live and Lead with Purpose

God created each of us on purpose with a purpose. Knowing your purpose, meaning what God calls you to do, is essential to lead. Read More

Five Constants in Seasons of Transition

In the last two months, I have transitioned from one fast-paced organization to another. It’s been fast, busy, and a ton of fun. The only thing constant about life is change and transition. Every day we take one step closer to something new and one step away from something old. Recently, I paused to reflect on what I am learning during this time of change. Here are 5 constants to keep in mind during a season of transition. Read More

What Purpose-Driven Means to Generation Z

The idea of an organization of any kind being “purpose-driven” is not only strategic, but it is what will most capture the attention of the youngest, largest generation on the planet—Generation Z. I wrote about this in my book Meet Generation Z, but the studies continue to confirm and even enlarge upon understanding how important this is to this generation. Read More

Come On In! 10 Tips for Welcoming Guests into Your Church Building

We know many churches around the world don’t have the luxury of implementing this advice. However, if your church is located in a more affluent context, these tips may be helpful for making your guests feel welcome. Read More

10 Principles To Get The Best From Volunteer Church Leaders

Leaders will attend and volunteer at churches where they are honored as people and where their hard work and leadership skills are recognized and valued. Read More

Effective Leadership Is Dynamic and Empowering

Bill Gates thinks successful leaders will be those who empower others. I believe that this applies to church leadership as well. Read More

We Dare Not Ignore the Devil

Western evangelicals in general are not in danger of an overapplication of demonization. We are far more in danger of under-application — of a functional, unbiblical naturalism. This is partly due to cultural blind-spot assumptions. But increasingly, it is also a result of the growing cultural cost of supernaturalism. Read More

On Pastoring a Small Church [Podcast]

Pastoring small churches comes with unique challenges. In this Pastors’ Talk episode, Jonathan Leeman, Mark Dever, PJ Tibayan, and Jonathan Worsley discuss the blessings and burdens of shepherding a small flock. Listen Now

Small-Town Pastor, Preach Bespoke Sermons

Small-town pastor, you’ve just stepped into the pulpit. Bibles are open, eyes are up, people are waiting—and it strikes you once again how few of them there are. Just 40 souls (not all of whom are guaranteed to remain awake while you preach). There’s no sound equipment to record your sermon, and no website to post it to anyway. Your congregation doesn’t know what a podcast is, and no one beyond your congregation knows who you are. You will speak for 30 minutes, and your sermon will never again be heard in this mortal life. It will live on only in the memories of those assembled. You’ve labored all week on it. Was it a waste? Read More

How to Convince People to Get Involved in Small Groups

People today are often extremely busy, including me. We have countless things going on at work, at home, even at church. With so many demands on our lives and limited time available to satisfy them all, small groups can easily get lost in the shuffle. We must be intentional in how we lead our congregations in order to shape a culture of small-group involvement. Read More

How to Create the Perfect Church Website

Before your church’s website can even completely load, the average visitor has already formed a first impression. It takes just 50 milliseconds. In a flash, they’ve already decided whether they want to continue engaging with you (through your site) or move on to the next church on their Google search results page. The takeaway? You better have a great website. Potential visitors are coming to your website to learn more about your church—to gather information, and see if your church is the right fit for them. So how can you quickly and effectively engage more people through your website? Here are 4 tips for creating a great church website. Read More

Pastor, Don’t Imply That Church Is Optional

All across the world this weekend, people will gather in groups—some bigger, many smaller—to worship Jesus. To sing songs, to pray together, to hear God’s Word preached. Voluntarily. No one forces millions of people to show up, to come together for worship, and yet it happens. It happens not just this week, but every single Sunday. Unfortunately, as recent surveys show, the percentage of Americans attending church has declined in recent years, even in evangelical denominations. The decline of churchgoers isn’t massive, but the data suggest that the infrequent attenders from 20 or 30 years ago have moved further away while the religiously devoted (though a slightly lower percentage) continue to attend. Read More

6 Mistakes Churches Often Make with New Believers

Most of us won’t ever meet Kanye West, but hopefully we’re constantly engaging with people who have professed newfound faith in Jesus Christ. Too often we meet such professions of faith—especially when they come from the mouths of people we least expect—with deep skepticism. But what we owe new believers is not a clenched fist, but an open hand. So instead of eye rolls, let’s offer biblical responses. Here are six things the church often gets wrong when a new believer comes into the fold. Read More

When You Are Persecuted in One Place, Flee to Another. But Not to America.

Both US policy and Middle East wisdom discourage suffering Christians from resettling in the West. Read More

Tuesday's Catch: Missional Communities and More

This Church Model Thrives in Post-Christian Contexts

Missional communities seek to broaden our understanding of what it means to be a local church. Read More

Four Things Your Church Should Know about Fostering a Church [Podcast]

In this podcast, Thom Rainer interviews Sam Rainer about four things your church should know about fostering another church. There are neighboring churches in your community struggling and need your church’s love. Listen in as the discussion covers leadership tips and boundaries for fostering churches. Listen Now

3 Problems to Consider Before Making Changes in Your Ministry

It is easy to be confused and forget the only legitimate reason for leading major change—advancing the mission of your ministry organization as it serves God’s mission. Read More

6 Members Who Build Up the Church

This article discusses six types of members that build up the church. Read More

3 Ways to Turn Against Your Pastor

How do otherwise good Christians turn against otherwise good pastors? Here are three very common ways it happens. Read More

15 Theses on Evangelical Theology

Daniel Treier is Knoedler Professor of Theology at Wheaton College Graduate School in Wheaton, Illinois. Introducing Evangelical Theology is his “introductory textbook for evangelical colleges, universities, and seminaries that offers students a biblically rich, creedally structured, ecumenically evangelical, and ethically engaged introduction to Christian theology.” Read More

Should We Use Humor in Our Preaching?

Humor should accentuate our communication, not dominate it. Read More

How the Ordinances Preach or Undermine Our Preaching

Our use of the ordinances will either affirm our preaching or undermine it. Let me therefore offer seven points about the ordinances, which will then lead to three lessons for our preaching. Read More

3 Tips for Praying in a Rural Ministry

One of the keys to revitalization (in any context) is prayer. You have no power to revitalize anything on your own, much less the ability to see God’s glory reclaimed in a church located in the middle of nowhere. Read More

Battling Beside Them: Ministering to Students Fighting Anxiety or Depression

In this article Isaac Jenkins, a consultant for CRU, passes on a few ideas he has shared with students who are battling feelings of anxiety or depression.... Read More

3 Strategies for keeping Your Small Group on Track through the Holidays

Brian Daniel, Chris Surratt and Hiltibidal gave three primary ways to ensure a group doesn’t die off during a break. Read More

9 Things about America that Surprise Returning Ministries

I spend a lot of time with missionaries. In many cases, I’m with missionaries who’ve returned to the States for various reasons (e.g., health issues, aging parents, new position, etc.). I often ask them what most surprised them when they returned to the States. Here are some of their most common response.... Read More

Monday's Catch: The Road Ahead and More

The Road Ahead: 10 Characteristics of a Future Church Planter, Part 2

Here are five more key changes we must make if we want to see movement. Read More

Five Reasons Your Church's Giving May Have Dropped Significantly This Year

What are some possible reasons church giving can take a seemingly dramatic turn downward? Read More

5 Simple Ways to Help Your Church Find New Ideas

Innovation often comes from pooling the resources you already have around you. Read More

7 Mindsets That Kill Leadership

These toxic mindsets can derail your leadership. Read More

4 Strategies to Engage Hard-to-Reach Students in Youth Ministry

Effective student ministries will create an environment where the need to be known, loved, and accepted is fulfilled. Read More

7 Holiday Outreach Ideas for Your Church

What is your church doing to reach the unchurched in your area? Read More

Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult?

Evangelism is hard, and there isn’t really anything we can do about it! Read More

Saturday Lagniappe: The Evangelical Protestant-Roman Catholic Divide and More

Podcast: What Do Protestant Evangelicals and Roman Catholics Disagree About? (Michael Reeves)

In this episode, Michael Reeves discusses what the Protestant Reformation was really all about, and whether or not it's still relevant today. He reflects on the relationship between Protestants and Roman Catholics, explains what Martin Luther was trying to accomplish when he posted his 95 theses, and responds to the idea that the Reformation is responsible for widespread disunity among Christians today. Listen Now

Four Implications of Martin Luther’s Theology

What do the sovereignty of God, salvation by grace, justification by faith, and new life in union with Christ mean for the living of the Christian life? For Martin Luther, they carry four implication.... Read More

The Ever-Present Drift toward Pharisaism

It’s so easy to become a modern Pharisee. We start out with good intentions, desiring only to encourage people to serve God faithfully. We end up setting in stone our requirements and holding people responsible for disobeying God when they violate them. Read More

9 Things You Should Know About Astrology

Over the past decade, interest in astrology—especially among the millennial generation—has been on the rise. “Astrology is currently enjoying a broad cultural acceptance that hasn’t been seen since the nineteen-seventies,” Christine Smallwood says in a recent article for The New Yorker. “The shift began with the advent of the personal computer, accelerated with the Internet, and has reached new speeds through social media.” Here nine things you should know about the ancient practice of celestial divination.... Read More

Simple Encouragement

Preacher, do you encourage? It is strange to take note of how encouragement is missing in a lot of preaching these days. Read More

Five Keys to Effective Follow Up

Following up is one of the biggest missed opportunities in churches. Without a clear follow-up strategy and process, first-time guests don’t feel welcome or get connected, new givers don’t know the impact their donation has and might not feel compelled to give again, and new believers don’t get a clear path for growth. Read More

4 Lies that Hinder College Evangelism

If you’re a student living on a college campus, you’re in one of the most strategic contexts on earth to proclaim the gospel. There are few seasons when you exclusively live in proximity to people in the same stage of life. But because students live, work, and play with their closest friends, the campus is a unique breeding ground for gospel conversations and transformed lives. And yet, insecurities and internal myths can so easily keep us on the evangelistic sidelines. Don’t let these four common lies keep you from proclaiming the gospel during your time in college. Read More

Dinner Church, Anyone?

There was quite a reaction to one of my recent blog posts about Fresh Expressions in Leicester, England, and how we need new ways of doing and being church today. I’ve had quite a lot of interest in what these new ways could look like. I’ve even been interviewed by radio stations around the world about it.

Whenever I’m asked what these new ways look like I always tell them about dinner churches, which I think is a really beautiful, simple, achievable way to start a new kind of congregation.

And I’m not alone, it turns out.

Leonard Sweet, writer, futurist, scholar, once said, “Whenever I’m asked, ‘What is God up to?’ my most common answer is, ‘Have you heard of the dinner church movement?’.”

So, what is dinner church? Well, it’s dinner. And church. Scrunched together. But there’s so much more to it than that. Here’s a few dinner churches from around the world to give you a little taste. Read More

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New Kinds of Churches Really Are the Hope of the Future