Missions: The Unseen Arab Revolution

Christians and Muslims

Some revolutions play out for all the world to see. Others unfold behind the scenes. Both types of change are rippling through the Arab world. It’s been a little over a year since massive demonstrations began Jan. 25, 2011, in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, ultimately toppling longtime Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak. In the days before … [Read more...]

Christianity Remains Dominant Religion in United States

Color.ofCross.pcom

The majority of the people in the U.S. still say religion is very important in their lives. According to Gallup, Christianity is still the most prevalent religion in the United States, with 78% of American adults identifying with some form of the Christian religion in 2011. Less than 2% are Jewish, less than 1% are Muslim, and 15% do not … [Read more...]

Gallup: Life Better Than Year Ago Among U.S. Americans

Tree Lined Lane

According to Gallup, Americans (U.S.) rated their lives better in January than in any month since March of last year. Americans' life ratings have been steadily recovering since October, when they fell to their lowest level in more than two years. Read the full story at Gallup.com. … [Read more...]

Embrace a Leadership Development Process

Sign

J. Oswald Sanders describes the process of qualifying as spiritual leaders: Spiritual leaders are not made by election or appointment, by men or any combination of men, nor by conferences or synods. Only God can make them. Simply holding a position of importance does not constitute one a leader, nor do taking courses in leadership or … [Read more...]

Love First, Understand Later

communication3

Take comfort, guys, if you can't always figure out what your special someone wants. You are not alone. Renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking is one of the smartest guys in the world. He contemplates stuff like cosmic string theory, gravitational singularity and the density matrix of the universe. Yet when he was asked in a … [Read more...]

Banning Religion From the Public Square — or at Least the Public School Building

Churches.inschools

A few weeks ago, I spoke to a church in New York City that is now vulnerable to eviction from the school building where they meet because they spoke of the wrong things -- religious things. As such, their speech is soon likely to be banned from NYC public school buildings that sit empty and unused on the weekend. According to city … [Read more...]

Poll: 65 Percent U.S. Say Churches Should Be Allowed to Meet in Public Schools

Whynot

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- Two-thirds of Americans believe public schools should rent to churches and other community groups, according to a new study by LifeWay Research. The study comes as a Feb. 12 deadline banning the use of New York City schools by churches approaches. Up to 160 NYC congregations that have used school buildings for … [Read more...]

Are You Ready for People to Accept Christ?

Come&See

I believe that scripture teaches that we should always be willing and ready to share our faith with those around us.  We place such a huge emphasis on people in our churches sharing the gospel.  I think this should be a part of not just our ‘church’ culture but a daily emphasis in the life of every believer.  We should want to tell … [Read more...]

Tips for Ministering to New Parents

6472

Our granddaughter, Lily, was born in January. (Can you hear me smiling?) As their church lovingly ministered to the new parents, I realized the magnitude of those small acts. Does your church need fresh ideas for a new parent ministry? Try some of these: -- Food ministry. I was blown away to learn that their church provides six meals, … [Read more...]

Barna: U.S. Knows What John 3:16 References

Tebow.John316.pcom

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) -- The popular Bible verse "John 3:16" is seen often at sporting events and throughout popular culture, but do Americans even know what it's referencing? A new survey suggests they do. The Barna Group poll conducted for the American Bible Society asked U.S. adults: "When you hear the phrase 'John three sixteen' … [Read more...]