Tag «Church Answers»

A Surprising First Step, Pastors, toward Strengthening Your Evangelism

Over more than forty years of ministry, I’ve learned that not many Christians share their faith on a regular basis. In fact, I know few pastors who evangelize, either. So, I agree with Thom Rainer that “evangelism is dead or dying in most American churches.” I also strongly affirm Thom’s statement that “an evangelistic church…

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More on the Graying of the Church: Find Ways for Your Congregation to Become Younger

Our team member, Ryan Burge, wrote a fascinating article about which denominations are graying the most. You can see his article in our premier content at Church Answers on February 1. I continue the theme of the graying of the church today to address how congregations can become younger. Senior adults are a blessing in…

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Where Gen Z Gets It Right And What We Should Learn From Them

I’ve recently taken on the role of teaching a cultural theology and biblical worldview class for high school juniors at a private school in my new hometown. Surprisingly, I’ve found that I’m learning just as much from them during our discussions, whether in class sessions or through our private conversations. When it comes to discussing…

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Which Denominations Are the Grayest? (The Youngest Will Surprise You)

Demographics is destiny. And when it comes to American Protestant Christianity, the future looks a lot grayer. Over the last few years, I’ve been invited to speak and present data about American religion to various religious organizations and church…

Churches Are Missing the Big Opportunity to Minister to Single-Parents

Single-parent homes are far more prevalent in the United States than most realize. They comprise one-quarter to one-third of homes with children in many communities. In your community, the number could be even higher. Consider the neighborhood around my church in Bradenton, Florida. Single Mom Households: 31% Single Dad Households: 12% Married with Children: 57%…

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The Global Methodist Church: These Things I Pray

An amazing development in world Christianity is the formation of the Global Methodist Church. Indeed, this story is one of the most important stories of global and American Christianity in many years. In the United States alone, there are thousands of Global Methodist churches in all 50 states. But, as the name indicates, it is…

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Why the “Fishbowl” of Ministry is Not a Bad Thing, and One Step to Consider

I had been a pastor for about ten months when the adult daughter of church members—a daughter who did not attend our church—stopped me for a brief conversation in a local grocery store. I had bought a home in that neighborhood a few months before. To my surprise, the daughter said to me, “I drive…

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The Deacons Every Pastor (Should) Love

While churches and denominations have varying viewpoints on the role of deacons due to polity differences, what should be universal is how pastors place a high value on deacons who serve well. I don’t often come across posts from pastors praising their deacons. That’s why I’m writing this one. My deacons are not just the “other office of the church;” they are people with whom I entrust the most sensitive and critical parts of ministry within our congregation. Here are some of the deacons every pastor should love.

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An Update on Rooted: One of the Best Discipleship Resources I’ve Ever Seen

In January of 2022, I wrote an article on one of the best church resources I’ve ever seen. At that time, I shared about Rooted and how it offers a clear, transformational pathway for a disciple to become more like Jesus and make an impact in their church and community. In the two years since…

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Artificial Intelligence: Is There a Right Way for Pastors to Use AI to Create Sermons?

Plagiarism. That was my gut reaction the first time I heard about artificial intelligence. My visceral response was oversimplified and hyperbolic. The tool has enormous potential for good, but I remain more cautious about AI than optimistic. How mig…