This Week In Ministry

EIGHT MAJOR CHANGES IN CHURCHES THE PAST TEN YEARS http://thomrainer.com/2017/05/eight-major-changes-in-churches-the-past-ten-years/      

Sermon Content Is What Appeals Most to Churchgoers http://www.gallup.com/poll/208529/sermon-content-appeals-churchgoers.aspx Court Says Disaffiliated Church's Property Belongs To Local Congregation, Not PCUSA http://religionclause.blogspot.com/2017/04/court-says-disaffiliated-churchs.html Will Livestreaming a Worship Service Hurt a Church's Attendance? http://www.philcooke.com/will-livestreaming-a-worship-service-hurt-a-churchs-attendance/ Southlake-based Gateway Church confirms it will cut staff by 10-15 percent http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article145759799.html Has Lying Become Normal and Acceptable in American Society? http://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/northeast-tarrant/article145759799.html  

What The Tech? Bible in virtual reality http://www.wrcbtv.com/story/35154674/what-the-tech-bible-in-virtual-reality   Less than half of German Christians believe in heaven https://www.christiantoday.com/article/less.than.half.of.german.christians.believe.in.heaven/107577.htm   Neuroscience of religion reveals hidden cultural trends http://miscellanynews.org/2017/04/19/opinions/neuroscience-of-religion-reveals-hidden-cultural-trends/   Special report: 1 in 4 Americans don't think one-night stands count as cheating http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865677598/What-counts-as-cheating-and-adultery-in-the-digital-age.html

A quarter of Christians do not believe in the resurrection http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04/10/quarter-christians-do-notbelieve-resurrection/ Number of U.S. adults cohabiting with a partner continues to rise, especially among those 50 and older http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/06/number-of-u-s-adults-cohabiting-with-a-partner-continues-to-rise-especially-among-those-50-and-older/ What Would Jesus Disrupt? https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-04-05/what-would-jesus-disrupt 5 things churches lose when they give up hymnals https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2017/04/10/5-things-churches-lose-give-hymnals Todd's Favorite Hymn Verse (See verse 5!) https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/161

The Other Billy Graham Rules http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/march-web-only/other-billy-graham-rules.html?start=2 10 Commandments to Help Church Staff Maintain Moral Integrity http://pastors.com/maintaining-moral-purity-in-ministry/ Churches should drop Easter, Christmas extravaganzas and get out more, experts urge https://baptistnews.com/article/churches-should-drop-easter-christmas-extravaganzas-and-get-out-more-experts-urge/#.WOeRKBLysUE Survey: Evangelical leaders really don't want to endorse politicians http://religionnews.com/2017/03/30/survey-evangelical-leaders-really-dont-want-to-endorse-politicians/    

New research identifies a 'sea of despair' among white, working-class Americans https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/new-research-identifies-a-sea-of-despair-among-white-working-class-americans/2017/03/22/c777ab6e-0da6-11e7-9b0d-d27c98455440_story.html?utm_term=.53a381550dec   Attendance, giving down at Cross Point Church 6 months after pastor resigns http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2017/03/23/attendance-giving-down-cross-point-church-6-months-after-pastor-resigns/99488694/   They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Drinks http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/april/they-will-know-we-are-christians-by-alcohol-muslim-world.html  

Religion Is Declining Where It's Needed the Most Poor communities have the greatest need of religion's benefits, since it creates stronger social ties, offers hope, and keeps younger community members out of trouble. However, the decline in religion throughout America is the greatest in the poor communities who need it the most. Where there is greater affluence and education, religion is more likely to be declining at lower numbers and rates. Source: Washington Post   Social Media Is Replacing Phone Calls Young adults and teens today are more likely to share social media contact information rather than their phone numbers. In 2015, 62% of teens reported sharing a username from Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, or Skype rather than sharing a phone number. Only 13% relied on phone numbers as the primary form of communication. Source: NY Post   Princeton Seminary Reaches Compromise Over Keller In a compromise reached in consultation with Rev. Tim Keller of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, Prince

This week, we discuss a recent trip Matt took to Greece to help a group of local church planters.

As a direct result of the recent decision by the Trump Administration to dramatically reduce the number of refugees resettled in the U.S. throughout fiscal year 2017, World Relief has been forced to make the difficult decision to layoff 140+ staff members across its U.S. Ministry and close local offices in Boise, Idaho; Columbus, Ohio; Miami, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; and Glen Burnie, Maryland. Collectively, these five offices have resettled more than 25,000 refugees over the past four decades. https://www.worldrelief.org/press-releases/world-relief-announces-the-layoff-of-140-staff-and-closure-of-five-local-offices-due-to-the-trump-administrations-reduction-in-refugee-resettlements-in-the-us   When Adrien Koch retired last summer from her job with FEMA in the Bay Area, she and her husband resettled in the wooded mountains of north Idaho. They had visited only a few months before on a vacation but had quickly fallen in love. For Koch, Idaho reminded her of the California she knew in the 1970s. htt

Pastor's Families Generally Happy But Report Ministry Drain Many pastors are satisfied in their work, they admit that it takes a toll on their family life, according to a recently released study by the Barna group. As a matter of fact, an impressive 70% of US pastors claimed to have happy marriages and healthy family lives. However, when asked if their church work has been hard on their family life, 40% admitted that it certainly has. Source: PJ Media   The Normalization of Lay Pastors The use of lay leaders for preaching, teaching and organization is becoming increasingly more common across the United States. Research shows that the number of congregations led by part-time clergy rose from 29 percent to 38 percent from 2010 to 2015. If you're on paid staff this might seem alarming but many congregations who rely heavily on lay leadership and preachers report increased ownership, faith and engagement. Source: Christian Science Monitor   Aging Pastors Struggle to Find Viable Replacements The Barna

Pastoral Missteps and Renewed Faith Top CT News In the list of the top 20 stories from Christianity Today, a number of pastoral missteps and removals topped the news in 2016, including Andy Stanley's regret that he said it's selfish to attend a small church and the resignation of Darrin Patrick from Acts 29 and his St. Louis church The Journey. However, the charismatic renewal of Bethel Church continues and former atheist Nicole Cliffe wrote about how God messed up her "happy atheist life." Source: Christianity Today   Why this story matters for church leaders: People will always want to know about pastors who failed or overstepped their boundaries in some way, so church leaders should have clear accountability and restoration plans should a misstep happen.   Communication Mishaps: With recorded sermons today, a comment can go out of context quickly and become news. Review Processes: Is your church at a stage where it may help to have a trusted colleague or member to read over your sermon notes in

Quarter of Americans Look to Presidents for Solutions A LifeWay poll asking Americans who they look to in order to solve the problems in America found that only 23% relied on the U.S. president to solve their problems. Only 11% trusted in preachers and 10% looked toward college professors. However, 33% choose "none of the above" in their response. Source: LifeWay   3 Growing Trends for Healthy Churches Thom Rainer has noticed three key trends that are leading to healthier churches throughout America. For starters, he's seeing longer pastoral tenures, and he hopes that will continue since longer tenures tend to correlate with more effective ministry. Rainer also sees renewed emphasis on practical ministries and a commitment to ongoing learning within the ministry context. Source: Facts and Trends   Compassion International Finds All Sponsors for Four Countries All of the children available to be sponsored through Compassion International in four countries, El Salvador, Indonesia, Rwanda, and Tanzania

The Pitfalls of "Facebook Lurking" We all do it, end our day by scrolling our Facebook feed, scanning photos and updates and articles to see what our social network is up to. The problem is that this "Scrollaxing" may actually be making you miserable, studies show. University of Copenhagen shows that this practice is making us miserable and unhappy. To fix it, either cut back, avoid certain sections or "it may be difficult to change one's way of using Facebook. If this is the case, one should consider quitting Facebook for good" researchers say. Source: Mashable Russell Moore's Backlash Over Criticizing Trump & His Followers Baptist leader Russell Moore is being harshly denounced by many evangelicals for his negative opinions on President-elect Donald Trump. "The religious right, turns out to be the people the religious right warned us about" he said in an October speech.  Moore's organization, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission could lose funding because of his stand on Trump. Source: NPR

89% of Protestants Have Services on Christmas Day This year the debate over church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day have been resolved with the answer: both. In fact, 63% of pastors reported that they would hold services on both days. While 71% were planning to hold only a Christmas Eve service, 89% planned to host only a Christmas Day service. Source: Christianity Today Church Restoration Halted Over Facility Dispute Cancer survivor Greg Thomas was featured in a series of headlines eight years ago because he spent his treatment days restoring a small chapel known as Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. While Thomas beat cancer back then, with it only returning recently, the church took issue with the repairs he had made after collecting more than $70,000 in donations and banned him from the property. Thomas argues that the church has become a show piece instead of a source of community unity. Source: KARE 11 Evangelist Screams at Children Waiting in Line for Santa Westboro Baptist Church supporter

Non-denominational Evangelical minister, Episcopal priest: One man leads two congregations in historic Catonsville church http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-dual-minister-20161203-story.html   Ohio 'Pastor Protection Act' Clears House Committee http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/68646/20161207/ohio-pastor-protection-act-clears-house-committee.htm   Beaver walks into Md. store, finds only artificial Christmas trees, and proceeds to trash it https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/local/wp/2016/12/01/cute-beaver-trashes-store-after-holiday-shopping-in-maryland/?utm_term=.43cf9390e795

How Fidel Castro's Death Will Affect Cuba's Christian Revival http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/november/how-fidel-castro-death-will-affect-cuban-christians-revival.html   3 Assumptions & 5 Realities About Why So Many Churches are Small http://www.christianitytoday.com/karl-vaters/2016/november/3-assumptions-5-realities-why-so-many-churches-are-small.html?start=2   Tullian Tchividjian Emerges From Scandal With New Wife, Preaches Sermon on God's Redemption http://www.christianpost.com/news/tullian-tchividjian-emerges-from-scandal-with-new-wife-preaches-sermon-on-gods-redemption-171665

Christian Universities Divided Over Election Results Younger evangelicals have broken from the white evangelical majority who supported Trump by 81%, and that means evangelical colleges are seeking to reassure their students who feel betrayed by those who supported a candidate who is outspoken in his prejudice and sexism. At Wheaton College, 42% of students were likely to vote for Clinton, while 52% of students at Grove City College were planning to vote for Trump. Philip Ryken of Wheaton College wrote to assure his students that Wheaton stands against prejudice and hatred (including racism and sexism), embraces ethnic diversity as part of God's design for humanity in Christ. Students at Taylor University also reported racial intimidation. Source: RNS Is New York City Trending Toward a Revival? The Barna Group believes that according to surveys conducted in the 1980's and then again in 2010 the population of New York City is shifting toward Christianity, with an increase from 20% to 32% for Christians. Over t

Why Do Churches Overpay for Staff? Churches have often made the mistake of hiring staff rather than empowering a volunteer to minister or outsourcing a simple task to an expert organization. However, churches also struggle to see staffing as a stewardship issue. Sometimes staff members need to be reevaluated and reallocated in order to meet the changing needs of a congregation. Source: Thom Rainer Women Are Ministering as Authors and Speakers Authors such as Jen Hatmaker and Ann Voskamp, who have grown through blog posts and social media, have created a new version of women's ministry that is not depending on a congregation. Their social media followers are larger than most pastors and any church, while their books tend to outsell some of the best known Christian authors. Women who don't see a place for female leaders in their congregations are turning to authors such as Hatmaker for guidance. Source: Christianity Today Churches Reach Out to Neighbors After Terror Attack The Pulse nightclub shooting in Orland

Will Robots Take Over Your Job? With robots and automation taking over many manufacturing and transportation jobs, Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX believes that there will need to be a universal basic income provided by governments throughout the world. Switzerland had recently put such a measure up for a vote but struck it down. Source: CNBC Anglicans Are the Most Educated Denomination A survey of 30 religious groups and denominations found that 77% of Hindus and 67% of Unitarian Universalists hold college degrees, while 59% of Anglicans and Episcopalians have college degrees. On the other end of the spectrum, 19% of Southern Baptist Convention members and 20% of Nazarenes hold college degrees. Source: Pew Research Technology Is Transforming Ministry Today Smartphone based and computer based apps are changing how churches receive donations, share curriculum, and keep worship teams on the same page. Curriculum and leadership materials can be accessed online or via apps, and even childcare volunteers can use com

How Church Leaders Can Communicate Better Church leaders may see what needs to change, but their words can have a powerful impact on culture if not used well. For instance, leaders should say what people can handle and what can help them grow. In addition, a leader's words can carry more weight and kill conversations or motivation. Speak when necessary and use your words carefully. Source: Tony Morgan Live Key Ways Ministry Has Changed Pastor Ron Edmonson writes that ministry has changed in many significant ways since he started serving at his church. Edmonson's own ministry has changed as he's had to be a better leader since people aren't naturally committed to serving the church, there is more competition for time, more competition for teaching, and the concerns of pastors have gotten more complex, with security taking on a bigger part of their time. Source: Ron Edmonson