As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
“The number of active members of TEC decreased by 34,179 in 2016, according to the statistics released. In 2015, the denomination lost 37,669 members. The average Sunday worship attendance also decreased by 9,327 last year.” CPost
If you think your preaching could be better, give this 54 minute lecture by Carl Truman a listen. I’ve done it twice. He does take a little but polite jab at T4G and his statement that “An MDiv does not qualify you as competent for the ministry” may puncture some pride filled balloons.
https://faculty.wts.edu/lectures/why-is-good-preaching-so-rare/
When my wife Toni and I first came to Arizona with three small sons almost nineteen years ago to pastor what today is Southeast Valley Bible Church, the believers there agreed that I would invest several weeks a year in international mission’s work. As we’ve grown over the years, SVBC has kept their end of the deal. That’s been a thrill for my ministry over the years.
“From denim to downloads, BSF is loosening up and adapting for millennials.” CToday
Does anyone know that state of things at PCC? I was surprised to see an advertisement for ABEKA Books on Fox News the other day. (I’m in SC, so it wasn’t a local insert.) I don’t want this to turn into a discussion of their rules or doctrine. I’m interested in whether ABEKA Books is still a force in homeschooling/Christian schools and if the student body is up, down, or holding steady.
“Megachurch pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church and California Roman Catholic Bishop Kevin Vann recently opened up about their years-long friendship and cooperation as a model for evangelicals and Catholics around the world to follow.” CPost
“According to a recent paper published by sociologist Simon Brauer in the Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, the number of religious congregations in the United States has increased by almost 50,000 since 1998. A key reason: growth in nondenominational churches.”
“Unlike the spouses of the older generation, the younger ones have a lot more to say about the stress related to their husbands’ jobs.” WRN
Lately it seems like we have had a surge in natural disasters. The U.S. has been hit with two hurricanes, flooding, and severe fires. Mexico was with a hurricane followed by an earthquake. The Hurricanes ravaged the Caribbean islands. Japan, Burma, China— and a number of other regions have been hit with flooding, earthquakes, or other disasters.
I am not equating these with end time prophecies, only saying it seems more than usual lately. These things always occur, and sometimes they cluster.
Discussion