10 Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon

By

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May 2, 2025

pastor leaves church — Adobestock #221448984

When pastors quit, we should ask that has happened.

More than 1,700 pastors leave the ministry every month.

This staggering number includes some of the brightest, most inspiring pastors in the country. To prevent the continued flight of our pastors, we need to understand the cause of the problem. Though every situation is unique, the reasons pastors quit are often similar.

10 Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon

1. Discouragement.

Complaints speak louder than compliments. You can receive 15 compliments and one complaint, and the complaint will stick.

When you hear criticism and look out to see empty pews, it can be difficult to recognize the positive impact you’re making. The key is to remember: No matter how much negative you hear, you’re always doing 10 times more good.

2. Failure.

Many pastors have difficulty recognizing success. They compare themselves to other pastors and other ministries. Comparisons produce only two outcomes:

(1) You think you’re better, which results in excessive pride,

or (2) you feel like you don’t measure up, which creates a sense of failure.

The key is not to compare, but to celebrate your successes.

3. Loneliness.

With so many people looking to pastors for guidance, it can be difficult for pastors to let their guards down. They don’t want to come across as less than perfect. They feel they can’t be transparent and vulnerable. That creates a sense of isolation.

It’s important for pastors to find people they can open up and share their struggles with, instead of absorbing and isolating.

4. Moral Failure.

The moral fa ilures of pastors are magnified more than the average person. The key to avoiding moral failures is creating a system of risk prevention.

When you meet with someone of the opposite sex: Let your spouse know, never meet behind closed doors and do not discuss relationship issues. For pornography, software is available to monitor or block Web activity.

What I Teach at Our New Membership Class

By

Sam Rainer

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May 2, 2025

I have a high view of church membership, and I hope to lead my church to have the same view. As we assimilate new people into the body of Christ, the goal of our new membership class is to maintain a culture of high expectations of every church member. I believe the best starting point for setting these expectations is a new member class. Whatever descriptor you use for the class, whatever time slot you choose to teach the class, every new member class should communicate three key points about your church: information, doctrine and expectations.

RELATED: Church Assimilation

3 Objectives of a New Membership Class

Information

Information gives new people an idea of the basics of your church: staff, worship style, ministry philosophy and where the bathrooms are located.

Doctrine

Doctrine lets people know upfront what you believe. You can no longer assume people understand historical denominational differences. Additionally, churches within the same denomination in the same town can be quite different now. Don’t surprise people. Don’t downplay doctrine. Don’t confuse people. Be clear about what you believe and who you are.

Expectations

Expectations are often neglected when we’re communicating with potential new members. After all, we don’t want to scare them away with a stack of sign-up sheets. But I believe the lack of clarifying expectations on the front end of membership is one of the main reasons why we’re encouraging an unhealthy culture of consumerism in the church.

In order to encourage people to attend our Discover class, we offer it during lunch on Sunday. The lunch is free, and we also provide free childcare. We eat from 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the duration of the class is about an hour, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. We hold the class about once a month, and we promote it often. Not only do we want potential members to attend, we also want existing members to hear regularly about the importance of membership. On occasion, we also offer the class during our Sunday morning Life Groups for those who may not be able to attend on a Sunday afternoon.

New Membership Class – Doctrine

Our statement of faith includes eight points, so our new members class tries to reinforce these doctrines.

1. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament are the inerrant, inspired and infallible Word of God. God’s Word is the final authority for faith and life.

2. We believe there is only one God, and He has chosen to reveal Himself as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

3. We believe man was created in the image of God and the sin of Adam (the first man) marred that image, creating an eternal divide between God and man. Every person is born in sin.

4. We believe the only way a person can have a true, forgiven relationship with God is through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and conceived by the Holy Spirit. Jesus became man without ceasing to be God. Our right standing with God is made sure because of His literal, physical resurrection.

5. We believe in the literal, physical return of Jesus to judge the living and the dead.

6. We believe God offers eternal life as a free gift and that it must be received by faith alone through God’s grace alone. The life that comes from this gift is a permanent possession of the one receiving it.

7. We believe the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of believers on mission to enlarge God’s kingdom. The local church is autonomous, free of any external authority of control.

8. We believe believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church.

Exploring NICC: Unveiling Core Self & Constructed Self

By

Josh Spurlock

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May 1, 2025

internal working models — Source: Lightstock #210374

In the realm of psychological and spiritual integration, Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® (NICC) stands out by offering a unique approach that combines deep spiritual truths with contemporary psychological insights. This article delves into the foundational concepts of NICC, such as the differentiation between the Core Self and the Constructed Self and the role of Internal Working Models (IWMs) in shaping our perceptions and interactions.

We will explore how NICC categorizes these models into character structure domains, enhancing our understanding of human behavior in both optimal (self@best) and suboptimal (self@worst) conditions. By incorporating principles from neuroscience and biblical teachings, NICC aims to guide individuals towards a life of thriving, aligning people’s personal growth with God’s design and the unique expression of their soul’s DNA.

The Core vs. Constructed Self

Core Self (‘I’)

The Core Self in NICC is described as an innate, non-thought, non-verbal felt sense of self that is present from the earliest moments of life. This aspect of self arises from the interaction between the soul and the brain’s subcortical midline structures. It reflects the “DNA of the soul”—the unique spiritual blueprint endowed by God, which guides an individual’s inherent talents, giftings, and divine purpose. The Core Self is characterized by qualities such as compassion, curiosity, calmness, and confidence, and remains relatively constant throughout life.

Constructed Self (‘Me’)

The Constructed Self, in contrast, develops through lived experiences and is shaped by interactions with the environment, including caregivers, peers, cultural influences, and life events. It involves a complex layering of IWMs that encode how to relate to the world and others. These models are dynamic and change over time, reflecting an accumulation of life experiences. The Constructed Self can be segmented into two aspects:

Constructed Self at Best (s@b): This reflects an optimal state of being, where experiences align with God’s design and are congruent with the Core Self, facilitating personal and spiritual growth.
Constructed Self at Worst (s@w): This consists of maladaptive IWMs formed from trauma or negative experiences, leading to a state that is misaligned with both the Core Self and God’s design.

Internal Working Models

Internal Working Models (IWMs), the fundamental building blocks of the constructed self, are psychological constructs that develop early in life and continue to influence behavior, emotions, and social interactions throughout an individual’s lifetime. These models are essentially cognitive frameworks that help us interpret and navigate our social world, primarily derived from our interactions with primary caregivers and significant relationships.

Formation of IWMs

IWMs are formed based on our earliest experiences with attachment figures. These experiences teach us what to expect from others, how to approach relationships, and how we view ourselves in the context of those relationships. Over time, these working models help us predict and control our environment, guiding how we relate to others and ourselves.

Self@Best Internal Working Models form from helpful experiences, where conditions for thriving are met consistently and reliably. These IWMs support thriving by encoding helpful instructions for navigating life in each of the character structure developmental domains (Connection, Independence, Reality, Feelings, and Spirituality). Conversely, unhelpful experiences, not supportive of conditions for thriving, result in unhelpful IWMs that require transforming.

Character Structure Developmental Domains

In the context of Neuroscience Informed Christian Counseling® (NICC), character structure domains are conceptual frameworks that help us organize IWM’s into categories. These categories in turn help us understand how our experiences shape our expectations and behaviors throughout life in important aspects of life.

Connection

This domain involves developing internal working models for forming safe, supportive relationships. Healthy connection models arise from experiences where primary caregivers are consistently available and responsive, enabling children to feel seen, understood, and safe. Thriving in this domain results in feeling unique, lovable, and confident in the stability and support of close relationships.

Example Helpful self@best IWMs of Connection:

Believes that relationships are reliable sources of support and comfort.
Feels worthy of love and expects openness and honesty in interactions.

Example Unhelpful self@worst IWMs Connection:

Perceives relationships as inherently unstable and untrustworthy.
Feels undeserving of affection and tends to withdraw from or sabotage close relationships.

New Biblical Epic ‘The Solomon Saga’ Stars Luke Dimyan and Erick Avari From ‘The Chosen’

By

Jessica Lea

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May 1, 2025

solomon saga — L: Luke Dimyan as Solomon. C: Erick Avari as David. R: Chloe Avakian as Devorah. Screengrabs from Facebook / @The Solomon Saga

A new biblical epic is in the works starring Luke Dimyan (who plays Judas in “The Chosen”), Erick Avari (who plays Nicodemus in “The Chosen”), and Chloe Avakian. A short film titled “The Solomon Saga” is complete and is planned to be a launch point for an eight-part series.

“It all started with Brad’s dream to create an epic story of King Solomon’s life! He enlisted the passion of his longtime friend Matt and the journey began,” says a Feb. 17 post about the project. “Next they engaged the talents of Max to write the script. Then added Sylvia to the team to Direct the introductory short film as a launchpad for a bigger project.”

“We have big plans in the works and all of you, the fans, are a vital part of this journey!” the post added. “So PLEASE follow us and stay tuned.”

A post listing the full cast and crew names Sylvia Caminer as director/producer, Manuel “Max” Freedman as writer/producer, Matthew Brooks as executive producer, and Brad Lange as story/executive producer.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Solomon Saga (@thesolomonsaga)

‘The Solomon Saga’ Stars Luke Dimyan, Erick Avari

Given the recent success of “The Chosen,” “House of David,” and “The King of Kings,” it seems that audiences are hungry for faith-based content. “The Chosen,” a series that dramatizes the life of Jesus, has become a global phenomenon. The theatrical release of Part 1 of Season 5 set a record for the show, grossing $11,755,197 domestically and nearly $13 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.

“House of David,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime and tells the biblical story of King David, was the No. 1 show on Prime Video following the release of the Season 1 finale.

“The King of Kings,” a movie that depicts Charles Dickens telling his son the story of Jesus Christ, earned more than $19 million during its opening weekend. The film features an all-star cast and broke the record for the biggest opening for an animated Bible film, an achievement previously held by “The Prince of Egypt.”

In response to a request for comment, The Solomon Saga told ChurchLeaders that the short film, “The Solomon Saga,” has been completed and is “a jumping off point for a larger 8 part limited series.” The plan is for the pilot for that series to be filmed at the beginning of 2026. People can follow The Solomon Saga’s accounts on social media at the handle @thesolomonsaga for updates.

Luke Dimyan, who plays the role of Judas Iscariot in “The Chosen,” stars as Solomon. A clip of “The Solomon Saga” shows Solomon telling the character Devorah, “It is to show the world that our God will be honored in a way that no one has ever seen. Ours will be a golden kingdom full of mystique and glory, and it will all be for him.”

Houston Pastor Ben Young: Allegations of Deception, Power Grab ‘Simply Are Not True’

By

Stephanie Martin

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May 1, 2025

In response to a lawsuit filed by some disgruntled current and former members, Texas Pastor Ben Young used part of his sermon on Sunday (April 27) to deny the allegations. Young, senior pastor of Houston’s Second Baptist Church, told worshipers that change always leads to “pushback,” and some of the church’s 94,000 members had been “struggling with change.”

Although Young said he couldn’t talk about the lawsuit, he assured people that allegations made about him and his family “simply are not true.” Second Baptist will respond “appropriately for this body of Christ,” said the pastor, adding that the church is receiving counsel from Jay Sekulow, chief counsel at the American Center for Law and Justice.

While preaching about the “new day” at Second Baptist, Young assured congregants they have an “excellent” leadership structure and team that serves with “great efficiency and accountability.” He also spoke about the church family “moving forward with all that God has in store for us, to reach the next generation for Jesus Christ.”

Pastor Ben Young Rebuffs Allegations From Lawsuit

Last May, longtime Senior Pastor H. Edwin Young, then 87, retired after 46 years serving Second Baptist. He named son Ben Young, a longtime associate pastor at the six-site megachurch, as his successor.

According to a lawsuit filed April 15 by the newly formed nonprofit Jeremiah Counsel Corporation, leaders at Second Baptist had changed church bylaws via “deceitful and deceptive practices” to ensure that ministry control—and profit—stayed within the Young family. The church has an annual budget of $84 million, plus $1 billion in assets.

The suit alleges that a small team strategized to revoke church members’ voting rights, block members from accessing financial records, and prevent future congregational input about church policies and decisions. “Under the purported Bylaws ‘updates,’ the Senior Pastor would also have nearly dictatorial authority over church business and staff,” the lawsuit stated.

As ChurchLeaders reported, the lawsuit claimed that as soon as Ben Young assumed power at Second Baptist, he prevented his father from staying involved with the ministry and “summarily fired” top staff members.

The Jeremiah Counsel Corporation is seeking a permanent injunction that would revoke Ben Young’s authority as senior pastor of Second Baptist and address the allegedly invalid church-bylaw updates. According to the lawsuit, those updates were pushed through in May 2023 under the guise of fighting “the woke agenda,” and a meeting about the issue was minimally publicized to church members.

Bylaw Changes Were Biblical and Legal, Says Pastor Ben Young

Preaching at Second Baptist’s main Woodway campus on Sunday, Pastor Ben Young noted that his father—a former Southern Baptist Convention president—was “such a massive agent of change.” Throughout Ed Young Sr.’s lengthy ministry, Ben said, the megachurch saw change, which led to challenges, which led to growth. “Every time we change, every time we launch something new,” said Ben Young, “there’s always pushback, always challenge, always conflict.”

‘We’re Doing It Up Big’—President Trump, Christian Leaders Celebrate National Day of Prayer

By

Dale Chamberlain

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May 1, 2025

On Thursday (May 1), leaders in churches and government commemorated the National Day of Prayer, continuing a tradition spanning decades.

While the tradition of federally designated prayer days predates the National Day of Prayer as it is currently recognized, Congress introduced a resolution in 1952 requiring the president to designate an annual day of prayer on the date of his choosing. That legislation was amended in 1988 to officially designate the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer.

To commemorate the day, President Donald Trump hosted an event in the rose garden at the White House.

President Donald Trump Celebrates National Day of Prayer at the White House

In an event at the White House, Trump said, “We’re doing up big. This is the first time they’ve done it this way, and you deserve it…We’re bringing back religion in our country, and we’re bringing it back quickly and strongly.”

“Because for America to be a great nation, we must always be ‘one nation under God,’” Trump added, “a phrase they would like to get rid of—the radical left. But, man, I don’t think we’re gonna let them get rid of that, right?”

Trump went on to discuss “Trump derangement syndrome” and his “big beautiful bill” on tax reform, and he promised to make America “rich, healthy, and religious again.”

Later in his address, Trump characterized immigrants as “pouring in from jails and mental institutions,” a claim he has repeated often but which is not supported by data.

“We’re making our country greater than ever before,” Trump went on to say. “I created a historic White House faith office in the West Wing.”

“And that’s gonna be an office that’s been very well—I see already a lot of people going back and forth and that’s good,” said Trump. “That’s why we want to defend and represent people of all faiths and their religious freedoms.”

Trump said, “I don’t think that’s ever happened before, right? People of faith have never been allowed in the White House.”

Irwyn Ince Jr.: Finding True Hope in Hard Times

By

Jason Daye

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May 1, 2025

We often preach and teach about the joy and hope of Jesus but can sometimes struggle experiencing that when the demands and chaos of ministry threaten to overwhelm us. So how can we refresh and recenter our hope on Jesus? In this week’s conversation on FrontStage BackStage, host Jason Daye is joined by Irwyn Ince Jr. Irwyn is the coordinator of Mission to North America, part of the Presbyterian Church of America. His most recent book is titled “Hope Ain’t a Hustle.” Together, Irwyn and Jason look at ways to overcome hope fatigue. Irwyn shares some biblical truths and practices that can help us enter into God’s rest, anchor our hope in Jesus, and experience true joy.

FrontStage BackStage Podcast With Irwyn Ince Jr.

View the entire podcast here.

Keep Learning

Looking to dig more deeply into this topic and conversation? Every week we go the extra mile and create a free toolkit so you and your ministry team can dive deeper into the topic that is discussed. Find your Weekly Toolkit here… Love well, Live well, Lead well!

Podcast Links

Video links to this week’s episode – easily share with the ministry leaders in your church
Audio links to this week’s episode – easily share with the ministry leaders in your church
Additional resource links from this week’s conversation – so you and your team can easily find what is mentioned or referenced
Ministry Leaders Growth Guide – key insights and concepts from this week’s conversation as well as engaging questions for you and your team to consider and process
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Pastor, Are You Burning Out?

By

Full Strength Network

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May 1, 2025

But the Lord said to him (twice), “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

I’m 67 years old and just had my first burn out experience. It never happened during an intense 40+ year business career, most of it as the chief sales and marketing officer of a company with a half-billion dollars in assets. No, it came two years after entering vocational ministry as the CEO of an emerging Christian nonprofit ministry.

Here’s a list of the symptoms that I experienced during my burnout adventure:

I allowed the busyness of the work to crowd out my sacred early morning time with God, including spiritually fueling my heart and mind with his power-giving Word.
I sacrificed attention to my physical wellbeing diminishing my physical energy reserves and the capacity to renew them.
My emotional battery ran fully dry and nothing I did would recharge and restore my emotional equilibrium.
I just wanted to sit in my reading chair in our darkened guest bedroom and let my mind and emotions go numb for hours at a time. It’s like my mind and heart kept saying, “Leave me alone!”
I could not focus or concentrate on much of anything, let alone effectively engage with work duties.
When I finally made it into my office knowing that people were depending on me to get work done, I’d lean on my desk with head in hands and inexplicably begin weeping—then do in several hours what normally would have taken one.

Thanks to grace-laden empathy and loving care from my wife, and support from my board after confessing my burnout state and admitting that I couldn’t go on like this—some recovery realizations (life lessons) began to emerge. I’m happy to say the healing process, though not complete, is underway.

Here are some important lessons that God has been showing me, along with insights drawn from Elijah’s story when he became paralyzed with fear upon hearing Jezebel’s pledge that “he would be dead by the same time tomorrow”.

Lesson 1: Working long days and maxing out every minute of your schedule week after week as a regular routine may seem efficient and the epitome of a high-performance leader, but it’s not. It’s folly. If your body’s tachometer is constantly running on or over the red line, then you’ve set the stage for burnout. If you leave no slack in your schedule, and you don’t renew body, mind, and soul on a regimented basis, then some Jezebel moment (inevitable for pastors) will come from out of nowhere tipping you off balance enough that you won’t be able to stop a tumble into burnout. Renewing your mental, physical, and emotional reserves, and scheduling some slack time for unexpected intrusions is critical for thriving.

Lesson 2: Running away and hiding is never the answer for healing. Self-pity doesn’t work either. In a moment of weakness (after facing 450 prophets of Baal), Elijah inexplicably caves to Jezebel’s death threat. He flees to Beersheba, dumps his loyal servant (isolated pastors beware), and wanders out into the wilderness in total despair asking God to take his life. God, through an angel, twice prescribes sleep and nutrition. This therapy was a prerequisite for what was to come next.

Lesson 3: During times like this in your life, God wants to meet with you face to face for a divine counseling engagement. God will never squander an opportunity to teach you when you hit bottom. For Elijah, he traveled 40 days and nights to the mountain of God. As all good counselors do, God starts his therapy session with a question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” I would paraphrase the question, “What the heck are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah disgorges his negative feelings, projecting blame on others for his condition. God gives Elijah an object lesson. He is not to be found in a windstorm, earthquake, or fire; it was in a gentle whisper that Elijah knew God was near. That whisper turned into a repeated question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah disgorges a second time, still projecting blame on others. Insight: It takes a while to unpack emotional garbage, and it’s critical to get it all out. For me, my gentle whisper from God was, “Stop trying to do big things (wind, quake, and fire) in your own strength, and learn to trust me!”

Lesson 4: It’s critical to delegate and work from priorities, making a fresh pledge to God that you will indeed learn to trust Him. After all, “without faith (trust), it’s impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). It’s a strange form of insanity to try to do God’s work in your own strength. After his counseling session with God, Elijah was told to trace his steps backward from whence he came and resume his prophetic duties by appointing leaders who would join Elijah in sharing and perpetuating leadership responsibility. As part of my recovery, we repositioned a gifted executive to manage operations, the stuff that was crushing me. My early morning coffee time with Jesus has been restored. Tears of returning joy now come at the end of the day as I once again am able to reflect on God’s goodness.

This article originally appeared here.

SBC Membership Drops to Its Lowest Number in 50 Years. But Baptisms Are on the Rise.

By

Bob Smietana

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May 1, 2025

SBC membership — A messenger raises a ballot at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Indianapolis, June 11, 2024. (RNS Photo/AJ Mast)

(RNS) — The number of Southern Baptists in the United States is the lowest it has been in 50 years, but more of them seem to be showing up in church.

And the number of baptisms in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination continues to rebound from the lows of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Southern Baptist Convention lost 259,090 members in 2024, with its total membership now at 12.7 million, according to the denomination’s Annual Church Profile report, released Wednesday (April 30).

That’s a 50-year low — in 1975, the SBC reported 12.5 million members. It’s also the 18^th consecutive year of membership decline. In 2006, the SBC hit a peak membership of 16.3 million, and over the past two decades it has lost 3.6 million members.

“Southern Baptist Convention membership falls 18th straight year” (Graphic courtesy of Lifeway Research)

But for Southern Baptists, there was some good news in the report.

About 4.3 million people attended SBC churches weekly nationwide in 2024, according to the report conducted by Lifeway Research. That means attendance is up more than a quarter-million from the previous year. And more than 2.5 million showed up weekly for Sunday school and small-group Bible studies, up 5.7% from the previous year.

Total baptisms were up 10%, topping 250,000 for the first time since 2017.

“Southern Baptists love to focus on evangelism, and these ACP numbers back that up,” Jeff Iorg, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, said in a statement. “We rejoice that God is using Southern Baptist churches to reach people with the gospel. We celebrate the upward trends in baptisms that we haven’t seen in the past 30 years. These ACP results help us see that God is at work among Southern Baptists.”

“SBC baptisms top quarter of a million, highest level since 2017” (Graphic courtesy of Lifeway Research)

The report is an annual statistical census of Southern Baptist congregations conducted by local associations and state conventions in conjunction with Lifeway. Around 7 in 10 Southern Baptist churches (69%) reported at least one item in the current report covering 2024, according to Lifeway.

Total reported giving to SBC churches was down about $500 million — from just over $10 billion in 2023, to $9.55 billion in 2024. Giving to missions dropped from $798 million in 2023 to $791 million in 2024, per the report.

Like most denominations in the United States, the SBC has seen declining membership in recent decades, as older churchgoing generations of Americans are replaced by younger generations that are less interested in organized religion.

The recent Pew Religious Landscape Study found two-thirds of adults who identify as Southern Baptists are 50 or older. Only 31% are under 50, and only 10% between the ages of 18 and 29. Overall, 4% of Americans identify as Southern Baptists, according to Pew’s study.

Church Stage Lighting 101

By

Staff

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May 1, 2025

Lighting plays a crucial role in modern worship services, creating atmosphere, directing focus, and enhancing the overall experience for attendees both in-person and online. While it might seem like a technical topic reserved for AV teams or production crews, understanding the basics of church stage lighting is essential for anyone involved in worship planning. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to upgrade your current setup, this guide will walk you through the essentials of effective and meaningful lighting for your church stage.

Getting Started with Church Stage Lighting

Church stage lighting is more than just turning on a few lights before service begins. It’s about using light creatively and intentionally to support the message, worship, and mood of your service. The goal isn’t to mimic a concert or show, but rather to enhance worship without becoming a distraction. Let’s look at the foundational elements you need to understand to get started.

RELATED: Church Stagecraft Tips

1. Understand the Purpose of Lighting in Worship

Before investing in equipment or designing a lighting setup, it’s important to ask why you’re doing it in the first place. Church stage lighting should serve the message and mission of your church. That may include:

Making sure the speaker and worship team are clearly visible
Drawing attention to important moments of the service
Setting the mood for reflective worship or joyful celebration
Enhancing live streams or video recordings with consistent lighting

Good lighting doesn’t steal the spotlight—it supports the message being presented.

2. Learn the Basic Types of Lighting

There are several key types of lighting used on most church stages:

Front lighting: This is the most essential. It ensures people on stage are visible to the audience and cameras. It should be even, soft, and directed at eye level.
Back lighting: Adds depth and separates people from the background, preventing the stage from looking flat.
Fill lighting: Balances shadows and ensures the lighting is not too harsh or uneven.
Accent lighting: Highlights specific areas, like a soloist, pulpit, or cross.
Effect lighting: Includes moving lights, color washes, and strobes used sparingly to emphasize moments in worship or build mood.

Understanding how these lighting types work together helps create a more dynamic and engaging environment.

How to Start a Discipleship Program: 7 Key Steps

By

Staff

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May 1, 2025

Starting a discipleship program can be one of the most impactful ways to grow and strengthen a local church or ministry. It is through intentional, consistent discipleship that believers mature in their faith and develop a deeper relationship with Christ. But launching such a program requires careful planning, clarity of vision, and a biblical foundation. These requirements are vital for how to start a discipleship program that is both sustainable and spiritually effective.

How to Start a Discipleship Program That Works

If you’re wondering how to start a discipleship program that will actually bear fruit, the process begins with prayerful intention and continues with strategic implementation. Below are seven essential steps that can guide your efforts from concept to practice.

1. Define the Purpose and Vision

The first step is to clearly define the purpose of the discipleship program. What do you hope to achieve? Is it spiritual growth, leadership development, community building, or a combination of all three? Your vision will shape the structure, content, and culture of the entire program. Write out a mission statement that aligns with biblical principles and reflects your church’s values. Make sure this vision is communicated clearly to leaders and participants alike.

RELATED: “I’m Not Being Fed”

2. Pray for Guidance and Prepare Spiritually

Before taking any logistical steps, seek God’s direction in prayer. Discipleship is a spiritual journey, and it should be built on a foundation of dependence on the Holy Spirit. Invite church leaders and core members to pray with you regularly as you prepare to launch the program. Ask for wisdom, discernment, and divine appointments with potential leaders and participants.

3. Identify and Equip Leaders

A discipleship program cannot succeed without strong, spiritually mature leaders. Look for individuals who demonstrate spiritual fruit, humility, and a desire to invest in others. These leaders will model Christlikeness and help shape the culture of the program. Provide them with training in areas such as mentoring, facilitating group discussions, and handling Scripture accurately. You might also consider using existing materials or creating a custom leader’s guide.

Christian Group Says It Will Continue To ‘Fight for Children and for Decency’ After Police Return Sally Mann Photographs Depicting Naked Children

By

Jessica Lea

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April 30, 2025

Fort Worth, Texas, police have returned photographs created by Sally Mann that officials had confiscated earlier this year, presumably on the grounds the photos might fall under the definition of “child pornography.”

Christian group The Danbury Institute has condemned the photos, which were on display at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, while civil liberty organizations such as the ACLU of Texas have celebrated the release of the photographs as a victory for free speech.

“There is no redeeming artistic value to photographs of naked children that were in the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth—a museum that itself described the photos with words like ‘suggestive,’ ‘dark,’ and ‘edgy,’” said Sharayah Colter, chief communications officer for The Danbury Institute, in a statement to ChurchLeaders. “To frame a grotesque display like ‘Diaries of Home,’ which included images of real human children’s genitalia, as a work of art and freedom of expression is an affront to the just and righteous nature of our First Amendment.”

Sally Mann Photographs Returned by Fort Worth Police

Sally Mann is an award-winning photographer who was among several artists featured in an exhibition held by the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth titled “Diaries of Home.” The exhibition ran from Nov. 17 to Feb. 2 and included “works by women and nonbinary artists.” The museum advised viewers that the display contained “mature themes that may be sensitive for some.”

In the early 1990s, Sally Mann received acclaim and generated controversy for her work showing her family life that included photos of her prepubescent children, sometimes naked. The photographs were not only controversial because the children were naked in some of them but also because some of the images alluded to suicide, abuse, and poverty.

Some raised concerns that the children, being minors, were unable to truly give their consent for the photos to be published. Mann has shared that her children wanted the photos published and that, prior to publication, the children had the option to veto any photos they did not want to be public.

Over 30 years later, Mann’s photos are again at the center of controversy. They came to the public’s attention because of an article from The Dallas Express titled “EXCLUSIVE: Is The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth Promoting Child Porn?” The Express drew attention in particular to two photographs titled “The Perfect Tomato” and “Popsicle Drips,” respectively, the first depicting one of Mann’s daughters and the second depicting her son. In both, the children are naked. The second shows only the boy’s thighs and torso with liquid dripping down his groin area.

A description of Mann’s work at the Modern’s exhibition said, “In showing her children naked, moody, and in suggestive situations, Mann evokes an edgy, dark side of childhood that can be raw and unsettling.”

In the past, Mann, who consulted a federal prosecutor prior to publishing the photos, has defended her work. She described her photographs of her as children “sensual” but not “sexual” and defended her children’s agency.

Glenn Packiam: Finding Solid Ground in a Shifting World

By

Jason Daye

-

April 30, 2025

In an age of confusion where many are questioning the credibility of the church, how can we get really rooted in what truly matters? In this week’s conversation on FrontStage BackStage, host Jason Daye is joined by Glenn Packiam. Glenn is a pastor, author, and practical theologian who serves as the lead pastor at Rockharbor Church in Costa Mesa, California. He’s written a number of books, including his latest, “What’s a Christian, Anyway?” Together, Glenn and Jason assess the subversion of Christianity by cultural and personal agendas and how that impacts our witness. Glenn then highlights the mystery and beauty of God as an invitation to experience and extend the peace, love, and joy of Jesus to an uncertain world.

FrontStage BackStage Podcast With Glenn Packiam

View the entire podcast here.

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‘Just Continue To Trust in God’—No. 6 NFL Draft Pick Running Back Ashton Jeanty Joins the Raiders

By

Janna Firestone

-

April 30, 2025

Ashton Jeanty — JL 2.8, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Each of the 257 NFL Draft selections in 2025 represents an incredible story of success, failure, and grit. The sixth overall pick was none other than running back Ashton Jeanty. The Las Vegas Raiders spent their first pick on ensuring Jeanty’s speed, talent, and stats came to the black and silver.

“My journey to the NFL, it’s definitely been different,” said Jeanty. “And I believe that’s exactly what it’s made me: different.” He continued to explain that his faith is “everything.”

New Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty: ‘My Identity Is in Christ’

Ashton Jeanty was the first running back drafted in 2025. That came as no surprise as his 2024 college football season was “one of the greatest single-season performances in college football history for a running back,” according to Sports Spectrum.

The runner-up for the Heisman Trophy rushed for 2,601 yards in 2024. While his stats were astounding, he kept his cool leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. In fact, he posted about playing Call of Duty the night before.

“[Faith is] everything,” Jeanty said. “That’s what I’ve been rooted in. That’s what helped me get to where I’m at in this point. I’m just thankful for that relationship with the Man Upstairs because it’s given me so many opportunities.”

Jeanty was said to be “the best RB in college football last year,” according to the NFL.

In a letter to NFL general managers (GMs), Jeanty described what his role is like from his perspective, saying, “Once I’m running that football, I swear: my instincts just take over. This special gear kicks in, and it’s like I’m 10 years old again and I’m making the older kids look silly. I turn into this unstoppable beast.”

“I like to say that I’m a Christian cleverly disguised as an All-American running back,” Jeanty said in a video for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). “I’ve learned that God has blessed me with amazing talents. I’ve just been able to do a lot of great things with it, but at the same time, not losing yourself in it and understanding that my identity is in Christ.”

The Jeanty siblings are close and think of one another as their “own personal best friends.” Jeanty’s sisters and brother posted a video message to celebrate the draft pick. “Hey, Bighead,” started Jeanty’s brother, laughing. “The manifestation of your dreams have come into fruition, and I couldn’t be more happy to have a front row seat.”

“At your core, you’re an amazing human being, kind, humble, supportive, giving,” shared one of Jeanty’s sisters.

Jeanty told NFL GMs of his life story and success and, more importantly, of his deep love for football.

“Ask about me. Go ask my coaches from Lone Star if I made any noise,” encouraged Jeanty. “I’m guessing they’ll all say the same thing. ‘Ashton Jeanty? Nah. He just went out there and played football. That dude LOVES football.'”

Raiders 1st-round pick @AshtonJeanty2 knows his talent comes from God 🙏

For more of his story, check out our website.https://t.co/qdEp6nlOVh pic.twitter.com/U69Ubj3kuH

— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) April 30, 2025

Brandon Lake Leads Prayer Before Performing With Jelly Roll at Stagecoach, Posts Photo With Shaboozey and Machine Gun Kelly

By

Jesse T. Jackson

-

April 30, 2025

Jelly Roll Brandon Lake Stagecoach — Brandon Lake performing with Jelly Roll at Stagecoach on April 26, 2025. Screengrab via YouTube / RemasterKingdom6.0

On Saturday (April 26) at country music festival Stagecoach, Brandon Lake joined Jelly Roll onstage to sing their chart-topping hit “Hard Fought Hallelujah.”

In addition to Jelly Roll, this year’s lineup at Stagecoach featured artists Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, Lana Del Rey, Tracy Lawrence, Shaboozey, Brothers Osborne, Whiskey Myers, Creed, Backstreet Boys, Sammy Hagar, Goo Goo Dolls, Nelly, and many others.

Since 2019, Stagecoach has averaged an estimated yearly attendance of over 75,000.

Before taking the stage, Lake shared on social media that Jelly Roll asked him to “pray over the night.” Lake expressed that it was one of his favorite moments of the festival, saying, “Grateful that we have a God that not only CAN meet us anywhere, but actually WANTS to meet us anywhere and with anyone who calls on Him.”

Lake posted a video of himself leading a large group of artists, who included Jelly Roll, Jelly Roll’s wife Alyssa DeFord, and Machine Gun Kelly, in prayer. During the prayer, Lake said:

I pray that they would feel faith rise up inside of them, the Holy Ghost would sweep though this place unexpectedly. We’re under an open heaven, and we know that you can be in all places. Lord, I pray that your presence would be known as we have fun, as we enjoy each other, family, communities coming together, make us one, may unity just be so recognized in this place. God, I pray more than anything, that your name would be known, that people’s lives will be changed tonight, and that they would realize that it’s because of you, that they’re loved, they were created by this amazing Father, that you have amazing plans for every single one of us. And God, we just give you the glory. Thank you so much. We prophesy in Jesus’ name, amen.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Brandon Lake (@brandonlake)

Forrest Frank responded to Lake’s prayer, saying, “Here we go 🔥🔥🔥.” Seph Schlueter replied, “This is the Great Commission at work 🙌🏽.” Tasha Cobbs Leonard said, “Let’s go B!!!!” CeCe Winans posted, “🙌🏾🔥.” Lainey Wilson wrote, “Love you brother ❤️.” Lady A’s Hillary Scott replied, “YES SIR!!!! 🙏🤍.” Phil Wickham posted, “Cmon!🙌.”

Lake also shared a photo of himself next to singers Shaboozey, Machine Gun Kelly, Alex Warren, Lana Del Rey, and Jelly Roll. “@stagecoach WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!! 🤯🤯🤯 I don’t even know how to process all that just went down. Something wild is happening I wish I could tell each of you about,” Lake said in the caption. “God’s so kind. As unforgettable as the moments on stage were, I’m thankful mostly for all the profound convos backstage. Hoping we get the invite back after how you all responded to last night. That was wild!!!”

Jelly Roll Tells the Stagecoach Crowd: ‘I Fall Short to the Glory of God All the Time’

During his Stagecoach performance, Jelly Roll pointed to the sky and said, “Thank you God! Thank you God!” He then told the crowd, “This is officially the biggest show I’ve ever headlined in my career.”

“I never would have dreamed that God would’ve brought a boy from Tennessee to the desert of Southern California to lead us in church service on a Saturday night to heal the broken through the power of music,” he added.

“For those of y’all who are experiencing my music and my message for the first time tonight, I bring a message of redemption, I bring a message of hope, I bring a message of second chances, I bring a message of love, and I bring a message of belief,” Jelly Roll continued. “I believe in the power of music. I believe it can heal people. I believe it can help people, and I’m here to bring that message tonight.”

Russell Moore Will Teach at Lipscomb University Starting This Fall

By

Jesse T. Jackson

-

April 30, 2025

On Tuesday, April 29, Lipscomb University announced that Russell Moore, the editor-in-chief of Christianity Today, will teach courses, deliver public lectures, and lead special programs.

Moore was appointed as Lipscomb University’s inaugural Bill and Crissy Haslam endowed distinguished visiting professor of faith and reason. Moore will serve as a part-time professor for two years, and he will continue his role at Christianity Today.

In addition to Moore’s editor-in-chief role, he serves as Christianity Today’s director of the Public Theology Project and is a minister in residence at Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The church is led by T.J. Tims (lead pastor), Sam Allberry (associate pastor), Barnabas Piper (assistant pastor), Ray Ortlund (pastor emeritus and pastor to pastors), and Gavin Ortlund (theologian in residence).

Moore joined Christianity Today after he left his role as the president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention. Moore had served in that role for eight years.

“I have tremendous respect for the excellence, innovation and Christian conviction exemplified by Lipscomb,” Moore said in a Lipscomb University press release. “In this time of polarization and division, the world needs as much as ever a Christian witness to truth, justice and mercy. I’m honored to be a part of what the Lord is doing at Lipscomb.”

Lipscomb University President Candice McQueen praised Moore for his “commitment to civil discourse and faithful presence in the public square,” a commitment that aligns with the mission of the university.

McQueen said, “We look forward to the way his work at Lipscomb will enrich our students’ learning while also elevating the broader conversation in Nashville and beyond about how faith and reason can shape our world for good.”

According the university, the endowment was created to “attract the nation’s top scholars and thought leaders to Lipscomb to teach and engage with students, the Nashville community and the state of Tennessee through a Christ-centered worldview.”

Senator Lindsey Graham Sparks Backlash With Social Media Post About Trump Becoming Pope

By

Dale Chamberlain

-

April 30, 2025

United States Sen. Lindsey Graham is receiving backlash online for a social media post in which he apparently endorsed President Donald Trump for the position of Roman Catholic Pope.

The post came after the president was asked by a reporter for his thoughts on who the next pope might be following the passing of Pope Francis. The papal conclave will begin its process of selecting a new pope next week.

“I’d like to be pope,” Trump joked. “That would be my No. 1 choice.”

“No, I don’t know. I have no preference. I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good,” Trump added, apparently referring to Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan. “So we’ll see what happens.”

Graham, a Republican who represents South Carolina, posted a video of Trump’s remarks.

“I was excited to hear that President Trump is open to the idea of being the next Pope,” wrote Lindsey. “This would truly be a dark horse candidate, but I would ask the papal conclave and Catholic faithful to keep an open mind about this possibility!”

“The first Pope-U.S. President combination has many upsides,” Lindsey added. “Watching for white smoke….Trump MMXXVIII!”

Graham is a Southern Baptist.

Lindsey’s post appears to have been made in jest, but some online found the post more offensive than funny. Given Graham’s unwavering support for Trump, some questioned whether Graham was, in fact, joking.

Meghan McCain, media personality and daughter of the late Sen. John McCain, simply posted, “Lindsey – get a grip.”

‘It’s Not a Theocracy,’ Says Leader on White House, Faith Partnerships Over the Years

By

Adelle M Banks

-

April 30, 2025

White House faith office — Stanley Carlson-Thies, left, with Texas Gov. George W. Bush in May 1999. (Photo courtesy of Center for Public Justice)

(RNS) — For decades, Stanley Carlson-Thies has worked to demystify the “faith-based office” that has been part of the White House during the last five presidential administrations.

The founder of the Institutional Religious Freedom Alliance also has worked to defend faith-based organizations, making sure they, along with secular groups, are heard and supported by governments and given an equal chance at funding for the social services they provide.

“It’s not a theocracy; there’s no automatic money going to religious groups,” Carlson-Thies said in an interview days before his retirement party at Washington’s Museum of the Bible. “If you read the regulations, it says they can’t get it just because they’re religious, or they can’t be turned away just because they’re religious.”

After working in the first White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, he initially started the IRFA as an independent organization in 2008. It now is part of the Center for Public Justice, a nonpartisan organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, and focused on policy research, where Carlson-Thies worked before he started IRFA and since the alliance came under the center’s umbrella.

As of his Wednesday (April 30) retirement, Carlson-Thies will continue as a CPJ fellow and consultant.

Carlson-Thies, 75, was born in Tokyo to missionary parents and describes himself as a Reformed Christian Calvinist and a “centrist conservative.” He has also taught Sunday school at his Presbyterian Church in America-affiliated congregation in Maryland.

Looking toward retirement, he talked with RNS about what the White House faith-based office has accomplished, how it has been misunderstood and what he hopes for its future.

The interview was edited for length and clarity.

Why did you found the IRFA?

Often conceptually what springs to mind is individual religious freedom, which is critical. But one way communities and people of faith live out their faith is through institutions. And although that was always part of what was going on in government regulations and in law cases, it seemed to me that there needed to be a more definite focus on exactly what are those institutions. What do they need so they can do the things they can best do?

And those institutions aren’t just houses of worship.

No, no. Houses of worship, of course, are part of them, but there are hundreds of thousands of faith-based nonprofits separately from worship, but they still do their things because of faith and in a way are structured by the faith.

You worked under John DiIulio in George W. Bush’s administration, in the first White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives that opened in 2001. What do you consider that office’s greatest achievement?

I think the most important achievement was to put in the consciousness of the federal government how important faith-based and secular organizations are in what they do for society, both separately from government and in partnership.

Barry Lynn, who led Americans United for Separation of Church and State for a long time, called the White House faith-based initiative “a mess.” How did the office overcome the criticisms of church-state separationists over the years?

I think it was what actually was done. My guess is a lot of people — maybe not Barry Lynn — thought that what happened wasn’t quite what they feared. And to me, that probably explains why the George W. Bush faith-based initiative was continued by Barack Obama right after there was a lot of suspicion and worry. But I think the worries turned out not to be the case, partly because there was a lot of dialogue back and forth about what’s unconstitutional, what’s unfair.

White Evangelicals Remain Trump’s Staunchest Supporters, Pew Study Finds

By

Bob Smietana

-

April 30, 2025

Donald Trump and evangelicals — Faith leaders pray over President Donald Trump after he signed an executive order establishing the White House Faith Office, Feb. 7, 2025, in the Oval Office of the White House. (White House photo)

(RNS) — President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office were filled with change and controversy — with the new president signing a record number of executive orders that included banning diversity efforts, feuding with some of the nation’s largest universities, launching high-profile deportations and imposing tariffs that sent the stock market yo-yoing.

For many Americans, it appears to be too much.

More than half (59%) said they disapprove of how Trump has done his job, with a similar (59%) number disapproving of his tariffs, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center, based on a survey of 3,589 U.S. adults in early April. More than half also disapprove of cuts to federal agencies (55%) and diversity, equity and inclusion programs (53%).

One group, however, seems to see his administration’s efforts more positively.

“Clear majority of White evangelicals approve of Trump’s handling of job” (Graphic courtesy of Pew Research Center)

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of evangelicals indicated they approve of Trump’s job performance as well as his actions on DEI programs (75%) and cuts to federal agencies (75%). About two-thirds (67%) approve of his tariff policies, according to the report released Monday (April 28).

“White evangelicals clearly stand out on Trump’s approval rating on various issues,” said Chip Rotolo, a research associate on Pew Research Center’s Religion and Public Life team. “Clear majorities of white evangelicals approve of what Trump and his administration are doing.”

Other faith groups appeared more skeptical. Seventy-three percent of Hispanic Catholics, 85% of Black Protestants and 74% of the religiously unaffiliated — also known as nones — said they disapproved of Trump’s performance.

White Catholics and white Protestants who are not evangelical were essentially spit down the middle, with 51% of Christians disapproving of Trump’s job performance, the report showed.

Pew Research also found Trump’s approval rating has declined by about 7 percentage points among several religious groups since his inauguration.

Rotolo said the faith group results mirrored the nation’s partisan divides. Evangelicals predominantly identity as Republicans, while Black Protestants, nones and Hispanic Catholics lean Democratic.

Evangelicals are also more likely to find Trump trustworthy, according to the report. More than half (57%) said they trust the current president’s words more than past presidents’. By contrast, two-thirds of Black Protestants (65%) and nones (64%) said they trust Trump’s words less than other presidents’, as do 45% of Catholics.

White evangelicals are also more likely than other Americans to see Trump administration leaders as ethical.

“57% of White evangelicals say they trust Trump’s words more than those of previous presidents” (Graphic courtesy of Pew Research Center)

Defining Contemporary Worship

By

Steve Newman

-

April 30, 2025

I am often asked to define contemporary worship. My response usually revolved around the musical definition. I never considered the full scope of what was really being asked. Although contemporary means many things to many people, let’s focus on its true meaning. It merely means “occurring in the modern” or “of the day.”

Defining Contemporary Worship

It can be a difficult thing to call worship contemporary. The true translation makes it too unclear. For the past 50 years worship was “contemporary.” It was the way people all over the world had done it…for the most part. Ideally, worship cannot be categorized as traditional, contemporary or blended. Worship is worship. It hasn’t changed since man was created. We can argue over the elements and the ways in which we worship, differentiate the outward expressions of our worship, and even label our churches to better clarify the freedoms permitted in worship. To use the terms as definitions for our corporate worship styles is misleading and incorrect.

RELATED: Theology of Worship

The only things that have changed in our corporate worship are the tools we use to help facilitate it. Sadly, until 15-plus years ago, the church had not been modern in its use of music in the church. We held too tightly to the styles, presentation and other elements of our music. At the expense of losing millions of young people to the world, we failed to become contemporary in our look and in our presentation. We have, in a sense, left them behind at the risk of becoming relevant to their desires and needs.

10 Reasons Pastors Quit Too Soon

1. Discouragement.

2. Failure.

3. Loneliness.

4. Moral Failure.

3 Objectives of a New Membership Class

Information

Doctrine

Expectations

New Membership Class – Doctrine

1. We believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old Testament and New Testament are the inerrant, inspired and infallible Word of God. God’s Word is the final authority for faith and life.

2. We believe there is only one God, and He has chosen to reveal Himself as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

3. We believe man was created in the image of God and the sin of Adam (the first man) marred that image, creating an eternal divide between God and man. Every person is born in sin.

5. We believe in the literal, physical return of Jesus to judge the living and the dead.

6. We believe God offers eternal life as a free gift and that it must be received by faith alone through God’s grace alone. The life that comes from this gift is a permanent possession of the one receiving it.

7. We believe the church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a local body of believers on mission to enlarge God’s kingdom. The local church is autonomous, free of any external authority of control.

8. We believe believer’s baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the two ordinances of the church.

The Core vs. Constructed Self

Core Self (‘I’)

Constructed Self (‘Me’)

Internal Working Models

Formation of IWMs

Character Structure Developmental Domains

Connection

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Podcast Links

Getting Started with Church Stage Lighting

1. Understand the Purpose of Lighting in Worship

2. Learn the Basic Types of Lighting

How to Start a Discipleship Program That Works

1. Define the Purpose and Vision

2. Pray for Guidance and Prepare Spiritually

3. Identify and Equip Leaders

Sally Mann Photographs Returned by Fort Worth Police

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Podcast Links

New Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty: ‘My Identity Is in Christ’

Jelly Roll Tells the Stagecoach Crowd: ‘I Fall Short to the Glory of God All the Time’

Why did you found the IRFA?

And those institutions aren’t just houses of worship.

You worked under John DiIulio in George W. Bush’s administration, in the first White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives that opened in 2001. What do you consider that office’s greatest achievement?

Barry Lynn, who led Americans United for Separation of Church and State for a long time, called the White House faith-based initiative “a mess.” How did the office overcome the criticisms of church-state separationists over the years?

Defining Contemporary Worship

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