Category: Christian news

The US congregations most likely to grow are the 10 percent that already have more than 250 worshipers. In many congregations in the United States, new faces in the pews have become rare. A new study from Exponential by LifeWay Research found 6 in 10 Protestant churches are plateaued or declining in attendance and more than half saw fewer than 10 people become new Christians in the past 12 months. “Growth is not absent from American churches,” said Scott McConnell, executive... Read More

When chosen wisely, a gap year can meet a student exactly where they are and provide what they need to thrive in college. Each year, between 80 and 110 future Harvard students choose to take a gap year. They’re encouraged to pursue this option straight from the Admissions office. Why would one of the most prestigious schools in the country encourage high school grads to wait to go to college? Harvard isn’t the only school encouraging its applicants to consider this option.... Read More

Despite our best efforts to understand his ways, he won’t be bound by our tidy notions of divine etiquette. About 25 years ago, while neck-deep in my seminary training, I set my sights on a rather high goal: I’d learn the Book of Psalms by heart. Not in a year. Not even in five years. But as long as it took. Inch by inch, I’d explore these ancient hymns, climbing every hill and sinking into every valley, immersing myself in their literary landscape until they became part of me.... Read More

“Girl, Stop Apologizing” strikes a chord with women. But its message of success hits the wrong note and borrows heavily from others. Something funny happened after I finished the new book from multimedia business mogul Rachel Hollis, best known for the massive 2018 bestseller Girl, Wash Your Face. After marking up my copy with marginalia, I nibbled at the bait: I pulled a notebook out of my desk, wrote “GOALS” on the front, and made a to-do list of accomplishments to focus on... Read More

Macrina’s famous brothers approved the words in the Nicene Creed: ‘maker of all things visible and invisible.’ But she explained why it matters. In AD 379, Basil the Great, one of the men who contributed to the Nicene Creed, died. Basil and his brother Gregory of Nyssa were two of the three Cappadocian Fathers­—men responsible for major theological decisions made in the early life of the Christian church. What is less well known is that they also had an older sister, Macrina.... Read More

The Send Institute has formulated a manifesto to serve as a rallying point for God’s church to effectively honor him in his kingdom advance. We make statements every day. Most are quite unassuming—small facts needed to navigate life, maintain a healthy marriage, or keep our jobs. Other times we make greater claims. We pledge lifelong marital fidelity, we affirm oaths of national allegiance, or we attest to our salvation in Christ through baptism. These greater claims have... Read More

“This book will educate and inspire you to better maximize the leadership potential of the women in your church.” Ed: Why did you write this book? Kadi: Over the course of my career as a leadership and organizational consultant, I have worked with churches and leadership teams in a variety of denominational settings. Recently, I’ve noticed a significant shift in the conversation around women in leadership roles. Previously, when I would present at an event, the few women present... Read More

Once again, you can follow in real time what Twitter users say they are giving up for Lent, which this year begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6. As in past years, food is the most popular category for abstention, followed by technology and “vices” like smoking and drinking alcohol. After analyzing the first 1,500 tweets—both serious and sarcastic—OpenBible.info’s Stephen Smith noted that “perennial favorites” such as social networking, alcohol, and... Read More

Growing old is not what it used to be. For millions of retirees, that may actually be good news. Pat Poole felt a mix of relief and uncertainty once he decided to retire from his sales management job at Halliburton at the end of March. An Oklahoma Sooners football fan and an avid golfer, Poole looked forward to more leisure time after leaving the Houston-based global oil service company. But he also had questions. One morning, he put down the TV remote and asked his wife with complete... Read More

We are getting back into the groove of posting some good church signs. More Church Signs! We are getting back into the groove of posting some good church signs. They never seem to end, and I think we all enjoy seeing them. So tweet me some good ones at @edstetzer and we will get them posted. In the meantime, enjoy the ones below. Two signs for the price of one, anyone? Thanks, Reformed Manbeard. God utilizing cultural elements to reach our world for Jesus? Yes! Thanks again, Reformed... Read More