Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, May 11, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the second Sunday of May, is celebrated as Mother’s Day in the United States. a day on which all who have been a mother of a family or individual, motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society are honored. While it was originally begun as a service of worship and celebration at a Methodist Episcopal church, it has increasingly become a secular celebration albeit it is the third most popular day to attend church next to Christmas and Easter.

The topic of this Sunday’s message is Jesus as a shepherd to his people.

Readings: Acts: 9: 36-43, Revelation 7:9-17, and John 10:22-30

Message: Jesus, the Shepherd of Our Souls

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/05/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-may-11.html

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Why Is My Church So Weird?' And More

Why Is My Church So Weird?
Small churches are great. But they’re also kinda weird. And the smaller they are, the weirder they can be. In this video, Karl Vaters shows practical and statistical reasons why small churches are weird, and why we need to embrace the weird instead of trying to fix it.

5 Ways “Simple Church” Can Apply to Your Church Facility with Brown Church Development Group
Thom and Jess are joined by Todd Brown and Isaac Brown of Brown Church Development Group, who are “The Church Facility Experts.” In this first episode, they discuss five powerful ways “Simple Church” principles can shape not just how we do ministry, but how we build the spaces that facilitate it.

Also See: Church Facility Growth Strategy: How to Build with Purpose with Brown Church Development Group

10 ways church leaders can support people with mental illnesses
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This article was originally published by the Interfaith Network on Mental Illness under the title "10 Things Faith Community Leaders Can Do to Make The World a Better Place for People with Mental Illnesses" and republished by Mental Health Ministries.

Also See: Hospitality Towards People with Mental Illness in the Church: a Cross-cultural Qualitative Study; How Safe Spaces Contribute to Mental Health

Does Your Church Operate a School or Preschool? Know This IRS Deadline
If your church operates a preschool or school, then take note. An important annual deadline is approaching that may affect it.By May 15, it may need to file a Form 5578 with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Don’t know what Form 5578 is? Most churches don’t. Here’s what leaders need to know.

The Biggest Difference In Big/Small Church Leadership
Small church leadership relies on the pastor's presence, big church leadership compensates for the pastor's absence.

Tired of the Show: Why the Church Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Compete with Hollywood
We will lose the next several generations unless we do one thing. Stop competing, and start doing the Bible stuff better.

What is West Gallery music?
A brief introduction to the music of the parish church in the Georgian era.

What follows is a sampling of West Gallery music - two metrical psalms and a metrical canticle from Tate & Brady's New Version, three Christmas carols, and a Whitsun hymn: The Lord looked down from heaven's high tower; Praise ye the Lord, our God to praise; My soul and spirit filled with joy; Angels from the realms of glory; The Holly and Ivy; Arise and hail the glorious Star; Come, Holy Spirit, raise our songs.

Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band also perform a selection of West Gallery favorites in their album, Sing Lustily & With Good Courage.

The Undeniable Power Of A Whispered Gospel
We've become very noisy and personality-driven in our presentation of the gospel. Sometimes whispering is better than yelling.

Friday's Catch: 'Cardinals Elect First American-Born Pope" And More

Cardinals Elect First American-Born Pope
The College of Cardinals surprised even experienced Vatican-watchers May 8 by electing Robert Francis Prevost as the first American-born pope. His election, and his choice of Leo XIV as his papal name, were announced shortly after 7 p.m. at Vatican City.

Related: Robert Prevost, first US pope, will reign as Leo XIV; Robert Prevost elected Pope Leo XIV, becomes first American pontiff; 9 Things You Should Know About Pope Leo XIV; Five things to know about Pope Leo XIV - Religion News Service; and 5 things to know about Pope Leo XIV - Christian Today

North Carolina farmworkers build their own Episcopal church
An Episcopal congregation that serves seasonal farmworkers in southeast North Carolina has a new church building thanks to the hard work of church members who built it themselves. It’s the first building for Iglesia Episcopal La Sagrada Familia – the Episcopal Church of the Holy Family – since its ministry began there 29 years ago. “There aren’t that many new buildings being built in The Episcopal Church,” the Rev. Fred Clarkson, the congregation’s priest-in-charge, told Episcopal News Service, let alone one constructed by the people it serves. Its presence “has brought a sense of hope to people.”

UMC Bishops Statement Regarding Judicial Council Decision 1516
During our time together as a Council of Bishops we, along with the rest of the church, received Judicial Council decision 1516. We are aware that this decision has created some anxiety and consternation, and we are aware that there are misunderstandings regarding the decision. We thought it helpful to offer some clarifying words. Judicial Council decision 1516 is a precise and specific ruling that reaffirms the longstanding authority of a pastor to determine the use of church property for religious services, including marriage ceremonies. It also reaffirms ¶341.3 which states: “No clergy at any time may be required or compelled to perform, or prohibited from performing, any marriage, union, or blessing of any couple, including same-sex couples. All clergy have the right to exercise and preserve their conscience when requested to perform any marriage, union, or blessing of any couple.”

You CAN Be an Aging Church Reaching Younger Families
Thom Rainer shares five different ways some aging churches have ecome your.

The Realignment of Remembering the Gospel
Galatians 2 tells us of a “moment of impact” experienced by the Apostle Peter that ultimately defined who he was. But we won’t understand how impactful this moment was without first turning to an earlier “moment of impact” he experienced in Acts 10. The story begins with God giving a vision to Cornelius, a God-fearing centurion. In the vision, God tells Cornelius to send some of his men to Joppa to bring back Peter, so he does.

Is Student Ministry Still a Stepping Stone?
A generation ago, student ministers would often make the leap to the lead pastor role after a few years. Does this kind of move still happen? If so, is it a good thing or not? Unfortunately, sometimes ministry positions outside of the lead pastor are seen as a lesser role in the life of the church. Josh and Sam break down the good and bad of leaping from student ministry to lead pastor.

3 Things You Should Be Doing Every Week in Children's Ministry
There are a lot of things you can do in children's ministry. Programs. Events. Camps. All of these are good things and can help you disciple kids. But today let's talk about 3 things you should be doing every week in children's ministry. Great children's ministries are not built on programs or events. Rather, they are built by doing these 3 things week in and week out.

Image Credit: CNS/Vatican Media

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, May 8, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

May 8th is the date of the lesser feast of Julian of Norwich in the Church of England. The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States also commemorate her on this date. Julian of Norwich was a medieval anchoress, mystic, and theologian. Also known as Juliana of Norwich, the Lady Julian, Dame Julian or Mother Julian, she wrote Revelations of Divine Love, the earliest surviving English-language works attributed to a woman and the only surviving English-language works written by an anchoress. Two of this evening’s songs, a hymn and an anthem, are based on her writings.

In this evening’s message we explore the implications of a passage from the apostle Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians for modern-day Christians.

Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22

Message: One Big Family

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/05/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows_8.html

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday's Catch: 'More people are going to church than before the pandemic' And More

More people are going to church than before the pandemic
Evangelical churches up and down the country are reporting an increase in the number of people exploring faith and finding Jesus. Latest research by the UK Evangelical Alliance (EA UK) has found that twice as many people are committing to Jesus now than in 2021 during the pandemic.

Vicar goes medieval and celebrates church milestone as hermit
A Yorkshire vicar is taking a step back in time - over 800 years, in fact - by living as a hermit as part of a unique celebration marking a major milestone in his parish's history. Rev Philip Ball, vicar of St Mary’s Church in the East Yorkshire village of Hook, will don robes and a hood to assume the role of a medieval hermit during a special re-enactment weekend from 16 to 18 May. The event is part of year-long festivities commemorating the 800th anniversary of this historic Christian place of worship, which dates back to 1225. The building is an architectural gem, but like so many older churches, it is in need of some tender loving care.

Reviving Theology: Recovering the Lost Language of the Church
cross the country, particularly in post-1992 universities, theology and religious studies are being quietly dismantled. Where departments remain, they’re often diluted—absorbed into cultural studies or buried within broader humanities umbrellas. The reasons are familiar: political priorities, economic pressures, and institutional restructuring. But the effect is profound. Theology is being steadily exiled from the university. And yet, the Church seems oddly quiet about the death of its own first language.

Church Publishing announces the groundbreaking publication of the Dakota Hymnal
Church Publishing, the publisher of official worship materials, books, music, and digital ministry resources for The Episcopal Church, announced it will publish Wakan Cekiye Odowan / The Dakota Hymnal in June 2025. For the first time since it was authorized in 1893, congregations, families, and individuals around the world will have access to a comprehensive collection of hymns in the Dakota / Lakota language ensuring its deep spiritual traditions will endure for future generations. First authorized in 1893, the hymnal represents years of collaboration between Dakota and Lakota elders, linguists, musicians, and faith leaders committed to preserving and celebrating Lakota heritage through sacred music.

UMC bishops say ruling letting pastors perform gay weddings does not overrule local bans
The United Methodist Church leadership has clarified that a recent ruling from its top court allowing pastors to determine if they can officiate same-sex weddings dispute objections from church trustees does not overrule regional bans on the unions.

Has any Republican leader feigned concern for image of Trump as pope?
Baptist News Global has conducted an internet search for any currently elected Republican official who has criticized President Donald Trump’s AI-generated image of him as pope and found none. It is possible some Republican officials have spoken privately about the controversial image, but using the same AI technology employed to create the image — as well as traditional internet searches — we could find no record of a Republican official criticizing the image, much less condemning it.

Believing in Spirits and Life After Death Is Common Around the World
Belief in life after death is widespread around the globe, as is the belief that spirits can reside in animals and in parts of nature such as mountains, rivers or trees, according to a Pew Research Center survey of three dozen countries with a wide range of religious traditions. Moreover, the new survey shows that younger adults are at least as likely as older adults to hold these spiritual beliefs – unlike belief in God, which tends to be more common among older people, globally.

When Your Adult Children Leave the Church
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Who hasn’t drawn strength from these Proverbial words? For many, they serve as a hope against the tide of secularism and cultural confusion. For others, they are a promise that reassures doubts about parental shortcomings. But, most pastors and church leaders will admit they all know congregants for whom these words are a tough pill to swallow. Parents who “did everything right,” who raised their kids in a solid church environment, who were not hypocrites, and who, more than anything else, prayed regularly for their kids to serve God. And yet, those kids at some point, either in their teen, college, or adult years, walked away from church and have not returned. It’s heartbreaking.

What’s the Earliest New Testament Evidence for the Divinity of Jesus?
To understand what the earliest Christians believed about the divinity of Jesus we turn to Paul of Tarsus. Why Paul? Larry Hurtado explains it best: “Pauline Christianity is the earliest form of the Christian movement to which we have direct access from undisputed firsthand sources” (Lord Jesus Christ, 85).As we shall see, Paul didn’t simply believe Jesus was God in some marginal, semi-divine sort of way. Rather he viewed him as the one God of Israel, the pre-existent Lord of the universe.

Developing a Taste for God’s Word
Why don’t many professing Christians learn to study the Bible? One common excuse is, “I just don’t have a desire to study God’s Word.” But we shouldn’t be surprised by this.

Moving the Needle with Technology in a Regular-Sized Church
Some of the best advice I ever received for revitalizing a church is “Start where you are.” I can’t remember where I first heard that statement, but I want to affirm the echo of voices. When it comes to technology in your church, the same is true: Start where you are. Many regular-sized churches lack technology resources and know-how. The main issue is not so much that they are not up to speed with what’s out there. Rather, the issue is that they often do not know where to start. Here are a few ways that you can move the needle to improve technology in your church....

Knowing Your People Helps You Ask Better Questions
It also helps you to kow what question not to ask as well as what questios to ask.

5 Ways Sending Students to Camp Today Impacts Your Church Tomorrow
The transformation students experience at camp goes beyond them; it has a lasting effect on your church in at least five ways.

You Don't Need AI. You Can Just Tell Your Kids Stories
In my experience, the biggest challenge to telling bedtime stories is the difficulty of making up a plot and dialogue and characters. This is where A.I. is offering to save you time and effort. Don’t buy it. You can do this.

AI cannot replicate the human interactions between storyteller and child. Good storytelling is interactive. One way you can feed your imagination is to read folk tales and fairy stories from around the world and familiarize yourself with the folk lore of different parts of the world.

Wednesday's Catch: '4 Traits that Make Small Churches Vital, Formational Communities' And More

4 Traits that Make Small Churches Vital, Formational Communities
In small-membership churches, spiritual formation thrives when it is intentionally embedded in the community’s life. Allen Stanton writes that while church size doesn’t determine the depth of formation, a deep sense of community and a shared story foster virtuous growth. Small churches don’t need to grow in size to fulfill their mission; they can cultivate meaningful formation within their existing structure, celebrating their unique strengths and forming individuals to live out God’s kingdom in everyday life.

New Jersey congregation prepares for ‘long court fight’ against town’s attempted ‘land grab’
Christ Episcopal Church in Toms River, New Jersey, backed by the Diocese of New Jersey and Episcopal Church officials, is preparing to fight the township’s effort to acquire its 11-acre property.

Related: A New Jersey church wanted to build a homeless shelter. Now the town might take its property.

VOICES: Utterly sickening: ‘Christian nationalists’ praise Nazi leader who killed own children
That we even have to say these things — that “Christian” leaders are out here defending the murder of children as righteous — shows how far gone some parts of the Christian nationalist movement really are.

A warning: Not just two Americas, two American
John Edwards ran for president years ago talking of the “two Americas,” that of the rich and the poor. Now, through the machinations of our current president and his MAGA-oriented church, we are becoming a nation of two religions. One religion is in, the other out, one protected and the other under threat.

Christian, Do You Test Everything?
If the doctrine is false and I choose to believe it, I can expect God to hold me accountable for believing something that is false.

4 Foundations for Successful Church Planting
While there are no “silver bullets,” there are at least four foundations upon which every successful church plant has been established.

Moving From Being Friendly to Biblically Hospitable
It’s essential to consider the difference between being friendly and being hospitable, especially in the context of the Bible’s teachings.

Leadership Lessons from Martin E. Marty
Widely regarded as the foremost religious scholar of his time, Martin Marty’s legacy extends beyond his prolific writing and lectures to his profound impact on how we think about faith, leadership, and community. Marty’s approach, grounded in his Lutheran faith, exemplified the power of humility, respect, and dialogue in addressing the challenges of religious pluralism. In this article, Lovett Weems reflects on the values that defined Marty’s work and explores how his life offers crucial lessons for Christian leaders today.

Bible Verse Mother’s Day Prayer and Worship Ideas To Honor Moms
Want ideas for a Bible verse Mother’s Day prayer or service? Need tips for celebrating and honoring women at church? Then read on for Bible-based inspiration to thank moms.

Pastor David Platt Explains How (Not) To Read the Bible
Pastor David Platt wants to protect people from reading the Bible in ways that are “harmful” and to help them understand that the Word of God is a “treasure” that is available to them daily. Platt joined ChurchLeaders for an interview about his new book, How To Read the Bible, which is out today.

7 Tips for Leading a Bible Study
Bible studies should come in all shapes and sizes, connecting all kinds of people to God’s word. Throughout my twenty years of ministry and countless conversations with women in the church, I’ve found that many long to lead a Bible study, but few feel equipped to do so. Whether leading from a stage in a church auditorium or from the couch in your living room, here are seven tips that I’ve found to be effective.

10 Easy VBS Tips That’ll Make Leading Vacation Bible School a Breeze
VBS doesn’t have to be hard; use our 10 easy VBS tips to make your VBS even easier!

From pickles and jams to escabeche and sauerkraut, Episcopal church’s free classes open door to putting a lid on produce
There’s no excuse for food waste at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Gridley, California. Anything that’s not eaten right away or composted can be preserved, which has become an entertaining and tasty activity for the team of parishioners who teach free monthly food preservation classes, mostly using produce from the church’s community garden.

How might this congregation leverage its community garden and free monthly food preservation classes to reach the unchurched and spiritually disconnected and grow St. Timothy's?

Make it Your Ambition to Share the Gospel
Here’s my question: Why do we often treat the spir­itual condition of those around us as if we’re climbing Mount Everest and would be putting ourselves in danger if we helped them? Why don’t we rather see their danger and need, and then reach out to help? Why—when we consider our friends, roommates, fellow students, even coworkers—do we balk at sharing the only hope of life instead of caring for them by sharing the gospel?

Image Credit: File Photo by Mike DuBois, UM NEWS

Tuesday's Catch: 'Presbyterian Church in America sees growth in baptisms, giving in 2024 amid nationwide declines' And More

Presbyterian Church in America sees growth in baptisms, giving in 2024 amid nationwide declines
The Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) saw widespread growth in 2024, with notable increases in membership, giving and professions of faith, according to the denomination's latest five-year statistical summary published by the Administrative Committee.

NWPA-WNY Turn Away from Partnership
Following the release of a 104-page evaluation, Lenten study, meetings, and a time dedicated for discernment, the dioceses of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Western New York voted to conclude their partnership after six years by voting against a resolution that called for electing one bishop for both dioceses.

Related: Presiding bishop’s 2 former dioceses vote to seek separate bishops, ending 6-year partnership

Trump Posts AI-Generated Image of Himself as Pope As Vatican Prepares To Appoint Francis’ Successor
As well as displaying negligible sensitivity to the feelings of others, President Trump is not known for “guarding his lips,” carefully considering what he says and how he says it, in recognition that his words can have a significant impact on himself and others (Proverbs 13:3, Psalm 141:3). He will make inappropriate comments and then dismiss how people react to them by claiming that he was joking and thereby discounting their feelings. Often his “jokes” are hostile barbs directed at a particular individual or group or are intended to get a rise out of that individual or group, to anger or upset them. In some cases, he is playing to his base. Longtime observers of President Trump recognize that he has a strong need to be the center of the attention and to that end will seek to dominate the new cycle one way or another. At the same time, he will also say and do things to divert attention from things that he has said and done for which he is receiving a lot of criticism, and for which he is extremely unpopular with the public.

Related: Trump denies any involvement in AI pope image amid Catholic backlash; Trump defends White House account sharing photo of him dressed like pope: 'Did it in fun'

A catalogue of Trump’s 100 days of terrible horrible, no good actions
Donald Trump’s first 100 days back in office have been a blitzkrieg — an intense political campaign intended to bring about a swift victory.He has managed to produce his own Jacksonian “Trail of Tears” by firing thousands of federal workers. He feverishly works to demolish the federal government and the rule of law in a frenzy of “burning down” the house of democracy akin to General Sherman.

Shane Claiborne, four other faith activists arrested while protesting GOP budget bill
'Stir the conscience of our nation. Let justice rise up on these very steps, let truth trouble the chambers of the Capitol,' Shane Claiborne said as he prayed.

55 years later, we must remember Kent State to not repeat it
State-sanctioned violence was used against our citizens 55 years ago. Could it happen again?

Jeremy Clarkson warns Christianity is 'in danger' amid falling birth rates
Broadcaster and columnist Jeremy Clarkson has issued a stark warning about the future of Christianity, suggesting that a sharp decline in birth rates across the Western world could pose an existential threat to the faith’s long-term survival. Writing in his column for The Sun, the 65-year-old reflected on newly published global fertility figures and voiced concern about what he called the “practically universal collapse of fertility in the Christian world”.

New Findings Challenge ‘Gender-Affirming Care’ for Children
The HHS recently released a major report titled “Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices,” which provides an in-depth look at the science and outcomes behind puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgeries in minors, and represents one of the most comprehensive government analyses of pediatric gender transition treatments to date.

First Aid & Safety Gear Every Church Needs
Churches are sacred spaces of community, worship, and spiritual growth. However, they are also public venues where people of all ages gather, sometimes in large numbers. In such environments, accidents, medical emergencies, and unexpected safety issues can arise. To ensure the well-being of everyone, churches must take proactive steps in preparation. This includes having essential first aid supplies and safety gear available at all times. Making church safety a top priority is not just practical—it’s a moral and legal responsibility.

At a workshop I attended, conducted by the Marshall County, Kentucky Sheriff' Department, it was recommended that church first aid kits should include the kind of hemostatic gauze bandages used by hospital emergency rooms in the treatment of stab and bullet wounds. The kind of bandages typically found in most church first aid kits would not stop the bleed caused by these wounds.

The Pastor’s Dilemma: Loving Preaching, Loathing Sermon Prep
Do you love to preach but at times loathe sermon prep? Do you find preaching incredibly fulfilling yet preparation frustrating or even overwhelming? If so, you’re not alone. Many pastors struggle with the inefficiency of sermon prep—feeling bogged down by research, unsure how to faithfully interpret Scripture, or intimidated by today’s hot-button topics like politics, gender, and race.

What Makes a Sermon Difficult To Listen To 

Recently, and largely for my own purposes, I found myself thinking about some of the elements that can make a sermon difficult to listen to. Having jotted them down, I thought I’d share them with you.

4 Ways Memorizing Scripture Changes Our Hearts
When we’ve all got Bibles downloaded on our phones, why would anyone spend time memorizing Scripture—downloading verses to their brains?

How Your Group Can Begin Learning to Pray Together
Focusing your small group on learning to pray is one of the most meaningful ways to cultivate spiritual maturity and authentic community. As members grow in their confidence and consistency, you’ll begin to see how prayer transforms individuals and unites the group in purpose and faith. Prayer isn’t just something to talk about—it’s something to do together, with love, humility, and expectation.

The Burge Report: Does Homeschooling Change the Political and Religious Views of Children?
We’ve all heard the stereotypes of homeschooled children. But what does the data say? Ryan Burge joins Sam on the show to discuss the facts. The co-hosts also discuss implications for the church.

Mother’s Day Craft: Bible Bookmarks Are in Full Bloom
Surprise moms this Mother’s Day with Bloomin’ Bookmarks. They are perfect reminders of God’s love. Best of all, moms can keep this precious bookmark in a Bible!

Image Credit: The Christian Post

Monday's Catch: '100 Days into the Trump presidency, we are living in the Upside Down' And More

100 Days into the Trump presidency, we are living in the Upside Down
In Netflix’s Stranger Things, the residents of fictional Hawkins, Ind., live right above a parallel dimension known as the Upside Down, a frightening, alternative version of reality. A portal into the Upside Down brings the show’s characters to a place that resembles their hometown but has become a decaying hellscape filled with demogorgons — bloodthirsty monsters who consume humans. While we may not be facing literal demogorgons in today’s world, in many ways, it feels as though we are living in the political Upside Down.

Who loves what Trump is doing? White evangelicals
As President Donald Trump faces historic low levels of public approval and is seen as sowing chaos around the globe, not all Americans are upset. In fact, there are some who cheer his actions as president. Among those, his evangelical Christian base.

Dark personalities in politicians may intensify partisan hatred—particularly among their biggest fans
A new international study suggests that voters who support political candidates with darker personality traits—such as narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism—may experience stronger emotional divides from their political opponents. But this association appears only among those who feel a close ideological connection with these candidates, and not in response to disliked political rivals. The findings shed light on how the personality traits of leaders might influence public opinion, offering a deeper understanding of how political divisions are fueled not just by policies or party lines, but by the personal qualities of those at the top.

Catholic Bishops Issue Direct Response to Trump's Polarizing Pope Photo
Representatives for the Catholic church have issued a direct response to the president's polarizing photograph which depicts him as the next pope.

New Hit Musical - Antichrist
In response to Trump's AI post of himself as Pope Mr. Newberger AI Funnies presents what the YouTuber describes as "the hit new musical ANTICHRIST, a satirical rock-opera in the spirit of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, reimagining Trump’s rise as a twisted false prophet." (It is one more YouTube video in which Donald Trump is compared to the Antichrist. The representation of Donald Trump in these videos, citing Biblical support for their views, stands in sharp contrast to the claim of his evangelical supporters that Trump is God's anointed and who appeal to modern-day prophecies for their claim.)

The quiet revival of English churchgoing
It is a common assumption that churches will continue their inexorable decline with each generation being less religious than the previous. This may not be as true as many would like to believe.

We Need Spiritual Mothers: Gen Z is Longing for You
May naturally turns our hearts toward motherhood. For many, it’s a sweet celebration; for others, it’s a tender reminder of grief or complicated stories. But wherever this month finds you, I believe there’s a bigger conversation we need to have: Every woman — no matter her season of life — is called to nurture the next generation.

Unloved Daughters: 8 Ways to Cope on Mother's Day
For some, this is the most stressful day of the year. 

The Christian and Repentance
True Christian repentance involves a heartfelt conviction of sin, a contrition over the offense to God, a turning away from the sinful way of life, and a turning towards a God-honoring way of life.

6 Biblical Principles Every Pastor Should Follow in Ministry
Being a pastor is more than delivering sermons and leading worship services. It is a divine calling that requires integrity, humility, wisdom, and a heart for God’s people. The Bible provides timeless guidance that shapes not only what pastors teach, but how they live, lead, and love those in their care. Understanding and applying biblical principles for pastors is essential for long-term spiritual health and effective ministry. Here are six foundational principles drawn from Scripture that every pastor should follow.

More churches embrace AI in ministry but pastors leave sermons to Holy Spirit: Study
More churches across the U.S. are embracing the use of Artificial Intelligence in their ministries, but pastors have stopped short of using the technology to prepare their sermons, data from the State of the Church Tech 2025 report shows.

All God’s Children
Being both a priest in an aging denomination and a relatively new parent, I find myself increasingly attuned to Scriptures about children and to discussions about children in church. Until recently, I read this passage from Luke’s Gospel largely through an individual lens: We welcome children into the family of God because children are precious in his eyes. This is why his kingdom belongs to them. Now my perspective is becoming more communal. While children are intrinsically valuable, they also offer the body of Christ something that adults cannot. They show us who we are in God’s eyes; they are an embodied, tangible example of how God sees us.

Order Free Face It Materials
Order brochures, guides, and flyers from the Face It Movement. The materials contain child abuse prevention, recognition, and reporting information for parents, community members, and professionals who work with children.

Family Faith Adventures: 7 Ways to Take Faith on the Road This Summer
When you and your family go on a trip or vacatio, you don't have to leave your faith at home.

10 Creative Evangelism Ideas to Share the Gospel in Your Community
While the message of salvation through Jesus Christ is unchanging, the methods we use to share that message can be adapted to better connect with people in our local communities. Whether you’re part of a church leadership team or an individual passionate about reaching others, these creative evangelism ideas can inspire you to make a meaningful impact.

Related: The Role of Evangelism in Church Growth: 12 Key Insights

Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, May 4, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Easter, the third Sunday of the Easter season. It is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In the Collects, Epistles, and Gospels of The Book of Common Prayer (1662), the Gospel appointed for the day is the “I am the Good Shepherd” discourse from the Gospel of John.

The structure of this Sunday’s service is that outlined in the Church of Ireland’s The Book of Common Prayer (2004) for a Service of the Word.

This Sunday’s message unpacks John 21: 1-19 in which the risen Jesus appears to his disciples for the third time.

Readings: Acts 9: 1-20; Revelation 5: 11-14; and John 21: 1-19

Message: Breakfast Beside the Sea of Galilee

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/05/sundays-at-all-hallows-sunday-may-4-2025.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: 'The emperor's gospel: Donald Trump and the power of Christianity' And More

The emperor's gospel: Donald Trump and the power of Christianity
History reminds us that when Christianity is captured by empire, it may flourish in power but withers in spirit.

Mr. Trump goes to Rome
Most of the time, when people say, “Just joking,” they’re not joking at all. Often, we use “just joking” as a cover when we’ve trotted out ideas we know will be controversial or hurtful but we want to say them anyway. What’s more troubling is when people make excuses for others who were not “just joking” by declaring, “Oh, he was only joking.”

Three-quarters of Evangelicals concerned about Trump's foreign aid cuts, plans for Medicaid: poll
Three‑quarters of Evangelical Christian voters say they are concerned about the Trump administration's planned cuts to foreign assistance, as a nationwide survey released this week suggests that reductions in overseas aid are the foremost worry for Evangelicals during the Trump administration's first 100 days.

Christian Leaders Ask President Trump, Secretary Noem To Protect Afghan Christians Threatened With Deportation, Resume Refugee
Today, a group of prominent faith leaders sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, urging them to protect Afghan Christians facing the threat of deportation and to sustain the U.S. refugee resettlement program as a lifeline for those fleeing religious persecution.

Related: Over a dozen Christian leaders urge Trump to protect Afghan Christians from deportation

SBC membership shrank by nearly one-fourth in two decades
The Southern Baptist Convention has lost nearly one-fourth of its members in the past two decades. The latest report from the SBC’s Lifeway Christian Resources shows total membership in SBC churches nationwide fell to 12,722,266 in 2024 — a loss of 3.6 million members since the peak of 16.3 million in 2006. That’s a 22% decrease. Last year, 2024, was the 18th consecutive year of membership losses for the SBC, which remains by far the largest non-Catholic denomination in the United States.

When the World Seems to Be Winning
How should we respond when we feel as though wickedness in the world and compromise in the church are prevailing over the kingdom of God? In Matthew 13:24–43, Jesus teaches on the nature of the kingdom of God—or, as Matthew more characteristically says, “the kingdom of heaven.” He does so by presenting three parables to help us understand how this kingdom grows: the parable of the weeds, the parable of the mustard seed, and the parable of the leaven. And as we will see, these truths about how the kingdom grows provide encouragement and perspective to the people of God in difficult days.

How can churches and Christians build on the 'quiet revival'?
Recent weeks have been encouraging for Christians in Great Britain. Statistics from the Bible Society and anecdotal evidence over Easter all suggest that more and more people are coming to church, many for the first time in their lives. Even our atheist Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, felt the need to pay his respects to the nation's Christians at Easter. Now a specialist in evangelism and missiology has looked at four responses Christians should have to this “quiet revival”, and how we can turn it into something bigger.

The Top 7 Reasons Guests Return To Your Church
The most common reason people check out your church is someone invited them.The most common reason people leave your church is they don’t feel connected. But what are the most common reasons people return to your church after their first visit or two?

Mother’s Day Sermons & Resources: 20 Ways to Honor Women
Need fresh ideas for Mother’s Day sermons to encourage women? Mother’s Day is the third-highest church attendance day, after Christmas and Easter. So use these 20 worship resources to reach visitors and members with the gospel!

Friday's Catch: 'Bishops Unveil Vision For United Methodist Church' And More

Bishops Unveil Vision For United Methodist Church
United Methodist leaders have adopted a new vision for the denomination to “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.” The new vision aims to complement The United Methodist Church’s longtime mission to make disciples, and, like that statement, the vision draws on Scripture. Bishops also hope the new vision, years in the making, will inform the work of the Leadership Gathering planned next year. Ultimately, the goal is for United Methodists around the globe to unite in living out the vision.

Related: The New UMC Vision Might Get Us Out of the Upside Down

New Jersey town moves to seize property of Episcopal church that wants to open homeless shelter
An Episcopal congregation here, after facing months of backlash from some neighbors in response to its proposal for a 17-bed homeless shelter, now has been targeted by the town for possible public seizure of the 11-acre church property through eminent domain. The congregation, Christ Episcopal Church, says the property is not for sale, yet the elected town council on April 30, during a raucous and contentious meeting, agreed to begin the process of buying or seizing the church and five other properties to create two new town parks.

New Survey: Majority of Americans Agree That President Trump Is 'A Dangerous Dictator Whose Power Should Be Limited'
A new PRRI survey of more than 5,000 adults finds that while only 16% of Americans openly express regret about their 2024 presidential voting decision, Americans largely oppose President Donald Trump’s actions during his first 100 days in office. Most notably, a majority (52%) of Americans agree that “President Trump is a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy,” compared with 44% who agree that “President Trump is a strong leader who should be given the power he needs to restore America’s greatness.” Among Americans who voted for Trump in 2024 and regret their decision, 55% agree that Trump is a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited.

Trump creates Religious Liberty Commission
Americans’ competing visions of what “religious liberty” means came into full view May 1 as President Donald Trump created a Religious Liberty Commission that was immediately denounced by watchdogs of traditional religious liberty.

Related: Dr. Phil says states should not be subject to Establishment Clause

Senator Lindsey Graham Sparks Backlash With Social Media Post About Trump Becoming Pope
United States Sen. Lindsey Graham is receiving backlash online for a social media post in which he apparently endorsed President Donald Trump for the position of Roman Catholic Pope.

10 Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon
When pastors quit, we should ask that has happened. More than 1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month. This staggering number includes some of the brightest, most inspiring pastors in the country. To prevent the continued flight of our pastors, we need to understand the cause of the problem. Though every situation is unique, the reasons pastors quit are often similar.

Biblical Ministry?
Most people in Christian ministry would like to think they have a biblical ministry. But what does that mean? Is it simply an evaluation of whether what they do is in the Bible? Or maybe better, an assessment of whether their values and methodology reflect biblical qualities? This would be a good question to ponder prayerfully.

What I Teach at Our New Membership Class
Whatever descriptor you use for the class, whatever time slot you choose to teach the class, every new member class should communicate three key points about your church: information, doctrine and expectations.

Image Credit: UMC News

Thursday' Catch: ''Unprecedented' research shows worldwide majority believes in God' And More

'Unprecedented' research shows worldwide majority believes in God
“Unprecedented” research into attitudes into faith, belief and God, was revealed today and indicated that for most people worldwide, God is a reality. Over a period of three years, 90,000 people in 85 countries were questioned in depth about their views on the Bible and faith as part of the research conducted by Gallup on behalf of the British and Foreign Bible Society (BFBS) and United Bible Societies (UBS).

After mourning pro-migrant pope, US bishops face renewed questions over Trump crackdown
With fear gripping immigrant Catholic communities, bishops such as Mark Seitz are turning to Oscar Romero, the archbishop of San Salvador murdered after advocacy against violence, for guidance.

UMC top court says church trustees can't stop pastors from officiating same-sex weddings
The United Methodist Church's highest court has ruled that pastors, not trustees, have the final say on whether clergy can officiate a same-sex wedding on church property. The United Methodist Judicial Council issued Decision Number 1516 last Friday, centering on whether trustees could stop a pastor from officiating a same-sex wedding on their church property.

Man charged over Easter church vandalism A man has been charged following a police investigation into the vandalism of churches in Leyland, near Preston, over Easter. There were reports on 18 April of obscene graffiti being daubed on St James Church and a number of its headstones. Then on 27 April, a window was smashed at St Mary’s Church. Joseph Williams, 30, has been arrested and charged in connection with the vandalism and was due to appear at Preston Magistrates' Court on Tuesday morning.

The Dangers and Benefits of Revival
What would it mean for us to experience a revival in our day? What would it look like? What would it necessarily involve?

Approval Addiction, People Pleasing, and How Pastors Can Let Go
Most pastors want to be liked and respected by their congregations. This desire is part of the reason they are motivated to serve others. However, approval addiction can become a major barrier to leadership. When people pleasing becomes the priority, pastors often do more harm than good in their congregations. Marty Duren joins Josh and Sam to discuss this important topic.

Why Great Leaders Ask So Many Questions
Effective leaders recognize the power of asking questions, a skill often lost over time but crucial for building trust and honoring others’ wisdom. Lovett Weems shares that questioning fosters relationships, deepens understanding, and invites collaboration, strengthening leadership rather than diminishing it. Ultimately, curiosity and inquiry drive innovation, allowing leaders to navigate challenges by embracing the insights of those around them.

Church Stage Lighting 101
Lighting plays a crucial role in modern worship services, creating atmosphere, directing focus, and enhancing the overall experience for attendees both in-person and online. While it might seem like a technical topic reserved for AV teams or production crews, understanding the basics of church stage lighting is essential for anyone involved in worship planning. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to upgrade your current setup, this guide will walk you through the essentials of effective and meaningful lighting for your church stage.

How to Start a Discipleship Program: 7 Key Steps
Starting a discipleship program can be one of the most impactful ways to grow and strengthen a local church or ministry. It is through intentional, consistent discipleship that believers mature in their faith and develop a deeper relationship with Christ. But launching such a program requires careful planning, clarity of vision, and a biblical foundation. These requirements are vital for how to start a discipleship program that is both sustainable and spiritually effective.

Mobilize Your Church for Evangelism and Missions
You may be the key to your church members embracing God’s mission. How can you mobilize your people to engage in missions and evangelism?

Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, May 1, 2025) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

This Thursday is the first day of May, also known as May Day, and is traditionally viewed as the beginning of summer in the British Isles and elsewhere. Among the traditions associated with May Day is going a maying on May Eve, gathering the flowering branches of the May Tree, crowning a May Queen on May Day, dancing around the Maypole, and Morris dancing.

In Catholic parishes May Day is marked by special devotions in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. These observances include processions, May Crownings in which a statue of Mary is crowned with a wreath of flowers, and the recitation of the Rosary.

In the seventeenth century the Puritans banned the traditional May Day practices along with Christmas and Easter. They were revived at the time of the Restoration. They also enjoyed a revival in the nineteenth century.

This evening’s message responds to the question, “Is it a sin to not go to church on a Sunday or a holy day?”

Reading: Colossians 2:16-3:11

Message: Is It a Sin Not to Go to Church on a Sunday or a Holy Day?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2025/05/thursday-evenings-at-all-hallows.html

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you. Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

Wednesday's Catch: "The Rise of the Dones: The ‘Done With Church’ Population" And More

The Rise of the Dones: The ‘Done With Church’ Population
At Group’s recent Future of the Church conference, sociologist Josh Packard shared some of his groundbreaking research on the Dones. He explained these de-churched were among the most dedicated and active people in their congregations. To an increasing degree, the church is losing its best.

The Nones Are Rising No More: 5 Things Church Leaders Need to Know
From 2008 to 2014, the Nones (those who have no religious affiliation) were the fastest-growing demographic segment in the nation. They are no longer growing. In fact, they are declining slightly. Here are five major implications for churches.

Related: Where Have All the Atheists and Agnostics Gone?

Protestantism’s Conservative Catholic Converts
At Easter, a Protestant intellectual explains why many intellectually inclined young people are leaving Protestantism for Rome.

Related: The fundamentalist strain in American Catholicism

Scottish Episcopal Church to vote on proposed ‘Declaration of Friendship’ with Catholic Church
A proposed “Declaration of Friendship” between the Scottish Episcopal Church and the Conference of Bishops of the Catholic Church in Scotland will be put before General Synod in June this year. The agreement, also to be known as the Saint Ninian Declaration, articulates and supports a deepening relationship between Episcopalians and Roman Catholics in Scotland. It affirms the possibilities for working more closely together while acknowledging that there are distinct differences between the two churches.

White evangelicals remain Trump’s staunchest supporters, Pew study finds
While a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s job performance, his evangelical supporters remain on his side, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

Related: Trump’s tariffs are bad medicine

Why the Most Foolish People End Up in Power
Why do many unqualified individuals become CEOs, politicians, and powerful executives? This video uncovers the psychological and structural forces behind this disturbing trend, revealing how confidence, charisma, and manipulation often beat competence.

Related: Why STUPIDS Believe They Are Smart? The Dunning-Kruger Effect; Why STUPID People Are a Greater Threat to Society Than Criminals

VOICES: The rise of coerced ‘cultural Christianity’: A disturbing Christian Nationalist trend
Lately, I've noticed another disturbing trend gaining steam online — self-described Christian nationalists openly advocating for “forced conversions” and mandatory church attendance. It’s not just a fringe opinion anymore. It's creeping deeper into circles that should know better.

Related: Clergy oppose Missouri Legislature rewriting Ten Commandments

3 Indicators of a Thriving Rural Congregation 

Allen Stanton says rural churches need better indicators of what it means to thrive. He outlines three characteristics of vital rural congregations able to lead the wider community toward the Kingdom of God.

“Cultivating Generosity in Marginalized Communities” featuring Carlos Perkins
How can church leaders cultivate generosity in marginalized communities? In this episode, Jessica Anschutz speaks with Carlos Perkins who emphasizes that many Black, Latinx, and Hispanic congregations have been historically generous, despite limited resources. The conversation explores the importance of defining generosity, reflecting on personal beliefs about money, and how faith leaders can develop a theology of generosity. Perkins also highlights how past institutional traumas can affect a congregation’s generosity, and the need for leaders to address these issues to foster giving.

Gospel Fuel
The primary call on Christians is to follow Jesus, to become like our Rabbi. At the top of the list is learning, loving and living the Scriptures. Every Jesus follower should be immersed in the Word of God in a way that leads to thinking that is shaped by biblical truth and a life that aligns with all God teaches in his Word.

Tuesday's Catch: ''Just believe it you idiot and see what happens' - how to bring Gen Z to church' And More

'Just believe it you idiot and see what happens' - how to bring Gen Z to church
With recent studies suggesting that Generation Z - also known as 'Zoomers' - are starting to turn to Christianity in staggering numbers, particularly young men, it might be worth looking at why this might be on a personal level. Young men have been embracing the church, particularly the Catholic Church. One example of this phenomenon is Connor Tomlinson, a conservative activist and broadcaster who describes himself as a “Reactionary Catholic Zoomer”.

Related: German churches lost over a million followers last year, 'nones' now the largest group

Rev. William Barber arrested in Capitol Rotunda after praying against Republican-led budget
While arrests of protesters at the Capitol is not unusual, the response to Barber’s prayer was unusually dramatic: After issuing verbal warnings, dozens of officers expelled everyone in the Rotunda — including credentialed press.

Related: William Barber arrested for praying in Capitol Rotunda

‘Climate Kitchen’ Serves Creation Care Insights
On April 24, three months after the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires that claimed the lives of 29 people and damaged thousands of structures across Southern California, the Diocese of Los Angeles held the first webinar in a new series focused on the environment. “Climate Kitchen is intended to be a welcoming space for conversation around all that is going on in the Los Angeles diocese to act on climate,” Kate Varley Alonso, who hosted the webinar, told TLC. It was scheduled just in time to honor Earth Day, celebrated globally on April 22.

Related: Grasslands Network, the first Episcopal eco-region, hosts event in Kansas for people to learn about, reflect on environmental issues

The Article You Don’t Want to Read
The one thing that every human being must face is their own mortality.

Virtues Can Be Taught
"Manners makyth man" is not the quaint slogan of a historic dinner-dance club. It is the motto of Winchester College, one of the oldest and still one of the very best Church schools in the world. Bishop William of Wykeham (1320-1404), the honored founder of Winchester in 1382, understood that the end or first purpose of education is nothing less and nothing more than the formation of Virtue. He thus prescribed the motto to remind his 70 young scholars that we human beings do what we are and we are what we do....

Bivocational Pastors Find Personal Purpose, Congregational Benefits
Many churches are choosing to have bivocational pastors, as leaders and congregations work to steward their resources.

Related:Creatively Bivocational: Think Local, Lucrative, Low Bar to Entry

The Mystery of ‘The Call’
Throughout the history of the Church, I’m not sure if there has been a term more detrimental to the completion of the Great Commission than the phrase ‘the call.’ The confusion surrounding this term and the hesitancy of thousands of potential gospel workers to move forward without a clear ‘call’ is tragic. How this term came to have such power in the realm of missions is hard to say, but there is no doubt about its effect on many people’s minds.

A Small Church Is Still Part of the Big Mission
Don’t let the size of the mission overwhelm your church or distract you from it. The source of the mission is found in Christ alone.

Monday's Catch: 'Has the Decline of U.S. Christianity Finally Stopped?' And More

Has the Decline of U.S. Christianity Finally Stopped?
While media narratives often frame American religion as being in terminal decline, the data tells a more nuanced story. For church leaders, these findings point toward both significant challenges and also genuine reasons for hope, providing us with direction rather than just confirming our fears.

The Future Of Churches Will Be Really Huge — And Very Small
When the big keep getting bigger and the small keep multiplying, will mid-size churches get squeezed out?

Why Weekly Church Attendance Needs to Be the Norm
In this article Thom Rainer explains why he believes that in choosing not to advocate for weekly worship attendance of their church members, church leaders are making a big mistake.

9 Steps to Avoid in Any Church Conflict
The fact that your church has conflict is not a sign it’s unhealthy. It’s a sign you have people in your church. So don’t miss these steps.

Trump cuts to humanities grants undermine a stated priority: Restoring religion
President Donald Trump ran on a campaign promise to 'bring back religion.' The NEH grants he canceled include several that advance understanding of Judaism and Christianity.

Who was Pope Adrian IV, the only English Pope?
Few people know that there was once a Pope from England. This is the story....

The Trinity and Christian Devotion
The Trinity is the atmosphere of Christian faith and devotion; the entirety of the Christian life is a return to the Father through the work and person of the Son in the power of the indwelling Spirit.

10 Essential Skills Every Pastor Needs to Lead Effectively
Being a pastor is much more than delivering sermons on Sundays. Pastoral leadership involves guiding a congregation through spiritual growth, organizational development, personal struggles, and community outreach. Effective pastors serve not just as preachers but also as counselors, administrators, mentors, and visionaries. To thrive in this multifaceted role, pastors must cultivate a wide range of pastoral leadership skills. Here are ten essential ones every pastor should develop for effective and enduring ministry.

How to Choose the Right Worship Songs for Your Church—7 Key Tips
Selecting the right worship songs for your church is more than just picking popular tunes or the latest chart-toppers from Christian radio. Worship music plays a vital role in shaping the congregation’s spiritual atmosphere, theological understanding, and collective voice. Whether you’re a worship leader, pastor, or volunteer, how to choose worship songs that glorify God and edify the church body is both a privilege and a challenge.

God's Special Calling on Your Life
John Beson unpacks three truths about your calling that are clear in scripture.

Related: When God Plants an Acorn, He Means an Oak

20 Outreach Ideas for Small Churches with Limited Resources
Small churches often face the challenge of limited resources—whether it’s budget, staff, or time. But that doesn’t mean outreach has to take a back seat. In fact, small churches are uniquely positioned to build deep relationships in their communities through creativity, intentionality, and a personal touch. This list of outreach ideas for small churches is designed to help you engage your community and grow your church without breaking the bank.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Religious 'nones' outnumber Catholics, Protestants in Germany for first time: survey' And More

Religious 'nones' outnumber Catholics, Protestants in Germany for first time: survey
For the first time in modern German history, more Germans identify as religiously unaffiliated than as Roman Catholics or Protestants, according to a new survey published by the Weltanschauungen research group (Fowid) and reported by Evangelical Focus.

Americans may be going to church less, but most are still open to religion, spirituality
Just because religious behavior and affiliation have taken a nosedive in the last 30 years does not mean America is suddenly a secular country.

Winchester Cathedral saw bumper Easter numbers as 'quiet revival' continues
Anecdotal evidence from up and down the country has suggested that this Easter saw a bumper rise in church attendance. As Jesus himself once said, the fields are ripe for harvest, but the workers are few. Winchester Cathedral appears to have been no exception to the apparent trend and has even provided some stats indicating that this year’s Easter celebrations really where fruitful.

When Bigger Isn’t Better
To change a culture, you first need a deep and persuasive why.

If Your Church Were to Close...
If your church closed, would anyone in the community even notice? It’s one of those ingrained leadership questions, the kind that spurs us towards missions and outreach. Recently, I’ve begun to wonder if it’s even a good question.

While I see his point, I still believe that it is a valid question to ask. Dying churches are prone to engage in self-deception.

A Checklist for Making Your First Hire in the Church
Most pastors go through the process of hiring someone to help them minister to the church. What should you do for your first hire? Josh and Sam walk through a helpful checklist.

Institutional References: What They Are and Why They’re Important for Vetting Church Volunteers
Attorney Richard Hammar was among the first to caution Protestant churches about the need to protect kids and use screening and selection processes for the people who work with children and youth in their care. When he crafted the Reducing the Risk abuse-prevention awareness training program in the early 1990s, Hammar recommended a five-step checklist. Three of those steps—a written application, interview, and reference checks—occurred before a person even set foot in a Sunday school classroom or youth gathering. Over time, Hammar has expanded the checklist to 14 steps.

What Pope Francis Can Teach Us About Preaching
I wondered if Pope Francis wasn’t arguing so much about length as about clarity.