Author: Administrador

By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.— American evangelicals are known for their support of the nation of Israel—believing God promised that land to the Jewish people. But they also have some more personal motivations. One in 3 has Jewish friends. And a few have Jewish ethnicity. Two percent of Americans with evangelical beliefs—an estimated 871,000 adult … Continue reading “More Than a Few Evangelicals Have Jewish Friends and Family”

http://ministrysites.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/keepasking/EP40_KeepASKING.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window – Download The Lifeway Research team interviews Jana Magruder, Lifeway Director of Kids Ministry on recent research best predictors of spiritual health among young adults. Lifeway Research partnered with Jana and her Kid’s Ministry team to survey parents on what factors during childhood had the biggest impact on the … Continue reading “Episode 34: Interview With Jana Magruder, Director of Lifeway Kids Ministry”

By Aaron Earls If the average pastor has anything to do with it, church guests can expect multiple greetings and may even leave with a gift. A new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research asked 1,000 Protestant pastors what their churches do to welcome guests. “The Bible is full of verses on hospitality, so churches should … Continue reading “Greeters and Gifts: How Churches Welcome Guests”

http://ministrysites.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/keepasking/EP41_KEEPASKING.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window – Download Jana Magruder, Director of Lifeway Kids, discusses the importance for parents to focus on simplifying and looking for ways to get with their kids and get into God’s Word…because Bible reading by far showed the biggest impact on children’s spiritual health. A few of the items that … Continue reading “Episode 35: Interview With Jana Magruder (Part 2)”

By Bob Smietana Protestant churches may be a little more diverse these days. And that’s a good thing, their pastors say. Eighty-one percent of Protestant pastors say their congregation is predominantly made up of one racial or ethnic group. That’s down from 86 percent four years ago, according to a new study from Nashville-based Lifeway … Continue reading “Protestant Pastors Want Churches to be Diverse, See Slow Progress”

By Bob Smietana When former Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley was accused last year of using public funds to cover up an affair with one of his aides, he ran afoul of the law. Then he may have also gotten in trouble at church. The former governor and the aide—also a church member—left their church after … Continue reading “Churches Rarely Reprimand Members, New Survey Shows”

http://ministrysites.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/keepasking/EP42_KEEPASKING.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window – Download Scott McConnell interviews Dr. Gary Sibcy on suicide research. The Suicide and the Church Research Study was sponsored by the American Association of Christian Counselors, Liberty University Graduate Counseling program, the Liberty University School of Medicine, and the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. Be sure … Continue reading “Episode 36: Interview with Dr. Gary Sibcy, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, on Research on Suicide and the Church”

By Bob Smietana When it comes to charity, a personal touch works 10 times better than Facebook—at least for churchgoers. A new report from Nashville-based Lifeway Research found more than half of Protestant churchgoers say a personal connection inspired them to give money to a charity for the first time. Social media such as Facebook … Continue reading “Personal Touch Drives Churchgoer Giving”

http://ministrysites.s3.amazonaws.com/podcasts/keepasking/EP29%20-%20Keep%20Asking.mp3 Podcast: Play in new window – Download Churches typically begin to put an emphasis on helping those with mental illness after the pastor is directly impacted by mental illness: a family or friend of the pastor, a church staff member or one of their immediate members, or a key leader. It’s proximity. It’s one … Continue reading “Episode 37: How is the Church Helping Those With Serious Mental Illness?”

By Bob Smietana Most churchgoers say the Bible commands them to give. But their tithes don’t always go in the offering plate. Half of Protestant churchgoers say their tithes can go to a Christian ministry rather than a church. A third say tithes can go to help an individual in need. And more than a … Continue reading “Churchgoers Say They Tithe, But Not Always to the Church”