Wheaton College Restricts Employees’ Ability To State Preferred Pronouns

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January 11, 2024

Wheaton-College-restricts-employees-ability-to-state-preferred-pronou — Wheaton College. Screen grab courtesy of Wheaton College's virtual tour

(RNS) — Wheaton College, a flagship evangelical school in Wheaton, Illinois, recently updated its student and employee handbooks to restrict employees’ ability to designate personal pronouns and to elaborate on the school’s position on trans/nonbinary students and faculty.

“The College does not permit the statement of preferred personal pronouns by employees when conducting College business, when on a platform where they are publicly identified as College employees, and/or when using the College brand in print or digital media, except when employees are required to submit such pronouns when registering for a conference or for membership in a professional organization,” new language in the student handbook says.

Updates to the handbook, which were approved in October and shared with employees in December and with students in January, clarify that the college does not endorse the statement of preferred pronouns by employees or students of Wheaton. While the handbook exclusively recognizes the pronouns he/him/his and she/her/hers as reflective of the “created biological binary,” it does not appear to explicitly prohibit students from using or stating preferred pronouns, including they/them pronouns.

In an email to Religion News Service, a spokesperson for the college confirmed that Wheaton had updated its policy on gender and sexuality in both the student and employee handbooks, the latter of which is not publicly available. “Although it had been more than a decade since the policy was last updated, substantive changes to the policy were minimal,” the spokesperson wrote. “The biblical principles and theological convictions on gender and sexuality articulated in the College’s Statement of Faith and Community Covenant have not changed.”

Previous versions of the student handbook indicate, and the new language affirms, that Wheaton College “considers the decision to undergo a medical transition or to engage in other persistent actions or behaviors at variance with one’s birth sex” to violate the school’s theological commitments. However, the new language goes on to say the college would consider hiring or enrolling people who’ve transitioned if it does not violate the college’s religious convictions (for instance, if the transition took place before that person became a Christian, or to address a unique medical situation). The handbook does not define what falls within its definition of a “medical transition” from a person’s “birth sex.”

Descending the Leadership Mountain: Strategies for a Successful Exit

By

Gavin Adams

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January 11, 2024

Have you ever climbed a mountain?

I’ve climbed a little, but I wouldn’t consider it “mountain climbing.” Growing up attending summer camp, we would spend a day in Sand Rock, Alabama, climbing the cliffs and exploring the ravines. It was fun and pretty easy climbing.

The most fun part of climbing was descending. Ascending took a bit of planning and a lot of courage. Descending only required leaning back and trusting the person on belay below you. Descending was easy and fun. You hang onto the rope, sit back in your harness, and enjoy the slow descent back to the ground.

This is not the case for real mountain climbers.

Climbing Everest

Take Everest, for example. People die every year on the mountain. Naturally, you’d think climbing up is the most dangerous half of the experience. In reality, descending Everest is much more deadly.

Climbing up takes careful planning, exacting execution, and patience. Descending requires the same, yet people coming down the mountain tend to become complacent, exhausted, and suffer from poor time management.

Even the term for climbing focuses on the ascent, not the descent, yet both are critical for a safe climb. People don’t just climb up. They also climb down.

Climbing the Leadership Ladder

A long role in a single organization is a thing of the past. According to the research, people change jobs every 4.1 years. Millennials change jobs more frequently. This means people frequently step into a new leadership role and out of roles. To stick with our mountain analogy, people are constantly ascending and descending.

Much like a mountain climber, we tend to plan how to step into a role. We chart a course and work to build our team and organization strategically. I wrote an entire book on this.

Yet, planning and intentionality often wane when a leader transitions out of a role or organization.

Transitioning into a role is like ascending a mountain, but it’s the transitioning out that kills the majority of leaders. Not literally, but figuratively.

“Every New Beginning…

…comes from some other beginning’s end.”

Building a Great Church Usher Team

By

Dan Reiland

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January 11, 2024

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

A church usher can make or break your worship service. The difference between a grumpy, distracted, and untrained usher compared to a cheerful, engaged, and “serve you with a smile” usher is huge!

I’ve always loved the usher team; it was one of my favorite ministries to lead. The usher’s role is so important but often undervalued, undertrained, and less than organized. A church usher are a tremendous force in setting the tone for worship and helping to prepare the people to hear and respond to the Word of God.

(This post is adapted from a portion of our Usher Training Manual, which is available as a free download.)

A church usher is a spiritual ambassador for your church – God’s ordained and organized body of believers. Each usher serves as a “first representative” of Jesus Christ for a worship service. Though we all love the creative edge of our worship services, make no mistake, this is a holy event where God is meeting with His people.

From the tabernacle in the Old Testament to the temple and synagogue in the New Testament, God’s presence and the teaching of His word is of supreme importance.

Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Exodus 40:34

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Mark 1:21-22

At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. John 8:2

Who Can Serve as a Church Usher?

In the same way that not just anyone can be on the worship team, work in children’s ministry or lead a small group, not just anyone can be a church usher. The right gifts, passion, and ability make a big difference.

This Is Why You Don’t Put New Wine in an Old Wineskin

By

Clint Archer

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January 11, 2024

Here is a real-life parable about new wine old wineskins:

The word pertinacious means holding obstinately and stubbornly to a belief, from the Latin, pertenax – a thoroughly firm hold. The Flat Earth Society is nothing if not pertinacious. This society clings to an archaic belief that the earth is a flat disc with magnetic north in its center. One understands how this belief could have been popular for the first 5000 or so years of human history, but it takes a more gymnastic use of mathematics to keep the faith today. Adherents to this model of geography employ elaborate explanations of the physics that account for the masts of ships appearing on the horizon before their hulls. They possess theoretical paradigms that explain how eclipses and seasons occur. Not even sailors’ circumnavigation of the globe put a dent in their faith. But then came the satellite images of earth taken from space, published in the 1950s, followed by the eye-witness reports when the astronauts of Apollo 11 returned from the Moon, toting a slew of selfies with the earth as a geoid globe in the background. Surely now the Flat-Earthers would cry uncle? And yet, Samuel Shenton, an unphased member of the Flat Earth Society, declared condescendingly that “it is easy to see how a photograph like that [you know, of the geoid planet from the Moon’s vantage point] could fool the untrained eye.”

The society consists of over 3,000 pertinacious adherents. I wish they’d listen to that song from Frozen and just “Let it go!”

In Luke 5 we meet another pertinacious group. Jesus had been seen eating with Matthew and the Pharisees accused him of dining with tax-collectors and other sinners. Then they ask Jesus why his disciples do not fast as the Pharisees’ disciples do. So Jesus responds with a trident parable intended to expose their legalistic hearts. In this series of parables we see three obvious truths about legalism.

1.LEGALISM IS INAPPROPRIATE IN LIGHT OF GRACE

Luke 5:34-35 And Jesus said to them, “Can you make wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.”

Picture a wedding. Celebration, laughter, music, dancing, food, and wine are the order of the day. Now imagine that after the newlywed couple exits the church doors under a shower of confetti, the pastor announces that the couple has asked to do something a little different for their reception. Instead of serving a meal and throwing a party, they ask that we all spend the next three hours in solemn prayer and fasting for the plight of those who are starving worldwide. Do you think you would you hear whispers of ‘Wow, how spiritual they are’? No. Over the protestations of grumbling stomachs you’d hear protestations of grumbling voices saying ‘What a couple of wackos they are! I want my gift back!’

Why?

Is there something wrong with fasting? No, of course not. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that is appropriate in the life of mature believers… but never at a wedding!

At a wedding, fasting is inappropriate. Not wrong, or sinful, just not apropos for a celebratory occasion.

That is Jesus’ point. Your personal convictions are only helpful if they are subordinate to the law of Christ.

So you may decide that you will never drink alcohol, never smoke, never watch movies, never use credit, never dye your hair, or any other restriction that has the intention of fostering sanctification in your life. But it’s important to remain aware of which rules are of your own making, and which are actually in the Bible for all Christians to obey.

A church may decide that baptisms will be done in a church service by an elder, or that the Lord’s Supper will be taken monthly, or that the pastor will wear a collared shirt. But the Bible does not mandate any of that. So, in parts of Africa when the pastor shows up without a collared shirt, or Bhutan where baptisms are done in a river, or in Holland where Communion is served once every three months, you have to be willing to jettison your rules as inappropriate for their culture.

2. LEGALISM IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH GRACE

Luke 5:36 He also told them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. If he does, he will tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old.

Old clothes are familiar, comfortable, well worn-in. You grow attached to them, but they get out of style, lose their color, look shabby, and may become threadbare and cease to meet your need. New clothes are unfamiliar, unpredictable, take getting used to, but they may be more suited to the need at hand.

But one thing is sure: you can’t mix them. When you by a new pair of jeans, you don’t cut a piece off to patch your old comfy pair. You’d ruin them both!

Traditions can also be familiar, comfortable, and predictable. But they sometimes need to be updated to meet the need at hand. These Pharisees wanted Jesus to keep the old traditions of law while he was trying to introduce the New Covenant of grace.

Hebrews 8:13 In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

The old cloth refers to the old Jewish traditions, based on the old Law; the new cloth is the New Covenant of grace.

And they are incompatible.

Then in Luke 5:37-39, Jesus makes the same point again: And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins and it will be spilled, and the skins will be destroyed. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.

They didn’t have wine bottles – they had goats. So if you made a sack out of goatskin and put new wine in it, as the liquid fermented it released little bubbles and the air inside the sack expanded. But that’s okay, because the new leather stretched with the wine. When the wine stopped expanding, the leather would, over time, become hard, inflexible, and rigid. You know, like a legalist.

So Jesus is saying that everybody knows: if you put new wine (that is still bubbling) into a rigid old wineskin, you’re making …. a wine bomb!

You can’t add Christ’s grace to your rigid system of traditions.

You see this when someone enjoys a liberty the Bible allows, but the legalist prohibits. The legalist says: Christians don’t get tattoos. Then one day he notices a tattoo on the ankle of a respected lady in the church. You know what happens? Wine bomb! A messy, inappropriate confrontation of perceived sin… hurt feelings, ruined relationships.

3. LEGALISM IS INESCAPABLE WITHOUT GRACE

Luke 5:39 And no one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’”

Jesus says in a sense, ‘You have to choose, but I know which one you’ll choose. The one with which you are familiar. The old wine.’

Jesus is saying that the people who like old ways, won’t like new ways, on principle. The Pharisees aren’t going to ditch their fasting for rejoicing just because the Messiah is here. They are pertinacious. They stubbornly cling to their belief that their tradition is right.

So what is the solution?

Grace.

The free gift of God’s power. God needs to sovereignly overpower your legalism, your self-righteous pride, change your heart, and flood you with grace. Grace to see the way you have been doing things your whole life is no longer appropriate. Grace to realize your system isn’t infallible.

How do you explain people who leave a lifetime of Catholicism, or Mormonism, or Islam or any legalistic system, for the new wine of the gospel? The only explanation is God’s grace.

CONCLUSION

Stop being pertinacious! Don’t make a wine bomb. Don’t let your rigid traditions and personal tastes stop you from embracing a new work of God.

God’s mercy is as old as time, but new every morning.

Praising God in song is as old as the angelic choir, but there are new songs and new voices to sing it.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is as old as the old rugged cross, but there are new ears to hear it and new ways to reach them.

Don’t be satisfied with the old wine of your traditions and risk refusing the new wine of Christ’s grace. If you are pertinaciously clinging to an inappropriate, legalistic tradition, there’s something you can do today: let it go!

This article on new wine old wineskins originally appeared here.

So You Think You Can Preach? Try Preaching on Camera

By

Josh Reich

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January 11, 2024

If you are a pastor (like me) you have spent your whole ministry preaching to a room of people. You feel their energy. You read body language to know if they are engaged. You know if you are going too long or if you are connecting or not. So you think you can preach? And then Covid hit, so you preached to a camera in an empty room. Going forward you will certainly do both. We can all use some tips for preaching on camera.

What was a relational part of your ministry now feels like a disconnect. You wonder, who is on the other side of that camera, how engaged is your church as they sit in their pajamas, am I connecting with them, are they following along. While this is a new challenge for a lot of pastors, it is not a death blow. It is a pivot but one you can still utilize to reach people.

So You Think You Can Preach? 7 Tips for Preaching on Camera

1. Be Prepared.

This isn’t just one of the tips for preaching on camera, but for preaching in general. I think it matters even more when people are sitting at home and can change the channel. In the digital world, your preparation has to go up. When you preach to people in a room, there is a give and take to the preaching, you can improvise a little bit easier, and it plays well. When you stand in an empty room, there is no feedback to know how that landed with the audience. Because as we’ll see in a minute, eye contact becomes even more critical, you can’t be tied to your notes, but you must know the content so well that you can keep your eye contact as much as possible. This means you must prepare more. As well, you must be shorter than usual, which means more focused preparation.

2. Be Clear.

As you focus your preparation, you must focus your message. I’ve always been a big believer in a message having one main idea, one point you are trying to drive home, one clear action step. This matters even more now because people are sitting at home and have more distractions than their attention spans or their phones. They have their children, the coffee maker, their computer, etc. Clarity becomes even more of a big deal when you are preaching in a digital world.

3 Reasons I Love My Small Group

By

Clint Archer

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January 11, 2024

I love my small group. I’m not just saying that because I’m the pastor and I’m supposed to. Sure, I have weeks where I barely get everything together in time to attend small group in the first place. But within minutes of the group starting, I’m overwhelmed; not by the stress of another activity on the schedule, but by the sheer blessing of redemptive relationships. The small group I attend isn’t made up of a bunch of long-time friends or people who naturally have a lot in common. In fact, my group is quite varied in age, occupation, experiences, and life stage. And I think it’s better that way. Despite all of our differences, the gospel has drawn us together and freed us to be transparent with one another. Like any relationship, this didn’t happen from day one but has gradually grown as we submit to God and He uses us in one another’s lives. And the growth I’ve witnessed has been incredible.

3 Reasons I Love My Small Group:

1. Time in God’s Word

First of all, discussing God’s word always provides a mixed bag of possible outcomes. You could have the awkward interaction where no one speaks up…ever. It’s can be so quiet after a question is asked that you could hear a pin drop. This makes the leader feel awkward, so he tries to fill the silence with his own thoughts and the conversation trails off from there. Have you been there? Or you could have the group where one person pretty much takes over the conversation as if it were a monologue and not a dialogue.

But all that is simply a natural part of trying to start a conversation with people of different personalities and backgrounds. Personally, I’m learning to embrace the messiness of this reality. But more than that, I’ve learned that this reality seems to fix itself by God’s grace in time as comfort is built in relationships. I’ve loved watching our discussions turn into full-blown corporate conversations where everyone participates.

Name Your Youth Ministry: Why You Need to Go Beyond Branding

By

Chris Wesley

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January 10, 2024

A question I often hear is, “Should my youth ministry have a name?” Our student programs have names: Uprising for high school and Resurrection for middle school. Although the names matter, they matter only if the marketing and branding are effective.

Yes, you can come up with a million names for your teen program. But if you don’t communicate the names correctly, no one will care. Although you should take time to create an effective and catchy youth ministry name, you need to do more than that. The more involves 5 considerations.

More Than a Youth Ministry Name

1. Develop a vision.

First, realize that the vision you have for your ministry must communicate what could and should be. What should your youth ministry accomplish? And is it clear to your team, the parents, and the church community?

Vision takes your youth ministry from a program to a movement. People start to recognize what you do as more than just hanging with teens. They see you investing in the future.

2. Embrace core values.

Every youth ministry has certain values, such as discipling the next generation. But other values make your youth ministry unique. These values focus on:

How you behave
What’s important to you
How you’re built

Understanding these values not only helps you develop a brand. It also communicates what’s important. Your values give your youth ministry’s name integrity because people will know what it stands for.

3. Overcommunicate the story behind the name.

Every name has a story, so people need to know its origin. Stories are memorable and answer the question “Why?” The why helps you show the name’s relevance and gives your program life.

Don’t be afraid to overcommunicate the story behind the youth ministry name. New people will come along, and the story behind the name will help you revisit the vision behind the ministry.

Free Bible Coloring Pages: 12 Creative Scripture Activities

By

Daniel So

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January 10, 2024

Need some free Bible coloring pages? Here are a dozen kid-friendly selections from the popular Beginner’s Bible. Download and print these 12 fun, Scripture-based coloring pages. Kids will enjoy using them at the end of Sunday school class or during worship.

Another option? Send free Bible coloring pages with kids as take-home papers. Parents will enjoy having these resources handy—and can incorporate them into family devotions.

12 Free Bible Coloring Pages

In this pack of free Bible coloring pages, you get…

Full of Life and Fun!
Jesus With the Children
Moses Crosses the Red Sea
Adam and Eve in the Garden
God Made the World
Elephant Helps Noah Clean the Ark
Big Fish Spits Jonah Onto the Shore
The Good Samaritan Helps the Hurt Man
The Good Shepherd Finds His Lost Sheep
The Angel Protects Daniel
Noah and the Ark
Baby Jesus Is Born

Bible Coloring Pages for Children

Keep this 12-page coloring book in PDF format handy as you walk your kids through Scripture. Stories from these Bible coloring pages include Moses parting the Red Sea, Jonah and the big fish, Jesus and the children, and the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Get the Free Download Now

This resource is provided by The Beginner’s Bible.

For more great children’s ministry ideas, check this out.

Kentucky Teen Spreads God’s Word Through ‘Prayer Walls’ in the Bathrooms of Her High School

By

Jessica Lea

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January 10, 2024

whitely county high school — Screenshot from Facebook / @Sophy Jones

A high school senior in Whitley County, Kentucky, is addressing mental health challenges and spreading God’s Word by means of sticky notes that she has put on the walls of the girls bathrooms in Whitley County High School. Inspired by a TikTok trend, Sophy Jones says she has faced her own mental health struggles and wants others to know God loves them.

“Over the year my love for my Lord has saved me more and more. My message here is to spread his Word,” Jones said in a post on Facebook. “I’ve put up in every bathroom a prayer sink, wall, or mirror. Each spot people can write a Bible quote, message, or a prayer. I hope to spread this across more schools and I hope people understand just how much Jesus loves us!”

Whitley County High School Senior Creates Prayer Walls

Sophy Jones’ post shows several photos of Whitley County High School bathroom mirrors and a wall with various sticky notes with statements like “Jesus LOVES you!” and “Ephesians 2:10.” Laminated signs say “Prayer Wall, leave a Bible verse, spread his WORD!” or “Prayer Mirror, leave a verse, spread his WORD!” Included on the walls are First Priority Student Response Cards.

First Priority of America is an organization that “exists to educate, train, and provide resources for Christian students to legally form clubs and share the gospel with unbelieving students on the public school campus.” The response cards invite students to leave their contact information so that they can learn more about Jesus or get connected with a youth group.

Jones told WKYT News, “Our school, along with the middle school, has struggled with suicide. And a lot of people struggle with their mental health.” Students are encouraged to leave prayer requests and notes for others on the walls or to take existing notes with them. Jones’ friend, Evelyn Philpot, helped with the prayer walls.

Todd Lawson, an area director for First Priority, told WKYT, “We just done a big push on the suicide prevention on ‘STAY,’ you know, ‘stop,’ ‘talk to somebody,’ be ‘attentive’ and ‘you are important.’” He believes that Jones and Philpot were “Spirit-led” to create the prayer walls and is proud of their efforts.

Jones’ mother, Shawna Hughes, told the Times-Tribune, “I’m so incredibly proud of her…She has chosen to spread faith.”

‘How Does One Put Words to the Deepest Grief?’—Nightbirde’s Sister Pays Tribute in New Song

By

Janna Firestone

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January 10, 2024

Kate Marczewski, sister of the late “America’s Got Talent” (AGT) competitor Nightbirde (Jane Marczewski), honored her sister’s memory in a touching tribute—a song. Kate chose to release the song on Dec. 29, Jane’s birthday.

“We can’t wait for the bad times / to all go away / before we decide to let joy in again,” the lyrics include.

Nightbirde’s Sister Honors Her Memory in ‘Life Is a Gift’

Sisters Jane and Kate grew up in in Zanesville, Ohio. Both began singing at an early age, and both have now had the chance to share their music with the world.

America was swept up in Jane’s story as she auditioned for “AGT.” She led with her genuine smile and infectious joy. Before she performed an original song, “It’s Okay,” she shared with the judges and audience that she was battling cancer.

“After Jane passed away, I was at a loss for words but overflowing with emotion. How does one put words to the deepest grief?” Kate told CBN News.

Kate continued, “My family asked me if I wanted to speak at Jane’s memorial service, to which I replied, ‘I’m going to ask God to give me a song to sing instead,’ and the next day, he did.”

“I woke up the next morning and sat down at the piano. Every lyric, line, and melody fell perfectly into place. It was the easiest song I’ve ever written. This song is God’s gift to me to help me process through my grief,” Kate added. She wrote the song, “Life Is a Gift,” and sang it at her sister’s memorial.

The raw, authentic, and hopeful lyrics speak to the dark, hard times of life while pointing others to Christ:

In the good and the bad times
God is the one who stays
Close to our hearts
And near to the pain

We can’t wait for the bad times
To all go away
Before we decide to let joy in again

Life is a gift that we’re thankful for
We’ll take miracles as they come
Stand in the darkness with hope and joy
In the morning that comes

Some day our tears will all pass away
Pain will be something that’s lost
The strength that we find to walk through each day
Is found at the foot of the cross

Kate is a registered nurse who also leads worship at her local church in Ohio. “We could say that this song is about me, or about Jane, or the Marczewski family. We could even say that it’s about loss or grief. But it’s not about any of those things,” Kate said. “This song is all about Jesus, and about how he walks with us every step of the way.”

On Kate’s Spotify profile, she says, “If you wait for the timing to be perfect, you may miss out on some wildly amazing things.”

Kate wants people to be encouraged by the words of “Life Is a Gift.” “My hope for this song is that it helps people the same way it helped me,” Kate shared.

“Since its release, people have reached out to me,” Kate told CBN News. “They tell of how this song has touched them in their pain, in their grief, and in their struggles through the holiday season.”

The artist reminded us all about the reality of pain in this world—and how prevalent it is, saying, “The people we come in contact with on a daily basis are often internally battling against something that they don’t talk about. We all need reminders of the grace that God gives in the midst of pain. He so graciously offers us hope.”

Kate posted a link to the song on Facebook and included thanks and accolades to a number of people who contributed to its release. “Last of all, I want to thank my sister, Jane,” Kate wrote. “Jane, I love + miss you forever. The legacy you left is nothing short of a miracle. Your life was a gift to every person who encountered it, and we are still receiving from it today. I’m grateful for every minute I had with you. Happy birthday, Janie.”

NEEDTOBREATHE Frontman Bear Rinehart Shares Meaning Behind Song ‘Fall on Me’ and His Heart for Fatherhood

By

Dale Chamberlain

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January 10, 2024

In September 2023, Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning Christian rock band NEEDTOBREATHE released their 10th studio album, titled “Caves.”

In a recent social media post, lead singer Bear Rinehart shared that “Fall On Me,” a song on the album featuring country singer Carly Pearce, was inspired by his experiences as a father.

“We’re a band but we’re also a bunch of dads,” NEEDTOBREATHE wrote. “We wrote this song to let our kids know that no matter how many times they mess up, they can always fall back on us.”

In the video attached to the post, Rinehart, whose full name is William Stanley Rinehart III, introduced the song.

“This song, I wrote about my kids,” Rinehart said. “When I dropped them off at school [for] the first time, I had a different feeling than I thought I would have.”

Rinehart continued, “It wasn’t that I was excited for them. It’s more that I knew they were gonna mess up.”

“That sounds funny, but it’s true,” he added with a chuckle. “If you’re a parent, you know what that feels like.”

“So the message to them is, hey, you can come back anytime. No matter what you do, how many mistakes you make, you can fall on us,” Rinehart said.

In the chorus of the song, Rinehart sings, “You will always be / you always be / the one that I can call / the safest place to fall / for me.”

“Fall On Me,” which has over 1.7 million plays on Spotify, was co-written by Rinehart, award-winning Christian songwriter Jason Ingram, and Elevation Church pastor Steven Furtick, who is an instrumental figure in the writing of the popular worship anthems sung by Elevation Worship.

Lil Nas X Posts Fake Acceptance Letter to Liberty University’s Biblical Studies Program; Falwell Jr. Responds

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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January 10, 2024

Rapper Lil Nas X continued to promote his new “Christian era” album on Tuesday (Jan. 9) by falsely claiming he had been accepted to Liberty University, one of the largest Christian universities in the nation, for the biblical studies program starting in the fall of 2024.

“I know twitter hates me right now but I want Y’all to know I’m literally about to go to college for biblical studies in the fall. Not everything is a troll! Anyways I’M A STUDENT AGAIN! LETS GOOO,” the “Satan Shoes” creator posted.

In addition to his announcement, Lil Nas X shared an image of what appeared to many to be a real acceptance letter from one of the university’s former presidents, Jerry Falwell. It was unclear whether Lil Nas X’s fake letter was intended to come from Liberty University’s founder, Jerry Falwell Sr., or his son, Jerry Falwell Jr.

The letter congratulated Montero Hill, which is Lil Nas X’s legal name, for being accepted for this year’s fall semester with a “dual concentration in Christian Leadership and Biblical Studies.”

“As we seek to build a campus community exemplifying strong academic achievement and an unwavering commitment to the Christian faith, our admission committee is dedicated to selecting students to the highest caliber,” the fake acceptance letter read. “We believe you are one of these students, and we are confident you will be an outstanding addition to our student body.”

The letter concluded, “Now is your time to train as a Champion for Christ.”

A Liberty University official confirmed with ChurchLeaders that the letter is “a total hoax,” saying, “It is likely some kind of publicity stunt to get media attention around his upcoming album.”

“No one at the university has had any communication with him whatsoever,” the Liberty University official added.

Former Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr. replied to Lil Nas X’s post, telling the outspoken gay rapper that although he knows this is a “joke,” he wouldn’t have hesitated to sign an acceptance letter for the “Montero” rapper.

I know twitter hates me right now but i want yall to know im literally about to go to college for biblical studies in the fall. Not everything is a troll! Anyways IM A STUDENT AGAIN! LETS GOOO pic.twitter.com/kTYbjevyZ7

— ✟ (@LilNasX) January 9, 2024

Kevin Palau: How Church Leaders Can Foster a Culture of Evangelism When ‘It’s Harder Than It Used To Be’

By

Jessica Lea

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January 10, 2024

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast · Kevin Palau: How Church Leaders Can Foster a Culture of Evangelism When ‘It’s Harder Than It Used To Be’

Kevin Palau is an author, speaker, and president and CEO of the Luis Palau Association, which exists to proclaim the good news, unite the church, and impact cities worldwide. Kevin and Ed Stetzer are partnering with Gloo and the He Gets Us campaign to host an evangelism master class that will help people share the gospel in their everyday lives. You can access the master class by creating a free Gloo account at gloo.us.

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Key Questions for Kevin Palau

-Why have Christians moved away from evangelism as a passion?

-What are the lessons on evangelism that you learned from your dad?

-How can church leaders create a culture of evangelism in their congregations?

-What can pastors do to cultivate the skill of evangelism amid their busy schedules?

Key Quotes From Kevin Palau

“Culture has changed. I mean, we are in exile now.”

“Whether these are the best of times or the worst of times, this is the time we’ve got. So I feel like for those of us that are followers of Jesus, it’s always harvest time in the sense that if we have eyes to see, there are always people that are looking for hope.”

“It’s harder than it used to be. We’ve lost our home field advantage. People aren’t starting with a lot of common ground with the Christian community.”

“I think social media has made us feel like we’re divided into infinite numbers of different groups. And so I think we just overthink some of these things rather than saying, like, even with a total stranger, we have a lot in common.”

“The cares of this world choke out the things that we should be concerned about.”

“Dad 100% believed that the good news was good news for people. He had a joy in wanting to share the good news with people.”

High-Ranking Vatican Official Says Priests Should Be Allowed to Marry

By

Claire Giangrave

-

January 10, 2024

married priests — Malta’s Archbishop Charles Scicluna talks to journalists at the Vatican’s press room in Rome on May 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna, a papal ally and an influential prelate at the Vatican, said in an interview published Sunday (Jan. 7) that the Catholic Church should reconsider its ban on married priests.

“If it were up to me, I would revise the requirement that priests have to be celibate,” Scicluna told the Times of Malta.

“Experience has shown me this is something we need to seriously think about,” he added, stating that he has “spoken openly” on the subject at the Vatican. “But the decision doesn’t depend on me,” he said.

Scicluna occupies an influential role at the Vatican as adjunct secretary of the Holy See’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. Under the leadership of the newly appointed prefect, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, the Vatican’s doctrinal department has allowed for trans people to be baptized and act as godparents and recently greenlit the blessing of gay and “irregular” couples if performed in a way that cannot be confused with marriage.

The question of allowing married priests, or viri probati in Latin, was a central part of the discussions on the Amazonian region during the 2019 summit of bishops at the Vatican. At the time, the argument supported ordaining married men to administer to the remote and secluded areas of the Amazon. Despite the general support for a married priesthood among the bishops at the time, Pope Francis has so far not made a decision on the issue.

Priestly celibacy is not considered official doctrine of the church, meaning a pope could overturn the rule.

During the synod on the Amazon, influential conservative prelates, including Cardinal Robert Sarah, spoke firmly against allowing priests to marry. In 2020, Sarah co-published a book with Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI called “From the Depths of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celibacy and the Crisis of the Catholic Church,” which sought to underline the importance of celibacy.

According to Scicluna, the decision on married priests should not be motivated solely by the vocation crisis plaguing the Catholic Church in some areas. Becoming a priest should be a question of faith, he said in the interview, and rules should not be changed just to try to solve a lack of priests. But he insisted that those wanting to become priests should not have to make a choice between marriage and the church.

“Why should we lose a young man who would have made a fine priest, just because he wanted to get married? And we did lose good priests just because they chose marriage,” he said.

“This is probably the first time I’m saying it publicly and it will sound heretical to some people,” he added.

Scicluna noted that in the first millennium of the church’s history, celibacy was not a requirement, and he said the Catholic institution should learn from the Eastern Rite churches, where married priests are allowed. While celibacy continues to have an important role in the church, the archbishop said, it should once again become optional for those who wish to live their faith that way.

7 Steps To Take When Dealing With Criticism

By

Dale Hudson

-

January 10, 2024

If you have been in ministry for more than a year, you know that part of the job is dealing with criticism. No matter what you do, someone is going to find something to complain about.

If you don’t learn how to effectively deal with criticism, you will have a hard time leading long-term.

When the criticism comes, here are seven steps you can take. Use these seven steps and you will handle it like a pro.

Step #1: Listen

You will be tempted to immediately jump in to defend yourself.

Listen carefully. Don’t roll your eyes. Don’t put a smirk on your face. As you listen, nod your head so the person knows you are engaged with what they are saying.

Step #2: Look for the Truth

There is usually some truth in what the person is saying. Be humble. Listen to understand. Listen to understand the truth.

Step #3: Learn From It

Use the criticism to become a better leader. There is always something you can learn from it.

Step #4: Let It Be a Stepping Stone.

See the criticism as a gift that someone is giving you. A gift that you can learn from and use to improve as a leader.

Step #5: Look to the Author and Finisher of Your Faith

You are in this for Jesus. You have no one to please except him. What he says about you is what matters.

Step #6: Leave the It Behind

I know. It’s hard to let criticism go at times. You pour blood, sweat, and tears into your work. How could they criticize you?

You have to let it go. Hanging on to criticism opens the door for bitterness, anger, disappointment, and resentment to enter and stay in your life.

15 Signs of Leadership Fatigue

By

Chuck Lawless

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January 10, 2024

Given the stress many church leaders are under during this COVID-19 crisis, I’m updating and reposting this word from 2015 to encourage each of us to be aware of leadership fatigue.

15 Signs of Leadership Fatigue

1. Living by a “get me through the day” philosophy

You may begin the day with prayer, but just surviving the day is your prayer theme.

2. Losing vision

A leadership vision assumes a commitment far beyond today. Fatigued leaders, though, don’t consider beyond the end of this workday.

3. Developing poor sleep patterns

The patterns may vary, but they still reflect fatigue: too much sleep as you seek to avoid perceived reality, or too little sleep when you can’t get perceived reality out of your mind.

4. Declining spiritual disciplines

This change may be one of the first signs of trouble for leaders who have previously been faithful in spiritual disciplines. Weariness leaves little room for anything that requires “discipline.”

5. Continually repeating lessons and sermons

Finding something in the file is much less draining than the hard work of developing a sermon or lesson. Leadership fatigue convinces you that “nobody will remember the previous time anyway.”

6. Faking joy and excitement

Few actions are more exhausting than pretending to have joy you don’t have. Every sentence is hard, and every nod of the head feels like a ton of weight on your shoulders.

7. Frustrating family members

Leaders who fight to get through the day often let their guard down when they get home – and all the stress of playing the game for eight hours gets dumped on their family.

8. Magnifying minors

What used to seem insignificant is unexpectedly huge because we’re tired.

9. Failing to return emails and phone calls

Communicating with people takes time, energy, and focus. Weary leaders tend to delay responding to others, if they choose to respond at all.

10. Misdirecting affections

Fatigued leaders sometimes turn to others for affirmation. That’s when that church member’s look seems sexier, that hug feels like a caress, and that increasingly intimate relationship seems justified.

11. Decreasing exercise

Professional and emotional fatigue quickly leads to physical tiredness. Exercise becomes that much more difficult.

12. Focusing on a “grass is greener” syndrome

It’s amazing how leadership fatigue affects the lenses through which we see other options. Every other role, it seems, is suddenly better than our current one.

13. Avoiding people who speak truth

When we know we’re tired of leading, it’s just easier to avoid people who know us well enough to recognize the problem.

14. Lessening excitement over new possibilities

In this current crisis, we’ve been excited about increased viewers, etc. – but that excitement wanes under the increased workload.

15. Becoming numb

It might begin with painful tears. It might continue through unhealthy means to deal with the pain. The end, though, is numbness – and little left to offer.

If you’re dealing with leadership fatigue, tell us how we might pray for you. I want our readers to help each other.

This article on leadership fatigue originally appeared here.

Trusting God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

By

Josh Weidmann

-

January 10, 2024

Cancer is never fair, but it seems especially cruel when it strikes a child. Two-year-old David was taken by his mother Deborah to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston where they met with Dr. John Truman, a specialist in treating children with cancer and various blood diseases. Dr. Truman’s leukemia prognosis was devastating: “David has a 50-50 chance of survival.”

Countless clinic visits followed, filled with blood tests, scans, shots, and intravenous drugs. Through it all, David never cried in the waiting room or on the way to the doctor’s office. Although his new friends at the clinic needed to stick him with needles and administer painful treatments, David hustled in ahead of his mother with a smile, excited by the celebrity-level welcome he always received from the nursing staff.

When he was three, David endured a spinal tap—an excruciating procedure at any age. It was explained to him that because he was sick, Dr. Truman had to help him get better. “If it hurts, remember it’s because he loves you,” his mom told David. The procedure was horrendous. It took three nurses to hold David still while he yelled and sobbed and struggled. When it was almost over, the tiny boy, soaked in sweat and tears, looked up at the doctor and gasped, “Thank you, Dr. Tooman, for my hurting.”

It takes the faith of a child and the courage of a lion to face trials. Whether they come by our own hand or circumstances allowed by God beyond our control, it’s easy to flinch at the pain and rarely turn around and say, “Thank you, Lord, for allowing me pain.” However, the Apostle Paul and the Apostle Peter both said it is by these trials we find our true character (Rom. 4, James 1). Our trust in God is tested when we experience the pressure of stress, anxiety, and chaos. James 1:3 reminds us, “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow” (NLT).

Stamina Tested

You are likely facing a trial now that you’d rather avoid. If you are not currently facing a trial, I am sure you have faced one in the past or you will face one in the future. Life is full of circumstances where our stamina is tested and our faith is stretched. It’s in these trials when it’s human nature to bury ourselves in anxiety, worry, and depression, wondering how and if we will ever get through what we’re facing.

It can feel like God is either nowhere to be found or standing over us like a schoolteacher waiting to see if we will make it through the test. It can be confusing as to why we feel uneasy in our soul if God is a God of peace, grace, and love.

There is no shortage of situations in this world that threaten to overwhelm us. Sometimes people are caught up in anxiety over their circumstances: deadlines, marital problems, financial difficulties, employment (or often lack thereof), responsibilities, the unknown, failure, making mistakes, abusive relationships, and guilt and shame for what was said or done long ago.

Others worry over plans and desires: social status, measuring up, doing something meaningful or ambitious, and receiving praise or notoriety. Still others are lost in a season of depression: feelings of despondency, dread, or deep pain caused by loss, a broken promise, or a toxic relationship.

It begs the question: “God, is this a test?” This is a natural question of those of us who are trying to figure out why God would allow us to feel anxiety, worry, or depression.

Facing Tests

I hate tests. I always have. In high school, I was so terrified of tests that I arranged a time to take them apart from the rest of the class. Often, I would be issued the test and then go to the principal’s office to take it. I would sit by myself without anyone there to make me tense—or conversely, so I would not distract others with my bouncing leg or tapping pencil. I still disdain tests to this day and I am not just talking about fill-in-the-bubble or essay exam sort of tests. I don’t like it when I feel like I’m being evaluated.

Yet, it only makes sense that God can test us. There is no reason why our Creator can’t have the right to look into my mind, which He created, or my heart, which He also created, and perceive the angst inside of me. I don’t have to be afraid of God testing my heart; rather, I can welcome the chance to be intimately known by Him.

KidMin Budget Tips: 38 Ways to Stretch Your Program’s Finances

By

ChildrensMinistry.com

-

January 9, 2024

Kidmin budget tips are always valuable, no matter the size of your children’s ministry program. Children’s ministers are constantly looking for ways to save money. So that’s why we asked experienced penny-pinching children’s ministers to share their best ideas for “streeetching” dollars.

Read on to discover 38 high-value budgeting ideas.

How to Make Your KidMin Budget Last: 38 Tips

Donations

When craft supplies run low, send Needs slips to your senior citizens’ Bible study. Donating items helps older folks be part of your team.
For gift baskets for Sunday school teachers, put together a sample basket early in December. Then ask the adult Bible classes to financially sponsor the baskets.
Gladly accept hand-me-down equipment in good condition.
Have a “baby shower” for your church nursery. Display pictures of the items you need. For example, put each item on a paper apple to be picked off a tree.
At the end of each season, many greeting-card stores are willing to give away seasonal cards, wrapping paper, and novelty items.
Many companies will send promotional items that you can use as prizes or craft items.
Ask for food donations from restaurants or grocery stores for volunteer-appreciation events or special children’s programs.
In the church bulletin, print an ongoing donations list of items you’ll need.
On every brochure for a paid program, include information for people to contribute to a scholarship fund.
To boost your kidmin budget, ask every family to bring one big bag of candy for your fall festival.

Fundraisers

Ask a church member to sell your church’s older toys or unneeded children’s furniture, equipment, or books in an online marketplace or garage sale.
Check out whether denominations or local businesses will match funds for your fundraisers.
Sell apparel such as T-shirts and sweatshirts imprinted with your church name or logo.
Hold an annual children’s ministry garage sale. Ask people to donate their unwanted treasures.
Sponsor a fundraising dinner. Have your children’s ministry team members each bring several casseroles and side dishes. Everything you make is pure profit.
Create a registry with all your desired classroom supplies. Then promote it to your church to raise funds to buy the supplies. You can use Group’s Gift Registry to create the ministry of your dreams.

Recycling

Ask a local print shop to donate partial rolls or stacks of unwanted paper.
For arts and crafts projects, save recyclable items. Then visit Pinterest for ideas using the items.
Ask carpet stores for carpet remnants for children to sit on.

Budget Bargain-Hunting

Ask every vendor you purchase from if they offer a discount for nonprofit organizations.
Recruit a resource manager who’s gifted at finding the best deals in town.
If the price is right, purchase items you don’t need now but will use later.
Know where to shop. Frequent the bargain bins in department stores and discount stores.
Have someone watch newspaper ads or emails for items on sale.

‘Jonathan & Jesus’ Docuseries Shines Light on the ‘Joy’ and ‘Responsibility’ of Playing Jesus on ‘The Chosen’

By

Jessica Lea

-

January 9, 2024

jonathan roumie — Screenshot from YouTube / @jonathanroumie_official

A new docuseries on Amazon Prime explores the growth of the TV series “The Chosen” following Season 2, focusing on what it is like for actor Jonathan Roumie to play the role of Jesus. “Jonathan & Jesus” offers a look into the joy and heaviness Roumie experiences because of playing the Son of God.

“There was a moment, probably in the middle of filming Season 1, that was the first time in the series where I had started preaching from Scriptures,” said Roumie in a conversation with Francis Chan, who expressed that he personally would be reluctant to play Jesus. “And I had never preached on film before.”

Roumie told Dallas Jenkins, the show’s director, creator and co-writer, “I feel really unsettled.” Jenkins responded, “Brother, none of us are worthy to be here doing this. But God put you and I here at this time to be able to tell this story to have an impact on society. And so you’re supposed to be here.”

Roumie, who is a devout Catholic, has chosen to continue in the role while praying, “Lord, just let people see me as you want them to see you.” Yet, as the docuseries shows, the role is a serious responsibility as well as a gift.

Jonathan Roumie: ‘It’s Humbling’

“Jonathan & Jesus” released on Prime Video on Jan. 4 and is comprised of four episodes. The series features appearances from a variety of ministry leaders, celebrities and experts, including Alice Cooper, Bob Goff, Pope Francis, Phillip Yancey, Nicky Gumbel, and The Killers’ lead singer Brandon Flowers. Roumie’s sister, Olivia, also shares her perspective on her brother’s success.

The docuseries gives a glimpse into Jonathan Roumie’s daily life and shows the actor traveling throughout the world to promote “The Chosen” and to conduct research for it. Roumie also meets with key figures, discussing various topics with them, such as when he has a conversation with Alice Cooper about the nature of fame. Throughout the docuseries, ministry leaders and experts like Rabbi Jason Sobel share thoughts on the nature of Christianity and the person of Jesus.

One of the most striking aspects of “Jonathan & Jesus” is the expectations people place upon Roumie as a representative of Jesus and his process of wrestling with that reality. “The Chosen” has changed Roumie’s life dramatically, not least because he went from being a “starving actor” to starring in a TV series that has become a global phenomenon (as well as gaining his first lead role in a feature film with “Jesus Revolution”).

Another significant change is that now Jonathan Roumie’s face is the one that many people envision when they think of Jesus, and that will continue to be the case long after he is done with the role. At one point, tired from a marathon day of interviews, Roumie is overwhelmed by this thought. “Everything felt claustrophobic for a minute,” he said, asking himself, “How do I not be this right now when I don’t want to be? How do I turn it off?”

Sean Feucht Calls Cover Art of Lil Nas X Hanging on Cross ‘Blasphemous’

By

Jesse T. Jackson

-

January 9, 2024

(L) Screengrab via X @LilNasX (R) Sean Feucht photo courtesy of Sean Feucht

Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Nas X, who teased in November that he was releasing a “Christian” album, announced this week that his new single “J Christ” will be released on Friday (Jan. 12).

The rapper joins the ranks of Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, and other secular rappers who have released Christian music throughout the course of their careers.

The “Satan Shoe” creator and outspoken gay rapper also shared images of himself hanging on a cross. One image shows Lil Nas X being lifted up by men and women, with the caption: “My new single is dedicated to the man who had the greatest comeback of all time! J Christ January 12, 2024 00:00 EST Be There!”

The second image that Lil Nas X posted was an eight-second gif in which the rapper is hanging on a golden cross and wearing a crown of thorns, a silver wrap around his waste, and silver cowboy boots. The cross then transforms into some sort of robot with a golden halo. Lil Nas X appears inside the mechanism. In the caption, Lil Nas X included the word “Presave” with a link to his website.

Lil Nas X’s posts were met with backlash, with some referring to the images as “blasphemy” and warning “in the end you will not laugh.” Nevertheless, others pointed out that Kanye West, Madonna, Nas, and Diddy have all depicted themselves with Christ-like cross imaginary.

“The crazy thing is nowhere in the picture is a mockery of Jesus,” Lil Nas X responded. “Jesus’s image is used throughout history in people’s art all over the world. I’m not making fun of sh*t. Y’all just gotta stop trying to gatekeep a religion that was here before any of us were even born. STFU.”

Worship leader and songwriter Sean Feucht, who called out Sam Smith’s and Kim Petras’ demonic 2023 Grammy Awards performance, posted 2 Peter 3:3 above the image of Lil Nas X hanging on a cross: “Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires.”

Feucht told ChurchLeaders that Lil Nas X’s cover art is a “desperate attempt to cause religious outrage by blaspheming the most holy and precious moments to billions of Christians around the world.”

“It’s a sign of the last days,” Feucht added. “As I believe this is going to happen more, but the thing that I think is wild is it also reveals the hypocrisy and the double standard where people get away with stuff like this and are not canceled.”

Feucht went on to note that Lil Nas X isn’t using imagery from other religions.

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Other Ways To Listen to This Podcast With Kevin Palau

Key Questions for Kevin Palau

Key Quotes From Kevin Palau

Step #1: Listen

Step #2: Look for the Truth

Step #3: Learn From It

Step #4: Let It Be a Stepping Stone.

Step #5: Look to the Author and Finisher of Your Faith

Step #6: Leave the It Behind

15 Signs of Leadership Fatigue

1. Living by a “get me through the day” philosophy

2. Losing vision

3. Developing poor sleep patterns

4. Declining spiritual disciplines

5. Continually repeating lessons and sermons

6. Faking joy and excitement

7. Frustrating family members

8. Magnifying minors

9. Failing to return emails and phone calls

10. Misdirecting affections

11. Decreasing exercise

12. Focusing on a “grass is greener” syndrome

13. Avoiding people who speak truth

14. Lessening excitement over new possibilities

15. Becoming numb

Stamina Tested

Facing Tests

How to Make Your KidMin Budget Last: 38 Tips

Donations

Fundraisers

Recycling

Budget Bargain-Hunting

Jonathan Roumie: ‘It’s Humbling’

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