Monday's Catch: '5 Reasons Why Non-Denominational Churches Are Growing' And More

5 Reasons Why Non-Denominational Churches Are Growing
While we continue to see reports of denominational decline in America, we see fewer reports of the growth of non-denominational churches. It is actually an amazing story.

Overcoming Obstacles While Planting a Church
Like any movement, challenges exist that threaten the vitality and longevity of church planting. We must consider how to address them. This list certainly isn’t exhaustive, but I’ve identified 9 challenges that could hinder the forward advance of church planting.

Look inward before you reach outward: make sure your church is ready for holiday and special event outreach guests
Yvon Prehn idenifies are some areas that are important for churches to check out and perhaps do a bit of renovation on before they invite teir guests for holidays and special events so they will not only be ready for the event itself, but for the growth in the church after it.

Pastors Planning Several Christmas Events Churchgoers Say They Enjoy
On average, pastors are planning four events or activities to help their churches celebrate Christmas this year.

Christmas – the original story
The Christmas Nativity story as we know it is formed by harmonising two different accounts from the New Testament. This is the story....

Inns and Innkeeping
An inn is generally considered to be a place of lodging travelers. While a twentieth-century traveler might mention modern amenities such as room service and fresh, clean linens to describe a place to stay during a long journey, the first-century A.D. understanding of overnight lodging was quite different.

It is not "woke" as one post on Facebook asserted to understand Luke 2:7 to mean that there was no room in the guest room at the house in Bethlehem where Mary gave birth to Jesus. It is application of the principle of interpreting Scripture by Scripture.

Why Does Narnia Have Christmas?Why Does Narnia Have Christmas?
...why would Narnians, in a world with Aslan, not Jesus, long for the return of Christmas? C.S. Lewis was trying to demonstrate the revolutionary nature of what we celebrate at Christmas—the incarnation.

Responsive Leadership: A Year-End Evaluation for Your Church
Responsive leadership is a process of becoming more attuned to what’s happening in your church so you can adapt and be more effective.

Want to attract young families to your church? These communication tips may help 

Many churches in America have aging congregations, and a constant prayer in all of them is that they might connect with young families at church. A primary response to this need is for churches to upgrade their children’s programs and make certain their nurseries are spotless, attractive, and well-staffed. Though facilities responses are essential, communication responses are also important if your church wants to have a family come back more than once.

Help! I Don’t Like Evangelizing
Christians the world over have the same struggle as you—and for a whole variety of reasons.

‘Turning a corner today’: 142 Mississippi churches leave UMC over homosexuality debate
The United Methodist Church has approved the disaffiliation of 142 Mississippi congregations, joining more than 7,000 churches that have left the mainline Protestant denomination since 2019. At a called session held at Anderson United Methodist Church of Jackson on Saturday, the UMC Mississippi Conference approved the disaffiliations of 142 churches in the state.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, December 10, 2023) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

Christmas has a way of overshadowing Advent, which is not only a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of our Lord but also a time of preparation for his second coming. We may prefer the celebration of his birth over his coming again. Our Lord taught that he will be returning, and we do need to be ready for his return. While the first time he came as a savior, the second time, however, he will come as a judge, and everything that we have thought, said, and done will be made known, all the things that we have hidden from others and those we may have hidden from ourselves.

Readings: Isaiah 40: 1-11; 1 Peter 3: 8-15

Message: A Poky-Slow God or a Patient God?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/12/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-december_9.html

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

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

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: '8 Reasons The Church is a Light in a Troubled World' And More

8 Reasons The Church is a Light in a Troubled World
The church can be a light in a troubled world as long as its leaders ad members are faithful to the message and teaching of Christ and do not let politics and the pursuit of power crowd out his message and teaching in their hearts and their lives.

Don’t Ask Who Your Neighbor Is. Ask Who You Are.
Matt Martens explias how the Parable of the Good Samaritan "can help us understand the depths of our obligation to love others."

Tim Alberta on evangelical extremism and the pastors who profit from it
‘These are not dupes; these are not true believers.’

8 Things You Must Do To Be Picked Over Others For A Leadership Position
Few things are as satisfying as when you select someone for a leadership position and then they not only succeed, but thrive in the role. When this happens, not only does it relieve stress but your organization has sustainability in that area of responsibility and is something you can build around.

5 Best Practices For Leading Worship For A Funeral
How do we lead worship for a funeral? If you’ve ever been asked to lead worship for a funeral service, you know just how daunting it can be. How do we go about leading the music for such a pivotal, emotional event in so many peoples’ lives? How do we plan and prepare music that will comfort and strengthen a grieving family?

Over 100 Christmas Ideas for Your Children’s Ministry
God gave Jesus at Christmas because of love! And because we love you, here are over 100 Christmas ideas for children’s ministry! Enjoy!

Establishing a New Rhythm for Church Communication
It’s time to assess your rhythm for church communication and establish next steps toward a new rhythm that’s effective for your local church.

VOICES: The 10 irrational laws of serving
Think about the people who have impacted your life the most. Were they individuals who solely focused on their own success, or were they people who selflessly served others? Those who give generously of themselves without seeking attention often leave the most significant impact!

Title VI Must be Revised
Title IV is the disciplinary process for members of the clergy, including bishops. Its failings have been much in church news recently, especially concerning bishops.

Study: Most Americans are spiritual but a growing number say they are not religious
Among the spiritual but not religious, 38% say religion does more harm than good, while just 7% of religious Americans share this view.

Friday's Catch: '5 Essential Ingredients for Planting Churches' And More

5 Essential Ingredients for Planting Churches
If you are in an established church, you should be planting churches. And, If you are in a new plant, you should be planting churches. But if it’s going to happen, what are the essential ingredients?

7 Strategies + Ways to Grow Your Church
Discover and eliminate the barriers that keep your church from growing. Whether you're a church planter or pastor of a 30-year-old church, these 7 strategies for church growth can be implemented in your church. Wait! Doesn’t God Grow a Church? Only God can give growth, but it’s your job to position your church for that growth.

5 Ways to Recession-Proof Your Church
As much as you might hate to think about this, the world is on the eve of a global recession. There’s just been too much cheap money out there for too long...Churches have already seen giving decline due to inflation. With the oncoming recession, things are about to take a downward turn. Here are five ways you can recession-proof your church....

Stop Waiting for Permission
Gabe Kolstad gives four reasons why leaders like an unpicked apple at the top of an apple tree rot on the branch.

6 Thoughts for Worship Leaders on Theology and Our Weekend Gatherings
How do your beliefs about God, the Church, and leading worship impact how you plan your church's weekend gatherings?

How to Write and Preach Engaging Sermons
From start to finish, Carey Neiuwhof walk you through my exact process of writing and preaching engaging sermons.

Reading the Bible Together in Small Groups
We’ve got to get the text in front of people, but we must do it carefully.

7 Tips for Loving “Those” People in Your Church
What do you do with “those” people in your church—the ones who drive you crazy? Maybe it’s their vocal political opinions. Maybe it’s a personality that gets under your skin. Maybe it’s a particular lack of appreciation or sensitivity to your culture. Maybe it’s someone who’s critical of you in ways that seem wrongheaded. And then of course, there are the people who have hurt you.

Thursday's Catch: 'Exploring Loss in the Church' And More

Exploring Loss in the Church
Loss of any kind is painful, but losing someone who used to be a cheerleader in the church is harmful in so many ways. The poet T.S. Eliot wrote, “We shall not cease from exploration. And in the end of all our exploring. Will be to arrive where we started. And know the place for the first time.”

Episode 616: Grant and Cheyanne Skeldon on What The Next Generation Thinks is Wrong with the Church...
Grant and Cheyanne Skeldon, who work extensively with next-gen leaders, talk about what the next generation thinks is wrong with the church, why there’s no next-gen crisis but a discipleship crisis, close friends and close-up friends, and predictions about the future church.

VOICES: Breaking down barriers to Gen Z, Gen Alpha
... the experience of developing friendships online has varying familiarity to Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers. Though older generations are charged with stewarding the next ones, there is a lack of mentoring in the area of digital community and relationship-building. There is a barrier to an increasingly important need for discipleship in the digital space. The generational barrier? Technology.

New Homeland Security guide aims to help churches protect themselves
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has released a guide to help churches enhance security for their sanctuaries as attacks on houses of worship appear to be on the rise.

Download the guide.

7 Tax Rules Churches Must Know for Year-End Giving Receipts
Churches must address various donation management aspects, including providing giving statements and implementing a counting policy for fund accuracy and accountability.

Is Judging Others Always Hypocritical? A Lesson About Logs
“You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). What does Jesus mean by these words? Is he telling us that we must be perfect before we can correct others? If that’s the point, are we ever right to point out sin? Can rebuking sin ever amount to anything more than hypocritical judging?

The Long, Forgotten Reformation in France
A brief hstory of Huguenots.

7 Ways to Motivate Leaders
Do you ever struggle to keep the keep the leaders on your team motivated? How do you motivate a leader?

Old School Lesson for New Sunday School Teachers
Seeing Jesus on every page of Scripture doesn’t preclude us from learning moral and practical wisdom from these accounts.

Twelve Ways of Christmas: How to Share Jesus During Advent
Consider twelve ways we might sow and reap this Christmas.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, December 7, 2023) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

Does being baptized, going to church on Sundays, and reading and studying the Bible make us a Christian? Or is there more to being a Christian—to being a disciple of Christ?

Reading: Romans 13: 8-14)

Message: Christ’s People from Head to Foot

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/12/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows.html

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

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

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Wedesday's Catch: 'Are Pastors Retiring at an Older Age Now? (And Other Age-Related Issues)' And More

Are Pastors Retiring at an Older Age Now? (And Other Age-Related Issues)

What about pastors? Are they retiring later in ministry? Are they following the trends of others in the workforce? You might be surprised at the answers.

Christian Life, Ministry and Mission in the 2020s: An Emerging Consensus
Mikey Lynch shares what he believes may be be some points of growing consensus around the proper evangelical response to our current cultural context, and a shift in some major points of discussion.

6 Elements of Daily Prayer Time With God
"I’m convinced that the one thing that will change everything about your life for the positive is establishing a daily prayer time with God," writes Brandon Cox. He goes on to share the plan which he has followed for a number of years, noting that he has seen it change his life in countless ways.

Praying with purpose: extending God's comfort to the hurting
In moments of trial and tribulation, prayer becomes a beacon of hope, a way to offer solace to those in need. The efficacy of our prayers is not solely in the words we utter, but in the sincerity, empathy, and actions that accompany them.

The Five Biggest Challenges Children's Minstries Will Face in 2024
As we prepare to enter a new year of ministry, there are some challenges we will face. Here are the 5 biggest.

Dealing With Needy People in Your Group 

It is important to think through the problem of needy people in groups. The Bible teaches that neediness, defined as being incomplete and without, is something God uses to grow us up and heal us. He comes to us when we experience that we cannot fix or save ourselves in our own strength....

9 Biblical Methods for Encouraging One Another
Would you take more encouragement if you could get it? Have you ever felt like you had no more need of encouragement? What would be possible in your life if you lived with a continual diet of encouragement from others? These questions help reveal something we all intuitively know: We need encouragement.

‘A solemn day’: 51 Illinois churches leave UMC amid homosexuality schism
Fifty-one congregations in Illinois have disaffiliated from the United Methodist Church amid the mainline Protestant denomination’s ongoing schism over its stance on sexuality. At a virtual special session on Saturday, Illinois Great Rivers Conference delegates voted 313-47 to approve the disaffiliation resolutions of 51 churches seeking to leave the mainline denomination.

Is parting company the best solution to differences over this particular issue? It has a downside both for those who leave and those who remain. I question whether enough thought has been given to this downside.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Church Without Walls' And More

Church Without Walls 

To help churches navigate the transition to hybrid church, we had a conversation with three leaders who have done a lot of thinking about the future. We trust their insights will be helpful as you craft a vision for the coming years of ministry.

Bright Hope for Tomorrow
...we’re entering the first week of Advent, which to many Christians is simply synonymous with Christmas, but traditionally they are not the same.

Salvation Army Kettles Collect Fewer Coins
The bell-ringing campaign sees 20 percent decline in giving.

Sharing the True Spirit of Christmas in the Places Where Life Happens
Ann Michel of the Lewis Center staff suggests that in an age of rampant religious disaffiliation our evangelistic task in the Advent and Christmas seasons may go beyond gathering in less-frequent church attenders, friends, family, and neighbors. She sees a need to help a generation of dechurched young people reclaim the sacred aspects of Christmas and offers ideas for rebuilding religious memories starting in the places where life happens.

Does Our Desire for God Disprove His Existence?
David Baddiel’s punchy little book The God Desire is an apologetic for atheism—not the kind of unbelief that disrespects religion and its benefits (Baddiel is Jewish), but still, a naturalist’s take on the world that says we’re better off dispensing with fantasies intended to shield us from death.

If the Sinner’s Prayer is the only way to salvation, why isn’t it in the Bible?
Finding salvation through Jesus does not require an incantation. It requires a decision to walk in a certain way.

Sharing Jesus With the Lost This Christmas
Luke 19:10 tells us exactly why Jesus’ birth matters so much: “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (NLT). And as you and your church proclaim the Christmas story this holiday season, nothing matters more than that simple message. Luke 19:10 is Christmas in a nutshell. Jesus didn’t come to be a baby. He came to grow up and die on a cross—and be resurrected. Jesus came to seek and save the lost.

15 Christmas Ideas for Small Groups
Lots of small groups take the Christmas season off. And that’s fine. But if you’re one of the groups that really loves Jesus (wink), you’re not taking the season off. You’re soldiering through like the little drummer boy who could. Massive traveling, family celebrating and time off work won’t slow you and your group down! If you’re one of the groups that’s meeting throughout the month of December, you may be wondering what you can do for Christmas ideas for small groups that’s a little outside of the norm.

Finding Purpose in Christmas
Our culture glorifies Christmas as a feel-good, do-good, multi-billion-dollar, secular industry. Providing our children with a memorable Christmas seems an impossible task for a single parent who struggles with loneliness, grief, or financial strain. As we navigate the holiday season, we must take an honest look at our expectations and consider if it is time to shift our focus. Take a few minutes to reflect on the following questions....

How To Become an Encourager: 15 Steps
There’s no better starting point to learn how to become an encourager than this famous passage: Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Evangelism, Missions, and the Local Church

Researchers have found that “eighty percent of all Christians do not consistently witness for Christ” and “less than two percent are involved in the ministry of evangelism.” Failure to carry out the Great Commission is a major contributing factor to declining church attendance in the twenty-first century. Churches are not replacing the people that they are losing.

Churches are also becoming increasingly distracted by world concerns such as political and social activism, promoting various conservative and progressive causes, depending upon the leanings of church leaders and members. While a number of these causes may be worthwhile, they are not what our Lord commissioned his disciples and us to do. We need to return to the principal task that Jesus gave the Church.

Below you will find links to eight articles on the Pastors.com website related to evangelism and missions, which may prove useful to churches seeking to become more evangelistic and mission minded. A few of them I may have posted on Anglicans Ablaze in the past.

“5 Principles for Building an Evangelistic Culture in Your Church”
https://pastors.com/5-principles-for-building-an-evangelistic-culture-in-your-church/

“4 Ways to Rethink Missions in Your Church”
https://pastors.com/four-ways-to-rethink-missions-in-your-church/

“Why You Need to Think Like a Fish”
https://pastors.com/why-you-need-to-think-like-a-fish/

“6 Key Evangelistic Strategies to Help Your Church Grow”
https://pastors.com/6-key-evengelistic-strategies-to-help-your-church-grow/

“5 Ways to Break Through a Growth Barrier This Christmas”
https://pastors.com/5-ways-to-break-through-a-growth-barrier-this-christmas/

“4 Ways to Involve Your Small Groups in the Great Commission”
https://pastors.com/4-ways-to-involve-your-small-groups-in-the-great-commission/

“10 Reasons Every Christian Should Share the Message of Jesus”
https://pastors.com/10-reasons-every-christian-should-share-the-message-of-jesus/

“It Costs to Reach Your Community, and It’s Worth It” 

https://pastors.com/it-costs-to-reach-your-community-and-its-worth-it/

Monday's Catch: 'Help Those Moving to Your Community Find Your Church' And More

Help Those Moving to Your Community Find Your Church
Congregations and church leaders should proactively find, invite, and welcome believers who move into the area.

What is Advent and why do we celebrate it?
In churches across the land, Advent marks the coming of Christmas. This is the story....

5 Christmas Planning Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Christmas Eve is a great opportunity to reach those outside the church that often goes unused...Christmas Eve is a powerful and great opportunity for outreach. Catholic churches have known this for centuries. Evangelicals are just now waking up to it. Here are the top five Christmas planning mistakes churches can make.

A Guide to Intentional Christmas Events for Ministry to Women

The twinkle of Christmas lights, the warmth of shared laughter, and the joy of coming together in celebration—this season offers a beautiful opportunity to create intentional and memorable events within your church’s women’s ministry. As we approach the Christmas season, let’s explore how we can plan gatherings that not only reflect the true spirit of Christmas but also foster a sense of community, connection, and lasting moments for truth.

How Many Genders Did God Create?
Does the Bible present a pronounced distinction or sameness concerning gender and gender roles? How many genders are there? In the public square, things are getting a little confusing; so too in public toilets, not to mention sports. This confusion is real. But it isn’t abstract. It involves real people, with genuine struggles and crushing questions regarding identity. There’s grief, anxiety, fear, and confusion.

Warren Throckmorton takes on David Barton and ‘Christian nationalists’ revisionist history’
Despite past controversy, Barton’s influence has found an eager audience with the rise of Christian nationalism in the age of Trump.

Social Media Guidelines
Do you have social media guidelines for your church/staff? You should. Unfortunately, as this is such new territory for churches, few do. In the hopes that it might serve, here are ours at Mecklenburg Community Church (Meck)....

Why Become a Disciple-Making Small Group Church?
Some have asked, “Why would I want to lead my church to become a disciple-making church when the people I lead are happy with the status quo?” There are many undeniable and essential reasons.

The Episcopal Church reckons with tangled protocol on clergy abuse and accountability
As the denomination evaluates its Title IV clergy misconduct policy, abuse survivors say the process needs to be trauma-informed.

74 churches granted disaffiliation from UMC Florida Conference amid homosexuality schism
Seventy-four congregations in Florida have left the United Methodist Church over the denomination's longstanding debate over its stance on homosexuality.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, December 3, 2023) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

The four weeks that precede Christmas, the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord, are more than a time to get ourselves in the right frame of mind to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Through the reading of the Scriptures and mediation upon them, through acts of mercy, and through prayer, these four weeks can be a time of spiritual awaking and renewal for Christians and those exploring the Christian faith.

Readings: Isaiah 64:1–9, 1 Corinthians 1:3–9; Mark 13:24–37

Message: Why Christians Observe the Advent Season

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/12/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-december.html

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

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

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'In Seasons of Waiting, Learn to Love People' And More

In Seasons of Waiting, Learn to Love People
We’re often so busy looking forward to the next thing, we forget to look around at the people alongside us on the journey.

8 Things I Wouldn’t Do Again if Planting Another Church
Having planted two churches, Ron Edmondson has learned a few things. Some of the things he has learned are things he would not do again if he were planting another church.

Simple Ways to Encourage Different Cultural Expressions in Church
In a multicultural church, it can be easy to let the dominant culture dominate everything....So how do you include minority culture voices in church when there is a clear and dominant culture? Here are some simple ways you can do it.

Widespread cultural homogenity has never existed in the United States albeit in a number of communities one culture may have been dominant and overshadowed any other cultures that existed in these communities. At the same many Americans, particularly the older generations, cling to the myth that everybody lived the way that they remember from their childhood and youth. They may resist the knowledge that 
their experience was not as universal as they believe that it was and therefore cannot be used to set the norm in the present day.

One of the Most Remarkable Features of Early Christian Manuscripts
...when students see a NT manuscript up close for the first time, they notice something rather peculiar and unexpected. They notice that the Greek words for “God,” “Lord,” Christ,” and “Jesus” are not written out in full. Instead, they are abbreviated.

4 Quotes about Preaching That Have Recently Challenged Me
Chuck Lawless share 4 quotes that have challenged him since he became the director of Southeastern Seminary’s Center for Preaching and Pastoral Leadership.

How To Get Your Congregation Excited About Inviting People To Church
Ideas for encouraging your church to take a bold step and extend a personal invitation to someone.

Equip Your People to Invite
Why aren’t your church members inviting others to church? It’s likely you’ve been asking them to invite their friends and neighbors without giving them the tools they need to do it. Here are thirteen practical ways to equip people to invite friends to church.

4 Clues for Inviting Others to Church Effectively
Lewis Center Director Doug Powe says many people just don’t like inviting other people to church, in part because faith is so personal and in part because they fear rejection. He provides four clues for inviting in a way that is genuine, specific, honest, and expectant.

Creative Ways to Invite Someone to Church
An encouraging study by Lifeway Research found that two-thirds of churchgoers invited someone to church in the last six months. When was the last time you invited someone to church? Who is the next person God might have you invite?

52 Ideas for Inviting Someone to Your Church This Year
The simple act of inviting friends and acquaintances to your church can impact eternity.

Friday's Catch: 'What is Advent? Leading Your Church in Celebration and Anticipation' And More

What is Advent? Leading Your Church in Celebration and Anticipation
Whether or not your church participates in Advent traditions, this season can be one of reflection, thanksgiving, and hope.

6 Ways to Deepen Your Congregation’s Connection to the Community this Christmas
As you prepare for Advent and Christmas, here are six ways your congregation can deepen its connection to the community this holiday season.

VOICES: Is America leading the world in ‘child neglect’?
Americans are more accustomed than they should be to hearing that their country is leading the world in this category or that cultural development. And, they tend to just assume that whatever the subject or category is, it is a positive development. After all, it’s America! This tendency to narcissistic self-regard has never been one of America’s more attractive traits, and it has served to blind Americans to serious problems bringing serious, perhaps catastrophic harm to its people.

The single parent family in one of the realities of twenty-first century America. A question that churches need to be asking themselves is how can we minister to single parents and their children.

Unsung Heroes of Methodism: Barbara Heck
Sometimes a story that’s too good is still true. The story of Barbara Heck, “The Mother of American Methodism”, is one of those stories.

The Methodist movement began as what in modern-day parlance would be described as a renewal movement in the Church of England in the eighteenth century.

7 Quick Reminders For Pastors During Christmas Season
"I want to share some quick reminders for pastors during Christmas season," writes Ron Edmondson. "You already know all of these, but sometimes we get so busy with all the season’s activities that we failed to do some of the more important things. If you are intentional, Christmas can be one of your church’s best momentum-building times of the year."

4 Simple Decisions that Can Boost Personal Productivity
Charles Stone summarizes four simple decisions we can make to help boost our productivity.

How to Continue Leading Worship Even Into Old Age
...some of us are even well into the last quarter of our leading worship career. We’ve accumulated decades of knowledge, experience and practical application so we know how to work smarter. But just working smarter doesn’t seem to be helping some of us finish well.

Campus Ministry Tips: 5 Ways to Expand Your Effectiveness
Do you lead a campus ministry, or are you thinking of starting one? Then check out these veteran youth ministry tips for effective campus outreach.

Are You Ready to Be Healed?
Healing comes with a heavy cost. We can release our grip on resentment and rebellion, receive help and experience renewal in every part of our lives. But.... If we do that—if we embrace the kind of healing available to everybody who is broken and in pain—we’ll have to let go of some things that are quite precious to us.

Pope Francis asks theologians to ‘demasculinize’ the church
‘Women have a way of reflecting on theology that is different from us men,’ Francis told the International Theological Commission.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, November 30, 2023) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to All Hallows.

This coming Sunday begins the Season of Advent. During the Advent Season Christians in a number of traditions prepare not only for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ but also for his second coming. One of the ways that Christians observe the Advent Season is the lighting of an Advent wreath. It was originally a Lutheran practice, which spread to other Christian traditions. You can learn more about construction and history of the Advent wreath by googling “Advent wreath.”

Reading: Ephesians 3: 6, 12, 14-21

Message: Praying for the Spiritual Growth of Our Fellow Believers

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/11/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_30.html

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

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

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Thursday's Catch: '4 Fundamentals for Effective Discipleship' And More

4 Fundamentals for Effective Discipleship

If you have served in church leadership for a short period or a long tenure, it is never too late to begin to dream again through the difficulty that the church has gone through in the past. Whatever your local church is facing today is never a reason to stop dreaming and believing that God can do it again and help grow the church. For many in the church today, the spirit of defeatism has taken hold and must be set aside to honor God’s call on the local church and begin to move forward.

Leaving or Staying: Caring through Church Attendance Shifts
Should you focus on the people leaving, staying, or coming into your church? And how do you care for your church during shifts in attendance?

Ed Stetzer: What to Make of AI
This article was written by a person. Today you can’t always assume that’s the case. Artificial intelligence (AI) has already changed the world, and many of its future implications are still on the horizon.

Stop Calling Them Names
If you’re prone to use name-calling with theological opponents, consider three passages in Scripture and how they address our unhealthy culture in evangelicalism of pejorative labeling.

Also see: 12 Personality Traits That Have Gone Out Of Fashion (But Should Be Brought Back)

8 Dangerous Pastors Who Will Destroy Your Church
Beware of these dangerous pastors in your quest for God’s leader for the flock....

Why and How I Know What I Am Preaching 12 Months From Now
Eric Geiger explains why advanced sermon planning works for him practically and why he believes he has the freedom to work this way both biblically and theologically.

4 Fundamentals of Effective Discipleship Pathways
If we hope to create an intentional and strategic pathway to discipleship, we need to understand (1) how to best define "discipleship" and (2) the fundamentals of the journey. Growing disciples through a buffet of programs and events is no longer possible. Today's world requires more intentionality. To begin constructing our pathway, we must begin with the foundation.

Making Disciples: Three Habits for Everyday Evangelism
A downloadable resource from Campus Ministry Today booklet for anyone who is involved in discipling students on a university campus. While writte with univerity students in mind, the ideas discussed in the booklet are usable with other segments of the population.

Everyday Evangelism
The London City Mission has launched a new resource hub and podcast for everyday Christians who long to see Jesus change lives.

8 Easy Ways To Be Missional
Missional is not an event we tack onto our already busy lives. It is our life. Mission should be the way we live, not something we add onto life: “As you go, make disciples;” “Walk wisely toward outsiders;” “Let your speech always be seasoned with salt;” “Be prepared to give a defense for your hope.” There are easy ways to be missional everyday without overloading our schedules.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Christmas Eve Is a Sunday This Year (The Big Opportunity)' And More

Christmas Eve Is a Sunday This Year (The Big Opportunity)
"Christmas Eve lands on a Sunday this year. I understand the temptation to scale back. We briefly discussed this option at my church. The reality is this Christmas Eve may be one of the biggest opportunities you have for several years to come. You should do more, not less, this year. Here is why." 

 

7 Steps to Leading Through Change
Todd Adkis a step-by-step guide to leading effective change and becoming a more agile leader.

Ten Reasons Why Church Membership Is Biblical
Is church membership biblical? Yes. The reason is that the biblical nature of church membership is established from a variety of passages and considerations. Here’s a cumulative case of ten reasons why church membership is biblical.

Mutual Responsibility and Interdependence in the Body of Christ
Like the community at Corinth, our natural tendency is to congregate with people who are like us. Our social networks very much reflect our outlook. We find it easier to trust people whose life experiences are like ours. With such people, communication tends to be more natural. For this reason, it might be that not many of our churches convey the ethnic, social, and economic diversity of our neighborhoods. Some of our churches reflect the hidden lines that divide our communities.

What Did Jesus Teach about Himself?
Jesus taught on a variety of topics, from family to money, to discipleship, and more. But there is one subject that is central to all his other teachings—himself. Jesus’s autobiographical words reveal not simply interesting facts, hobbies, or personality traits, but an astonishing identity that, if true, demands our attention and response.

Beyond Tools: Crafting Ministry Success Through Thoughtful Curriculum Choices
A ministry leader’s role is to curate tools for maximum usefulness, with specialized knowledge and contextual understanding of your ministry.

It’s So Easy
It arrived in my mailbox last month, a small yellow envelope containing words of affection and encouragement.

In a world where Christ is king, authoritarian leaders can only be antichrists
Today's anti-democratic leaders are promising to deliver justice by any means necessary.

Tuesday's Catch: 'Four Diagnostic Questions for the American Church' And More

Four Diagnostic Questions for the American Church
If anything is clear in the book of James, it’s that he really wants to make sure his audience understands the gospel. The gospel isn’t merely an inward transformation, it’s an outward proclamation, meant to shine through in word, but also in deed. For James, a believer whose life isn’t changed in day-to-day actions isn’t a believer at all.

‘Tis the Season to Fight Sex Trafficking
It’s the time of year when families gather to give gifts and celebrate the joy of Christmas. Lights twinkle on the tree and the smell of pies and cider fill our homes. But there’s a darker side to this season, one that often goes unnoticed amid the festivities. Let’s look at one example.

Jesus was not born in a stable—and it really matters!
Myths like this one die hard. I decided not to post a book review of Gayle Boss' All Creation Waits because she perpetuates this myth in her book.

The enduring legacy of C.S. Lewis 60 years later
C.S. Lewis died 60 years ago this month, on Nov. 22, 1963 — the same day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Understandably, the shock and ensuing controversy surrounding Kennedy’s murder buried the news of Lewis’ passing.

5 Reasons Prayer Is Challenging–with Insights for Breakthrough
Prayer is arguably the most powerful force in the world; it is literally life-changing. Yet, most would agree that prayer is significantly underutilized. Why?

5 Ways to Optimize Your Church's Giving Page
As a church communicator, I’m sure the last thing on your mind right now is updating your church’s giving page. While juggling the constant design requests and anticipating the inevitable last-minute sermon series and event changes, there is always something else to do. As a church communicator, I’m sure the last thing on your mind right now is updating your church’s giving page. While juggling the constant design requests and anticipating the inevitable last-minute sermon series and event changes, there is always something else to do. But the giving page is one of the essential pages on your website, and it deserves your attention.

Together on Mission
One of the highest priorities of the church is to accelerate the development of disciples and raise up leaders who advance the mission of Jesus. If our movements are to grow, we need to grow a culture where two things are true. First, we need an environment in which evangelism and disciple making are normalized for followers of Jesus. Second, we need healthy faith communities that can sustain multiplication.

New Normal Settles for Churches Post-Pandemic
Lifeway Research found 100% of churches met in person in August 2023. That’s not the case for every churchgoer. But the vast majority are back.

Trump-Era Controversies Had a Measurable Effect on Church Attendance
Politically moderate and left-leaning evangelicals appear to be most impacted.

Monday's Catch: 'When Pastors Doubt Their Leadership Ability' And More

When Pastors Doubt Their Leadership Ability

It is a key issue in pastoral leadership today.

Gen Z Is Looking for Friends
We don’t fully experience the beauty and nearness of God unless we’re in fellowship with other believers.

Is there Spiritual Safety in Numbers?
Some people treat their spiritual lives the same way. They think, “God is holy and just and he hates sin, will punish it forever in Hell, but I don’t need to be perfectly holy, just holier than most of the people I’m with. If I belong to a world religion consisting of millions of adherents, then God can’t possibly disregard that religion. There is safety in numbers.” But Jesus disabuses us of that misconception....

Five truths about church committees and their work
It’s that time of year again when faithful church members might receive phone calls or emails with special invitations for the year ahead: “We’d like you to serve on a church committee or ministry team.”

How to Get Ahead on Sermon Planning for the New Year
As you prepare for the new year, here are a few sermon planning ideas that may help you get a head start on sermon preparation.

How to Preach a Text You Don’t Fully Understand
There are many advantages to preaching through books of the Bible. One “disadvantage” is that you’ll occasionally have to preach a text that you really do not yet fully understand.

The Importance of the Pastoral Payer: Don’t Ditch It and Don’t Wing It!
Every Church has a way of leading its congregation in worship. Every Church has a liturgy, whether they call it that or not. Every part of the Church’s liturgy teaches our people something. A good question is, what is our liturgy teaching our congregation?

5 Bible Study Tips for Beginners
Whatever your experience may be, getting started with Bible study and staying consistent can be intimidating. Studying God's Word may feel challenging or overwhelming, but it's also life-changing.

Strategies for Worshiping with Your Kids
From Everyday Kids Ministry here are 10 strategies for worshiping with kids.

7 Easy-to-Implement Tips to Thrive During the Holiday Season
Avoid burnout and use these seven tips to thrive during the holiday season!

Religious Brits are happier and more satisfied with life
People of faith are "significantly" happier than atheists and non-religious people, new research has found. The study of 2,004 UK adults found that they are also more optimistic and resilient than their unbelieving neighbours.

Young people define ‘sacred moments’ broadly: From God to nature to relationships
‘Inviting young people beyond the traditional and typical provides room for them to experience something beyond the ordinary,’ a Springtide Research Institute report states.

Support for Trump is cultural more than theological, author says
Widespread evangelical support for Donald Trump — the twice-divorced presidential candidate who recently described his opponents as “vermin” — results from being shaped by culture more than by faith, a Christian author and scholar said during an Interfaith America podcast.

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, November 26, 2023) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows

Stores are stocking their shelves for the Christmas shopping season and families are setting up Christmas trees and decorating them and stringing their houses and yards with Christmas lights. Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year and the real Christmas Season, the Twelve Days of Christmas, begins on Christmas Eve and ends on Twelfth Night.

This Sunday is the last Sunday of what is sometimes called Ordinary Time. However, every Sunday, whether or not it falls on a Church festival, is extraordinary. It is a day to remember everything that God has done for us through Jesus Christ and offer God thanks and praise.

Reading: Matthew 25:31–46

Message: The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/11/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-november_25.html

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

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

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: '9 Teaching Methods of Jesus' And More

9 Teaching Methods of Jesus

Jesus was the master teacher. Thousands would gather to hang on his every word. People traveled far and wide just to hear him. The lessons he taught spread like fire and literally changed the world. As pastors, if there is anyone we should emulate in our preaching and teaching it is Jesus! Right? So how did Jesus teach? Here are nine methods Jesus used that we can apply.... 

Debunking Myths About Mentoring
Have you been asked to be a mentor? Have you wondered if you should reach out to that younger believer, but you’re just not sure if you’re qualified to be a mentor? Are you looking for a mentor and wondering how old the person should be? Questions swirl around the topic of mentoring, so let’s take a few minutes today to debunk a few common myths.

What I’ve Learned About the Power of Music
Music is the number one positioning factor in your church. No music reaches everyone, but every style of music will reach someone. The kind of music you use will greatly impact who you reach.

Helping Where It's Needed in Church
It's a running joke in churches that nobody seems to feel "called" to clean the toilets. Apparently that's not a very common spiritual gift! But behind the joke there is often a very real concern. In every church there are a set of jobs that need to be done and many of those jobs are not much fun and require serious commitment.

5 Principles for Building an Evangelistic Culture in Your Church
For the Great Commission to be your church’s priority, it must be a part of your church’s culture.

Reach More People by Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone
To reach people for Christ, you (and your church) need to step out of your comfort zone and take risks.

4 Secret Steps to Share Your Story
One skill every small group leader should have is the ability to talk with unbelievers about your experience of God in ordinary language that an unbeliever will understand—to share your story. In the church we use some specialized words like “repentance” and “being saved.” Of course, the average person who hasn’t been to church very often has no clue what these words mean.

This is a skill that all Christians, not jut those in positions of leadership, need to develop.

Four Ways We Can Become Good Neighbors
Jesus tied the most important command, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” to the second one, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37, 39 NIV). The two commands go together. You can’t do one without the other. Right now, more than ever, the church needs to model what it looks like to be good neighbors.

Friday's Catch: 'A Farewell to David Pytches' And More

A Farewell to David Pytches

It's a sad fact that over the last few years we have been steadily saying goodbye to a whole generation of church leaders who, having come to faith as young men and women, steered and shaped the evangelical church in the turbulent last decades of the twentieth century. The most recent of these figures is David Pytches. With his passing to glory, the church has lost a great man.

Also see New Wine leaders pay tribute to late founder

Five Questions Every Church Should Be Asking
...what questions should every church be asking if there were to be a serious conversation about its future?

It Starts with Connection
We have to start somewhere. Generational discipleship doesn’t just happen. No matter what structures or programs we have in place, no matter how stunning our stage presence or powerful our preaching, no matter how nice our facility or how big or small our building, without the connections that lead to meaningful relationships, we will miss out on the greatest opportunity for lifelong disciples within our faith communities.

9 Things You Should Know About Thanksgiving
On the fourth Thursday of November, Americans celebrate a national holiday set aside to give thanks for the blessings of the preceding year. But there is more to Thanksgiving than you may realize.

4 Vital Components to Transform Your Team from Ordinary to Extraordinary
A strong team foundation includes three vital fundamentals....

My Favorite Christmas Worship Songs
Mark Cole shares a list of his favorite Christmas carols and worship songs.

I spend a lot of time listening to hymns, worship songs, and other forms of church music on YouTube and evaluating them. While Mark Cole's list is helpful, I find it rather limited, considering the mountain of Christmas sacred music that is available to churches.

9 Tools for Leading a Life Changing Bible Study
You don’t need seminary training to lead a great Bible study. All you need is some planning and a few tools.

The 4 Do’s and Don’ts for Children’s Ministry Safety Awareness
Here are 4 do’s and 4 don’ts of safety awareness for your church and your children’s ministry....

Thursday's Catch: 'The Story of Thanksgiving' And More

The Story of Thanksgiving
Every fourth Thursday of November, Americans everywhere, whether in the US or overseas mark Thanksgiving. This is the story....

How to Inspire More People to Give Thanks to God
It’s been said that missions exists because worship doesn’t. That is to say, because so many people don’t yet have a personal relationship with Jesus, out of which praise and worship naturally flow, we keep going with the good news to as many people as possible.

An Anglican Guide to Safeguarding Across Cultures
An Anglican Communion commission has issued Safe Church: How to Start, a 27-page booklet responding to a need expressed at the 2022 Lambeth Conference for basic, practical guidelines on addressing complaints of abuse, and on creating a culture of safety.

The Pioneering of Free Online Learning for Christian Ministry
Rev Henry Reyenga, a trailblazing advocate for online learning for ministry preparation, recently delivered an inspiring faith message in Watford, north of London, as part of a series of motivational speaking engagements held during the autumn.

Church's AI Experiment Gets a 'Meh'
Artificial intelligence technology, the subject of buzz and anxiety at the moment, has made its way to religion circles. Pastor Jay Cooper, who heads Violet Crown City Church, a United Methodist congregation in Austin, Texas, took AI out for a spin recently at his Sept. 17 worship service. The verdict? Interesting, but something was missing.

How to Pray for Wisdom
What is wisdom and how do we attain it? Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge and sound judgment in such a way that glorifies God. We develop wisdom by knowing the Bible and by relying on the Holy Spirit to help us correctly live it out. Through prayer, we ask God to guide our study of his word and to show us how to put what we read into practice.

The Impact of Social Media on Youth Mental Health
"We do not have enough evidence to determine if social media is safe for children and adolescents."

Does the Bible Demand the Disciplinary Smacking of Children?
It seems smacking (or, to use the American, spanking) has reared its head in Christian circles again.

Thanksgiving at All Hallows (Thursday, November 23, 2023) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thanksgiving at All Hallows.

Whether we spend Thanksgiving Day with family or friends or by ourselves, God will be present with us. God will be our companion. The word “companion” is middle English in origin, derived from Old French compaignon, which is literally “one who breaks bread with another.” It in turn is based on the Latin com- “together with” plus panis “bread.”

Our Lord broke bread with his disciples and others on numerous occasions. The two disciples whom he joined on the road to Emmaus recognized him in the breaking of the bread. He promised to be with his disciples to the end of time and that promise was made to us too. We can be assured that he will be a guest at our table on this day. Let us make him welcome.

Reading 1 Thessalonians 5: 12-22

Message: The Precious Gift of Hope

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2023/11/thanksgiving-at-all-hallows-thursday.html

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

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

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Wednesday's Catch: 'The Top Ten Misaligned Priorities in Struggling Churches' And More

The Top Ten Misaligned Priorities in Struggling Churches
Churches decline for two main reasons—both having to do with a shift in priorities. First, they lose passion for the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. Second, as a result, they no longer give God glory. When a church no longer pushes outward with the gospel, the people will no longer look upward to God’s glory. A church lacking both an outward and upward perspective will inevitably move in the other two directions: inward and downward. Inward churches always decline. Misaligned priorities happen over time, and they pile up on each other. What do they look like in a church?

Why Cool Church Doesn’t Work Anymore (and 5 Things That Do)
Everything has its season. And the season of the cool church is, in many ways, coming to an end.

How to Cultivate a Grateful Church
Cultivating a grateful church begins with you and your own practice of thanksgiving, specifically what you say and what you do.

Generosity and the Brain
In this post Charles Stone explains two significant processes in our brains that influence generosity: the sense of reward we personally experience when we give and the empathy we feel toward the recipient of our gifts.

Before You Go On the Attack
...a classic strategy in times of church conflict or theological debate is to demean the person who believes what you do not. Even if you do not quite regard the other person as an animal, you can regard him as a heretic or an enemy of the faith, as something other than a Christian. If the strategy of military leaders is to make their soldiers regard the enemy as less than human, the strategy of many believers is to regard their theological enemies as less than Christian. After all, the Bible provides clear instructions about the love, respect, and honor we owe to our fellow Christians. We permit ourselves to circumvent such instructions when the other person is an apostate or unbeliever.

5 Tips For Rehearsing Great Worship Song Outros
How do we rehearse song outros? Song outros provide transitions for your worship set, as they are the finish of a song that anticipates the beginning of the next. Outros are crucial for maintaining an atmosphere of worship for your congregation as the set progresses song to song. Here are five tips for rehearsing the “tail” of your worship songs – the outros.

Intercessory Prayer for Christians
Many of us have prayer lists for our daily devotions like the prayer lists of our parish for the Prayers of the People. But that is often the extent of it: mentioning the names and perhaps the plight of those who need our prayers and those we love. A vocation to intercessory prayers includes offering payers for other people, whose names have been given to us, even those who are unknown to us.

3 Secrets of Best Practices for Church Websites
Whether you’re building a church website for the first time or updating it for the 10th time, you might feel in over your head. There is a lot to keep in mind when it comes to building a truly great church website. But for now, focus on best practices for church websites big-picture guidelines, and you’ll be much closer to a church website that is welcoming to visitors, helpful for members, and true to your church.

Social media graphics from UM News
UM News shares stories and information daily on our social media channels. We also provide memes based on the United Methodist lectionary.

The United Methodist Lectionary is the Revised Common Lectionary used in the churches of a number of denominations.

Small Group Purposes During the Holidays
We all know that with the holidays approaching, our schedules get very busy – for everyone. However, we shouldn’t let the busy-ness stop our Small Groups from fulfilling our purposes. If we’re intentional, December can be a month full of meaningful celebrations, worship, service, learning, and outreach. Below are 5 ways fulfill your small group purposes together during the holiday months, despite busy schedules. 

When a Friendship Falls Apart: Finding God’s Path for Healing, Forgiveness, and (Maybe) Help Letting Go
Even in the closest friendships, sometimes hurt happens. Misunderstanding. Distance. Disagreement. Even betrayal and deceit. Perhaps you have experienced this kind of anguish, this kind of brokenness, firsthand. The loss can be staggering, a blow not only to your happiness and way of life but also to your confidence and sense of identity. The pain may haunt you for years to come.

Over 7,000 churches have left the UMC amid homosexuality schism
The number of congregations that have left the United Methodist Church amid the schism over the denomination's stance on homosexuality has passed the 7,000 mark. Over the weekend, the number of churches that have disaffiliated from the UMC since 2019 reached 7,286, according to UM News, with over 5,200 leaving this year alone.