As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“Unless we challenge our hearers to respond to God’s Word, we’ve only given them biblical information without telling them what to do with it … . Whether you prefer the term ‘response’ or ‘invitation,’ consider 5 ways to help your listeners respond to the Word.” - Chuck Lawless
Founder, Brian Houston: RNS: Hillsong pastor Brian Houston resigns after revelations of indiscretions with women, C.Today: Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston Resigns
“…the overall share of U.S. worshippers who say their congregation is open to in-person services has not increased over the last six months, but fewer people say their services include coronavirus-related precautions.” - Pew
“I am leading a massive, multi-year study of how churches have fared during the pandemic. Nearly every conversation I have gets around to just how exhausted clergy are and how many of their colleagues are thinking about quitting the ministry.” - RNS
God calls every believer to teach His Word to others at a grassroots level. To motivate and equip them to do this, He provides pastors. These are responsible to “hold nothing back,” devoting themselves to ministry in two venues: public gatherings and private settings (Acts 20:20).
Study: “Half of Americans (51%) say they’re curious as to why some people are so devoted to their faith. Even among those who are religiously unaffiliated, the majority (60%) are curious about others’ faith.” - Lifeway
“The board of directors of Hillsong, the global megachurch and music empire co-founded by Australian pastor Brian Houston, released a statement Friday addressing two complaints about Houston, including an accusation that the married pastor had spent time alone in a hotel room with a woman in 2019.” - C.Today
“We’re supposed to be controlled by the truth—to recognize, believe, accept, practice, and, yes, speak it.” - Olinger
Read Part 1.
“Two weeks to flatten the curve.” If that infamous line from 2020 still makes you grit your teeth, you’re not the only one.
But here’s the real issue that we as church leaders should be focused on: How have our churches and ministries handled the last two years’ worth of unprecedented opportunities?
Discussion