Author: Administrador

Ben Turnbull photo – Unsplash By David Platt As we walk in the presence of Christ, we’ll have opportunities to make new disciples of Jesus. We’ll have the privilege of inviting people to turn from their sin and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord. This won’t happen because of our cleverness or evangelistic prowess; … Continue reading “How to Help Someone Through a Salvation Experience”

By Charles Dickson Too many ministers are running on empty. Burdened with almost unbelievable loads of duties, they are running out of both physical and spiritual gas. Consequently, congregations suffer from ministry by ministers who are experiencing stress, burnout, and possibly compassion fatigue. However, one solution has saved the ministry of many pastors and staff. Churches … Continue reading “5 Guidelines for a Successful Pastor Sabbatical”

By Thom S. Rainer The early church, according to Acts 6, was experiencing phenomenal growth. The author, Luke, simply says, “the number of disciples was multiplying” (Acts 6:1, HCSB). Then the distraction arose. The Hellenistic Jews complained that their widows were not being included in the daily distribution of food. The need was real. But … Continue reading “Critics & Conflict: Two Big Distractions for Pastors”

By Staff With Americans spending less time at their local bank branch and more time on their laptops, tablets and smartphones, churches may need to begin or increase their emphasis on online giving. Over half of U.S. adults, 51 percent, now use online banking, according to a new study by Pew Research. Among Internet users, … Continue reading “Rise in Online Banking Drives Need for Online Church Giving Options”

By Aaron Earls As social media continues to attract more individual users, churches are also using social networks to communicate and connect with their congregants and a broader audience. Today, 72 percent of American adults use social networking sites, according to a Pew Research study. In 2005, only 8 percent were on social media. A 2011 … Continue reading “Churches Play Catch-up as Social Media Continues to Grow”

 By Aaron Earls   Due to stresses specific to their calling, pastors have a higher tendency to suffer from depression and anxiety than the average American, according to a recent study. The Clergy Health Initiative at Duke Divinity School found that the depression rate among pastors was at 8.7 percent when responses were limited to … Continue reading “Pastors at Greater Risk for Anxiety, Depression”

By Aaron Earls This Sunday is “National Back to Church Sunday,” but according to a new study by Pew Research, not many have left in the last 10 years. According to Pew, the number of Americans who attend religious services regularly has remained relatively steady with 37 percent saying they attend weekly or more. A decade … Continue reading “Church Attendance Remains Steady in U.S.”

By Aaron Earls Hymnals and Bibles are being replaced in many church pews by iPads and Kindles. iPhone and Droid screens light up sanctuaries, auditoriums and arenas on Sunday mornings. When you are thinking about using a smartphone or tablet during the church service, here are 10 humorous, but important commandments to keep in mind. … Continue reading “10 Commandments for Using iPads in Church”

  By Bob Smietana Nearly half of Americans blame failings in the mental health system—rather than the nation’s gun law—for recent mass shootings, according to a new Gallup survey. Forty-eight percent said the mental health system deserved “a great deal of blame” for the shootings. Easy access to guns (40 percent), drugs (37 percent), violent … Continue reading “Mental Illness, More Than Gun Laws, Blamed for Mass Shootings”

  By Brad Brisco When you hear the word missionary, what is the first thought that comes to mind? A person being sent overseas? Maybe Africa or South America? Webster’s definition is “a person undertaking a mission.” And what about that word mission? It’s defined as “the act of sending or being sent.” The problem … Continue reading “A God Who Sends: The Church Must Live as Sent Ones”