John Jay Alvaro is one of those thoughtful ministers. He frequently pauses when asked tough questions — especially when it’s about matters of faith and culture. And he chooses his words carefully. That’s precisely what he did Tuesday morning when asked…
Big-church solutions don’t solve small-church problems, experts say
A few years back, Dennis Atwood was having a heck of a time getting his hands on a discipleship curriculum designed for small or even mid-sized congregations. Most of what he found was tailored to churches much larger than the…
Small churches ideal for Millennials if members, pastors avoid temptation to isolate
It isn’t easy being a small church. Their pastors and members know it all too well. They are usually under-resourced — fewer members often means fewer dollars, fewer teachers and lay leaders, fewer books, workshops and experts focused to overcoming their…
Be substantive, not hip, to attract Millennials, research finds
Congregations considering seeking hip, young pastors to help attract Millennials may want to think twice about that move. A study of 250 American congregations has found that youth and young adults want substance from their ministers and churches more than…
Megachurch pastor’s firing illustrates challenges posed by addiction
It’s never easy being a pastor. And it becomes even harder when addiction is present. That’s what Perry Noble discovered after battling alcohol abuse the past year. He was terminated by NewSpring Church in South Carolina on July 1, Christianity…
Ed Stetzer leaving LifeWay for Wheaton College
Missiologist and researcher Ed Stetzer is leaving after nine years as executive director of LifeWay Research to become executive director of the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism at Wheaton College, the Christian liberal arts school near Chicago announced May 16….
Growing movement seeks ‘freedom from stuff’
The spiritual connection between a 58-inch flat screen TV and the human soul may seem tenuous to many Americans. It may be even harder to believe how that elegantly simple IKEA coffee table makes life more complicated. But rest assured,…
What it’s like to live on less than two dollars a day
There’s no milk in the fridge, not much food in the cabinet, aside from Ramen noodles. And were it not for the kindness of extended family, one family would be living on the streets. This family, like more than a million American families,…
Few pastors say adultery should permanently ban them from the pulpit
1,000 church leaders weigh in on how to investigate allegations and when the congregation should be told.