Youth Sermon Topics: A Fresh Approach to Preaching

December 14, 2023

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Coming up with new youth sermon topics can be challenging for youth leaders and pastors. If you’re in that boat, don’t fret. You’re not the only one. So how do you keep coming up with fresh topics for youth sermons, especially when you preach weekly?

Pinpointing Solid Youth Sermon Topics

Two traditional ways of finding youth sermon topics are the expository route and the topical route. But here are three more approaches for brainstorming great subjects for youth messages or sermons.

1. Find a story.

Research show that stories appeal greatly to this postmodern generation. The Fuller Youth Institute has explored “sticky faith,” meaning faith that lasts. Findings confirm that stories matter and have lasting impact.

Questions to help you find youth sermon topics:

What (unfamiliar) story in the Bible can you preach about? What familiar story can you use to share new and fresh insights?

Example: I’d heard about David and Goliath many times. But when I read Max Lucado’s Facing Your Giants, I got a whole new perspective. So I promptly used that for a youth talk.

Can you translate a “topical study” into a story?

Example: You want to preach on being satisfied and not always wanting more. You can use the story of David and Bathsheba to illustrate that.

Could a current news story serve as a starting point for a sermon? Or maybe an older story that kids might not know about yet?

Example: Think of the rock climber who cut off his own arm to survive, or the 9/11 heroes aboard Flight 93. Each story can serve as the starting point for a youth message.

Does someone you know have a powerful life experience or testimony? Can you build a sermon around this?

Example: A woman in our church was told her baby wouldn’t survive. Doctors advised her to have an abortion. Instead, she launched a massive prayer effort. Her baby not only survived but is healthy. We used her testimony to show that God still performs miracles.

LSU QB Jayden Daniels Thanks God, ‘My Rock,’ in Heisman Speech

Stephanie Martin

December 14, 2023

After winning college football’s top award on Dec. 9, Louisiana State University (LSU) quarterback Jayden Daniels began his acceptance speech by expressing gratitude to God. “He’s my rock, my Savior,” said the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner. “He blessed me with the talents and ability to get here. All the special people here to develop these skills.”

Daniels, who turns 23 next week, transferred to LSU from Arizona State, where he played for three years and earned his degree. Instead of entering the NFL draft after graduation, however, he moved across the country to play for two years in the high-powered SEC.

Along the way, the outspoken Christian overcame injuries, on-field disappointments, and personal loss. And he credits God, his family, teammates, and team personnel for their support along the way.

Heisman Winner Jayden Daniels Overcomes Challenges

Jayden Daniels, who edged out Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. in the Heisman voting, led the LSU Tigers to a 9-3 record this season, scoring 50 touchdowns in the process. He ended the year with the highest passer rating in FBS history and became the first player to rack up at least 350 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in the same game.

Daniels, whose father was a college cornerback, was so lanky in high school he had to visit two doctors for approval to take the football field. But his speed, footwork, and passing ability earned the California native numerous college offers.

At the end of Daniels’ three years at Arizona State, his team was struggling on the field, and he was struggling off it. During the pandemic, both of his paternal grandparents died from COVID-19 within one month of each other. Their funerals were held on the same day, in March 2021.

Because of COVID restrictions, Daniels couldn’t say goodbye in person to his grandfather, who often took him to football practice as a child. In an Instagram tribute, Daniels called his grandfather “my best friend.”

Jayden Daniels Learned To ‘Give Everything to God’

Although Daniels was raised in a churchgoing family, he struggled with his faith during college—especially after moving to LSU. But a special bond with the team’s player relations manager, Sherman Wilson, helped bolster Daniels’ faith.

“He’s behind the scenes, but he’s like my right-hand man,” Daniels said of Wilson. “Being around him, I kind of got back into my faith more, always giving glory to God. He died on the cross for us; anything is possible with him. Coming back out here, trying to figure out my life, I wanted to stop trying to put so much pressure on me and just give everything to God, letting him take care of it.”

As his faith has matured, Daniels has learned not to “worry about things I can’t control” and to trust in “God’s plan with everything.”

Lecrae Reaches Out to Lil Nas X, Encourages Christians Not To Condemn the ‘Satan Shoes’ Creator

Jesse T. Jackson

December 14, 2023

On Tuesday (Dec. 12), Grammy Award-winning Christian rapper Lecrae shared his thoughts regarding Satan Shoes‘ creator and rapper Lil Nas X’s announcement that he is entering his “Christian era.”

The comments came in the context of Lecrae’s podcast, “Deep End With Lecrae.”

Lil Nas X, who is a 24-year-old outspoken gay man, was criticized after he teased last month that he might jump into Christian music. One critic was “Fast and Furious” actor Tyrese Gibson, who warned Lil Nas X that “God is not to be played with.”

Lecrae informed his fans that he and Lil Nas X have had a “few interactions” throughout his career, sharing that the last time they spoke, Lil Nas X told Lecrae that his dad, who is a devout Christian, was a big fan of Lecrae.

That comment “made me feel old,” Lecrae joked, but the information also made him aware that Lil Nas X was familiar with him and his music.

“I can only imagine what his experience has been being an outright gay man growing up in a religious environment,” Lecrae said, expressing curiosity about whether Lil Nas X has any “frustrations or presuppositions or ideas about how Christians act toward him, because potentially…he wasn’t treated well historically” by the church.

Lecrae added that its “not a secret the Christian community does not treat the gay community well—has not historically. That’s because there are varying degrees of perspectives and objectives as it pertains to Christians engaging culture.”

Before discussing his thoughts on Lil Nas X’s “Christian era,” Lecrae shared that he is “firm believer” that same-sex attraction “is not a choice for everybody.” In other words, “if you are born with a propensity or an attraction toward the same sex, that in and of itself is not condemnable—that is not something you condemn someone for.” Yet that is what is “consistently taking place in churches nowadays,” Lecrae believes.

People who are same-sex attracted who aren’t acting upon their desires are not “going to hell,” he explained, adding that “that’s not okay” to condemn those people.

Lecrae encouraged Christians to act like Jesus and not like the Pharisees. “Why do we not expect sinners to sin?” he asked at one point. “It’s not our job to condemn them for their lifestyle choices. It’s our job to show them where love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, self control exists.”

Video of Pastor Sharing How Serving on a Church Coffee Team Changed His Life Goes Viral

Dale Chamberlain

December 14, 2023

Stephen Foster — Screengrab via X (formerly Twitter) / @MichaelRWear

A video of a pastor sharing how serving on a church coffee team changed his life is going viral on social media, with Christian leaders praising the testimonial.

The video was originally posted to TikTok by Stream Studios, an account that features interviews to explore “refreshing conversations about faith,” and featured Stephen Foster, who serves as rector of St Aldates Church, an Anglican congregation in Oxford, England.

“If I’m honest, I never really liked the church,” Foster said at the beginning of the video. “I didn’t even really like Christians that much.”

He continued, “I used to think of it like a packaged deal. Like, you get Jesus, and so you get the church and Christians thrown in. It’s just part of the package and there are some bits you like—Jesus—some bits you don’t like so much, which is like the church and Christians.”

“I used to find that a bit annoying,” Foster added. He went on to say that while he attended church regularly, he “didn’t really enjoy going to church.”

But one Sunday, that began to change.

“I was at the back of our church in East London and someone said to me, ‘We need help to run the coffee team,’” Foster recounted. “And I was like working 70, 80 hours a week and I’m like, ‘What?’ And they’re like, ‘Yeah, Steve, we need your help running the coffee team on a Sunday.’”

Foster, who was a lawyer prior to becoming a pastor, remembered thinking, “I’ve got a job. I don’t need another job to run the coffee team.”

Nevertheless, he begrudgingly agreed to serve on the coffee team the next Sunday.

“As I handed these cups to people, something really changed in me. I found myself, as I handed coffee to these people, growing in love for them,” Foster said. “I thought, ‘These people are amazing. This is this extraordinarily diverse community that’s been gathered from across the area. There’s probably not another place that looks as diverse and integrated as this. This is a miracle.’”

“And even people I found a little bit more frustrating and complicated, as I handed them their coffee, I kind of grew in love for them,” Foster continued. “And I kind of basically fell in love with the church.”

Foster went on to say that after serving on the coffee team, he went back to the person in charge of the ministry and said, “We need new coffee machines. We need better beans. We need better mugs. Come on, these are amazing people! I want this to be the best coffee that they get.”

“And as I made coffee for people, I suddenly realized, oh, the church is like the bride of Jesus Christ. It’s like the thing he gave himself for,” Foster continued. “The church is God’s plan for the salvation of the world. There’s no Plan B. And God is going to build his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. God is putting all his eggs in the church basket.”

Boosting Staff Morale This Christmas

Full Strength Network

December 14, 2023

Christmas is right around the corner, and with all the holiday buzz, it’s time to spread some cheer to your hardworking church staff. If your crew is gearing up for a marathon of Christmas Eve services and pulling extra hours, showing appreciation doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some wallet-friendly, work-related ways to lift your team’s spirits and give them the boost they need during this festive season.

Personalized Shoutouts in Meetings:

During your staff meetings, take a moment to give each team member a personalized shoutout. Acknowledge their efforts, share a specific instance where they went above and beyond, and let them know their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s a simple, free gesture that goes a long way in boosting morale.

Flexible Break Times:

Recognize the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season by offering flexible break times. Let your staff take short breaks when they need to recharge. Sometimes, a few moments of downtime can make a world of difference, especially when the to-do list seems never-ending.

Encourage a Virtual ‘Gratitude Wall’:

Create a virtual space where team members can post shoutouts, words of encouragement, or even funny memes to lighten the mood. It’s a low-cost way to foster a positive and appreciative atmosphere, lifting everyone’s spirits as they navigate the holiday workload.

Share Inspirational Content:

Boost morale by sharing motivational and inspirational content with your team. It could be a short video, an uplifting quote, or a relevant podcast episode. Remind them that they’re making a difference, even when the days are long and the tasks seem never-ending.

Provide Snacks or Coffee:

Surprise your staff with a small, free treat during those intense Christmas Eve rehearsals or long planning sessions. It could be a platter of homemade cookies, a pot of coffee, or a stash of their favorite snacks. Sometimes, a little comfort food is just what the tired soul needs.

Offer ‘Work From Home’ Options:

If feasible, consider allowing your staff to work from home for a day or even a few hours. This provides a change of scenery, reduces commute stress, and allows them to tackle tasks in a more relaxed environment.

Create a Fun Playlist:

Collaborate on a playlist filled with uplifting and feel-good tunes. Share it with the team and encourage everyone to add their favorite songs. Music has a way of boosting mood and energy levels, creating a positive work atmosphere.

As you gear up for those Christmas Eve services and long hours, remember that appreciation doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag. Simple, thoughtful gestures can go a long way in boosting morale and reminding your staff that their hard work is valued. Let’s spread the love, lift each other up, and make this Christmas season one filled with joy and camaraderie. You’ve got this!

This article originally appeared here.

When Ministry Begins to Suck the Life Out of Us

Charles Stone

December 14, 2023

suck the life out — Adobestock #687738700

In the 1992 presidential race Ross Perot coined the phrase, “giant sucking sound,” to describe his concern that a proposed treaty would cause American jobs to go overseas. I believe it aptly describes how ministry can sometimes feel to church leaders. Every day church ministry demands that we sooth someone’s hurt feelings, solve a ministry problem, seek new ways to grow our churches, or satisfy what seems to be some church members’ increasing expectations. Ministry does feel like a “giant sucking sound” that can suck the life out of us. How do we know if our ministry is drowning us?

Major crises can certainly increase our stress as church leaders. But often lots of small stresses converge at once that unless we see the warning signs, we can end up casualties of ministry.

When Ministry Begins to Suck the Life Out Us

Several years ago several church issues converged at once and I found myself not liking ministry, feeling stressed, and not being a very nice person to be around. I had to step back to re-calibrate my life. My first step was to take inventory and define reality.

I’ve listed below what I saw happen to me as ministry stress began to t suck the life out me. As you read these, ask yourself if you can identify with any.

(See page two for Charles’s list of life-sucking burnout indicators)

Abilene Christian University To Revisit Sexuality Policy After ‘Holy Sexuality Week’

Kathryn Post

December 14, 2023

(RNS) — Abilene Christian University is revisiting its sexuality policy after over 2,000 students, alumni and friends of the university voiced concerns about Holy Sexuality Week, a school event on relationships and sexuality some claimed included one-sided, exclusionary messages about LGBTQ people.

“You gave a public platform to people who denied the lived reality of LGBTQ+ Christians, claimed inaccurately that homosexuality lacks a genetic basis, and made the ludicrous and hateful statement that ‘the opposite of homosexuality is holiness,’” said a Nov. 16 letter written by Wildcats for Inclusion, a new alumni group formed in the wake of Holy Sexuality Week.

In an email to the group, university President Phil Schubert said the board of trustees plans to review the school’s “Sexual Stewardship Policy” in January. But in an interview with Religion News Service, Schubert said that while he can’t speak for the board, he doesn’t expect the policy to change, largely because the board dedicated extensive time to researching, praying over and developing its policy in 2017.

That policy calls for “chastity outside of marriage between a man and a woman” and for the university “to create an inclusive environment for all students — even those who disagree with ACU’s beliefs — so long as they refrain from sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and woman.”

“We don’t have a neutral position on this,” Schubert said in response to concerns about one-sided messaging at the event. “We’re a faith-based institution of higher learning that is governed by a board of trustees that is deeply faith committed. And so they’ve chosen to provide some guidance on this. So I understand that some would like there to be equal representation of affirming and traditional views of marriage, but that’s not where the university sits today. And it’s not what we feel is the responsibility we have to teach and mentor students according to what we believe the Bible instructs.”

Phil Schubert. (Photo courtesy Abilene Christian University)

Phil Schubert. (Photo courtesy of Abilene Christian University)

From Nov. 6-9, the school, which is affiliated with Churches of Christ, hosted a handful of speakers who addressed topics related to sex and sexuality. Ninety percent of those speaking events, Schubert said, were not focused on same-sex relationships. Perhaps the most controversial speaker was Christopher Yuan, a speaker and author who has taught at Moody Bible Institute and who used to identify as gay. In his chapel session, Yuan emphasized God’s unconditional love but added that love doesn’t include unconditional approval of a person’s behavior.

“The opposite of homosexuality is holiness,” said Yuan. “In fact, the opposite of every sin struggle is holiness.”

Yuan also said that just as people who struggle with depression shouldn’t make their identity about being depressed, people shouldn’t make being gay their identity. He went on to compare identifying as gay to identifying with watching pornography or committing adultery. “None of us should put our identity in our sin struggle,” he said.

Wildcats for Inclusion said in a Dec. 5 letter posted online: “By our count, Christopher Yuan alone compared homosexuality to two mental illnesses, a horrific disease, and a majority of the so-called ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ from Proverbs. Even as he rightly and admirably condemned the bullying of queer people, he perpetuated the conditions that allow bullying to occur.”

In response to a request for comment, Yuan directed RNS toward Luke 9:23, which says “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” He also pointed to the conclusion of his chapel lecture, where he said that rather than summarizing his story by saying he is no longer gay, his story is really about finding Christ. “I once was lost and now I’m found. I once did not believe and now I believe in the Son of God and his name is Jesus.”

Schubert said each of Holy Sexuality Week’s sessions, including Yuan’s, effectively balanced truth and love and was pervaded with a “spirit of kindness and compassion.” Schubert said he would not characterize any of the speakers’ remarks as “hateful.” While society often interprets disagreement as hateful, he said, Abilene Christian strives to have effective conversation about a host of relevant topics, “and even in our disagreement, reflect love and compassion that is from God.”

Some students, including over 100 LGBTQ students who signed the Nov. 16 Wildcats for Inclusion letter, said they felt the series didn’t allow room for complexity or discussion. In addition, the Dec. 5 letter from Wildcats for Inclusion included testimonials from students who said that in the wake of Holy Sexuality Week, they were “harassed online,” experienced panic attacks and heard a student joke that “all gay people deserve to die.”

“Jacob’s Dream” statue and artwork on the campus of Abilene Christian University. (Photo by Richard David Ramsey/Wikipedia/Creative Commons)

“The topic was presented as if it were to be discussed as a conversation with multiple viewpoints. Instead there was only one viewpoint: Don’t be gay and if you choose to be so, you have to stay celibate,” Brinkley Zielinski, a first-year student at the university, told RNS. “I was also appalled to hear homosexuality be compared to depression, but also an eating disorder,” Zielinski said, noting that one of the other speakers had argued that supporting homosexuality is the same as someone supporting an anorexic friend starving themself.

ACLU Files Suit Against DC Transit Agency Over Refusal To Display Religious Group’s Ads

Fiona Andre

December 14, 2023

(RNS) — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit in a U.S. District Court against the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for refusing to display ads for a religious group, claiming they violate the agency’s advertisement guidelines.

The ACLU said the agency’s advertisement policy discriminated against certain opinions and violated the First Amendment, according to the complaint filed Tuesday (Dec. 12).

“We don’t understand why there should be a ban on religious advertisements. Religion is, after all, a point of view about the world,” said Arthur Spitzer, senior counsel at ACLU.

This summer, the religious nonprofit WallBuilders sought to display ads on the city’s buses. The campaign included four ads revisiting paintings of American history’s foundational moments, inviting the public to visit the WallBuilders website to learn more about their religious significance.

One ad showed Henry Brueckner’s painting of George Washington kneeling to pray at Valley Forge; a message in bold white letters at the bottom asked: “Christian? To find out about the faith of our founders, go to WallBuilders.com.” Another ad used the painting “Signing of the Constitution” by Howard Chandler Christy, adding a QR code to WallBuilders’ website at the bottom right corner and including the organization’s logo.

One of the rejected ads in WallBuilders v. WMATA. (Courtesy image)

The WMATA claimed the ads violated resolutions No. 9 and No. 12 of its guidelines on commercial advertising. The two recommendations prohibit the display of ads that “influence members of the public regarding an issue on which there are varying opinions” and “promote or oppose any religion, religious practice or belief.”

Although the organization’s religious beliefs are clearly stated on its website, the ads didn’t express any religious views, claimed ACLU’s Spitzer.

The Texas-based nonprofit believes the Founding Fathers never intended to separate the church from the state and wanted to create a Christian nation. Its website presents the group as a “national pro-family organization” and offers to revisit the “moral, religious, and constitutional foundations” of American history.

David Barton, named one of the nation’s 25 most influential evangelicals in 2005 by Time magazine, founded the organization in 1989. Barton is the author of “The Jefferson Lies,” a book that purports to debunk myths about Thomas Jefferson. In the book’s abstract, the Founding Father is described as “a man who revered Jesus, a classical Renaissance man and a man whose pioneering stand for liberty and God-given inalienable rights fostered a better world for this nation and its posterity.”

Giving to Christ at Christmas

James Emery White

December 14, 2023

What is the most important thing you can do this Christmas?

There’s a long list to consider, to be sure. Let’s bracket off honoring the birth of Christ by watching or attending a church service to celebrate the event, as this should be a given. What else is there to consider?

For many years, I’ve felt that the single most important act of the holidays is to give to Christ at Christmas.

Since 1994, those who attend Mecklenburg Community Church (Meck) have made it our mission to honor the gift God gave us in the birth of Jesus by beginning our gift giving at Christmas with him. This simple idea has become known as our annual “Giving to Christ at Christmas” effort.

The idea was sparked for me when I saw this cartoon during the busyness of the holiday season and thought, “Wow…that’s what giving to Christ at Christmas really is all about.” Since that day, Meck comes together as a church to give the most generous gift we can—above and beyond our normal giving—as a direct gift to Christ himself at Christmas to celebrate his birthday. The money is then used strategically for the work of his mission on Earth.

Over the years, the gifts given through Giving to Christ at Christmas have allowed Meck to help rebuild orphanages and churches, supply relief to hurricane survivors in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, provide safe houses for children rescued from human trafficking, and help the poor and needy in our city. Giving to Christ at Christmas has provided ongoing, strategic support to the building, development and payment for our online and in-person campuses, freeing up our annual budget to serve the daily needs of ministry and outreach to thousands of families in our community.

Every year we turn to God for leadership and discernment as to where this gift should be invested.

So once again this Christmas, I’ll do all I can to encourage people to give to Christ. That means I also want to encourage you to do the same through whatever local church you are a part of. I know that you are bombarded with requests to give to a number of causes over the holiday season. Many might be worthy, but most will not represent truly giving to Christ.

And that’s what Christmas is all about.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Narrative Preaching: Do You Make These 10 Mistakes?

Peter Mead

December 14, 2023

Let’s consider the pitfalls we must avoid in order to preach with power when we take up narrative preaching. Too many preachers miss these vital skills necessary to preach the narrative portions of the scripture.

Narrative Preaching: Do You Make these 10 Mistakes?

1. They don’t tell the story!

They refer to it, they draw lessons from it, they theologize all over it, but they omit to actually tell the story. Big oops! The story is not there to be exhibit A in your demonstration of your theological acumen. The story is there to change lives, so tell it!

2. They don’t tell it well.

I don’t like adding to the sin lists already in existence, but making God’s Word boring or telling a story poorly must surely qualify as a transgression or iniquity on some level. God has given us everything necessary for a compelling message – tension, characters, movement, progression, illustrative materials, interest, etc. To tell it poorly is to miss an open goal with the ball placed carefully at our feet and thirty minutes to take a shot!

3. They think their thoughts are better than God’s inspired text.

I’ve blogged before about the nightmare I suffered when a preacher read the story of Jesus turning water into wine, then said, “you know the story, so I won’t tell it again…” then proceeded to offer us his fanciful imposition of a theological superstructure all over the text. The text is inspired, it is great, God is a great communicator (so please don’t think God is desperate for you to add a good dose of your ideas to His – please preach the Word!)

4. They spiritualise details into new-fangled meanings.

Suddenly listeners start thinking to themselves, “I never would have seen that!” or “I never would have made that connection – the donkey represents midweek ministries, brilliant!” Actually, they never would have seen it without you, not because you are God’s gift to the church, but because your fanciful insertion simply isn’t there. Preach the text in such a way as to honour it, not abuse it. And can I be provocative? Sometimes people force Christ into passages in ways that seem to undermine the whole richness of the text in its context – just because it is Christ doesn’t make it right.

5. They don’t let every detail feed into the powerful point of the main idea.

Every detail counts, but it counts as part of the writer’s strategy to communicate the main point of the story. A story doesn’t make lots of points, it makes one point. Develop a sensitivity to the role of details in the communication of the single plot point in narrative preaching.

6 Simple Ways To Love Your Neighbors This Holiday Season

Sarah Quezada

December 14, 2023

In the summertime, it’s easy to kick back with neighbors on front porches or at barbeques. Fireworks bring everyone outside to oooh and ahhh. When the leaves change and an unmistakable chill hangs in the air, it can be easy to retreat inside for the holiday season.

But don’t be discouraged! The holiday season offers many opportunities for intentional neighbors, church planters and community advocates to pursue deeper relationships in the neighborhood.

Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about ways to connect these next couple of months in the holiday season.

6 Simple Ways to Love Your Neighbors This Holiday Season

1. Host a Community Dinner

Did you have some great front porch conversations with the chatty senior down the street? Did your kids share sidewalk chalk with the family next door? Build on that summer momentum and float the idea of a community dinner.

Invite neighbors to bring a dish if they wish or just show up and enjoy some good food and company. Chili is the perfect meal to feed an undisclosed number of people on a crisp night.

2. Start a Tradition

What’s a fun activity your neighbors may enjoy? Get together and make homemade applesauce or candied apples. Plan a trip to visit an apple farm or pumpkin patch. Project a family movie onto the side of a building (or inside if it’s too cold).

The goal is to find something simple and accessible that you can build into your fall rhythms. Create something neighbors will look forward to each year!

How to Overcome Politics in Your Small Group

Allen White

December 14, 2023

overcome politics — Adobestock #265652003

The political landscape is more polarized than it’s ever been (and it’s never been great). You don’t have to look too far before you find memes or yard signs that either strongly agree or strongly disagree with your own political position. How can you love your neighbor/enemy in this day and age? How do you overcome politics? How do you reach people who are far from God and post an oppositional meme? What if they show up in your small group?

The challenge is to reach people with the truth of God’s word by putting politics aside. If your politics get in the way of your witness, then your politics are more important than they should be. Your concern about political causes should be the same as Jesus’ concern. In my read of the Gospels, Jesus didn’t have much concerned for political causes. He stayed on mission regardless of the political situation.

You have a right to vote your conscience. You have a right to hold a political opinion. But, when does politics cloud the church’s mission? Here are some ideas about how groups can draw in people with opposing views and make disciples, and overcome politics.

How to Overcome Politics in Your Small Group

1. Choose Relevant Study Topics

Your study choices should connect with people’s felt needs. What are people experiencing right now? Many are facing stress and anxiety at unprecedented levels. Between the coming recession, rapid societal and cultural change, and the stress of life, many people are at their brink. Bible studies like Get Out of Your Head by Jennie Allen, Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at the Table by Louie Giglio, Rhythms of Renewal by Rebecca Lyons, and so many others to help people overcome their stress and anxiety. People are dealing with many relevant issues these days like improving their marriages, becoming better parents, find their purpose in life, and discerning what’s ahead.

By inviting friends and neighbors to a Bible study based on a relevant topic, every person in your church can reach people who are far from God and point them to the Truth. They don’t have to agree on everything. Besides, what small group actually agrees on everything anyway? By connecting with people and supporting them in overcoming practical issues in their lives, groups can break through some of the barriers that politics creates.

The Timeless Nigerian Letter Scam

Steven Sundermeier

December 14, 2023

Stop me if you received this one in your Inbox before: “Greeting. I am a prince from Nigeria. This email may come as a surprise to you but let me explain my deep desire to go into a business relationship with you . . . ” All jokes aside, (unless you’ve been living under a rock since the days of the Internet), you can probably recognize the familiar (awkward) wording as belonging to a 419-fraud scheme or better known as the Nigerian letter scam.

The Nigerian letter scam is an advance fee fraud scheme designed to steal money and confidential information from unexpecting users by exploiting common social engineering tactics of human behavior and emotion like urgency, decency, and empathy. It’s one of the oldest online fraud schemes to date, and somehow people still fall for it.

But did you know that the Nigerian letter scam did not originate as an email scam? The original Nigerian Letter-style scam predates the digital age and can be traced as far back as the 19th century where crooks and swindlers would send letters, to someone believed to be easily deceived, offering a mutually beneficial financial partnership. The partnership usually involved assistance in retrieving a prisoner’s substantial riches in return for a share of the riches. However, to solidify the partnership (and to complete the scam), the letter’s recipient must agree to send a small percentage of the money upfront.

With such an age-old story of deception and lies, it’s safe to say no one still falls for Nigerian Letter scams anymore, correct?

If you said correct, you should be right, but you would be wrong. According to the Thirtyseven4 EDR Security ThreatLab, the Nigerian Letter scam is still viable, in good health, and continues to extort funds from unsuspecting (well-meaning) people. In fact, cybercriminals are now leveraging advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and tools such as ChatGPT to make these fraudulent schemes more authentic and credible than ever!

And (what do you know?) just now, in my inbox, the following email has populated:

Subject: From Mrs. Mabel Dumelo and my Daughter Arina Dumelo
From: Mrs. Mabel Dumelo and my Daughter Arina Dumelo.

Greetings dear one,

Good day to you and your household. My name is Mrs. Mabel Dumelo and my daughter is Arina Dumelo, i am writing to you from my hospital bed as i would like to connect you to my little daughter for an investment purpose in your country. Please treat this matter very diligently and seriously because my life is no longer guaranteed due to a stroke that attacked half part of my body.

I and my daughter Arina is contacting you for our investment plans of $7,800,000.00 USD Dollars with my desire to send my only daughter to your country to further her education over there in your country while you will receive this 7.8 Million USD and invest it in a Real Estate business or any lucrative business in the name of my daughter and you will be profiting at least 20% from the profits that your investment will yield, i and my beloved daughter take this decision due to my present health situation and also due to some family problem with my inlaws…

So, what should you do if you encounter a Nigerian Letter scam or a similar fraudulent email?

First . . . THINK!

‘It Truly Is of God’—SBC Pastor Dusty Deevers Wins Oklahoma State Senate Race

Janna Firestone

December 13, 2023

Oklahoma constituents and people across the country are congratulating Dusty Deevers on being elected to the Oklahoma State Senate. Deevers, a Baptist pastor, boasted that he led the “boldest platform that has ever been done.”

“Here in Oklahoma, it’s time to abolish abortion, abolish pornography, abolish the state income tax, and give power and equal representation back to the people!” Deveers posted following his victory.

Dusty Deevers Threw His ‘Name in the Ring for the Glory of God’—And Won

Republican candidate Dusty Deevers went against Democrat Larry Bush in the 2023 election for the Lawton (District 32) seat in the Oklahoma State Senate. As reported by The Oklahoman, Deevers won with a little over 55% of the votes and will serve the remainder of the term vacated by John Michael Montgomery.

The road to Deevers’ political nomination has been met with challenges and controversy. Deevers ran against Jean Hausheer for the Republican nomination to the Oklahoma State Senate seat. While Hausheer is also pro-life, she received criticism for being a “liberal” Republican—partly due to her support of COVID-19 safety precautions and mandates. Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) president Bart Barber was questioned for his financial support of Hausheer’s campaign instead of Deevers.’

In the past, Barber has sparred with Deevers online about their differences regarding abortion legislation. Whereas Barber supports the traditional incrementalist approach to pro-life advocacy, Deevers is part of the abortion abolitionist movement, which emphasizes total and immediate bans on abortion and legal consequences for the women who seek them.

Bush later used Barber’s words against Deevers’ stance in campaign materials, something Barber said he had not given Bush permission to do.

After receiving the Republican nomination for the state senate seat, Deevers and his team focused on social issues throughout the campaign, including abolishing abortion and upholding “traditional marriage.”

In a video posted to Facebook, Deevers said to voters in his district, “You are demanding our government come back under the authority of God’s word and our Constitution. You have sent a clear signal to we who have run on the boldest platform that has ever been done.”

Deevers quickly posted following his victory for the Oklahoma State Senate, “Praise God for what He has done!”

He went on to thank the many people on his team and supporters who have believed in his campaign along the way. “Our team took a no-compromise stance against the greatest evils of our day and for the freedom and liberty of the people,” Deevers said. “We defeated some big-money, establishment interests on a shoestring budget. It truly is of God that we won.”

“Let this victory inspire you,” Deevers wrote to encourage supporters, even those outside of the state of Oklahoma. “If I and my team of volunteers can do it, you can too!” he said. “Take up the Sword of the Spirit, get a team of volunteers, and throw your name in the ring for the glory of God and the good of your state.”

He then closed his post with, “Soli Deo Gloria,” which means, “Glory to God alone,” alongside a photo of his family.

Praise God for what He has done!

I could not be more thankful to my family, my supporters, and my amazing team of hardworking volunteers.

Our team took a no-compromise stance against the greatest evils of our day and for the freedom and liberty of the people. We defeated some… pic.twitter.com/D1XXpM7Xgs

— Dusty Deevers (@DustyDeevers) December 13, 2023

Pastor and Iowa State Rep. Jon Dunwell Fields Accusations He Is a ‘Heretic’ for Defending Religious Rights of The Satanic Temple

Jessica Lea

December 13, 2023

Iowa State Rep. Jon Dunwell, who is the pastor of a church in Monroe, remains adamant in defending the religious rights of The Satanic Temple (TST) to have a holiday display in the rotunda of the State Capitol building.

Dunwell, whose profile on X (formerly Twitter) states he is an ordained pastor in the Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA), says that he is a “Bible-believing” pastor who upholds the freedoms protected by the U.S. Constitution.

“It’s really not that radical,” Dunwell said in a post on Dec. 10. “I don’t want the government dictating, approving, or regulating religious expression. I would rather have an evil blasphemous display, or no display at all, than have the state dictate what they think is appropriate.”

It’s really not that radical. I don’t want the government dictating, approving, or regulating religious expression. I would rather have an evil blasphemous display,or no display at all, than have the state dictate what they think is appropriate.

I write that as a…

— Rep. Jon Dunwell (@jdunwell) December 10, 2023

“I write that as a Bible-believing, Jesus is the only way, Pastor and elected leader who respects the constitution,” he continued. “I am SHOCKED so many want to give up their freedom, so they don’t have to see a display they disagree with.”

Rep. Jon Dunwell: Jesus’ ‘Ways Are Different’

A firestorm erupted online this week in response to the news that The Satanic Temple erected a mannequin topped with a ram’s head made out of mirrors, a representation of Baphomet. According to TST cofounder Lucien Greaves, Baphomet is a figure that represents “pluralism, diversity, and nonbinary identity.”

On social media, The Satanic Temple describes itself as “the only federally recognized international (non-theistic) religious Satanic organization.” While TST is classified as a religion (and is therefore tax-exempt), members do not believe in the supernatural or in Satan as a real being. The Satanic Temple is not the same as the Church of Satan, founded by Anton LaVey.

The Iowa display is not the first time TST has put a display in a State Capitol building. The group maintains that if other religions have the right to put displays on government property, it should have the same option based on the constitutionally protected right to freedom of religion.

‘Christmas With the Chosen: Holy Night’ Hits Theaters Amid Record-High Viewership of Show

Dale Chamberlain

December 13, 2023

“Christmas With the Chosen: Holy Night” hit theaters across the nation on Tuesday, Dec. 12, with its theatrical run set to conclude on Sunday, Dec. 17. The film depicts the nativity story and builds upon a project that was completed six years ago.

“The Chosen,” which is a multi-season show depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, has continued to increase in popularity, with several successful theatrical runs for select episodes, something that is unusual for a show that can be streamed online for free.

“The Chosen” creator and director Dallas Jenkins celebrated the theatrical release of “Christmas With the Chosen” in an announcement on Instagram.

“Over six years ago I made a little short film on my friend’s farm in Illinois. Entitled The Shepherd, it was about the birth of Christ from the perspective of the shepherds, and it was only intended for my church’s Christmas Eve service,” Jenkins wrote. “It ultimately ended up launching The Chosen.”

Jenkins continued, “A few years later, with many more resources, we did The Messengers, a special episode about the birth of Christ from the perspective of Mary and Joseph.”

“This year I had an interesting idea…what if we combined the two? I didn’t think it would work great, but it might be an interesting experiment,” Jenkins recounted. He then said that after he and his wife, Amanda, saw the first cut of the film, they concluded that “it does work, and the nativity story took on even more relevance.”

“Christmas With the Chosen: Holy Night” incorporates musical performances from the previous two specials to “create an ultimate Christmas special.” Additionally, Andrea Bocelli performs “O Holy Night,” an exclusive for the new special.

The Christmas special comes amid the continued success of “The Chosen.” In recent weeks, viewership of the show on The CW has surged, with the episode that aired on Dec. 10 drawing a record-high 553,000 viewers, according to SpoilerTV.

The CW began airing episodes of the first three seasons of “The Chosen” in July, with the last episode set to air on Christmas Eve.

Bryan Carter: How To Make Your Preaching More Compelling

Jessica Lea

December 13, 2023

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast · Bryan Carter: How To Make Your Preaching More Compelling

Bryan Carter is the pastor of Concord Church in Dallas, Texas, and a thought leader, connector, and dynamic communicator. He is committed to serving the city of Dallas and beyond through working toward city transformation, building stronger families, and economic development. Bryan is the author of “Made to Last: 8 Principles to Build Long Lasting Relationships.”

Other Ways To Listen to This Podcast With Bryan Carter

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Key Questions for Bryan Carter

-What have you learned about preaching after 20 years?

-How do you prepare for sermons from week to week?

-What does it look like to raise up new preachers?

-What advice would you give church leaders to make their preaching more compelling?

Key Quotes From Bryan Carter

“[Preaching] is an evolution, right? You never arrive. It is a constant work.”

“It’s been a joy to preach to a congregation for 20 years, to be able to walk through different genres, different seasons. I’m learning to just continue to find joy in the process.”

“What I hear is that [people] can relate to [my preaching]. They can understand it.”

“With sermon planning, I’m going to start trying to plan out hopefully a year, or if not a year, six months, three months at a time so that I know where I’m going.”

“Monday morning, I’m going to give about four hours from about 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., I’m going to do my exegetical work.”

Liam Goligher, Influential PCA Pastor, Resigns After Past Arrest Made Public

Bob Smietana

December 13, 2023

(RNS) — The pastor of Philadelphia’s Tenth Presbyterian Church — an influential Presbyterian Church in America congregation — resigned after a past arrest for improper conduct along with another church leader was made public.

Liam Goligher, who had been pastor of Tenth since 2011, resigned on Dec. 1, according to a statement from the church. His resignation was first reported by Ministry Watch, a nonprofit evangelical watchdog group.

Goligher was arrested in 2014, along with a female church leader, and was cited for “personal conduct” in a public park in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The term “personal conduct,” Lancaster police told Ministry Watch, can refer to “lewd or sexual behavior.” The pastor’s arrest was made public recently by Anglican Watch, an abuse watchdog website.

Tenth Presbyterian confirmed Goligher’s resignation in a statement to Ministry Watch and said it had no details about the pastor’s arrest aside from what was found in public court documents.

“This has been difficult news for the Tenth community,” a church spokesman said in a statement. “The formal dissolution of the pastoral relationship will be conducted according to the polity of the Presbyterian Church in America.”

According to denominational rules, the congregation of Tenth Presbyterian has to vote on whether to accept Goligher’s resignation. Then the PCA’s Philadelphia Presbytery, which oversees pastoral conduct, will vote on ending his tenure at the church at the next presbytery meeting in January, said the Rev. Ryan Egli, pastor of City Line Church and moderator of the presbytery. The presbytery will also address reports of Goligher’s alleged misconduct at a meeting next week.

“The Presbytery is obligated under the denomination’s governing policies to follow up those reports with due diligence and great discretion,” Egli told Religion News Service in an email. “The Presbytery will be considering those matters in a special meeting called for next week. As such, no member of the Philadelphia Presbytery can comment on potential or current judicial cases against ministers in the Presbytery.”

The Rev. Liam Goligher delivers a recent evening prayer video on Tenth Presbyterian Church social media. (Video screen grab)

A native of Scotland, Goligher was pastor of Duke Street Church in London before coming to Tenth Presbyterian in 2011. He previously led churches in Canada, Ireland and Scotland and had a television and radio ministry in the U.K., according to a bio prepared by the committee that recommended him as Tenth’s pastor.

“Tenth has a strategic role to play in serving the kingdom in the city, the nation and the world. Its strong pulpit ministry, its multiple ministries which have earned the respect of many, and the rich resource of its membership spread throughout the region give it a unique opportunity to get the gospel out in ways denied to other churches,” he told the congregation in a letter before coming to Tenth.

4 Reasons I Don’t Like Children’s Christmas Programs

Christina Embree

December 13, 2023

It’s that time of year! The annual church Christmas programs.

Is there anything cuter than kids in a Christmas program? I mean seriously, don’t we just love seeing the kids sharing their songs, saying their lines, quoting their Bible verses and wearing all the Christmasy things? And, of course, there’s always that “one” kid who unwittingly steals the show with their over-enthusiastic lines or their under-enthusiastic singing. Or the one who is just a little bit off on the motions or the one who is pretending to conduct in the back row.

I mean, who doesn’t like seeing kids perform in church?

(slowly raises her hand)…ME.

What?!? I work in Children’s Ministry! Isn’t that against the rules?

You guys, bear with me but, yeah, I usually don’t like them very much at all. I love that the kids talk about Jesus. I do think that they are beyond adorable and I want to hug every single one. But what I don’t like are the many implications that often come with it; things that go unsaid, but speak volumes to children and adults about the place of children in “big church.”

4 Reasons I Don’t Like Christmas Programs

They define the role of Children in Worship: They are performers. They are cute. Everyone likes to “see” them. Everyone wants them on stage. But children are much more than that. They are active, vital, necessary members of the body of Christ. If they are only invited into worship to “perform” guess what worship/church becomes for them? A performance. And when they get tired of performing or they aren’t cute anymore, they move on to bigger and better things.
They define the role of the Children’s Pastor: Many or most who work in children’s ministry rarely spend much time in “big church.” The role is unseen; serving downstairs or upstairs making sure children are loved, rooms are covered, volunteers are appreciated, parents are affirmed, janitors are appeased, visitors are welcomed, and families are encouraged. But the only time a children’s minister is seen in church is when he/she bring the children up to put on a show. It creates a very limited view of who children’s ministers are.
They define the role of the Congregation: When the children perform, all the feelings are there! The kids are sweet and cute and the church loves to see them in church. But it is a passive reception; the kids give, the church receives. There are no active, ongoing relationships. Many don’t even know the children’s names. They are the “girl in the red dress that sang so loud” and the “boy in the tie who sat on the steps.” It creates an environment of “us” and “them” and when the performance is over, everyone returns to their posts.
They define who is and who is not “the Church”: This is the same reason I despise the term “big church.” There isn’t a big church and little church in God’s kingdom. There’s just church. We, all of us, old, young and in-between, are all members of God’s body, part of the Church, his Bride. We affirm this at baptism or dedication. The whole congregations commits to being one body. And then, we go our separate ways, big and little, for the year, until it’s time to perform again.

Important Caveat: I Know That Not Every Church Is Like This.

Please know that I realize that for some churches the program is more than a performance. For those churches, the children are involved in church all year long as participants and not just performers and the Christmas program is an extension of a greater story. I am beyond blessed to serve in a church like this.

When the Pastor’s Wife Suffers in Silent Depression

Cara Croft

December 13, 2023

Sometimes when the pastor’s wife is dealing with depression, she suffers alone. This is one pastor’s wife’s story that will shed light on this issue.

Every counselor begins with the question, “So how long have you suffered with depression?” The truth is that I am not sure.

At times it seems like a lifetime. As a child, I was always told that I was melancholy, and that description is true. I was a very quiet child. I tended to sit, listen and observe others; I still do that.

However, I tend to slip at times into a different kind of darkness.

My first major bout with depression came my freshman year in college. My parents were divorced and had been since I was three. However, I was feeling a new pressure in my relationship with my dad, and I was not sure how to handle it. I became very discouraged when I realized that I was in a situation in which I could not make my mom and my dad happy no matter what decision I made. So, I went to counseling.

I cannot remember most of what that counselor and I talked about, but I do know that God used that time to bring me to a deeper level of brokenness and a greater realization of my dependence on him. As I look back at my time in college, I can clearly see times where God met me in very real ways.

I Became a Pastor’s Wife

Then I got married. My sweet husband knew that at times I struggled with discouragement and being down, but usually I rebounded quickly.

We had been at the church for three years when I hit my next major bout with depression. My youngest child was born a month early and we went through a year with various health issues with our children that ended in several different surgeries and hospital stays. To the point of exhaustion, I tried to care for four children, my husband and our church, homeschool, and go to a bazillion doctor’s appointments.

I was overwhelmed with my life and felt like I was failing in everything I did.

No matter what I did or how I changed my schedule, I just could not do it all. After a year of struggling (yes, it took me a whole year to finally admit I needed help), I came to a place where I had to share with my husband what was going on. I was depressed, not just down, but depressed. I was in a place of darkness where it seemed there was no hope, happiness or joy.

Back to counseling I went; only this time, my husband came too. He had noticed my struggle, but he was not sure how he could help me deal with it. Counseling was helpful. I saw how much I try to earn God’s favor. I struggle with perfectionism and am frustrated with myself when I am anything less than perfect. I tend to dismiss the encouraging comments from my husband and from other church members, and I tend to replace them with self-loathing thoughts like, “If only they knew the thoughts I had, or if they knew how I really was, then they wouldn’t say those things.”

I was choosing to believe lies instead of believing God’s truth about who I am in Him and how he sees me.

After several months of counseling, the darkness lifted. I experienced a joy that I had missed for months. I experienced peace and a renewed love for God and his word. I found a joy in serving my family and my church that had not been there for a long time. I found freedom in not having to please myself.

But the battle did not end. Please understand that I still had the thoughts creep into my head that I wasn’t good enough or that I had failed again. However, I also had God’s word to remind me of the truth of my freedom in Christ.

Pinpointing Solid Youth Sermon Topics

1. Find a story.

Questions to help you find youth sermon topics:

Heisman Winner Jayden Daniels Overcomes Challenges

Jayden Daniels Learned To ‘Give Everything to God’

Personalized Shoutouts in Meetings:

Flexible Break Times:

Encourage a Virtual ‘Gratitude Wall’:

Share Inspirational Content:

Provide Snacks or Coffee:

Offer ‘Work From Home’ Options:

Create a Fun Playlist:

When Ministry Begins to Suck the Life Out Us

(See page two for Charles’s list of life-sucking burnout indicators)

Narrative Preaching: Do You Make these 10 Mistakes?

1. They don’t tell the story!

2. They don’t tell it well.

3. They think their thoughts are better than God’s inspired text.

4. They spiritualise details into new-fangled meanings.

5. They don’t let every detail feed into the powerful point of the main idea.

6 Simple Ways to Love Your Neighbors This Holiday Season

1. Host a Community Dinner

2. Start a Tradition

How to Overcome Politics in Your Small Group

1. Choose Relevant Study Topics

Dusty Deevers Threw His ‘Name in the Ring for the Glory of God’—And Won

Rep. Jon Dunwell: Jesus’ ‘Ways Are Different’

Other Ways To Listen to This Podcast With Bryan Carter

Key Questions for Bryan Carter

Key Quotes From Bryan Carter

4 Reasons I Don’t Like Christmas Programs

Important Caveat: I Know That Not Every Church Is Like This.

I Became a Pastor’s Wife

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