Author: Administrador

By Scott McConnell Attending church is one of the most visible expressions of a person’s faith. This one routine expresses a certain level of belief, devotion, and identity not found in any other activity. For around 45 percent of Americans, regardless of religious affiliation, church attendance is anything but routine. They haven’t attended religious services … Continue reading “Who Are the Unchurched and How to Reach Them”

The last photo of the Nichols family together and Free Welcome Church, where they faced a campaign of terror By Aaron Earls On the Thursday evening before Easter, March 23, 1978, the Nichols family had their last meal together in the parsonage of Free Welcome Church in Sellerstown, North Carolina. Six years of terror at … Continue reading “Forgiveness: The Language of Heaven”

From sleeping in to brunch with friends, millions of Americans choose to skip church on Sundays. By Bob Smietana On Sunday mornings, Jill Taylor drinks coffee and listens to the blues or Johnny Cash. Allen Glendenning reads or calls his kids. Andrew Jacobsohn sleeps late and then studies for school. For them, Sunday is a … Continue reading “Why I Sleep in on Sundays”

By Eric J. Bargerhuff The Word of God is precious. It is a gift to us from God that gives us God’s heart, God’s voice, God’s plan, and God’s will. Understanding the cultural, historical, and grammatical issues that go into biblical interpretation can be challenging at times. But we should never abandon the literal (plain … Continue reading “10 Ways to Misunderstand Scripture”

By Jesse Campbell Some Bible study lessons and sermons begin with an idea and then proceed to show what the Bible has to say about that topic. This approach is often called topical teaching and can be useful when trying to help people see biblical truths about a relevant issue. Other sermons and lessons, however, … Continue reading “4 Ways to Fail at Expository Teaching”

By Aaron Earls Often churches obsess over finding a charismatic leader, developing the right children’s programs, or having the perfect music. Most church attenders, however, say sermons are the primary reason they choose a congregation. And not just any sermons, but sermons focused on the Bible. Gallup asked those who attend a place of worship … Continue reading “The Surprising Reason Most People Choose a Church”

By Bob Smietana 1. Going to church is harder than it looks. Joining a new church can be like going on a date or finding someone to marry. It’s not easy to find the right match. Finding a church home may take months, and the search can be time-consuming, frustrating, and lonely. 2. Be friendly, … Continue reading “5 Things to Remember about the Unchurched”

By Staff Not long after the presidential election, Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, admitted his paper has had a blind spot when it comes to faith. “We don’t get religion,” he told NPR’s Terri Gross. “We don’t get the role of religion in people’s lives.” One reason it’s difficult to get … Continue reading “America’s Complicated Religious Landscape”

By Staff Growing up in 1970s Canada, David Haskell often went to church with his grandmother. Back then, going to church was the thing to do on Sundays. “Grandma’s church was packed with young and old alike,” he writes in a column for the Calgary Sun. And evangelical congregations like his grandmother’s weren’t the only … Continue reading “Study: Theology Matters for Growing Churches”

By Lisa Cannon Green Ah, summertime. The living is easy, and the pews are empty. Family trips, kids’ camps, and a penchant for relaxation can wreak havoc on summer church attendance—but leaders who simply hang on until September are missing an opportunity, says Kris Dolberry, a pastor, Bible teacher, and former leader of Lifeway Men. … Continue reading “15 Ways to Beat the Summer Slump”