‘Neutered, Compromised Beta-Male’—Mark Driscoll Attacks Seminary-Trained Pastors on ‘The Charlie Kirk Show’

August 11, 2023

In a recent appearance on “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast, controversial pastor Mark Driscoll aired his grievances with American evangelicalism, calling out pastors and the Bible colleges and seminaries that trained them.

In his introduction of Driscoll, Kirk referred to him as “one of the best, most important Bible teachers in the country—in the world, actually,” and said that Driscoll has “such an amazing gift from the Lord to teach the Word and to honestly tell the truth in this era of lies.”

Kirk, a conservative political commentator, has become increasingly influential in evangelical spaces, as illustrated by the success of Turning Point USA Faith’s Pastor Summit, an annual event that was launched in 2022 and has featured speakers such as Jentezen Franklin, Eric Metaxas, Dave Ramsey, Riley Gaines, and Danny Gokey.

Driscoll is the former pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle. While pastor of the now-defunct congregation, Driscoll was accused of a pattern of abusive behavior. He eventually resigned, and the church shuttered its doors. Not long after, Driscoll launched Trinity Church Scottsdale, Arizona, where he has also been accused of abusive behavior.

Driscoll Compares American Culture to the Days of Elijah

To start the interview, Kirk asked Driscoll about his self-published book, “New Days, Old Demons: Ancient Paganism Masquerading as Progressive Christianity,” which is a study of the biblical prophet Elijah.

Describing the content of the book, Driscoll compared President Joe Biden to King Ahab and Vice President Kamala Harris to Jezebel, accusing Harris of sleeping “her way to the top.” He has repeatedly made similar comments in various interviews and online posts.

“The demons are the same, even though the people change,” Driscoll said. “In Christianity, most denominations are led by Ahab. The government is led by Ahab. The southern border is open because of Ahabianism. It’s a passivity and a tolerance. And any time you tolerate, they dominate.”

Referring to biblical times, Driscoll continued, “In their days, that included child sacrifice—which was the precursor to state-sponsored abortion—to the Canaanite god Molech. It also included genital mutilation—transgenderism. And in the days of Ahab and Jezebel, they were dealing with drag queens overtaking.”

Driscoll did not attempt to provide historical evidence for his claim that drag queens were “overtaking” the ancient kingdom of Israel. Nevertheless, he went on to say that a similar “Jezebel spirit” is active in American politics today and is “a demonic attempt to replace God with government.”

Kirk asked why more pastors aren’t talking about this. Rather than acknowledge that his particular interpretation of the biblical account is not widely held, Driscoll simply replied, “I think, oftentimes, people just don’t read the Bible.”

Driscoll: Elijah Was ‘A Dude of Dudes’

“Usually when you think of Christianity, you think of that soft, beta-male, gender confused, skinny jeans, you know, feathered hair with frosted tips,” Driscoll said. By contrast, Driscoll argued, Elijah was “a man’s man. He’s a dude of dudes…He’s an outlaw. He’s a cowboy. He doesn’t fit the mold, and he doesn’t come out of the establishment—he comes out of the woods.”

United Methodist Pastors Feel Worse and Worry More Than a Decade Ago

Bob Smietana

August 11, 2023

(RNS) — United Methodist clergy have been through the wringer in recent years, with a worldwide pandemic, a church schism and the ongoing decline of one of the nation’s largest Protestant denominations.

Those stresses have likely taken a toll on their health, a new report shows.

A survey of 1,200 United Methodist clergy found that half have trouble sleeping, a third feel depressed and isolated, half are obese, and three-quarters are worried about money.

Almost all of those measures have worsened in the past decade, according to the study from Wespath, which administers benefits for pastors and employees at United Methodist institutions.

Overall, United Methodist pastors feel worse and worry more than they did a decade ago.

“Even though we saw some areas of well-being improve in 2023 after very dismal results in 2021, the overall 10-year lookback tells us that clergy well-being, which was a problem a decade ago, is an even bigger problem today,” said Kelly Wittich, director of health and well-being at Wespath, in announcing the survey’s findings. “We see that clergy struggle with well-being compared to their secular counterparts, in no small part due to the often unrealistic demands placed on clergy from multiple directions.”

The study found that 11% of pastors said they are in excellent health, down from 17% in 2013, while 1 in 10 (9%) said they are in fair health, double the number from a decade ago.

The report did not indicate whether clergy age might be a factor affecting health outcomes.

More than half said the pandemic negatively affected their emotional (54%) and social health (52%). Fewer said their spiritual (26%) or financial health (23%) got worse.

Pastors also said their sense of spiritual vitality has improved in the past two years — with many feeling they have a vital relationship with God (78%) and feel God’s presence when doing pastoral visits (73%). Fewer feel God’s presence at church-related events (68%).

The study found pastors have significant health challenges, including 14% with diabetes, another 14% with pre-diabetes and half with obesity (49%). All three measures have gone up in the past decade.

One in 10 said they suffer from depression, while a third said they have symptoms of depression. A third feel isolated at work or feel overtaxed by their congregation. More than half (52%) said they experience church-related stress, up from 46% in 2013.

Progressive National Baptists Gain Partners To Address Voting Rights, Gun Violence

Adelle M Banks

August 11, 2023

(RNS) — Leaders of the Progressive National Baptist Convention announced plans at their annual session this week in St. Louis to work on enhancing voting rights and criminal justice reform through partnerships with like-minded organizations.

Members of the social justice team of the historically Black Protestant denomination also traveled to nearby Ferguson on Wednesday (Aug. 9), the last day of their meeting, to mark the ninth anniversary of the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager whose fatal shooting by a white officer prompted protests that energized the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Rev. David R. Peoples, president of the PNBC, said in an interview Thursday that supporting the Brown family and the Ferguson community is one example of how the denomination is pursuing justice issues.

“We want to make sure that wherever injustice takes place, wherever our people are oppressed and don’t have a fair shake, we’re going to speak out, we’re going to speak truth to power,” he said. “We’re not going anywhere until those things happen and positive change occurs.”

Members of the social justice team of the Progressive National Baptist Convention joined other in marking the ninth anniversary of the death of Michael Brown by visiting where Brown died in Ferguson, Missouri, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Photo courtesy PNBC

Progressive National Baptist Convention members join others in marking the ninth anniversary of the death of Michael Brown by visiting where Brown died in Ferguson, Missouri, Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023. Photo courtesy PNBC

He said a couple of thousand Baptists attended the meeting of the denomination of more than 1,200 churches and more than 1.5 million members.

In his remarks the previous day at a news conference, Peoples said the organization would continue to follow in the footsteps of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., who considered the PNBC his denominational home.

“We won’t stop until what Dr. King said, until justice runs down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream,” he said on Wednesday. “We won’t stop until Florida Governor DeSantis understands that slavery never benefited any African American.”

He continued: “We won’t stop until the real thugs like Donald Trump, who are the real threat to democracy, get justice they deserve.”

PNBC leaders also differentiated members of their denomination from Christian nationalists.

“What a tragedy it is that so much of what it means to be a Christian has been co-opted by white nationalists,” said the Rev. Willie D. Francois III, the co-chair of the PNBC’s social justice arm. “But there’s something about the rebellious imagination of folk like us, the Progressive National Baptist Convention, that says we have political priorities that aren’t limited to policing who people sleep with and policing what women do with their bodies. The Progressive National Baptist Convention is actually pro-life because we care about bodies before they are born all the way through the tomb.”

The Rev. Frederick Haynes III speaks at the annual session of the Progressive National Baptist Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, on Aug. 9, 2023. Video screen grab

The Rev. Frederick Haynes III speaks during a news conference of the Progressive National Baptist Convention in St. Louis on Aug. 9, 2023. Video screen grab

Answering the question “Why is the white Christian church aligning with Trump?” the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III, the new Rainbow PUSH Coalition president, responded: “They’re more white than Christian.”

During the meeting, PNBC delegates also adopted a resolution saying the denomination “strongly denounces any … who refuse to support the results of the 2020 presidential election” and anyone who supports the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

Ron Edmondson’s Leadership Tip: Invent Now, Tweak Later

Ron Edmondson

August 11, 2023

One of my favorite things to say in an idea-generation meeting is, “Let’s invent now. We can always tweak later.” One of the worst dream-killers is finding all the reasons something won’t work before you even decide if you’re going to do it. I remember reading once that the can opener came almost 50 years after the tin can.

Invent Now, Tweak Later

Apparently, it takes time for innovation to ultimately find it’s true destination.

I also read once it was years before someone thought to cut a hole in the bottom of a basketball goal.
Another example, plastic was invented years before someone thought to mass produce it.
Penicillin was invented in 1928, but didn’t arrive on the market for mass use until 1945.

And one of my favorites- Andy Andrews wrote in his book The Little Things, “Never forget that, as a society, we put men on the moon before anyone thought to put wheels on luggage!” I love that.

Hopefully you get the idea.

How to Invent Now

We should not be afraid of small doses of innovation. (Perhaps you call it change.)

As the old saying goes, if you keep doing the same things you’ll get the same results. There is relative agreement on that one.

I learned years ago something that has been helpful to me in leading for change. Beginning something new doesn’t mean you have to have the finished, perfectly polished product in place when you begin.

Start with what you know today. Dream something new, invent now, and then you can tweak and make it better later.

“Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” (Zechariah 4:10)

This has huge ramifications for us as leaders. We often wait to begin something until we think we have all the answers, but often we just need to begin something.

Parents, Your Words Have Power (So Say These Two to Your Kids!)

Brian Dollar

August 10, 2023

Parents mess up. All parents mess up, even deeply committed Christian parents. But not all parents are willing to admit it. Two of the most wonderful words children of all ages can hear from parents are “I’m sorry.” They’re also two of the most difficult words for parents to say.

Too often, we assume that to have the “upper hand” as a parent, we must seem infallible. We must never admit our mistakes, which might show weakness to our children. And then they’ll try to exploit it. Parents who believe and practice this do so at their own peril.

The truth is, parents who are willing to say “I’m sorry” actually rise in their child’s esteem. Meanwhile, moms and dads who refuse to say these two powerful words place a huge divide between themselves and their children.

Kids aren’t stupid. They know when you’re wrong. They know when you’ve made a mistake. When you refuse to admit your mistakes, children begin to see you as someone who cares more about being right than doing right. It’s hard to recover from that.

Why Parents Must Say the Words I’m Sorry

Saying “I’m sorry” doesn’t apply only to the small things, like being late for pickup or forgetting to bring home ice cream as promised. “I’m sorry” are two words parents need to use for big blunders as well.

Apologies are necessary for individual offenses, yes, But parents also need to address prolonged, harmful patterns of communication—demanding too much, blaming, withdrawing, smothering, and so on.

Let’s face it: Not every parent grew up in a healthy home. Often, you’re doing your best to parent your own kids despite your negative, dysfunctional family of origin. You want to be a good parent, but you’re often guessing at how to do it well. You didn’t have the best example to follow while growing up. So you struggle to communicate with your child in a healthy way.

In many cases, parents should explain how their own painful backgrounds have colored their perceptions and shaped their responses. These stories help the rest of the family understand how they got this way, but they aren’t excuses for bad behavior.

What a Parent’s Apology Communicates to Kids

The offending parent must own the offenses, apologize, repent, and begin to rebuild trust. A full apology communicates, “I get it now. I realize how I’ve hurt you, and I’m deeply sorry. I want to open the lines of communication with you. I’ll do my very best to do better, and I need your help. Will you tell me when I mess up again? I have a long way to go, but I’m stepping onto the road today.”

Youth Pastor: Keep Working to Become Great at Youth Ministry

Brooklyn Lindsey

August 10, 2023

Are you a great youth pastor? Answer this question: Do you love what you do? That’s my reply when people ask me how to excel in youth ministry.

I’m guessing they ask because I’m still a youth pastor. I suspect they want to be on a similar path with similar results (i.e., not burnt out). But I think the better question is always: Do you love what you do? Do you think being a youth pastor has value and is significant enough for you to give your life to it?

That’s how I feel about youth ministry. Its existence changed the trajectory of my life and my eternity. I never knew that spending the rest of my life saying “thank you” would also mean spending my adult life as a youth pastor. Because I didn’t know much about youth ministry, I wasn’t that intentional heading into it. I knew my youth pastor was awesome, but I wondered how many people can actually do that and survive?

My Path to a Youth Ministry Career

So I graduated from college with a big bucket type of ministry degree. I still wasn’t sure that a church somewhere would pay me to love people. But I sent my resume to a church leader who knew some other church leaders (while simultaneously applying at restaurants and mall stores) and waited.

Just a few days after college graduation I got a call from a tiny church in Orlando. They wanted to pay me $24,000 a year and I wanted to see if this youth ministry idea was for real. I said yes, because I really thought the church would pay me to love people.

It was the toughest year of my life.

I relied on a youth ministry magazine for survival.
I lost people’s children in amusement parks.
Communicating with my senior pastor was terrifying.
I was afraid that I’d feel afraid for the rest of my life.

But I fell in love with loving teenagers. I enjoyed spending time with them. Watching them wake up to the love of God made my day. And I secretly believed that if I could help them see the holy potential in them that they could change the world for Jesus. That injustice would dim in comparison to their young ideas and passions. I was hooked but hurting and not sure how to work things out.

Why Youth Pastors Need Support

So, I needed some help remaining a youth pastor. I attended a youth conference with people who were sure you could make a life of this. To be able to attend, I volunteered to stuff conference packets and throw candy at people. I sat in circles with leaders who had not only Iyouth ministry but were youth ministry (like, they invented it).

‘Christian Artists Are Going To Have To Say Something’—John Cooper Addresses ‘The Rot in Christian Music’

Jesse T. Jackson

August 10, 2023

John Cooper, frontman for the Dove Award-winning rock band Skillet, recently called out what he has labeled “The Rot in Christian Music” on his podcast “Cooper Stuff.”

Cooper highlighted an article written by Kevin McNeese, founder of Christian music site NewReleaseToday, titled “What the Bleep Is Happening To Christian Music?”

In the article, McNeese revisited an article he wrote in 2017, in which he discussed a growing trend among Christian artists to use swear words in their lyrics—including Kings Kaleidoscope, a band whose music has been used to lead worship in churches.

McNeese said the 2017 article received thousands of comments and generated a lot of discussion, but he soon let the topic go.

“Every month since,” McNeese said, “various artists have felt a need to creatively express themselves with crass language, questionable visuals, and controversial posts, and we have steered clear, allowing the consumer to discover them apart from NewReleaseToday.”

“I fought a few dozen social media wars, and onward life goes,” McNeese said.

McNeese expressed that he is perplexed that “I’m here again, writing about the content of what we continue to hear and see in Christian music. I guess it’s been a busier month than usual, and some recent developments have ignited new alarms.”

McNeese then brought attention to Derek Webb’s latest solo album. (Webb is the guitarist and singer for the iconic Christian music band Caedmon’s Call.) He teamed up with a drag queen who goes by the name Flamy Grant on the song “Boys Will Be Girls,” which can be found on his recent “The Jesus Hypothesis” release.

McNeese also mentioned how former Maverick City Music singer Dante Bowe released a video for his summer song “Wind Me Up” that feature scantily clad women and sexualized dancing. Yesterday, Bowe announced that he has been nominated for four Dove Awards.

Bowe was abruptly removed from Maverick City Music last September for what Maverick City Music described as “behavior that is inconsistent with our core values and beliefs.”

‘There’s Life on the Other Side’—Beth Moore and Russell Moore Discuss Leaving the SBC, Deconstruction, and Political Polarization

Dale Chamberlain

August 10, 2023

Russell Moore Beth Moore — Screengrab via YouTube / Christianity Today

In a recent joint event between Beth Moore’s Living Proof Ministries and Christianity Today, Beth Moore and Russell Moore sat down to discuss Russell’s new book, “Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America.”

During the wide-ranging interview, the two discussed their shared history with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), their experiences leaving the denomination, the crisis of faith taking place in the evangelical movement, as well as their hope for the future.

Beth Moore and Russell Moore Remember Their Shared Southern Baptist History

Toward the beginning of the interview, Russell spoke about his Southern Baptist upbringing in Biloxi, Mississippi, how he met his wife, his call to ministry, and the first sermon he delivered at the age of 12.

While Beth and Russell were both raised in Southern Baptist churches and served the SBC for many years, Beth noted that, in some ways, the two came from different worlds in that Russell was a seminary trained pastor and denominational leader, whereas she had always been a lay Bible teacher. Beth added that, across those two groups, stereotypes abound.

Beth said that she wouldn’t have personally crossed paths with Russell if it weren’t for social media. She recounted that she first became acquainted with Russell through Twitter while Russell was still serving on the faculty of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

“What first made me raise my eyebrows was that I could see that your students, your present students at Southern or past students, I could see how playful and fun they were with you,” Beth said. “That was the first [time] I knew you had an actual life.”

The two went on to discuss their shared love of hymns and 1990s Christian Contemporary Music, with Russell noting that he had a crush on Amy Grant throughout his teenage years.

“Were you even a Christian boy if you didn’t?” Beth joked.

Russell Moore on Leaving the SBC, Why Many Evangelicals Are Deconstructing Their Faith, and How Political Polarization Is Affecting the Church

Steering the conversation toward Russell’s new book, titled “Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America,” the opening chapter of which recounts the latter days of Russell’s tenure as president of the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), Beth said, “It’s such a book of hope, throughout…[Hope] is very much woven throughout.”

Nevertheless, Beth expressed that both she and Russell felt a great sense of loss leaving the SBC, the denomination they had both loved and served for most of their lives.

“And it’s not even past tense,” Russell said. “I’m the most Southern Baptist person I know, and I’m not even a Southern Baptist anymore. I mean, I literally have a bust of Lottie Moon [in my office].”

Beth noted that Russell had previously expressed that being president of the ERLC had been a “dream job.” Nevertheless, Russell recounted that when he was considering leaving, Beth counseled him that “there’s life on the other side.”

After Throwing a No-Hitter, Phillies Pitcher Michael Lorenzen Gives God ‘All the Glory’

Stephanie Martin

August 10, 2023

In his home debut after being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies, pitcher and outspoken Christian Michael Lorenzen threw a no-hitter (and his first complete game) on Wednesday, Aug. 9. After shutting out the Washington Nationals, the 31-year-old right-hander praised God while speaking to reporters.

Lorenzen, traded from the Cincinnati Reds at last week’s MLB trade deadline, became the first MLB pitcher in 63 years to throw a no-hitter in his home debut for a team. To celebrate, the Phillies grounds crew dug out the pitching rubber for Lorenzen to keep.

Michael Lorenzen throws the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history. His family’s reaction is everything. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/9NARDYMwK0

— MLB (@MLB) August 10, 2023

The pitcher, originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2010, was cheered on by the home crowd, which included his mother, wife, and young daughter.

Michael Lorenzen: ‘I Just Had God’s Grace Today’

To complete the no-hitter, Michael Lorenzen needed a career-high 124 pitches. He struck out just five batters and walked four. “I didn’t strike out the world in this game,” Lorenzen said during a post-game press conference. “I just had God’s grace today. I definitely have to thank him for today and give him all the glory, just to be able to keep me calm and trusting in him. Whatever happened, I was just going to trust in him, and that’s kind of what I’ve been doing all season, trying to just lean on him.”

The Phillies acquired Lorenzen, a first-time All-Star this year, to help them return to the playoffs. As Sports Spectrum reported, the pitcher with a 7-7 record and a 3.23 ERA has come a long way in both his MLB career and his faith walk.

In 2016, Lorenzen told Renewed Strength Fitness about his upbringing in a broken home with parents who abused drugs and alcohol. By eighth grade, he said, he was smoking marijuana and getting drunk. One day when he was about 16 or 17, Lorenzen and his friends—all high on weed—went to a pier to get food.

“This guy was sharing about Jesus,” Lorenzen recalled. “He asked us if he could share something about God with us, and we kind of looked at him and laughed a little bit and said, ‘Sure, go ahead.’”

Despite being impaired, Lorenzen felt the Holy Spirit at work. “It was unbelievably convicting because [this man] broke down that it was more than just to believe in God… You have to serve and live for God; even the demons believe in God. That was something that hit me harder than anything.”

Hearing the Gospel Marked a ‘Turning Point’

After hearing the Gospel message, Lorenzen’s heart gradually opened to it. “I had to think about everything [the man] said. I think I was the only one who left that place and was really impacted,” he said. “God had chosen me to be spoken to, and I’m forever grateful for that reason that he chose me to speak into my life and change my life. Ever since that day, the seed was planted.”

Lorenzen started attending church with his brother, finding life and truth in the Bible’s teachings. “I ended up going up and giving my life to the Lord,” he said.

Relationship Triangles

Full Strength Network

August 10, 2023

relationship triangles — Source: Adobe Stock

Have you ever carried the imbalanced weight of acting as a “facilitator” in peacemaking roles? It’s the kind of situation where you, as the pastor or leader, end up having the conversation with each party involved rather than simply facilitating… It’s easy to cycle into this role, but it’s important to understand the dangers of the “relationship triangle” that often stems from this kind of approach.

A relationship triangle arises when two people pull in a third party to ease the tension between them. We see an example of this in Matthew 20:20-28 between Jesus, the sons of Zebedee, and their mother. Jesus avoided triangulation by addressing the sons directly.

Pastors are often the person asked to “talk to” someone about something by somebody else. And it can feel useful! The upside to triangulation is that it works temporarily, and the leader might feel good because he/she has been useful. The downside is that the solution is only temporary because the two individuals who need to work out their differences have successfully avoided doing so. The leader ends up carrying the burden of keeping the peace.

There’s no doubt you as a ministry leader want to be helpful and a peacemaker in these kinds of situations (Matthew 5:9). Unfortunately, with triangulation, leaders end up being the only ones practicing peacemaking; in order to keep the peace, they must also keep the anxiety instead of letting anxiety help the original pair grow and mature.

Temporary triangles are a normal part of congregational life. But they lead toward dysfunction when triangulation becomes the habitual way of doing church relationships.

How can you model peacemaking while at the same time reducing your likelihood of being the third point of a relationship triangle? Consider these five points of wisdom:

Know your triangle tendencies. Pastors can willingly volunteer for triangles or they can unwittingly be drafted into a triangle. Ministry leaders often offer to “speak to” someone for somebody else instead of encouraging the two people to talk directly to one another about their issue. Other times, people will ask the pastor to talk to someone on their behalf. How often do you volunteer to speak on behalf of someone (volunteering)? How often do people ask you to talk to somebody else in order to change the other person (drafted)?
Manage your own anxiety. Resisting the pull of a triangle can make you as anxious as being in one, especially if “repositioning” yourself (i.e., not taking responsibility for solving the problem between the other two people) is a new behavior for you. How comfortable are you in redirecting people to talk to each other about their differences?
Be helpful without taking over. People approach church leaders for relationship counsel and advice. These conversations are not creating triangles, although they can sow the seeds for one! Wise church leaders encourage people to try to understand their own motivations and anxieties in an effort to support direct one-to-one interactions. How often do your pastoral counseling sessions center on the person who is not in the room instead of focusing on the anxieties and fears of the person sitting in front of you?
Stay connected. Triangles are often about “taking sides,” or have that appearance. Stay in emotional contact with others who have a corner of the triangle so you can contribute to a calmer, less anxious environment. Are you aware of avoiding others in your congregation? If so, can you identify what is driving your anxiety?
Sustain a non-anxious presence. Because triangles are essentially about relationship anxiety, you can be most helpful by fostering a non-anxious presence when you sense triangulation. Often your non-anxiety can “rub off” on others. In this way, you can assist them in thinking more clearly, compassionately, and creatively about their own relationship dilemmas. How do you tame your own anxiety when it arises during a conversation so that you can think clearly, compassionately, and creatively?

This article originally appeared here.

Are White Evangelical Pastors at Odds With Their Congregants? A New Study Says No.

Yonat Shimron

August 10, 2023

(RNS) — Over the past two years, a group of influential evangelical leaders broke away from their churches or denominations, mostly over their congregations’ solid support for former President Donald Trump and, more generally, conservative politics and messaging.

The moves, by such people as theologian Russell Moore and Bible study teacher Beth Moore, most prominently, but others as well, suggested deepening cracks between established evangelical leaders and ordinary believers.

But a new study published in the latest issue of Politics and Religion, a quarterly journal, shows there’s no evidence that white evangelical clergy are less conservative politically than their congregations. In fact, the survey found, white evangelical clergy are as conservative, if not more so, as the people in their pews.

The study, by Duke University sociologist Mark Chaves and postdoctoral research associate Joseph Roso, finds that 74% of white evangelicals reported that their political views were about the same as most people in their congregations. (Only 12% of white evangelical clergy said they were more liberal than their congregants, and 13% said they were more conservative.)

“It really counters this idea that there are a lot of evangelical clergy who are more liberal than their people,” said Chaves.

“Clergy Perceptions of Their Political Views Relative to Most People in their Congregations” Graphic via Cambridge University Press

(The only other group where clergy and congregants neatly align is Black Protestants; 70% of Black clergy said they hold the same views as their congregants. But unlike white evangelicals, Black clergy and churchgoers are far more liberal and tend to vote for Democrats.)

Consistent with decades of past data, the new study also shows a deep political gap between the views of clergy in more liberal Protestant denominations as well as the views of Catholic priests and their parishioners.

More than half (53%) of mainline Protestant clergy say they are more liberal or much more liberal than their congregants. Among Catholic priests, 52% said they were more liberal than their parishioners.

The study relies on data from the National Survey of Religious Leaders conducted in 2018-2019, and the 2018 General Social Survey. The survey included responses from leaders across many religious traditions, but the study focused on a sample of 846 Christian clergy arranged in four different groups: Evangelicals, Black Protestants, mainline Protestants and Catholics.

Is Being ‘Nice’ a Requirement for Leadership?

Phil Cooke

August 10, 2023

This may be a generational thing, but a growing idea lately is that leaders have to be “nice.” The idea is that to be effective, they have to be friendly with their team, create an atmosphere where people aren’t upset, and generally be, well, nice.

But looking back over my career, the greatest leaders I’ve had the honor to work with weren’t always very nice. They were driven, passionate, and hated doing work that was less than the best we could do. As a result, they weren’t hesitant to push their team and hurt some feelings in the process.

They were rarely nice.

In his amazing biography of the Apostle Paul, theologian N.T. Wright describes him as:

Those who like their religion, or indeed their friendships served at medium temperature may find Paul’s personality hard to take: at once eager and vulnerable, both bold and (in his own words) “in your face” and then liable to serious self-doubt (“Was it all for nothing?”). One might suppose that, as a friend, he was, as we say, high maintenance, though the reward would be high performance.

I’m not advocating that leaders be jerks, and there are times to be sensitive to the people around you, but I am advocating that if you’re serious about changing the world, stop walking around on eggshells. Stop being so worried about offending people. And stop excusing work that’s less than the best just to make people feel good.

Recently, writing in the Wall Street Journal, Callum Borchers put it this way:

Hollering in the workplace is often inappropriate—and can cross the line into abusive territory—and many companies have sought to eradicate it. As of last fall, toxic work cultures carry an adverse-health warning from the U.S. Surgeon General. Some workers tell me they shut down when a manager turns up the decibels, whether the message is well-intended or not.

But others say they’d rather get a tongue lashing and move on than deal with a boss who is passive aggressive and resurrects previously unmentioned transgressions long after the fact. Like a fiery politician or coach, a manager who yells can appear committed. Executives are often under pressure and, in the eyes of some employees, can be forgiven for losing their cool—especially if their criticisms are valid and they apologize for blowing up.

And if you’re working for one of those hard-driven leaders, look at the big picture. What can you learn if you can rise above your occasional hurt feelings? What is he or she accomplishing? Suck it up. Focus less on you and more on the work.

The apostle Paul definitely changed the world, and he did it because he understood the urgency of what he was doing and was determined not to let easily offended people hold him back.

That urgency is no less important today.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Your Guide to Worship Transitions

David Santistevan

August 10, 2023

We talk a lot about songs. We talk a lot about music. We talk a lot about worship. But an often neglected (but no less important) aspect of leading worship is how you approach transitions. In this article I want to give you an outline for how to think through your worship transitions each week. This is something you should think through and give as much attention to as the songs themselves.

Why Are Worship Transitions Important?

Think about what is most important on Sunday morning. Nothing is more central than the people of God connecting with the presence of God. We don’t want them to have an experience with music or a sing-a-long with the band. We want hearts connected with their maker.

I’ve done worship transitions very poorly and God has still moved. But it also was a distraction. I’ve said “crap” instead of “clap.” I’ve had plenty of unintentional, awkward silences. I’ve even knocked over a mic stand.

With that being said, things will happen. But let’s do our best to think through the whole worship set as if we’re telling a story or scoring a film. Be prayerful in your planning. Be intentional in your decision making.

Worship Transition Ideas

1. Identify & plan every transition

Leading a three-song set? You have four transitions to plan and rehearse. How will you enter into song one? How will you transition from one to two? Two to three? How will you exit the third song? These transitional moments aren’t just an opportunity for you and your team to sound slick and polished. It’s not for you to be impressive with how air tight your worship set is. It’s a way for you to prayerfully pastor your congregation with what is good for them in worship. Sometimes that’s a quick, slick entrance into another song. Other times, it may be a “planned” spontaneous moment to linger in God’s presence.

2. Rehearse all your worship transitions

Rehearsal isn’t just about getting through songs. It’s about outlining a story. And each of your transitions is a part of telling that story. Make sure your team knows each transition. Make sure roles are assigned. Who is starting the next song? How long should they wait to begin?

Also, worship leaders—outline what you’re going to say. Think through even the slightest vocal cues. Don’t leave this to randomness. Leave this to prayerful, pastoral reflection. Some questions to ask:

– How can I give this song context through the Word of God?

– How can I draw attention away from the band in this moment?

– How can I encourage people to sing out more?

– Is there a responsive reading that would strengthen this moment?

3. Vary your worship transitions

Not every transition should be the same. Even with a set, it’s helpful to vary how your songs blend together. Here are a few ideas:

– Spoken challenge – Sometimes a little spoken challenge can go a long way to blend songs together and make it feel more “human.” Utilize those transition moments to re-connect with the room.

– Repeat a chorus – Rather than just ending a song, a great way to transition is to sing the chorus again, but with nothing but keys or an acoustic guitar. Allow the raised voice of the congregation to fill the room. Again, another way to make those moments feel less “produced” and more real.

– Medley a simple hymn – Hymns are incredible transitional songs because they tend to disarm people and unify more generations. Sometimes these transition moments with a hymn generate more momentum than a full song.

– Intentional silence – Don’t be afraid to lead people into silence and space. Transitions don’t always have to be the avoidance of silence. Silence is only awkward when it’s not led well or pastored through. But when done well, it can be a very healthy practice for your church.

– Blend songs together – A transition we do every week is connect our opening song click/loop to the opening countdown video. That’s a simple way to always have a great transition there. Since we’ve determined we don’t need to flow in that moment or talk too much, it works well. You can do the same with certain songs in your set. Rather than ending, pausing and clicking off a new song, have the drums begin the next song before the previous song dies out. Find creative ways to make the transition seamless and rehearse it.

Remember, the goal of our worship transitions, rehearsal and planning is to connect hearts with God. We want to create an undistracting atmosphere that helps people see the perfections of Jesus more clearly.

I’d love to hear from you about this. How do you approach your transitions?

This article on worship transitions originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

Thin Places – Where Architecture Meets God

Mike Frost

August 10, 2023

Recently, I set myself the modest challenge to list the ten most joyous buildings I’ve ever seen. By joyous I mean in the simple sense that they make me feel happy. I love looking at them. They bring me a sense of delight, or elation, or contentment. I see the fingerprints of God all over beautiful design, no matter the motivation of their designer, and for me magnificent architecture, like all great art, draws me nearer to God. The Celts believed that the veil between heaven and earth was three feet thick. But in thin places, they said, the veil has worn through. Heaven seems closer. They used the term to describe rugged, breathtaking places like the wind-swept isle of Iona or the rocky outcrops of Croagh Patrick. But for me meditating in the Cathedral of Brasilia or the Rothko Chapel is a thin place. As is laughing at Frank Gehry’s Dancing House or the nuttiness of Habitat 67.

Sometimes I’ve stumbled upon thin places in great architecture. Like finding the SR Crown Hall in Chicago. I hadn’t expected to be so touched by it’s elegance and simplicity. Other times, I’ve gone looking for a certain building, knowing it is famed for its transcendence, like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater. Some of the buildings listed here I see every day. Some, I’ve seen just once. But all of them are truly beautiful.

I believe God transcends time and space, yet we seek God in very specific thin places and at very specific times. But if God is everywhere and “everywhen,” as the Indigenous peoples of Australia wonderfully put it, then why are some places thin and others not? Why isn’t the whole world thin? Maybe great design serves the purpose of bringing us to attention, of opening our eyes, and nailing our feet to the floor, insisting we be present, truly present to the divine. Who knows.

Thin Places – Where Architecture Meets God

The Enriquez House, Sydney

This house is in my neighborhood and I look at it every day as I drive over the Spit Bridge on my way home. As a kid I used to look up at it from my uncle’s boat and wonder what it was like inside. It’s the Teacup House (Stan Symmonds, 1964), also known as the Spaceship House or the Enriquez House (after the current owner). Symmonds himself described its design as ‘vendome’, a reference to Vendome Jewellery, a brand from the 40s to 70s that was known for high-end stones. The window frames are so huge because they represent the prongs that hold the jewel. His intention was to make a statement on the home being the jewel of life. They say a thing of beauty is a joy forever, and this little house has been bringing me joy nearly my whole life.

Fallingwater, Mill Run

I took my wife to Fallingwater for her birthday back in 2010. It’s a marvelous experience because Frank Lloyd Wright was a master of manipulating the scale of a space. It feels claustrophobic at first, but as you move in, the rooms reveal themselves. The scale changes, there are streams of light, the rooms feel vast even when, on paper, they are fairly modest in size. The great room on the ground floor seems to hover over Bear Run River and the 30 foot waterfall. Cantilevers; the stone hearth; the Japanese influences; it’s all sublime.

The Rothko Chapel, Houston

Designed by Philip Johnson in 1971, the Rothko Chapel is an octagonal non-denominational chapel in the suburbs of Houston. It has an eerie effect on you. On its eight walls are fourteen large, black but color-hued paintings by the abstract expressionist, Mark Rothko. On first entering, it looks a little underwhelming, but I forced myself to sit there for an hour or so in open-eyed prayer and the impact of the space slowly works on you. Johnson wanted it to convey “a stillness that moves,” and that’s exactly what it feels like. Meditative, spiritual, peaceful, unnerving.

4 Ways to Move Introverts From Fear to Friendship

Jeremy Sauve

August 10, 2023

Hello, my name is Jeremy, and moving from fear to friendship can be difficult.

You see, I’m an introvert.

Introvert noun

in·tro·vert ˈin-trə-ˌvərt

: a person whose personality is characterized by introversion: a typically reserved or quiet person who tends to be introspective and enjoys spending time alone

This is funny because I am also the pastor responsible for every ministry related to connections at our church. #godhasasenseofhumor

As an introvert, I sometimes joke that I’m a “social introvert.” I enjoy being around people, but social interactions can also be draining. I need a lot of alone time to recharge, which can be challenging when I’m also a father, husband, and friend. These interactions can be especially difficult in new and unfamiliar environments.

That’s why I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we can make small-group meetings more accessible to introverts. These types of meetings can often be overwhelming for them generating fear and creating barriers to friendship.

But we want everyone to find a place where they belong, right?

That’s why it’s vital to equip our small group leaders and point people to facilitate with introverts and extroverts in mind.

Steve Gladen once said, “Small groups are not just one of the many ministries in the church. They are the heartbeat of the church.” If that’s true (and I believe it is), we must ensure they’re accessible to everyone.

4 Ways to Move Introverts From Fear to Friendship

#1 – Set clear expectations.

Want to make small groups more accessible for introverts?

Start by setting clear expectations around the specifics of the meeting. For introverts, knowing what to expect can be a game-changer.

For example, we’ve all been in small group meetings that drag on forever. It can be uncomfortable and make it hard to show up the next time. Setting clear expectations around meetings can put introverts at ease and help them feel more comfortable.

As Dave Earley said,

“Clear expectations are the foundation of effective small group meetings.” When everyone knows why they’re there, what they’re expected to do, and how the meeting will run, they can focus on building relationships, sharing ideas, and achieving their goals together.

Predictability is critical to moving people from fear to friendship in a social setting.

‘Praise God!’—Kidnapped American Christian Nurse Alix Dorsainvil and Daughter Released

Jesse T. Jackson

August 9, 2023

On Thursday, July 27, Alix Dorsainvil, a staff member of El Roi Haiti, and her daughter were kidnapped while serving the community near Port au Prince, Haiti’s capital.

El Roi Haiti is a Christian organization that helps “raise up Haitian leaders who will strengthen families, restore relationships, and build healthy communities that function according to God’s design and purpose.” The organization believes it will accomplish its mission through “the restoration of hope and dignity in each individual as they discover their true identity and purpose in Jesus Christ.”

Dorsainvil is married to Sandro Dorsainvil, founder and director of El Roi Academy & Institution Mixte Vwatizang Ayesyen Yo.

El Roi Haiti describes Alix Dorsainvil as someone who “has worked tirelessly as our school and community nurse to bring relief to those who are suffering as she loves and serves the people of Haiti in the name of Jesus.”

On Wednesday (Aug. 9), nearly two weeks after the nurse and her daughter were kidnapped, El Roi Haiti announced they have been released.

“It is with a heart of gratitude and immense joy that we at El Roi Haiti confirm the safe release of our staff member and friend, Alix Dorsainvil, and her child who were held hostage in Port au Prince, Haiti. Today we are praising God for answered prayer,” the organization said in a statement.

“We are so thankful for everyone who joined us in prayer and supported us during this crisis,” El Roi Haiti continued, adding that the organization’s name is Hebrew for “the God who sees.”

“It is with that vision that we now rest upon God’s truth that, ‘In his kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation,’” the statement said, quoting 1 Peter 5:10.

Praising God for proving himself faithful as he “restores, supports, and strengthens” the Dorsainvil family, El Roi Haiti said that “there is still much to process and to heal from in this situation, so we are asking that no attempts be made to contact Alix or her family at this time.”

The statement concluded, “We will continue to release information as appropriate on our website. Please keep checking back. And again, thanks for all of the prayers and support through this incredibly difficult time.”

According to a report released by the International Organization for Migration in June, gang violence has displaced more than 165,000 people in Haiti.

Eli Bonilla Jr.: Cultural Challenges and NextGen Ministry

Jason Daye

August 9, 2023

In our society, which is filled with competing and mixed allegiances, how can we best minister across all generations, especially our younger generations? In this week’s conversation on FrontStage BackStage, host Jason Daye is joined by Eli Bonilla Jr. Eli is a leader in the next-gen space, serving in a variety of capacities on national ministry networks. Eli also serves as the global next-gen pastor at Bethany Church in Louisiana. He has recently released his first book, titled “Mixed.” Together, Eli and Jason examine some current cultural challenges, including a hyper-elevated sense of self and identity, what it looks like to minister in a post-Christendom society, and even some technologies, including AI. Eli helps drive us back to the heart of Christ, as he shares what he is seeing as most effective in ministry today.

FrontStage BackStage Podcast With Eli Bonilla Jr.

View the entire podcast here.

Keep Learning

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

Podcast Links

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

Derwin Gray

August 9, 2023

The Kingdom Story

We all love a good story. We are hardwired for them. God’s kingdom story is the one you were made for. Our world is filled with stories, all fiercely competing for our loyalty.

Politics tells a story.

Corporations tell a story.

Pornography tells a story.

Dysfunctional families tell a story.

Trauma tells a story.

Entertainment tells a story.

There are lots of stories.

But there is one story, above all of the others, and it is the kingdom story. It is the genuine story that our hearts long for and the one God invites us to participate in.

When we pray “your kingdom come . . . on earth as it is in heaven,” we are requesting that our lives align with Abba’s kingdom story. Prayer is not about getting what we want, as though we are spoiled 6-year-olds pestering our mom for more Legos or dolls.

Prayer is about participating in Abba’s kingdom story.

Prayer is about proclaiming Abba’s kingdom story.

Prayer is about personifying Abba’s kingdom story.

Prayer is about pursuing Abba’s kingdom story.

You are called to participate in Abba’s kingdom story:¹

Abba alone is King
Abba is now ruling in King Jesus.
The Church, or Abba’s kids, is now a family of Jews and Gentiles that are incorporated into King Jesus and governed by his gracious rule.
Freedom from sin and death, along with forgiveness from sin, is granted through King Jesus.
Abba’s rule in King Jesus will be made complete in his future, final kingdom on earth where Abba’s kids will rule and reign with Jesus.

What Is the Kingdom of God?

The Kingdom of God is an expression that communicates that Abba is invading the earth to challenge and correct the corrupted rule of human kings that are under the influence of dark powers.² In Messiah Jesus, Abba is now ruling, and his kingdom rule is redeeming, regenerating, rescuing, justifying, reconciling, and transforming people to bear a resemblance to Jesus on the earth.³ This divine invasion is what it means to pray and request God’s kingdom to come to earth.

The kingdom has come near because Jesus is the kingdom of God. So what does the kingdom of God look like?

Fans Slam Dante Bowe for ‘Pushing Boundaries’ With Provocative Music Video Featuring Women in Bikinis Twerking

Janna Firestone

August 9, 2023

Dante Bowe, formerly with Maverick City Music, wrote (and co-wrote) award-winning songs such as “I Thank God,” “God Really Loves Us,” and “Gratitude.” Bowe is also recognized for repeatedly “pushing boundaries”—this time too far, fans say.

It wasn’t his questioning fans but Bowe himself who used the phrase, “pushing boundaries.” In a press release from Capitol Christian Music Group announcing the release of his new, self-titled album, Bowe said, “This project represents my creative evolution and a bold step towards pushing boundaries.”

Fans Criticize Dante Bowe for Including ‘Overly Sexualized’ Attire and Dancing in New Music Video

The album, “Dante Bowe,” produced by Bowe’s own label, TRUE Music, features a wide range of sounds, “including hip-hop, gospel, and r&b.”

Bowe further described the project: “Through soulful melodies, infectious beats, and deeply-rooted lyrics, I’ve crafted a sonic journey that bridges the gap between different musical worlds.”

The lead single of the album, “Wind Me Up,” offers a music video that “captures the summer vibes everyone has been waiting for,” according to the press release.

The single was an instant hit, “dominating at R&B radio as it was the #1 most added song at R&B radio on impact and debuts inside the Top 20.”

The soulful lyrics for “Wind Me Up” include:

Everybody’s got their problems
Oh, but if we get the power to solve ’em
I know that you’ll just

Wind me up, wind me up
When I get real low, pick me up
Remind my mind I am enough
Don’t up and leave when it gets rough
Show me love, show me love
Don’t criticize me, not too much
Communication, please for once
Give me your passion, give me trust

The music video begins with Bowe at a beachside photoshoot. Then, he’s on a yacht, drinking and dancing with scantily clad women. The video progresses into a nighttime party scene on the beach where the drinking and dancing continue. While many of the dance moves are benign, some women are twerking, and Bowe repeatedly holds the front of his pants.

As Bowe posted his new music video to Instagram, he shared, “Shout out to all inspiring the world with your passion and art. What song on my album needs a music video next? What’s you favorite song?”

While some fans commented with praise and that they were praying for the rising artist, many more spirited posts included strong warnings and criticism.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dante Bowe (@dantebowe)

Texas Pastor Missing for Nearly a Week Found Dead From a Gunshot Wound

Jessica Mouser

August 9, 2023

A Texas pastor who had been missing since Wednesday, Aug. 2, was found dead from a gunshot wound the afternoon of Tuesday, Aug. 8. Phillip Loveday, pastor of Faith Christian Center (FCC) in Freer, was found by a deputy in a truck near Corpus Christi.

“As you have all seen and heard, law enforcement has found Phillip,” said an update on the Facebook page, Finding Phillip Loveday, Wednesday morning. The page was created by Loveday’s church as part of the effort to locate him. The post continued:

His family and friends are heartbroken by this news. Please be courteous to the family as they mourn. We appreciate all the prayers, help, and suggestions. The outpouring of love and support of the community has been incredible. Please continue to pray for his family and friends.

Texas Pastor Goes Missing

In addition to being the lead pastor of Faith Christian Center, Phillip Loveday, 47, worked for an energy infrastructure company called Kinder Morgan. He had left for work in a company truck the morning of Aug. 2, but did not take his cell phone with him and never showed up for his job.

The Finding Phillip Loveday page administrator noted that Loveday leaving his phone behind might not be significant because “he wasn’t attached to his phone, in fact, he hated having one and did not have social media.”

Loveday’s wife, Meléa, became worried about her husband when she got a call that he had failed to show up for work or church, where he was reportedly supposed to preach that evening. She posted on Aug. 3, saying, “Please pray for my husband and our family.”

Numerous people participated in the attempt to find Loveday. The Finding Phillip Loveday Facebook page helped coordinate search efforts and is full of comments from followers offering information or suggestions about where to find the pastor, as well as prayers for his safe return.

“There have been many, many law enforcement agencies that have come into play,” David Cook, Deputy Chief of Operations for the Nueces County Sheriff’s Office, told KRIS 6 News. “All the adjoining counties have been involved in looking for him. Some of the federal agencies have been involved in looking for him. They’ve scoured LPR license plate readers to determine if his vehicle had been seen anywhere.”

On Aug. 7, Faith Christian Center posted, “Please continue to pray for Pastor Phil Loveday and all of his family. This passed [sic] Sunday at FCC the church prayed together and will continue to do so until he is found! FCC is here for anyone needing prayer.”

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My Path to a Youth Ministry Career

Why Youth Pastors Need Support

Beth Moore and Russell Moore Remember Their Shared Southern Baptist History

Russell Moore on Leaving the SBC, Why Many Evangelicals Are Deconstructing Their Faith, and How Political Polarization Is Affecting the Church

Michael Lorenzen: ‘I Just Had God’s Grace Today’

Hearing the Gospel Marked a ‘Turning Point’

Why Are Worship Transitions Important?

Worship Transition Ideas

1. Identify & plan every transition

2. Rehearse all your worship transitions

3. Vary your worship transitions

Thin Places – Where Architecture Meets God

The Enriquez House, Sydney

Fallingwater, Mill Run

The Rothko Chapel, Houston

4 Ways to Move Introverts From Fear to Friendship

#1 – Set clear expectations.

FrontStage BackStage Podcast With Eli Bonilla Jr.

Keep Learning

Podcast Links

The Kingdom Story

What Is the Kingdom of God?

Fans Criticize Dante Bowe for Including ‘Overly Sexualized’ Attire and Dancing in New Music Video

Texas Pastor Goes Missing

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