By Jeff Brumley Declining memberships and contributions, shuttered sanctuaries and surging megachurches have generated a lot of fear in U.S. congregations. The problem is that fear is a turnoff to those that struggling churches hope to serve, M. Craig Barnes,…
Missional focus will assuage congregations’ fears, ministers say
Declining memberships and closing churches have led some congregations to react with fear, which in turn is a turnoff for potential members, a Christian leader says. Declining memberships and contributions, shuttered sanctuaries and surging megachurches have generated a lot of…
Despite decline, religiously affiliated remain devoted, says survey
By Jeff Brumley While the number of Americans who profess faith is in steady decline, there is evidence suggesting a steady devotion among those who remain religiously affiliated, new research shows. “Among the roughly three-quarters of U.S. adults who do claim…
Despite decline, religiously affiliated remain devoted, says survey
The Pew Research Center says that while religious affiliation continues to decline, dedication remains strong among those who are affiliated with religious groups. But those who coach and lead congregations say declining attendance remains a troubling trend. While the number…
New documentary seeks to inspire ministry to military, veterans
By Jeff Brumley In 2010, Justin Roberts was a newly minted Army chaplain and “very green” when he reported for duty with a crack battalion of the 101st Airborne Division. “I showed up with my helmet cover on backwards,” he…
Addicted to spiritual highs? Try calming the soul, experts say
By Jeff Brumley People who hop from church to church in search of more exciting worship or who seek constantly to feel the intensity of God’s presence in their lives very likely are addicts, Jeanie Miley says. For them, religion…
Study: fewer young people see marriage, procreation prerequisites for sex
By Jeff Brumley Church isn’t the only institution Millennials are avoiding or abandoning in droves, new research by The Barna Group has found. The institution of marriage is increasingly shunned by younger Americans who in turn view sexuality as unconnected…
New study documents shifts in Latin American religious affiliation
By Jeff Brumley Latin America remains a mostly Catholic region and culture but its overall numbers have taken a huge dive during the past four decades or so, a new survey by the Pew Research Center has found. How steep…
Gender gap in clergy pay is ‘shameful,’ say some Baptist women
By Jeff Brumley Women clergy make a lot less money than their male counterparts, new federal statistics show — and a lot of women ministers are finding this disturbing. That was evident on the Baptist Women in Ministry Facebook page, where…
For Baptists-turned-Episcopalians, Anglican disagreement feels familiar
By Jeff Brumley Growing up Southern Baptist in Alabama, Malcom Marler saw just how nasty people can be when they disagree about scripture and thorny theological issues. The resulting departure of moderates and liberals from the convention in the late…
Scholar disputes pollsters’ dire predictions for faith in U.S.
By Jeff Brumley You don’t have to follow the news that closely to hear that Christianity is on the ropes in America, that worship attendance is spiraling downward, that young people want nothing to do with church and that Americans…
Inspired by Obama, Baptist pastor offers ‘state of the church’
By Jeff Brumley Merianna Neely Harrelson was watching President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night when it struck her: someone should do a state-of-the-church address. Then Harrelson, pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Fellowship in Lexington, S.C., thought that someone…