Christianity: One Choice among Many in the Religious Buffet

January 15, 2009

A new Barna Group research project reveals that Christianity is no longer the default spiritual setting for Americans. The fading of the Christian faith in America has been widely discussed. For most, this conclusion is not surprising: Half of Americans believe the Christian faith no longer has a lock on people’s hearts. Overall, 50% of the adults interviewed agreed that Christianity is no longer the faith that Americans automatically accept as their personal faith, while just 44% disagreed and Read more [...]

Five Significant Trends in the American Church

January 9, 2009

In my previous post I briefly discussed a study that revealed five trends in the church from the previous ten years. This post is dedicated to five trends that will affect the church during the next ten years. But I’ll lean upon the greater wisdom of my prognosticating father, Thom Rainer. He gives his thoughts on the more notable trends surfacing today that will help shape the church during the next decade. Accelerated growth of multi-site churches. In 2000, 5% of all megachurches had multiple Read more [...]

Ten Years of Trends in the American Church

December 29, 2008

Ed Stetzer highlights on his blog a ten-year study that reveals changes in American congregations since 1998. This study, the National Congregation Study Wave II, directed by Mark Chaves, a professor at Duke University, compared over 1,505 congregations in 2006-2007 with 1,234 congregations in 1998. What are the notable changes in American congregations since 1998? Click here for Ed’s commentary or here for a link to the study. I’ve briefly summarized some of the findings below. What are your Read more [...]

Does "Merry Christmas" Matter?

December 24, 2008

What is the American preference for Christmas greetings? Pew Research recently posted data from a survey: When given the option of hearing "Merry Christmas" or a less religious greeting -- like "Happy Holidays" -- in stores and businesses, Americans choose Merry Christmas by a 60%-to-23% margin. When specifically given "doesn't matter" as an option, however, a 45%-plurality have no preference for how they are greeted during the holiday season -- 42% want Merry Christmas and 12% prefer the less religious Read more [...]

The Power of Right Now

December 23, 2008

Great leaders are typically great organizers and communicators of vision. They inspire with their plans for the future. Just as important as a grand vision, however, is a grand appreciation for the moment at hand. While it is not as widely discussed as other leadership traits, embracing the power of spontaneity has several benefits for leadership in general, but specifically for church leaders as well. I’ll share with you a few I’ve noticed anecdotally. Creative fuel is pumped. The creative Read more [...]

What’s the Opposition to Religious Talk in the Workplace?

December 17, 2008

LifeWay Research has data from a new survey that answers the question: Despite several high-profile court cases over the past few years that tried to limit religious speech and the display of religious items in the workplace, most Americans have no problem with either. According to a recent survey by LifeWay Research, less than a third of Americans have issues with those who display religious items at work. Also, less than 4 out of 10 mind religious talk in the workplace. The survey asked respondents Read more [...]

CT’s Top 10 Religion Stories of 2008

December 15, 2008

Christianity Today just posted their top 10 religion stories of 2008. Click on the links below for the individual articles. 1. Election 2008: Democrats woo evangelical vote, making only slight gains from Bush era. 2. Voters turn back California Supreme Court's same-sex marriage decision. 3. Christians in Orissa, India, again become scapegoats for Hindu extremists. 4. Anglican Communion continues to implode in slow motion. 5. Christians flee Iraq and Gaza. 6. Candidates' religious associations come Read more [...]

Balancing Empowerment and Unity

December 11, 2008

The Apostle Paul was an unlikely messenger. The Philippian church had little to give. Yet the inadequate messenger was supported by the church for the advancement of the gospel. It was a partnership of true joy. This partnership represented God’s people with differing gifts joining together for a common mission. They were unified because they knew what really mattered. As a pastor, it excites me to see people pumped about what really matters. One of the great joys of ministry is shepherding a Read more [...]

Financial Pain and the Church

December 3, 2008

The Barna Group recently released research that reveals potential billion-dollar losses in donations for churches driven by the slow economy: Americans are now passing on their financial pain to churches and other non-profit organizations by cutting back substantially on their giving during the fourth quarter of 2008. Those reductions - occurring during the most important quarter of the year for donor-driven organizations - will cripple thousands of smaller and less stable donor-supported organizations. Two Read more [...]

I’m Thankful for J.

November 25, 2008

USA Today recently reported on research that correlates a thankful spirit with happiness. It states that people who practice outward gratitude on a regular basis tend to be healthier people: Practicing gratitude in systematic ways changes people by changing brains that are wired for negativity, for noticing gaps and omissions…When you express a feeling, you amplify it. When you express anger, you get angrier; when you express gratitude, you become more grateful. Makes sense. The problem is that Read more [...]