Wednesday's Catch: “Church Renewal in a Changing World” And More

“Church Renewal in a Changing World” featuring Lovett H. Weems Jr. and Allen T. Stanton
Is the future of the church dependent on institutional growth, or is faithful discipleship the key? In this episode, Jonathan Page is joined by Allen Stanton and Lovett Weems, author of An Aura of Hope: United Methodism’s Next Chapter in the United States, to discuss the future of Methodism, the strengths of small and rural congregations, and how churches can thrive by focusing on discipleship, mission, and community impact rather than simply chasing growth.

Episcopal, United Methodist, and other mainline churches share similar characteristics and face similar challenges--aging congregations, declining attendance, shared or no clergy, denominational or diocesan (or equivalent) priorities that place unrealistic demands upon smaller churches or affect their public image and create barriers between them and the community

Be Undeniable: A Christian Alternative to Engaging In the Culture Wars
The world isn’t looking for someone to win the latest debate in the culture war. They’re looking for an alternative to the whole mess.

Are Americans actually getting dumber? Here's what we know about the reverse Flynn effect
Just over a hundred years ago, the Binet IQ test was developed in France and soon after, brought to the United States, where it was given to public school kids, physicians, and immigrants at Ellis Island.

From the 1930s, IQ scores seemed to be inching up – with each new generation scoring a little higher than the last. Throughout the 20th century, average intelligence scores rose by about 3 points a decade, even when researchers used different tests and metrics...

It was expected that this increase would keep going, even if at a slower pace, as humanity advanced.

And then people started getting 'dumber'.

Why are so many young women leaving Mormonism?
More than half of young adult women who grew up LDS have now left. Many are reacting against politics, purity culture and powerlessness.

Three ways to know I am a real Christian
It is a common question from earnest and sincere people: how can I know I am a Christian? There are all sorts of answers we might give, some probably more helpful than others. But it would make most sense to look at the scriptures and see some of the signs it would highlight. So, to that end, here are three biblical signs that you are a genuine Christian.

Also See: Struggle Against Sin Doesn’t Signal Defeat

The Wise Sage: The Pastor-Administrator
Three and a half years ago, I received a text from a good friend. “You treading water yet?” he asked.

You see, I was about six months into my role as rector of a small and struggling parish, and my friend—a rector on the other side of town, serving a parish marginally larger & “healthier” than my own—knew from his own experience how overwhelming this work can be. Wonderful & deeply satisfying, yes … but also at times overwhelming.

AI Is Changing Discipleship in Ways Most Churches Haven’t Considered
You know this as a preacher: Patience is a Christian virtue, something you’re probably working on, and something you encourage people to develop.

Well, welcome to the age of AI, which brings with it a host of new challenges. Like this one. AI answers every question instantly. God, as you know, sometimes doesn’t answer at all.

That gap is about to become one of the biggest discipleship challenges the church has faced.

Why Disciple Making is the Best Leadership Development Strategy
Jesus never recruited leaders, but He did make disciples. The greatest leadership development system the church has is the Great Commission.

Small Group Participation Linked to Higher Discipleship Scores
U.S. Protestant churchgoers who regularly attend a small group Bible study, such as Sunday School, have the highest discipleship scores.

The optimal size for a small group is 5 to 7 People. A group larger than 12 people is no longer a small group and the dynamics that make a small group effective will no longer work. Sunday School classes from what I have observed frequently exceed 12 people and the dynamics that make a small group effective are missing. To benefit from small group dynamics a large Sunday School class will need to be reorganized into smaller groups of the optimal size. Members of the class are likely to resist such a reorganization. One option is to have the small groups formed from the class to meet periodically as a large group to socialize over a meal.

Why We Still Believe in Short-Term Mission Trips for Churches
Josh and Sam discuss why churches should still believe in short-term mission trips when they are approached with the right biblical purpose and practical care. While these trips are sometimes criticized for being expensive, shallow, or more about the travelers than the mission field, they can still be powerful tools for gospel partnership, spiritual growth, and leadership development. When done well, short-term trips do not replace long-term missions. They support and strengthen missions, and help churches cultivate a deeper heart for the nations.

Image Credit: Trinity Episcopal Church, Fulton KY

Tuesday's Catch: 'What You Need to Know about Staffing Your Church' And More

What You Need to Know about Staffing Your Church
Jess and Thom welcome Matt Steen, Co-Founder of Chemistry Staffing, to The Church Answers Podcast.

The Great Volunteer Burnout Problem
Thom and Jess discuss why so many church volunteers are burned out and how leaders can better care for them.

Growing interest in Christianity reported among UK military personnel
Rising numbers of baptisms, growing chapel attendance and greater demand for Bibles are pointing to increased openness to Christianity among military personnel.

Also See: Is spiritual revival stirring in Britain’s Armed Forces?

Airline Boots Evangelist After She Proselytizes Plane Passengers
One week after the Washington Post wrote about the trend of in-flight evangelism, preacher Whitney Lynn was escorted off an Alaska Airlines flight after addressing passengers with a religious message.

While preaching to a captive audience like the passengers on an airplane in flight may be gratifying to the preacher, I question its effectiveness as a method of evangelism. Lynn was preaching AT the other passengers, not TO them. Her motives are open to question. What she was doing has the marks of being self-serving: she was drawing attention to herself and making herself feel good, but whether her message was reaching receptive ears is an entirely different matter.

The liturgy wars are back. Spoiler: They never left.
As prominent prelates clash over the traditional Latin Mass, Pope Leo XIV’s response may reveal his deepest instincts about authority, unity and tradition.

Inclusivity Brings Church Back from the Brink
Glendale United Methodist Church is a living example of how a congregation can thrive in the 2020s.

From 12-25 people attending Sunday services nine years ago, the church has grown to about 125 people at worship today.

The church is well known for its inclusivity, especially of the LGBTQ community.

This article is one of the ways that the more progressive element of the United Methodist Church promotes greater inclusivity in US United Methodist annual conferences, districts, and local churches. Nashville, Tennessee, however is a major city with a growing, diverse population and an LGBTQ community, demographic factors that contributed to Glendale's growth in attendance. What works in Nashville will not work in a small, relatively conservative and homogeneous rural community like Almo, Kentucky. The local United Methodist church has disaffiliated from the denomination.

The Episcopal Church has five churches in the Jackson Purchase. (The denomination did have six churches but the sixth church was forced to close due to its poor location, a clergy-community mismatch, and a subsequent decline in attendance.) Only one of the five churches has a full time pastor. It is located in Paducah, the largest city in the region. A second church, located in the university town of Murray, did have a full time pastor who doubled as a university campus minister but he moved on. The church has been limping along without a pastor since his departure, supplied by retired clergy two Sundays of the month.

The Impact of Disaffiliation after Two Years
When I began considering a book about United Methodism’s next chapter in the United States, it was clear that the impact of disaffiliation was a central reality that conferences and congregations were having to engage. The tragedy of disaffiliation was disastrous for the denomination as a whole as it dominated the attention of leaders at all levels for multiple years. The results have left wounds and disappointments that may never heal...

One Consequence of Methodism's Pilgrimage to Respectability
United Methodism has had its share of divisions since its beginning in the United States as the Methodist Episcopal Church. No division has a single cause even if there is a prominent presenting issue. Often conventional wisdom associates one or more theological or social issues with the controversy and departure of some. The chart above gives some examples from selected divisions.

It is noteworthy to compare the issues associated with divisions with other issues that at one time were extremely contentious, at least for a significant portion of the denomination. We also notice from the chart below how some issues that are controversial in one era cease to be in later times.

Silence Informs Ron Clingenpeel’s Vibe
Years before he was the Very Rev. Ron Clingenpeel, he entered General Theological Seminary in New York City. On his first day in Evensong, the chapel fell silent after the first reading.

“Nobody did anything. There was like two or three minutes of silence,” he said. “It was scary as hell. Was I supposed to do something or was somebody waiting for me? It didn’t take me long to learn to appreciate those periods of silence and quiet.”

Quiet Times: One User’s Humble Guide
The children’s song goes, “read your Bible, pray every day, and you will grow, grow, grow.” And I don’t think there’s a Christian anywhere who doesn’t desire to grow, grow, grow. But what if you don’t know how to read your Bible? What if you don’t know how to pray? Despite having heard people talking about their “quiet times” or devotional reading, what if you aren’t sure what those look like? What if you’ve been a believer for many years, only you still wonder how others spend time with the Lord?

Thankfully, there isn’t only one “right way” to spend time with God. In some ways, you can’t really go wrong simply reading his word and speaking to him in prayer. But in this article, I’m going to offer a practical, guided tour to one approach to spending time with God. I’ve also provided lots of links to helpful resources throughout.

Monday's Catch: 'How Many Unchurched People Live Near Your Church?' And More

How Many Unchurched People Live Near Your Church? Now You Can Know Exactly (And Their Receptivity!)
Most church leaders know there are unchurched people in their community. But how many are there? And how receptive are they to the church? Now you can know exactly how many unchurched adults live within any specified drive time from your church location.

The Church Answers Unchurched Receptivity Report is brand new and an excellent resource for any church. In fact, we believe every church in America should know the number of unchurched adults in their community and their receptivity levels.

Having some idea of how receptive the unchurched population of your community is will make the task of reach them and engaging them less daunting. A church will be able to tailor its evangelistic approach to the different receptivity groups identified in the community.

Neurodivergent Church Leaders Welcome Mullally’s Remarks
Two neurodivergent church leaders advocating for their communities in the Episcopal Church and the Church of England were encouraged to hear Archbishop Sarah Mullally speak publicly about her dyslexia during the General Synod earlier this month.

Neurodiversity Ministries Blossom from Deep Listening
In recent years, awareness and acceptance of neurodiversity—the reality that people’s brains develop and function in different ways—has grown significantly. Often associated with conditions like autism and ADHD, neurodivergence reflects a wide spectrum of human experience. Yet the church has not always embraced these differences as part of the diversity of Christ’s body, at times lacking understanding or even causing harm.

Increasingly, congregations are recognizing a call to more faithful ministry with and by neurodivergent people, creating communities that are not only more inclusive, but more whole. St. Luke UMC in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and Haddonfield UMC in New Jersey are two of those congregations.

Rooted in What Lasts: Identity Beyond Disability
Almost all the time, I’m just another guy. Then, in brief but recurring moments, I’m the guy who talks funny, who’s different, who’s disabled.

Do you really see those around you?
Those with disabilities are all around you. From the visible disabilities like those with mobility challenges to the invisible disabilities often ignored, undiagnosed, or mislabeled. I am not asking you to become a doctor or to try and diagnose everyone but you need to see everyone made in the image of God for who they are.

A Liturgy With a Pause—for the Killing
Picture this scene: A person is sitting in a room. A member of the clergy is with them, offering them communion, with the classic formulation: “The body of Christ (given for you). The blood of Christ (shed for you).” Some other prayers are said. A few moments later, a nurse or doctor administers a lethal injection, killing the person.

Is this a scene from some disturbing dystopian movie? Sadly, no—it is the disturbing reality of the state of the Anglican Church of Canada.

Deadly attack on Ethiopian monastery condemned
A drone strike on an Ethiopian Orthodox monastery during a worship service has reportedly killed two nuns and six priests.

The attack on Abbay Giyorgis St Arsema Unity Monastery in Ethiopia’s Amhara Region took place on 22 July and left many others injured, prompting international condemnation.

Church elder, worship leader killed by Islamic extremists in the DRC
Suspected fighters from the Allied Democratic Forces, an Islamic terror group active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, killed over a dozen people, including a church elder and worship leader, during attacks on the Christian commune of Mangina. Other residents were wounded, homes were set on fire and one person was reported missing.

The assailants carried knives and firearms and moved through Mangina intending to kill residents and destroy their homes, the U.S.-based persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) quoted Mangina Mayor Nicolas Kambale as saying.

Deadly distortions of Christianity in Africa
The groups examined in this piece are particularly extreme and shocking examples: the so-called ‘Holy Spirit Movement’ (HSM) and the better-known, and infamous, ‘Lord’s Resistance Army’ (LRA). While both of these are from Africa, syncretism is not limited to any one continent, culture or period of time, although context always informs the way that such phenomena develop.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Enlist Thousands for Bible Studies in South Africa
Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to have enlisted over 10 thousand people for Bible studies in remote villages of South Africa during five weeks of a special house-to-house preaching campaign.

Opinion: Inside Christian nationalists’ war on religious freedom
Earlier this year, a presidential commission staffed almost entirely by conservative Christians urged Americans to rethink the separation of church and state and build “bridges” between them. Last week, the Department of Justice directed federal agencies to expand protections for religious expression in public employment, military service, education, healthcare and federal contracting.

These policies reflect the influence of Christian nationalism, a movement predicated on the belief that the United States is divinely chosen,” the New Testament should shape government policies, and white Christians should dominate American culture.

The Main Reason People Don’t Become Church Members
Church membership should not consist of rules to keep people out, but ramps to help people grow.

Church Planting Like a Missionary Leader Guide
This Leader Guide is designed to help pastors and ministry leaders facilitate meaningful conversations alongside the Church Planting Like a Missionary course. Through discussion questions, practical reflection, and guided application, it equips leaders to disciple prospective church planters, residents, and other emerging leaders as they discern God’s calling and prepare for the journey of planting healthy, mission-focused churches.

5 Good Questions to Assess Your Volunteer Teams
How would you assess the strength of your volunteer teams?

Three Things You're Getting Wrong About Religion Data
oday’s post is going to be a bit different than the usual stuff you get on my newsletter. Instead of just focusing on a single question and making a bunch of graphs that try to figure out that causal puzzle, I am going to share a few things that I’ve learned after doing this kind of work for the last ten years.

3 Gifts We Need to Discern Truth
God cares about truth to such a degree that it is part of His identity, work, and the overall expression of His will.

Self-Care is an Act of Faith
Dr. Dontá McGilvery argues that self-care is more than a personal wellness practice. For pastors, ministry leaders, and church members alike, making time for rest is an act of faith that reflects trust in God’s provision rather than our own endless striving.

Gutting Old Books to Feed AI: What Could Go Wrong?
AI companies are using physical books to train them for their large language models since these texts aren’t already ridden with AI-generated writing. What better place to look for pure human language than in rare books?

The books, however, are essentially destroyed by the cutting machines employed to get at the text...

To my way of thinking this is very shortsighted as is the practice of pulling books off library shelves and discarding them because electronic editions are on the internet. AI and computers run on electricity. No electricity, no AI or computers. We should be preserving printed books as a backup system in the event of a major, long-term or permanent blackout due to unusual solar activity, depletion of fossil fuels, or war. A printed book can be read by candlelight!

Why AI is far from divine
Churches aren’t immune to AI’s increasing popularity. Pope Leo has just advised his priests not to use it to write their sermons. I’d say that’s sound advice for preachers from any denomination.

He told them, “Like all the muscles in the body, if we do not use them, if we do not move them, they die. The brain needs to be used, so our intelligence must also be exercised a little so as not to lose capacity.”

To give a true sermon, the Pope explained, “is to share faith,” something AI would never be able to do.

He advised preachers, “people want to see your faith, your experience of having known and loved Jesus Christ.”

Identifying the Right and Wrong Motivations for Being a Missionary
While our motives will never be totally pure or stable, there are some priorities we should have as we assess what is primarily driving a person to missions. In this brief article I want to highlight two wrong motivations that I see all too often. The first is guilt and the second is pride. Finally, lest we spend all of our time focused on what is wrong, let me conclude with a series of rightly ordered motivations for desiring to serve among the nations.

15 Recommended Resources for Equipping Individuals and Churches to Do Evangelism
It’s no secret that many evangelicals struggle with doing evangelism. In fact, many will never share their faith with anybody. Because of Church Answers’ commitment to help churches recommit to evangelism, I’m offering this list of practical resources that may help you and your church re-invest in this task...

Mainliners also struggle with evangelism. In the Episcopal Church I heard a retired Episcopal priest preach not too long ago, "Episcopalians don't do evangelism." It is this negative attitude toward evangelism perpetuated by Episcopal clergy that Episcopalians must overcome along with the lack of training, leadership, and experience in evangelism.

Sundays at All Hallows (August 2, 2026) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

Beginning this Sunday, the Ninth Sunday after Trinity, we will be switching back to the order of service for Festal Morning Prayer for the remainder of Trinitytide. The order of service we are using is adapted from that of Morning Prayer in An Australian Prayer Book (1978).

In this Sunday’s message we will be taking a look at Matthew’s account of the feeding of the five thousand, and its meaning and implication for contemporary Christians and those exploring the Christian faith.

Readings: Isaiah 55: 1-5, Romans 9: 1-5, and Matthew 14: 13-21

Message: An Unexpected Evening Meal on the Grass

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/08/sundays-at-all-hallows-august-2-2026.html

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Young Christians are sharing their faith with confidence and hope, survey suggests' And More

Young Christians are sharing their faith with confidence and hope, survey suggests
Young Christians across the UK are actively sharing their faith and remain optimistic that others are open to hearing about Jesus, according to new research from the Evangelical Alliance.

The organisation’s ‘Faith in Action’ report, based on a survey of 611 Christians aged 18 to 34 conducted earlier this year, paints a picture of a generation deeply involved in church life while confidently engaging with the wider culture and speaking about their beliefs.

Church of England 'thrilled' as cathedral attendance rises for fifth year running
Attendance at Church of England cathedrals rose for the fifth year in a row in 2025, with Sunday services enjoying particularly strong growth among adults.

In Defense of the Abuja Affirmation
Iam grateful for the irenic article that the Rev. Dr. Matthew Olver published on Covenant on April 13, 2026, where he engages theologically with the Abuja Affirmation.

As a participant in the G26 Assembly in Abuja in March, I have a good idea of what was achieved in that extraordinary gathering, which was a celebration of the Global Anglican Communion launched by the Gafcon primates on October 16, 2025.

The heart of the issue that Gafcon has been addressing since its 2008 inaugural assembly in Jerusalem is the authority of Scripture in its plain, canonical sense.

Poll shows drop in support for same-sex marriage in the US
A new poll shows reduced support for same-sex marriage compared to other recent surveys, as multiple polls that have found a supermajority of Americans back same-sex marriage continue to record declines from the record highs measured in recent years.

No country for ugly babies
Surrogacy contracts reduce children to the status of baked goods we can reject because they don’t look right.

Progressive National Baptist young people see signs of welcome but seek less judgment
‘I feel like also seasoned adults complain about what we're wearing,’ said one teen about her historically Black denomination.

Finding fault with the younger generations is not a particularly Black or Christian characteristic. It has a long history going back to ancient times and is a favorite pastime of older people.

After SSPX schism, some Catholics urge greater access to the older Latin Mass
Many of the 2% of U.S. Catholics who attend the traditional Latin Mass weekly surmount considerable obstacles, like long drives and disapproval from the Catholic hierarchy, to attend.

Communion Forest marks fourth birthday as global Anglican creation-care movement grows
Four years on from a single tree planted at the Lambeth Conference, the Communion Forest now stretches from mangroves and meadows to prayer gardens and prairies – and a new A to Z gathers its stories from Australia to Zimbabwe.

Reverence in Worship
A few years ago, I spoke with a college senior about his recent conversion from Evangelicalism to Catholicism. One of the reasons he gave was the reverence he witnessed during Mass. Many other young adults share his sentiment and have acted similarly.[1] Their departure offers a helpful critique of what is lacking in many churches today.

The Octogenarian YouTube Pastor: Mike Bayer on Building an Online Brand, Senior Ministry, and More (Ep 133)
“Why do you want to do a YouTube channel? What are you gonna share? Pick your message, pick your purpose, pick your why.”

Why did a pastor say he almost died from listening to a chatbot?
A chatbot functions as a mirror — not a true spiritual guide.

VOICES: 3 warnings every Christian needs before asking AI spiritual questions
My friends, imagine a child walking into a vast library at midnight.

There are millions of books. There are flashing screens. There are voices answering every question instantly. But no librarian. No pastor. No shepherd. No one to say, “This is truth,” and, “That is error.”

That is the world many Christians are entering when they bring spiritual questions to artificial intelligence.

Friday's Catch: "The Myth of the 'Stable Church'" And More

The Myth of the “Stable Church”
Many congregations are asking what faithful ministry looks like in a time of change and uncertainty. Lovett H. Weems Jr. explores recent research on church attendance while challenging the notion that stability should be the church’s primary goal. Instead, he calls congregations to reclaim an outward-focused mission by building relationships with the people God has placed in their communities.

A United Methodist Call to Healthy Aging
The United States is growing older at an unprecedented rate, and The United Methodist Church has a role to play, writes a retired pastor.

The U.S. debate around immigration policy raises questions about who will provide the care needed for older Americans. Many professional caregivers are immigrants, including thousands from Haiti and other nations.

The church can advocate for policies that preserve human dignity while also preparing congregations to become communities where older adults flourish.

The United Methodist Church is not the only denomination with aging congregations. Nor are aging congregation confined to mainline churches.

A record-challenging heat dome is about to bake the West with the summer’s hottest temperatures so far
An unusually strong heat dome will scorch much of the western United States this weekend, bringing the hottest temperatures so far this year to tens of millions from California to Canada.

Dozens of record highs are expected to fall in at least 12 states in the West through the weekend with nearly 50 million people under heat alerts.

American Red Cross declares second-ever national blood supply crisis
The American Red Cross has declared the second-ever national blood supply crisis after blood donations fell to a four-year summer low.

On Monday, the 145-year-old non-profit said that as the United States’ largest single provider of blood products, it now has less than one-day national supply of type O positive blood – the most commonly transfused blood.

America doesn’t have a political divide—it has a conflict problem
As the country heads into the 2026 midterm elections, Americans are bracing for another season of political combat. Candidates promise to heal divisions, pundits warn of rising extremism, and voters prepare for months of relentless messaging.

Yet beneath all the campaign noise lies a deeper problem the election cannot fix: we have lost the ability to disagree without turning one another into adversaries. Until we relearn how to navigate conflict, every headline and every political clash will reinforce the false belief that our fellow citizens are enemies rather than people with whom we must learn to coexist.

Experts find what prompts conspiracy theorists to act on their beliefs
What turns a conspiracy theory into an action?

There are three characteristics that can determine when these beliefs are likely to shape real-world behavior, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg Public Policy Center shared this week.

Unique Church Leadership Lessons from the Book of Ezra You Haven't Heard
Pastors often look to the book of Nehemiah for practical lessons on leadership. However, in times of rebuilding and revitalization, we should not overlook the book of Ezra, with its story of the rebuilding of the temple. Ken Roach, Vice President of Innovation at Wesley Biblical Seminary, joins Sam to share the three “royal decrees” found there and how they translate into leadership principles every rebuilder needs to consider.

Lay Preacher’s Conference
The Episcopal Lay Preaching Network’s National Conference serves lay preachers from across the Episcopal Church in the US, Canada, and Europe. This includes current lay preachers, lay preachers in training, and other diocesan staff/clergy who support them.

The annual gathering is an opportunity for Episcopal lay preachers to gather in community with one another for fellowship, learning and advocacy. Through keynotes, workshops, worship, preaching groups, and community events, participants will grow their confidence and skills for the task of lay preaching, and connect with others engaged in this holy work.

Alisa Childers: Not All Christian Music Is Actually Christian
Alisa Childers spent years on stage with ZOEgirl before she became one of the more recognized voices warning Christians to slow down and think about what they sing. The former CCM artist turned apologist says a song earning a “Christian” label often comes down to a business decision, not a theological one. Her point for worship leaders and parents alike: don’t hand over your discernment just because a track showed up on a Christian playlist.

Brian Doerksen gave evangelicalism its soundtrack but not its current theology
Today's evangelical worship culture often reflects a very different vision of God than the one Doerksen’s songs proclaimed.

Don’t Treat AI as Your Pastor
A tool that appears to understand us and responds quickly can easily lead us to believe we’ve received genuine spiritual help.

AI is good at offering comfort, but it rarely truly urges us to repent.

Anthropic AI models hacked three companies during tests
Anthropic said Thursday that software it was testing got onto the internet and hacked unsuspecting companies without the AI-maker’s knowledge in three separate incidents dating back to April.

The artificial-intelligence vendor didn’t say which companies had been hit, but all three were notified of the incident on Monday, Anthropic said.

How a Google Voice Number Transformed My Youth Ministry
My students can ask an AI their theological questions. But while I cannot compete with the speed and thoroughness of a machine, a machine can’t compete with the fact that I am human and it is not.

6 Back-to-School Conversation Starters
As teenagers drag themselves out of summer and into their next school year, they have a lot on their mind. I want to access all of that “seismic activity of the soul” so that I avoid coming off like I’m interrogating them with tired conversation starters.

Instead, I gently prompt them to think beyond surface conversations. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with: “How was your summer?” or “Remind me again…what school will you be at this fall?” or “Are you gonna go out for [sports/band/drama]?” But let’s not be afraid to go deeper, using surprising questions to invite them into a more substantial conversation. Try these conversation starter ideas!

Getting Ready for the School Year
It’s time again to get ready for the school year!

No doubt you’re already laying the groundwork for fall meetings and finalizing those calendars to get in parents’ hands. You’re busily preparing for an influx of students and new challenges ahead. But as you’re getting ready for the school year, have you thought about how the changes will impact your family? It’s a crucial thing to consider, yet many of us forget how this change affects our personal schedules and relationships.

Thursday's Catch: 'Are you ready to offer welcome?' And More

Are you ready to offer welcome?
As Thom Rainer drew to our attention his article, "Why 'Friendly Church' Is No Longer Enough;" in today’s culture, friendliness is expected. Guests will visit your website and view the livestream and videos of your church's service before they decide to pay your church a visit. Their initial impression of the church will determine whether they pay you a return visit - what happens in the first 10 seconds after they step through the front door, assuming that they make it to the front door.

Words Are Very Unnecessary
Stephen McAlpine explains why we're not talking as much as we used to and why that's a problem.

Helping Young Adults Build Faith That Lasts
I grew up in church.

Some of my earliest memories are of Sunday school classrooms, Bible stories, worship services, and watching faithful men and women love Jesus. The church wasn’t simply where my family spent Sundays; it shaped my life and became the place where I first encountered the gospel.

Yet there was a season when I nearly walked away.

Most of the content of this article is on the second page due to poor formatting!

When Should We Just Call Young Adults ‘Adult-Adults’?
Young adults ministry, like all targeted ministries, needs to be conscious of the theological and practical risks of the homogeneous unit principle... However, if we accept that targeted ministries can have a healthy place in church life, there are some potential negative consequences in stretching the age-range of ‘young adult’ too wide, and investing in specialist ministry to this broad cohort.

It’s time to talk about domestic violence
Each time a major sporting event occurs, like the recent World Cup tournament, I see posts on social media about domestic violence.

Did you know domestic violence rates rise by 26% in UK homes each time England’s football team plays, and 38% when they lose? And roughly 10% in American homes each time an NFL team suffers an upset loss?

But domestic violence is not just a sports problem. It’s a big deal all the time, everywhere.

Who is missing in your church who is already there?
Why disability ministry is about more than accessibility—it's about helping people truly belong in the church.

Dioceses Form Eco-Region Networks
Twelve eco-region networks, spanning 55 of the 106 dioceses, have been established across the Episcopal Church – both domestically and internationally – as part of the Creation Care initiative.

The eco-region networks address environmental, climate, water, agriculture, food, and clean energy concerns, mostly specific to issues in each geographic area, and all are key aspects of the church’s commitment to creation care ministries.

The Back-to-School Checklist for Pastors (Prepping Your Church for Ministry to Parents & Children) 

In this episode, Josh and Sam explore how pastors can prepare their churches for one of the most strategic ministry seasons of the year: back-to-school. As families shift routines, students face new pressures, and parents feel the weight of another busy season, churches have a unique opportunity to serve, encourage, and disciple. A strong back-to-school plan is not about adding more activity to the calendar. It is about aligning ministries, equipping volunteers, and intentionally supporting parents as they lead their homes through a demanding season. 

Preaching: Beyond the Children's Sermon
Is the "children's sermon" helping—or hurting—intergenerational worship?

Peter Levenstrong suggests that separating children from the main sermon unintentionally teaches everyone that preaching isn't really for all ages.

His challenge: preach one sermon that welcomes every listener.

Do you agree?

I had a mixed reaction to this article. While I have advocated since the mid- 1980s for greater involvement of children in the worship, ministry, and life of the local church and wrote an occasional paper on the subject for my diocese's liturgy and music commission in 2000, I must question Levenstrong's contention that separating children from the main sermon unintentionally teaches everyone that preaching isn't really for all ages. I was trained as an educator and worked with children as a social worker for almost three decades. Children go through different developmental stages and learn differently at each stage. Different pedagogic methods are required at each stage. Designing a sermon tailored to a broad range of children's developmental stages and also to adults would be too greater challenge for most preachers. They might end up preaching a diet of pablum to their congregation that benefits neither the children nor the adults. From what I have also observed from livestreams, videos, and in person, the quality of a lot of Episcopal preaching is mediocre at best, indicating sermon preparation and presentation was not the preacher's strong point. Levenstrong's proposal strikes me as one of those bright ideas which, when they are implemented, often with a great deal of hoopla, do not accomplish what those who proposed them claimed they would.

Engage Teens with the Whole Bible
If you’re a parent or a youth leader, you may be daunted by the challenge of engaging teenagers with the Bible. We long for the teenagers we love to hear the voice of their Good Shepherd: “Abide in my word” (John 8:31). Still, this can feel increasingly difficult as the din of competing messages grows louder throughout adolescence.

Learning to love Scripture is the work of the Holy Spirit, but adults can show a little Spirit-inspired creativity to help spark curiosity, eagerness, and reverence in young readers. Here are some recommended practices from a longtime youth minister and a mom of grown kids.

10 Ways to Encourage Kids in Your Church to Read the Bible
Kids who regularly read the Bible growing up are more likely to become faithful believers as young adults. And your church can help them.

Biblical Respect in a Disrespectful Age
Sadly, in popular culture today there are few signs of what it means to respect other people. Whether it is between politicians, actors, and other media personalities, or between students and teachers, consumers of television and the internet seem to thrive on showcasing anger and insults to a world ready to glory in disrespect. For a Christian though, disrespect is unacceptable. We are to keep our emotions under control (e.g., Matt. 5:22; 2 Tim. 1:7) and show respect to others.

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (July 30, 2026) Is Now Online

 

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

In his parables Jesus took things from everyday life and used them to direct people’s attention to things of God. In the Parable of the Seine Net he used a scene from the daily lives of Galilean fishermen to teach the multitudes about Judgment Day. In this evening’s message we unpack that parable.

Readings: 1 Kings 3: 5-12; Matthew 13: 31-33, 44-52

Message: The Way of Righteousness

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/07/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows-july_0156103201.html

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wednesday's Catch: '10 Signs You Belong to a Healthy Church' And More

10 Signs You Belong to a Healthy Church
A crowded sanctuary does not prove a church is healthy. Neither does polished worship, a gifted preacher or a full ministry calendar.

The clearest signs of a healthy church are found below the surface. They show up in how leaders handle authority, how people treat one another, what gets preached and whether ordinary Christians are being equipped to follow Jesus outside the building.

Also See: Do Your Teenagers Have Gospel Fluency?

Dear Gen Z Pastor: 6 Traits of Our Generation and How They Affect Ministry
My older brother and sister are both Millennials (1981–1996). I, however, was born just in time to belong to Generation Z (1997–2012). Now, in 2026, Gen Z is squarely in the workforce and, increasingly, in ministry. I have been a senior pastor for three years and am at the very tip of the Gen Z iceberg. More Gen Z pastors are entering ministry each day.

Dear Gen Z Pastor, our generation is marked by many traits, some of which will directly impact the way you minister to your congregation. Understanding these traits can help you recognize both the opportunities and challenges they bring to ministry.

Equipping Your Church to See the Value of Membership
We must help Christians see the significance of their part in God’s design and why they should commit themselves in church membership.

‘A deal with the devil’: Religion motivates data center opponents in Texas
Some see the facilities’ construction as a sign of the apocalypse, while others see it as an opportunity to advocate for environmental stewardship.

Catholics aren’t consequentialists: Why the US must refuse war crimes in Iran
Some actions are so evil, so fundamentally at odds with the good, that they must never be done.

Who was St Olaf and how did he become patron saint of Norway?
29 July is St Olaf’s Day, the feast day of the patron saint of Norway. But who was St Olaf, and what do we know about him? This is the story...

Most Churchgoers Content With Congregation’s Worship Style
Even with wide differences across congregations, most attendees are content with their church’s worship style.

Faith Comes by Hearing: On the Word of God, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and Public Worship
What happens to our ears goes down deep into our hearts. And the Church yearns for this humble reception of her Lord. This is her very Life. That’s why it’s so important to fix your sound problems.

The surprising reason kids can't seem to read anymore
One of my daily challenges as a parent is getting my fourth grader to read for 30 minutes as part of her homework.

It’s not because she struggles with her reading skills; she actually reads well-above grade level. Like many kids of her generation, though, my daughter has zero interest in picking up a book. Why would she, when she’s got an iPad offering her nonstop entertainment via videos expertly designed for her short attention span?

Tuesday's Catch: 'Four Signs Your Church Is Ready for a Turnaround' And More

Four Signs Your Church Is Ready for a Turnaround
Thom identifies four signs that indicate a church may be ready to move from decline to renewal.

Why the Co-vocational Trend Is So Important
Thom opens with a reality many church leaders are already experiencing: the traditional fully funded pastorate is no longer the norm in many churches. Financial pressures, changing attendance patterns, and shifting expectations are forcing churches to rethink ministry models.

But this is not simply a problem to solve—it is an opportunity to steward. In this conversation, Thom talks with Dr. Andy Miller, the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary, about why the co-vocational trend is one of the most important developments in the future of the church and how it can actually strengthen gospel impact.

Inside the parish-led fight against a $123M ICE facility in Texas
The parishes that won Socorro, Texas, running water in the 1980s are now fighting ICE's plan to convert warehouses into a mega detention center. And the town's water system is at issue again.

Also See: Released Texas pastors say immigration agents threatened family separation

One year later, people of faith should reckon with Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
These policy choices are not merely budget decisions. They reveal our national priorities.

The hidden reality of appliance poverty
Cooking dinner in a microwave, using a neighbour’s washing machine or being unable to keep vital medication cold. These are just some of the situations that individuals and families find themselves in every day. White goods are essential for every home, but for many, when one breaks, or they move into a new property, affording them is out of reach.

This is also a problem in the United States. What resources are available to low income families varies from state to state, community to community.

God Told Me I Was to Come to Your Church Staff — and Other Crazy Stuff Like That
A minister of music once mailed me his resume with a note stapled to it. He’d been driving through my city, he wrote, when God told him he was about to become our next worship leader. I hadn’t opened a search. Nobody on staff had discussed a vacancy, because there wasn’t one. I wrote back and told him that as soon as the Lord told me the same thing, I’d be in touch.

That letter still bothers me. The man likely believed every word of it, and that’s exactly what makes “God told me” claims so hard to untangle. Sincerity and self-deception can look identical from the outside.

8 Things a Pastor Should Never Say From the Pulpit
Here are eight things a pastor should never say from the pulpit, and why each one costs more than it seems.

This historic divinity school is offering the first doctoral degree in ‘AI and Moral Agency’
Shaw University Divinity School hopes to be the first theological school accredited by the Association of Theological Schools to offer a doctoral degree in AI. Its first cohort begins in January.

Just 3 Things Families Need (and Want) From Your Ministry
Have you ever wondered why some families don’t attend church events as often as you’d hope? It’s easy to feel disheartened, but trust us, there’s a lot more going on behind the scenes in families’ lives. This article explores how ministry leaders can tune in to families’ needs and become even better faith formation teammates. We’ll look at the importance of being flexible and creative in our approach, and how small gestures can make a big difference in showing families that they’re valued and understood.

15 A+ Back-to-School Ideas for Children’s Ministry
These 15 A+ back-to-school ideas for children’s ministry will keep your kids from “checking out” at church!

Also See: Preschool and Early Elementary Message: Inviting Everyone

4 Keys to Preventing Children’s Ministry Burnout
I define volunteer burnout as a chronic emotional or spiritual state of exhaustion from prolonged ministry demands. Numerous factors can lead to this state of distress. So rather than trying to identify a list of causes, I want to highlight four ways children’s ministry directors can help prevent their teams from burning out.

Discipling a New Believer? Lay These 5 Foundations
In this article, I want to give you five foundation stones to lay down over five initial meetings with a new believer. I would encourage you to invite that new believer to commit to meeting once a fortnight five times to lay these foundations firmly in place.

A Muted World Requires Fresh Approaches to Evangelism
Followers of Jesus are called to be salt and light to the world, proclaiming the excellencies of his salvation to the nations. But how are we to speak this message to an accelerated world that’s moving too fast to hear anything?

Monday's Catch: "Why 'Friendly Church' Is No Longer Enough" And More

Why “Friendly Church” Is No Longer Enough
In today’s culture, friendliness is expected. It is no longer the factor that sets a church apart. Guests are not just looking for a warm welcome; they are looking for meaningful connection, clear purpose, and a place where they can belong.

A church can be friendly and still struggle to reach new people.

If we want to engage our communities more effectively, we must move beyond friendliness and toward something deeper, more intentional, and more transformative.

Dramatic Changes Are Ahead. The Small Church Can Guide Us.
Church leaders are facing huge demographic shifts, leading to smaller denominations, fewer resources, and leaner institutions. Allen T. Stanton gives us three lessons we can learn from small-membership congregations about how to flourish in a shifting landscape.

According to Ryan Burge's research, the number one factor predicting the future viability of a church is its ability to retain its children as they move into adulthood. How well a congregation does religious education and spiritual formation will determine whether its kids fall away from the faith when they become adults.

The Resilient Small Church
We often think of large churches as strong and small churches as weak. But Lovett H. Weems Jr. shares a powerful example of how size does not always bring resilience in the face of adversity. He explains how in some circumstances smaller churches can be less vulnerable and fragile than larger ones.

Detained pastor couple had religious worker visas, Assemblies of God leaders say
Pastor Nepthali Zozaya Saucedo, 36, said he and his wife, who came to the U.S. legally, were repeatedly pressured to sign voluntary departure papers but that they had refused.

ICE agents are least-trained law enforcement in America
Proper training and education for officers of the law should be mandatory for the safety of the public and our officers. However, ICE has made cuts to its required curriculum from an already short training program and failed to properly vet its officers.

Today, the quality of education and training received by people who want to make their way in the American workforce is expected to be as top tier in quality and as thorough as possible. This is true for doctors, firemen, lawyers and police officers, who are expected to responsibly carry firearms in public and deal with dangerous situations in a calm and capable manner on the regular.

But our federal government does not expect the same training and professionalism from agents of ICE.

Also See: Trump ‘border czar’ says ICE officer in Maine killing should not have cleared vetting

Warnock stumped by those who love Jesus but not the poor
Baptist preacher and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock said he is often stumped by evangelical Christians who claim to love Christ but blame the poor for being poor.

“I do not understand how it is that people who claim to be people of faith, people who say the name of Jesus more than anybody, the loudest voices of the Christian faith in our country, are often the meanest voices,” the Democrat from Georgia said during the 65th annual session of the Progressive National Baptist Convention in Washington, D.C.

The 1 thing cult experts want you to do when talking to your MAGA relatives
In an era where misinformation spreads faster than the truth, and political extremism often feels more like a full belief system than a policy stance, many of us have found ourselves in painfully surreal situations. Maybe it’s a relative who sends you a link to a fringe conspiracy site, or an old friend who insists the government is run by subterranean lizard people — and they mean it.

Often, these interactions aren’t just absurd or frustrating, they’re heartbreaking. How do you keep a relationship alive when someone you care about seems captured by a worldview that’s not only disconnected from reality, but openly hostile to yours?

America’s big cities are rapidly losing kids
With the nation’s fertility rate at record lows, the number of children under 18 is falling across the U.S. The decline is especially pronounced in big cities, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis.

The story of St Maughold, patron saint of the Isle of Man
St Maughold was the patron saint of the Isle of Man. But who was St Maughold, and what do we know about him? This is the story...

Lay Preacher Training Informational Webinar
The role of lay preacher has been an important part of the church from its earliest days. As the clergy shortage grows and churches are under increased financial strain, the need for licensed lay preachers grows each year.

Celebrating 500 Years of the English New Testament
Churches, cathedrals and Christian groups across England are marking the 500th anniversary of the first printed English New Testament. This is the story...

Do the Gospels Contain Eyewitness Testimony? An Overlooked Aspect of the Debate 

Since the Gospels are Greco-Roman biographies, we should not be surprised that their authors would want to include eyewitness testimony. After all, the principle that historical accounts should be based on eyewitness reports (either directly indirectly) was an established value among all the ancient historians ranging from Herodotus to Thucydides to Polybius and even to Josephus.

But the issue isn’t just whether they would have wanted to include such testimony, but whether reliable eyewitness testimony was readily available. Put in the form of a question, were there named individuals in the early Christian movement who were understood to have witnessed the events related to Jesus of Nazareth and were actively engaged in transmitting their testimony about those events?

AI is an evangelistic opportunity but Christians must shape its future, summit hears
Artificial intelligence is creating fresh opportunities for evangelism, but Christians must help shape the technology's future before it is defined by those with "very different values", leaders at the Missional AI Summit in London said.

Practicing Christians use AI more than most Americans, Barna finds
Practicing Christians are using artificial intelligence in both their work and personal lives more than most Americans, and nearly half of them say they would trust the technology with their spiritual growth, according to a recent survey from Barna Group.

The findings come from a survey of 1,514 U.S. adults conducted in November 2025 and another of 442 Protestant pastors conducted in December 2025. Researchers found that even though practicing Christians already use AI more than their pastors, they still want their guidance on engaging with the technology. Only a minority of pastors, around 12%, feel prepared to give guidance on using AI.

How to Start a Financial Discipleship Ministry in Your Church
Effective financial discipleship ministries create disciples who transform the world through stewarding their finances God’s way.

Image Credit: St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Pennington, New Jersey

Sundays at All Hallows (July 26, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Eighth Sunday after Trinity. This week has been a difficult one. Some parts of the country have experienced sweltering heat; others have experienced tornadoes, heavy rain, and catastrophic flooding. Yet the woes of nations around the world may eclipse those of the United States—war, famine, and an Ebola outbreak. Your prayers are asked for the people of the affected area in the United States and around the world for the restoration of peace between Russia and Ukraine and in the Mid East, and for all persecuted Christians.

The topic of this Sunday’s message in Jesus’ teaching concerning false prophets.

Readings: Jeremiah 23:16-24, 2 Peter 2:1-3, 13-22, and Matthew 7:15-21

Message: By Their Fruit You Shall Know Them

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/07/sundays-at-all-hallows-july-26-2026.html

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'How to Teach A New Hymn or Song to Your Congregation' And More

One way to beat the summer doldrums and to brighten church services on Sundays and other occasions is to introduce new hymns, worship songs, and service music. For example, have an old-fashioned hymn sing on a Sunday or weekday evening, followed by a meal and fellowship. Have the congregation sing for their supper. Sing congregational favorites and then introduce the new music. Be sure not to overwhelm the congregation with too much new music. Make it fun evening, one, however which emphasizes the importance of congregational singing to the worship of the church.

At St. Michael's we made enthusiastic congregational singing a priority, the kind of singing the late Howard Hanchey described as so enthusiastic that it knocks the church doors off their hinges. We selected hymns, worship songs, and service music that encouraged the congregation to do just that. No low drone at St. Michael's. We wanted St. Michael's to be a church known for its singing.

What I have observed from watching videos and livestreams of Episcopal church services and occasional visits to a local Episcopal church is the unimaginative use of music in the services and the lackluster quality of the congregational singing. In this issue of Anglicans Ablaze I  have posted links to a number of articles that can help a church improve the quality of its congregational singing. I am planning to post links to more articles in the near future, as well as several articles of my own. I have also posted links to Church Answer's latest Burge Report, two articles on silence, and four other articles.

How to Teach A New Hymn or Song to Your Congregation
Here are some practical considerations and suggestions for teaching a new hymn or song to your congregation...

Producing Pew Potatoes: Creating a Culture of Spectators
What is a “pew potato,” you may ask? It is a term I use to refer to a person in the church that takes on the characteristics of a “couch potato”–someone who sits on the pew in times of corporate worship and expects to be entertained without having to get involved in any way. Here is the sad truth: our churches, no matter the style of their worship, are producing and encouraging spectators in our corporate worship experiences to a large degree.

New Songs: A Worship Enhancer or Worship Killer?
Today’s post is my third installment discussing things we do to create a culture of spectators in our churches rather than creating an environment that helps people worship with heart, soul, mind, and strength in participatory worship. Be sure to read the last two week’s posts if you have not done so already.

Introducing New Songs
Last week, I continued my series on things we do to create spectators in our church rather than active, participative worshippers. I began my discussion of how new songs can be a worship enhancer or a worship killer. Be sure to take a look at that post if you have not yet done so.When new songs are first introduced, the people have to take their eyes off the Lord and concentrate on the task of learning the new tune. There are ways we can introduce new songs that reduce the negative impact and promote the tremendous positives.

9 Reasons People Aren’t Singing in Worship – Revisited and Updated
Ten years ago, I wrote the article, "9 Reasons People Aren’t Singing in Worship." Little did I know that this article would turn viral multiple times (in one day, over 100,000 people accessed the article), be published in eight languages, read in over 220 countries and territories, be viewed on this site over 1.5 million times, become the topic of podcasts and other’s blog posts and be republished on other platforms (with permission). Obviously, the content hit a nerve around the world. Worship leaders and people in the pew are realizing that there’s a great lack of participation in worship. I believe this article finally gave people some tangible understanding of why conditions of participatory worship had gotten so bad. Many of the people in the pews were saying when they read this, “YES. That is it. Finally, someone is voicing our concerns about congregational songs becoming less accessible to us.”

Nine Ways to Help Your Congregation Sing New Songs 

In my post further exploring Reason #1 of the "9 Reasons People Aren’t Singing in Worship," I stated:

The second most important concept to grasp is how we introduce new songs and the follow up to help them become part of the congregation’s vocabulary of worship.

Unfortunately, introducing new songs can kill worship. Therefore it is important that we introduce and reinforce new songs in a way that will quickly help people to make the new songs an expression of their worship. Here are nine ways to help your congregation become familiar with and sing the new songs you introduce to them...

Helping Your Congregation Sing!
Throughout Scripture, the command to sing is given to God’s people more than four hundred times. It is not an option, nor is it a recommendation. It is a command appropriate for everyone. The only requirement is to have a song to sing, and all Christians have a song to sing: the song of the redeemed. The great hymnist Isaac Watts said, “Let those refuse to sing who never knew our God.” We who do know God, who are redeemed, must never refuse to sing! There are no prerequisites to sing this song, other than to accept the redemption freely offered by God. When that occurs, God simply says, “Sing!”

Introducing Hymns to a Contemporary Congregation
I occasionally get questions about introducing hymns to congregations that do not sing them. Should a pastor introduce old hymns? And if so, how should we go about the process?

How do we introduce new music to our congregation?
The introduction of new music can be an energizing and enriching experience for a congregation, but for the music to be a benefit, those doing the introducing need to prepare carefully. First, it is important to know the congregation. Some congregations thrive on new hymns and easily accept a variety of liturgical settings. Others may find one new hymn every two or three months about all they can manage. Certainly a congregation’s tolerance for new things is an important guide for planning. Careful preparation with this guide in mind will help to smooth the way to successful introduction of new material.

The Burge Report: Why the 1990s Were the Most Consequential in Modern U.S. Religious History
The 1990s may have been the most pivotal decade for religious change in modern America. In this episode, we look at Ryan Burge’s analysis of young adults and the sharp rise of the religiously unaffiliated during those years. The surprising part of the story is that no single Christian tradition collapsed on its own. Evangelicals, mainline Protestants, Black Protestants, and Catholics all lost ground, while church attendance also weakened. The result was not just a momentary shift but a long-term realignment that still shapes the religious landscape today.

Faith is back in Democratic politics
After decades of watching Democrats dodge the God question, I think they finally have an answer.

Lay Preacher Training Informational Webinar
The role of lay preacher has been an important part of the church from its earliest days. As the clergy shortage grows and churches are under increased financial strain, the need for licensed lay preachers grows each year.

‘I Don’t Understand What I Read’: Bad Reasons We Neglect the Bible
This article recommends three strategies to help Bible readers overcome discouragement, dryness, and other defeaters to find consistent spiritual benefit from God’s word: Pray for illumination. Ask questions for insight. Consult study tools for instruction.

Worship in Silence
Silence is a precious commodity. We live in a noisy world. Not only do we have the sounds of automobiles and machinery in the streets, or the noises from computers and phones in our homes or offices. These beeps, clicks, bangs, and screeches are typical in our contemporary life. But there is also the noise of the human voice. Yes, it is most often words that are spoken. But how many words we must hear in a day! And how many of them are edifying or valuable? Our mass media and social media are constantly bombarding us with words, but so many words that we cannot possibly take them all in. Nor do we often take the time for stillness and silence in which to evaluate and consider them before new words are thrown at us.

Those of us who do manage to eke out some meaningful times of silence in our daily lives know that it is a great discipline to do so. And depending on one’s state in life it may be very difficult indeed. (I’m looking at you, parents of young children.) When we do find silence, it is almost always in solitude. When it comes to gathering in groups, silence is rarely on the agenda. Unless, that is, it is cultivated in a religious setting.

The Discipline of Silence in a World That Cannot Stop Talking 

The church cannot fix this well-trained hunger by merely padding the order of service with a minute of contemplative quiet. The problem runs deeper than scheduling. We have, by and large, lost the conviction that silence is a real spiritual discipline—one ordered not toward relaxation or mindfulness, but toward the knowledge of God.

How classical education can be an antidote to AI
AI is more likely to harm education than help it. Classical education will become ever more relevant.

Friday's Catch: 'Understanding Young Adult Journeys to Faith in the Church of England' And More

Young adults are finding faith online but it's personal relationships that bring them to church, report finds
Social media may be opening the door to Christianity for a growing number of young adults, but personal relationships are the "decisive factor" in leading many to church and to faith in Christ, according to a report commissioned by the Church of England.

"Understanding Young Adult Journeys to Faith in the Church of England" examines the stories of 30 young adults aged 18 to 30 who began attending Anglican churches for the first time during the five years following the Covid-19 pandemic.

The research, carried out on behalf of the Church by Theos think tank, paints a picture of a generation that is spiritually open and searching for answers.

Also See: New report explores young adult journeys to faith in the Church of England; Understanding Young Adult Journeys to Faith [Downloadable]

Is politics driving Gen Z away from church? New study raises questions
A new study has found that the close association between Christianity and US President Donald Trump has become a barrier to church attendance for many young adults, including a significant number who identify as Christians.

In 3 charts: White Christian nationalists’ love of ICE and concentration camps
As the empirical evidence for the threat white Christian nationalism presents to pluralistic democracy has mounted over the past decade, various insider defenders of conservative white Christianity — and even some mainstream white Christian theologians — have alleged the term is simply a cudgel. Those who qualify as Christian nationalists on public opinion surveys, they argue, only want to see a role for their faith in the public square.

According to these white Christian defenders, rather than capturing a genuine threat to democracy, Christian nationalism is a figment of the ungenerous imaginations of a woke secularist left.

The church's midlife crisis
Is your church having a bit of a midlife crisis? Is your church in the middle of a "What am I doing with my life?" existential dread? There is a minivan in my neighborhood with a bumper sticker that reads, "I'm not lost, I'm exploring." I suspect many of our churches would like to claim the same: kind of lost, not quite sure where we're going, and either in denial or completely oblivious.

How an Aging Church Can Reach Younger Families
Can an aging church grow younger? It can. The churches that pulled it off did not chase trends. They changed a handful of specific things, and those changes are worth copying.

Why People Leave the Church and How to Bring Them Back
Your neighbor used to sit a few rows back every Sunday. Now the car stays in the driveway. Ask why, and the reason is rarely the one you would guess. Most people who stop attending drifted during a busy season, moved to a new town, or got quietly worn down by something they saw. Here is the hopeful part. The research on people who have left points to a group that sits much closer to coming back than most churches assume.

Why Church Outreach Programs Fail: 7 Common Mistakes
A church can fill its calendar with outreach events and still remain inwardly focused. That is the hard truth behind why so many church outreach programs fail. The program changes the schedule, but it never changes the culture.

The Remarkably Ordinary Church
I was on vacation this past Sunday and didn't have to be anywhere, so I got to visit another church. We ended up attending a remarkably ordinary church.

I would hope that a part of a church's "ordinariness" is that is outward-looking and is evangelizing its community and making new disciples.

Pastor Burnout: 13 Causes Churches Cannot Ignore
After speaking with pastors who burned out or came dangerously close, I noticed the same patterns appearing again and again.

Lay Preacher Training Informational Webinar
The role of lay preacher has been an important part of the church from its earliest days. As the clergy shortage grows and churches are under increased financial strain, the need for licensed lay preachers grows each year.

7 Tips for Getting More out of Sunday Sermons
What if we opened our Bibles each Sunday expecting a taste like honey and a treasure like gold (Deut. 32:47; Ps. 19:10)? What would it look like to get the most from our pastors’ sermons? Here are some small practices that can strengthen our grasp on the precious truths being handed to us in these moments.

We Have Forgotten How to Mourn
During my first year as a curate, I traveled to New Mexico to bury a step-cousin. Someone showed up with ladders and dropped them off, and it took me a moment to understand what was happening. The expectation was that we would help dig the grave.

I stood there holding a shovel, and something I had carried for years began to come loose. My grandmother once told me how she had helped dress her own niece for burial, washing her, clothing her, and laying her out for the family. I grew up hearing stories like this. As a child, I took them for granted. As I grew older and moved into the mainstream of American life, I am ashamed to say I found them embarrassing. Primitive, even. Something we should have outgrown. Standing in that graveyard with dirt on my hands, I realized my grandmother had not been clinging to an old custom. She had been doing the thing itself. The rest of us had lost it.

Six Ways to Shepherd Kids Through Loss
Each child has different and unique needs, and while this list is certainly not exhaustive, here are six ways I have worked to shepherd my own kids' hearts through pain and loss.

5 Steps to Create a Discipleship Plan 

Could discipleship be both a foundational issue and the solution that solves some of the current needs churches face today?

How to Create a Discipleship Plan for an Established Church
The four steps in the DisciplesPath process can help any established church move forward with its unique discipleship plan.

Also See: DisciplesPath

20 Disciple-Making Truths Every Church Leader Should Know
My friend Peyton Jones has a new book. This one is called “Disciplology,” which is not really a word. But he has a habit if making up words. (See his “Church Plantology” book.)...

With his permission, I’m sharing 20 truths from the book that you might find helpful...