At Lambeth, Anglican Communion Abandons Vote on Same-Sex Marriage

August 4, 2022

CANTERBURY, England (RNS) — The prejudice felt by gay people over same-sex marriage is the new racism, according to the head of the Episcopal Church of the United States.

Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, in an interview with Religion News Service on Tuesday (Aug. 2), said that in the United States, “the issue of gay people and their rights is equivalent a struggle in our time to the one over race.” He went on to say all Christians in the United States need to stand in solidarity with gay people over same-sex marriage.

Curry was speaking in the aftermath of a key debate at the Lambeth Conference around the issue of same-sex marriage. The conference, meeting for the first time in 14 years, was supposed to be an attempt to bring the Anglican Communion together — to pray, listen and discuss issues that affect the church and the world, such as discipleship, climate change and poverty. More than 650 bishops registered to attend, including more than 100 from the Episcopal Church. They represent some 85 million Anglicans worldwide.

However, documents produced in advance of the conference, which runs through Monday, had provoked outrage among those belonging to the liberal wing of the church. Those documents included a reference to the entire Anglican Communion being wholly opposed to same-sex marriage. The protests forced Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to amend the statement to recognize that some provinces support same-sex marriage.

In response to the amendment, bishops from the Global South announced they would refuse Holy Communion from bishops with gay partners and from those who support same-sex marriage.

The point-counterpoint protests over the past week have underscored the growing divisions between the bishops in the West who support gay marriage and those in the Global South who oppose it — and the increasingly tenuous cooperation that Welby, as archbishop of Canterbury, has forged.

Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, gives his first keynote address during the 2022 Lambeth Conference, held at The University of Kent in Canterbury, England, Friday, July 29, 2022. Photo by Neil Turner for The Lambeth Conference

Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury, gives a keynote address during the 2022 Lambeth Conference, held at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England, July 29, 2022. Photo by Neil Turner for the Lambeth Conference

Welby wrote to those attending the conference in advance of Tuesday’s discussion, describing same-sex marriage as “this matter on which we are so divided.” And during the debate Tuesday — held behind closed doors, with the media banned — he recognized the predicaments faced by both sides and the intractability of an issue on which everyone views a change of heart as unthinkable, according to a transcript released by the press office. Welby acknowledged that, for many present, to alter their position would make them a victim of derision, contempt and attack in their countries.

Welby affirmed that the 1998 Lambeth Conference 1.10 resolution, which rejects homosexuality as incompatible with Scripture, had not been rescinded. Even so, he said he would not punish provinces that back same-sex marriage nor seek to discipline or exclude them from the Communion.

There was no vote on the Human Dignity document, but Welby’s address gained a standing ovation from the Communion and was hailed as drawing out some of the toxicity of the issue. According to Curry: “There was some movement on the willingness of the bishops to respect our differences but at the same time hold fast to our respective convictions. I think that is a healthy thing because for people to be able to stay in relationship with profound differences is a kind of diversity. And we think diversity is a good thing.”

Welby said during his address that those who challenged traditional teaching “have not arrived lightly at their ideas that traditional teaching needs to change. They are not careless about Scripture. They do not reject Christ. But they have come to a different view on sexuality after long prayer, deep study and reflection on understandings of human nature.”

It was an approach Curry welcomed while also stressing that in the United States, clergy like himself had changed their views on same-sex unions through pastoral encounters with couples who wanted God’s blessing on their relationship and their family.

The Plenary Session on Safe Church held in Venue 1, Sunday, July 31, 2022, at the University of Kent during the 2022 Lambeth Conference. Photo by Neil Turner for The Lambeth Conference

The Plenary Session on Safe Church held in Venue 1, July 31, 2022, at the University of Kent during the 2022 Lambeth Conference. Photo by Neil Turner for the Lambeth Conference

After the closed-door discussion on the Human Dignity paper, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town told journalists there had been “robust discussions and long and sustained prayer.”

Pope Promotes Vatican Nurse Credited With Saving His Life

AP News

August 4, 2022

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has promoted a Vatican nurse whom he credited with saving his life to be his “personal health care assistant.”

The Vatican announced the appointment of Massimiliano Strappetti in a one-line statement issued Thursday. Strappetti, the nursing coordinator of the Vatican’s health department, accompanied Francis on a difficult trip to Canada last month.

Francis, 85, last year credited Strappetti with having accurately ascertained an intestinal problem that led to the pope’s 10-day hospital stay in July 2021 to remove 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his colon that had narrowed.

“A nurse, a man with a lot of experience, saved my life,” Francis told the COPE radio of the Spanish bishops’ conference in the months after his surgery.

Francis noted that Strappetti’s intervention was the second time a nurse had saved his life. A nurse in his native Argentina decided in 1957 to double the amount of drugs the future pope, then known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was prescribed after part of his lung was removed due to a respiratory infection, he recalled.

Francis has a personal physician, Dr. Roberto Bernabei, who was appointed last year. Bernabei is an internist and geriatric specialist at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.

The pontiff has had a series of health problems in the past year, most significantly strained ligaments in his right knee that sharply reduced his mobility. After months of magnetic and laser treatments, Francis can walk short distances with a cane or walker, though he also uses a wheelchair.

Strappetti was on hand to help with the wheelchair during Francis’ general audience Wednesday. He coordinates the nurses of the Vatican’s small health care system, which provides basic care for Vatican employees and their families.

Kansas Abortion Amendment’s Defeat Prompts Disappointment, Resolve

Tom Strode

August 4, 2022

Kansas-state-capitol — Kansas state capitol courtesy of Baptist Press.

NASHVILLE (BP)—A Southern Baptist ethics leader and other pro-life advocates expressed disappointment but resolve in response to the rejection by Kansas voters of an amendment to affirm the state constitution does not protect the right to abortion.

Kansans defeated the Value Them Both Amendment by 59-41 percent Tuesday (Aug. 2) in the nation’s first statewide vote on abortion since the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Roe v. Wade ruling. In its June 24 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the high court returned abortion policy to the states by overruling the 1973 opinion that legalized abortion nationwide.

A response to a decision by the Kansas Supreme Court, the proposed amendment said the state constitution “does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion.” The state Supreme Court had ruled in 2019 the constitution protects the right to abortion.

In an explanation provided for voters, the ballot said a vote against the amendment “could restrict the people, through their elected state legislators, from regulating abortion by leaving in place the recently recognized right to abortion.” The amendment’s supporters expressed concerns a loss in the election would make Kansas a popular destination for abortion-minded women from neighboring states with abortion bans.

The defeat of the Kansas amendment came amidst frequent actions in the post-Roe era by courts that have been both favorable and unfavorable to state bans and by the Biden administration to try to protect abortion rights.

Brent Leatherwood, acting president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, described the Kansas result as “a setback for the efforts to save lives there. At the same time, we must realize there are going to be successes and challenges now that the Dobbs decision has put the question of abortion to the states. This is why we have said all along that the fall of Roe does not mean the end of the pro-life movement, but instead it signals the beginning of a new chapter.”

Leatherwood told Baptist Press in written comments, “To win these types of initiatives, local engagement will be key. But even before that, at a more foundational level, this is why pastors and Christians must continue our good work to appeal to consciences about the sanctity of preborn lives with our neighbors and in our communities.

R.C. Sproul: Ancient Promises

R.C. Sproul

August 4, 2022

“The new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed.” This famous statement by Saint Augustine expresses the remarkable way in which the two testaments of the Bible are so closely interrelated with each other. The key to understanding the New Testament in its fullest is to see in it the fulfillment of those things that were revealed in the background of the Old Testament. The Old Testament points forward in time, preparing God’s people for the work of Christ in the New Testament.

The history of redemption began with creation itself. The book of Genesis, the first book of the Pentateuch, starts with the beginning, or the “genesis,” of the universe as expressed in the revelation of God’s mighty work of creation. The creation of the universe culminated in the narrative of the creation of humanity. This was followed very shortly by humanity’s cataclysmic plunge into ruin as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. From the third chapter of Genesis through the end of the Bible, the rest of the narrative history is the history of God’s work of redeeming a fallen humanity. Genesis shows that the same God who is the God of creation is also the God of our redemption.

The book of Genesis gives us an overview of the patriarchal period and the covenants that God made with them. They form the foundation for everything that follows in redemptive history. Beginning with Noah and moving toward Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the sons of Jacob, the story unfolds God’s consistent pattern of redemption, which looks ahead for centuries, as God’s people awaited the ultimate fulfillment of the patriarchal promises. These promises were fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus.

The book of Genesis ends with the children of Israel migrating into Egypt to be rescued by the intervention of Joseph, who ruled as the nation’s prime minister. Exodus opens with the scene having changed from one of benevolent circumstances under Joseph to one of dire circumstances, as the immigrant nation of Israel had been enslaved by Pharaoh. The stirring account in Exodus is the Old Testament, watershed work of divine redemption. It sets forth for us the narrative of the divine rescue of the slaves held captive in Egypt. The captives were redeemed by the triumph of God and His mercy over the strongest military force of this world embodied in Pharaoh and his army. It points forward to an even greater liberation by a greater Mediator from slavery to sin.

From this Old Testament group of slaves, God molded a nation and called them His people. Through the mediatorial work of their earthly leader, Moses, God gave to this people His law. The ultimate expression of the Law is found in the Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments. The Decalogue sets forth the moral law, by which God’s people are to live. Ultimately the Law was designed to drive people to an awareness of their need for a redeemer. Exodus also added to the Ten Commandments a multitude of laws called the Holiness Code, which demonstrated, by way of case law, the practical applications of the moral law found in the Decalogue.

In the latter part of Exodus, and moving into the book of Leviticus, we see the laws governing worship, ritual, and the establishment of the priesthood, all of which are engaged as anticipating types, or shadows, of the work of the Christ who was to come. Of particular import is the institution of sacred festivals such as the Feast of Weeks, the Feast of the Ingathering, and, most importantly, the Day of Atonement. The drama of these events again prefigures the fulfillment of them in their ultimate form in the perfect sacrifice that was offered on the cross by Jesus.

The books of Numbers and Deuteronomy, which round out the first five books of the Bible called the “Pentateuch,” or the “Torah,” continue to develop the historical patterns of the experiences of Israel from the days of the exodus up until the departure of Moses at Moab. In these books, we also see the roles God assigns to the various tribes of Israel, as well as the giving of the second law (dueteronomos, the book of Deuteronomy), which again set forth the terms of the covenant God made with Israel. It spelled out the obligations, responsibilities, sanctions, and the blessings that were integral to that covenant. The establishment of curses and blessings set the foundation for the perfect ministry of Jesus, who, as our Mediator in the New Testament, satisfied the demands of the curse of our sin upon us and won for us, through His perfect obedience, the blessings promised in that covenant.

From Genesis through Deuteronomy, we have the most important theological foundation to provide the framework for our comprehensive understanding of the Christian faith. In earlier centuries, for someone to be recognized as a serious theologian, it would have been expected of that person to have written at least a commentary on the book of Genesis, because so many of the themes found in Genesis and the rest of the Pentateuch are central to understanding the work of Christ. Indeed, in the Pentateuch, the entire New Testament is concealed, yet the revelation therein opens a gateway for us to understand all of the rest of the revelation that God provides from Joshua through Revelation.

In our day the covenantal structure of redemption is often obscured. What should be plain by even a cursory reading of the Pentateuch is passed off into darkness and replaced by some other structure or framework invented by human speculation.

The covenant structure of redemption does not end in the fifth book of the Pentateuch. It continues throughout the Old Testament.

At the advent of Christ, Mary sang the Magnificat, in which she rejoiced in the mercy of God that is “from generation to generation.” She sang of the remembrance of God’s ancient promises to the Patriarchs:

He has helped His servant Israel,
In remembrance of His mercy.
As He spoke to our fathers.
To Abraham and to his seed forever
(Luke 1:54–55, NKJV).

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Why a Youth Group Name Doesn’t Really Matter

Bill Nance

August 4, 2022

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Like everyone else, youth ministers devote time, talent and treasure to what we think is important and merits our investment. If we think something is vital for our ministry, we’ll spend tons of our time, talent and treasure to make it work. Judging by what I see youth ministers spend a lot of time and effort on, it seems we greatly value a youth group name, a youth group logo, exciting games, the perfect curriculum and, of course, an awesome youth room.

We spend so much time trying to come up with the perfect youth group name, creating an awesome logo, finding the best curriculum and starting youth group with the latest viral game in our awesome youth room. But the problem is those things…

Do. Not. Matter.

Teens don’t care about the youth group name! The lost and hurting students at your local schools aren’t all amped up to come to “ZORT” on Wednesday. They think your life-size game of Hungry Hungry Hippos looks dumb. Your logo is cool and all, but compared to the marketing they see every day, it’s frankly kind of lame. Your youth room with the pallet walls reminds them of their summer job stocking shelves at the local store.

Why are we wasting time on things that don’t matter? Stop it. The reason students aren’t coming to church has nothing to do with marketing and everything to do with not addressing their needs. They see church as a place that’s boring, worthless and unimportant. If they do show up, it’s not because of the youth group name or the awesome curriculum you wrote. More than likely, your perfectly amazing lesson bored them even more than they imagined.

These extras are nice, but in the end they don’t matter. No one in the history of the world has been saved because of a youth group name. It would be like going out and buying a $40,000 car because you love the shape of the cupholders. Cupholders are nice. Cupholders are, after a fashion, important. Personally, I love not spilling my Coke all over the car. But no one buys a car because of cupholders.

So what’s the answer? What matters to teens? Instead of a youth group name, here’s what teenagers in your community think are really important.

5 Things Kids Want (Cool Youth Group Name Optional!)

1. A place where they matter

Teens need to know they’re important, that they’re valuable. The church provides the place where they matter, because God loves them so much that he gave his Son for them. Kids matter to God. Ultimately, they can find their true worth only in Jesus.

2. A place where they belong

Teens need friends who genuinely care about them. They need people who love them. Our youth groups need to be places that are about belonging. Youth group should be the most loving place that students can find.

3. A place where they can make a difference

Teens have an intrinsic desire to change the world. We can give them that opportunity, both through service and through evangelism. If your students aren’t making a difference, they’re not being fulfilled and are only going through the motions of Christianity. If that’s the case, then they won’t think living out their faith is important.

4. A place that encourages them

The world tears teens down. The church should be the place that builds them up, not just another place where students are torn apart.

5. A place where people invest in them

Teens long for people to see something in them, to see a hidden spark that they themselves can’t see. Teens seek out this affirmation like a wanderer in the desert seeks out water. Your church can pour life into students, and they will respond.

Don’t get me wrong; it’s not bad to have a cool youth group name or logo. A solid curriculum is important. Games are fun and build community. A youth room is cool for hanging out. These things aren’t sinful; they’re just not the most important things. Spend your time on the most important things, and then do the other stuff if you have time.

What’s most important to your ministry? Do you think it makes an eternal difference? We’d love to hear thoughts about your youth group name—and more—in the comments!

Small Group Pastor: You Don’t Have to Know Everything

Small Group Network

August 4, 2022

I’ve got great news—you don’t have to know everything to be the best small group point person. Actually, it’s better for your small group leaders if you don’t. It isn’t helpful for them to be the only source for learning how to lead their small group. They need other voices speaking into how to lead a group and those voices are currently right within your ministry! Group leaders need one another as much as they need you.

QUESTION: What if you focused less on teaching skills (and the need to know everything) and more on brokering relationships?

There are many benefits of your group leaders being connected to one another. One is ministry ownership. If they are connected and helping one another navigate group life, they feel more like owners rather than renters. It also removes the burden of problem solving solely being yours to carry. They begin to rely on a network of peers to discover what has worked for them. Lastly, your leaders gain a network of support. Leading a group can be a lonely calling, as they are often giving more than receiving. When they are disappointed after the latest no-show to their group, they don’t need a know everything answer, they need a peer who can sympathize with them and encourage them!

So, are you sold on the benefits of building a community of support and learning among your small group leaders? I thought so! But while this all sounds great in theory, how do you make it happen? Here are three ways you can connect group leaders to one another for support, equipping, and encouragement.

Small Group Pastor: You Don’t Have to Know Everything

Host Group Leader Gatherings

While the days of rallying everyone together physically for all day training are waning, don’t neglect these gatherings all together. It is still important to have face-to-face interactions with your leaders. Consider hosting a gathering for small group leaders where they hear more from each other than you. Make them the hero of the ministry by giving them stage time, telling their stories, and celebrating them! This could be as formal as a large gathering with all the stops or a more intimate setting with a few leaders around a dinner table.

Place Group Leaders in Huddles

Small group point people love a good huddle! There is something refreshing about sitting with a group of peers whom you can talk shop with. Your small group leaders would benefit form this same type of environment! Even better, this is something you can pass off for them to own. Intentionally connect them and have them discuss common practices, experiences, and problems that they face in the life of their small group. Give a seasoned leader the responsibility of keeping this huddle together and scheduling one or two meetings throughout the year. Now you are developing leaders without adding anything to your plate!

Collaborate Serving Opportunities

Encouraging your small groups to serve together is a great idea. Not only do they get to make a kingdom impact by following their passions but they often bond as a group. This experience would be multiplied if you had small group leaders collaborating on opportunities to serve! Is there a project that is larger than one group can handle? Have two or three small group leaders take ownership of it. They’ll learn from each other as they navigate how to involve the members of their groups. It not only increases the capacity of serving but also becomes a learning experience for your small group leaders!

Your small group leaders need you in their corner, there is no doubt about that. But you can increase the success of your small group leaders not by being the person to know everything but by leveraging your influence to create an amazing network of support and equipping!

This article bu Ryan James about not needing to know everything originally appeared at the Small Group Network, and is used by permission

Venue Church Pastor Tavner Smith Denies Church Is Facing Foreclosure, Shutting Down After Ongoing Scandal

Jessica Lea

August 3, 2022

Tavner Smith, lead pastor of Venue Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee, denies allegations that his church faces foreclosure and will be shutting down. Venue Church’s North Georgia campus was shuttered in January as the church has dealt with various controversies, including Smith’s involvement in what he has called an “inappropriate relationship.”

“Hey guys, I just wanted to come and address a lot of the things that you’ve seen in the news that have been written and put in video form and typed about the foreclosure of our building and Venue Church shutting down,” said Smith in a video posted to his and Venue Church’s Instagram accounts.

“First of all,” said Smith, “I wanted to say it’s absolutely not true. Venue Church is not shutting down. Number two, our legal team, who is amazing, has assured me that I can tell you with confidence our Chattanooga location is going nowhere. There have been so many rumors, there’s been so many things that have swirled around in the past year that I want to set some things straight this week.”

Venue Church’s Past and Future

Tavner Smith returned to the pulpit at Venue Church in February 2022 after a sabbatical he took following allegations he was having an affair. In November 2021, church volunteers showed up at Smith’s house to find the pastor in his boxers with one of the church’s female employees, who was wearing only a towel. In December of that year, a video surfaced showing Smith kissing that same woman in public. Smith and his now ex-wife had begun divorce proceedings earlier in May, and their divorce was finalized that December.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that leaked audio of a December meeting between Smith and church volunteers reveals the pastor denied having a sexual relationship with the employee, who was also married, but said they planned to pursue a relationship once their divorce proceedings have concluded.

Several staff members resigned in December. In January, Smith announced he was taking a sabbatical to “fill up, spend time with God, and get some counseling.” The church’s North Georgia campus closed on January 31, a little less than a week before the pastor returned from sabbatical on Feb. 6. During his Sunday sermon, Smith admitted to an “inappropriate relationship,” but not to having an affair. Smith has also been accused of financial misconduct, living a lavish lifestyle and preaching a prosperity gospel.

Evangelist’s Casual Conversation With Stranger Leads to Beach Baptism Moments Later

Jesse T. Jackson

August 3, 2022

Evangelist, author, and Dare 2 Share Ministries founder Greg Stier shared a gospel experience he had while on vacationing in Hawaii this past week.

Stier posted about the encounter on Instagram, sharing that he was sitting by a man on a beach in Kihei (Maui) when the two struck up a conversation after the stranger heard Stier’s wife sharing the gospel with another beachgoer.

The man, named Trev, is a triathlete who was also on vacation with his family. While talking about Trev’s job, family, and his life, Stier turned the conversation to the gospel and found out that Trev had recently put his faith in Christ. Nevertheless, Trev still had questions regarding the spiritual decision he made.

Stier was able to help Trev with some of those questions, and Trev in turn asked Stier if he’d baptize him in the ocean right then. Without hesitation, Stier said, “of course,” and encouraged Trev to call his two grown daughters, who were in their rented condo nearby, as witnesses.

After his daughters arrived on the beach, Stier baptized Trev in the presence of a small crowd of witnesses.

“Pray for Trev as he grows in Christ. Thankfully, he has got a solid church he goes to back home,” Stier said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Greg Stier (@gregstier)

Stier encouraged other Christians to just “be ready” to share the gospel.

“People tell me all the time, ‘Crazy stuff always happens to you,’” Stier said. “But I believe that significant spiritual moments of transformation are waiting to happen all around us all the time. We just need to, by faith, step into that zone.”

Don’t be afraid to bring up Jesus in conversations, Stier encouraged, saying, “Ask God to open your eyes to the miraculous ready to happen—then dive in when that moment happens.”

The evangelist told ChurchLeaders that he was able to give Trev his recent book “Unlikely Fighter: The Story of How a Fatherless Street Kid Overcame Violence, Chaos, and Confusion to Become a Radical Christ Follower,” wherein he wrote down the date of his baptism so he wouldn’t ever forget.

Stier also took Trev through the process he explains in a YouTube video titled, “Learn to Share the GOSPEL in 5 Minutes!“

“I’ve been able to share the gospel just about every day on this trip. It’s been awesome,” Stier told ChurchLeaders, demonstrating the fact the most important conversation a Christian can have with someone is a conversation about Jesus Christ.

Boston City Hall Flies Christian Flag Following Supreme Court Ruling

Dale Chamberlain

August 3, 2022

A Christian flag was raised outside Boston City Hall on Wednesday (August 3), the result of the city losing a Supreme Court battle with the conservative organization Camp Constitution.

Camp Constitution holds events and provides resources to “enhance understanding of our Judeo-Christian moral heritage, our American heritage of courage and ingenuity, including the genius of our United States Constitution, and the application of free enterprise, which together gave our nation an unprecedented history of growth and prosperity, making us the envy of the world.”

“We will also examine and expose some of the abuses and perversions that have brought our nation and economy so far down, and offer discussion to counter the negative influences in our lives, while providing recreational activities that build our physical constitutions, as well as encouraging intelligent intergenerational conversation,” says Camp Constitution’s website.

In 2017, Camp Constitution director Harold Shurtleff requested that the Christian flag be raised on City Hall’s third poll while holding an event on the building’s plaza. It had been common practice for private groups to fly flags on the pole during events, and the city had a history of approving such requests without exception.

However, Boston’s Property Management Department Commissioner was concerned that flying the Christian flag could violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion. Due to this concern, along with his finding no record of the city approving the flying of a Christian flag in the past, the Commissioner denied the request.

A legal battle ensued, which eventually elevated the case all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

In Shurtleff v. City of Boston, a ruling that came down in May of this year, the Supreme Court ruled by a 9-0 vote that the city of Boston had violated Camp Constitution’s First Amendment right, as the flag flying program constituted private speech rather than a governmental endorsement of religion.

Further, from 2005 to 2017, the Boston City Hall had flown “around 50 unique flags,” including some “linked to causes, such as the LGBTQ Pride flag,” according to Deseret News. No request had been denied during the span of those years, and the city’s denial of Camp Constitution’s request was based solely on the religious expression of the flag.

Justice Stephen Breyer, who has since retired and been succeeded by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, authored the Supreme Court’s opinion.

Democrats Call on IRS To Review Family Research Council’s ‘Church’ Status

Jack Jenkins

August 3, 2022

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, on July 21, 2016. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (RNS) — House Democrats are asking the IRS to review the tax-exempt status of a prominent conservative advocacy group recently reclassified as a church, arguing the organization may be exploiting the designation to avoid scrutiny.

Forty Democratic lawmakers, led by U.S. Reps. Suzan DelBene of Washington state and Jared Huffman of California, outlined their concerns in a letter sent to the head of the IRS and the secretary of the Treasury on Monday (Aug. 1), singling out the Family Research Council. According to a recent report from ProPublica, the FRC successfully applied to be reclassified as a “group of churches” in 2020.

Lawmakers say that while the FRC often appeals to faith and advocates for a “biblical worldview,” the status change “strains credulity” because the group operates primarily as “a political advocacy organization.”

“They do not hold religious services, do not have a congregation or affiliated congregations, and do not possess many of the other attributes of churches listed by the IRS,” the letter reads. “FRC is one example of an alarming pattern in the last decade — right-wing advocacy groups self-identifying as ‘churches’ and applying for and receiving church status.”

According to ProPublica, the FRC, which is led by former state lawmaker and ordained minister Tony Perkins, claimed in its IRS application that it holds chapel services in its main building in Washington, although a staffer suggested otherwise when contacted by ProPublica. The FRC also claimed it has a congregation made up of its board of directors, employees, supporters and partner churches — although it did not list the names of those churches.

The FRC is primarily known for its long-standing advocacy on conservative issues. Perkins is credited with being a driving force behind former President Donald Trump’s efforts to ban transgender people from the U.S. military. Perkins was also part of a “Pro-Life Voices for Trump” effort launched as part of the former president’s unsuccessful reelection campaign.

In their letter, lawmakers note the benefits of being classified as a church, a legal term that encompasses an array of tax-exempt religious houses of worship. Churches do not have to file 990 forms, which detail the salaries of major staffers and allow for public scrutiny. What’s more, the IRS rarely investigates churches, in part because doing so requires signoff from a “high-level Treasury official,” the letter pointed out.

“We understand the importance of religious institutions to their congregants and believe that religious freedom is a cherished American value and constitutional right,” the letter reads. “We also believe that our tax code must be applied fairly and judiciously. Tax-exempt organizations should not be exploiting tax laws applicable to churches to avoid public accountability and the IRS’s examination of their activities.”

Indeed, an array of primarily conservative evangelical Christian advocacy groups have been reclassified as churches in recent years. According to The Washington Post, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association was reclassified as a church sometime around 2015 — roughly the same time controversy began to swirl regarding the reported $880,000 annual salary paid to the group’s head, Franklin Graham. Other organizations that have made the change include Gideons International, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries and the Willow Creek Association.

Jonathan Dodson: How To Persevere Through the Heartache of Pastoring

Jessica Lea

August 3, 2022

The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast · Jonathan Dodson: How To Persevere Through the Heartache of Pastoring

Jonathan K. Dodson is the founding pastor of City Life Church in Austin, Texas, and the founder of GCDiscipleship.com. He is the author of a number of books, including “The Unbelievable Gospel,” “Here in Spirit,” and “Gospel-Centered Discipleship.” Jonathan’s latest book is “The Unwavering Pastor: Leading the Church with Grace in Divisive Times.”

Other Ways to Listen to This Podcast With Jonathan Dodson

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► Listen on YouTube

Key Questions for Jonathan Dodson

-What kinds of threats or pressures are pastors facing both inside and outside the church?

-What was it like for you to walk through people leaving your ministry?

-What’s your advice around how to lead knowing that there is existing tension among church members and maybe even staff members?

-What are some ways that pastors and church leaders can avoid burnout and discouragement?

Key Quotes From Jonathan Dodson

“I don’t think it’s news to anyone that pastors are struggling. We have the statistics to show it.”

“At the end of last year, I had my own kind of emotional burnout. I was walking towards our church and I felt my heart decouple from the church in a way that I had never felt.”

“One of the most painful things I think I’m hearing is people just ghosting. People that they have loved and served and shepherded, just disappearing. Not an email, not a text. Or if it is an email or text, it’s unkind. And so I think we’re struggling…with kind of a relational disposability.”

“I think there is a kind of COVID hangover that a lot of people are dealing with. I see kind of a retreat into kind of what’s comfortable for me, less sacrifice, less community, less earnestness about mission.”

“In my experience, many people have not learned to lament, to include God in the COVID hangover, to include God in their sufferings. And as a result, we’re going to lack capacity to serve.”

Kansas Voters Resoundingly Protect Their Access to Abortion

John Hanna

August 3, 2022

Kansas-voters-resoundingly-protect-their-access-to-abortion — Calley Malloy, left, of Shawnee, Kan.; Cassie Woolworth, of Olathe, Kan.; and Dawn Rattan, right, of Shawnee, Kan., applaud during a primary watch party Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, in Overland Park, Kan. Kansas voters rejected a ballot measure in a conservative state with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement that would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to tighten restrictions or ban abortion outright.(Tammy Ljungblad AP)/The Kansas City Star via AP)

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas voters on Tuesday sent a resounding message about their desire to protect abortion rights, rejecting a ballot measure in a conservative state with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement that would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to tighten restrictions or ban the procedure outright.

It was the first test of voter sentiment after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, providing an unexpected result with potential implications for the coming midterm elections.

While it was just one state, the heavy turnout for an August primary that typically favors Republicans was a major victory for abortion rights advocates. With most of the vote counted, they were prevailing by roughly 20 percentage points, with the turnout approaching what’s typical for a fall election for governor.

The vote also provided a dash of hope for Democrats nationwide grasping for a game-changer during an election year otherwise filled with dark omens for their prospects in November.

“This vote makes clear what we know: the majority of Americans agree that women should have access to abortion and should have the right to make their own health care decisions,” President Joe Biden said in a statement.

After calling on Congress to “restore the protections of Roe” in federal law, Biden added, “And, the American people must continue to use their voices to protect the right to women’s health care, including abortion.”

The Kansas vote also provided a warning to Republicans who had celebrated the Supreme Court ruling and were moving swiftly with abortion bans or near-bans in nearly half the states.

“Kansans bluntly rejected anti-abortion politicians’ attempts at creating a reproductive police state,” said Kimberly Inez McGuire, executive director of Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity. ”Today’s vote was a powerful rebuke and a promise of the mounting resistance.”

The proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution would have added language stating that it does not grant the right to abortion. A 2019 state Supreme Court decision declared that access to abortion is a “fundamental” right under the state’s Bill of Rights, preventing a ban and potentially thwarting legislative efforts to enact new restrictions.

The referendum was closely watched as a barometer of liberal and moderate voters’ anger over the Supreme Court’s ruling scrapping the nationwide right to abortion. In Kansas, abortion opponents wouldn’t say what legislation they’d pursue if the amendment were passed and bristled when opponents predicted it would lead to a ban.

‘Accurate and Lean’: California Church Asks Members to Renew Annually

Diana Chandler

August 3, 2022

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (BP) — Attendance far outpaces membership at Orangecrest Community Church, where members complete a three-step process to get on the roster and renew annually to remain members.

Brittany and Taylor Neece have renewed their membership annually since Orangecrest’s founding in 2008.

“There have been a lot of things about this church that have been unusual in the very best way,” Brittany said. “This is unusual. We recommit, and it’s actually very special. It’s a really meaningful process, and then membership really means something.”

Orangecrest Community Church has a record of 226 members with an annual average attendance of 535. During the past 18 months, Orangecrest has had 833 adult unique attendees not counting children, Senior Pastor Josh De La Rosa told Baptist Press.

“We’re aiming to help people become fully devoted followers of Jesus, that’s the goal. That’s why we have a membership even to begin with,” De La Rosa said. “We see, from Matthew 28:19-20, we see the church commission to make disciples who go public through baptism, and are being taught to obey (Jesus’) commands. Our commitment is to challenge our members to grow in knowing and living out those commands.

“The commitment is crucial, we think, because it helps us know who has (made) a commitment to be a growing disciple.”

Orangecrest is among 15 Southern Baptist congregations comprising the 17:6 Network of churches launched in 2015 through the ministry of Harold Bullock, who founded Hope Church in Fort Worth, Texas in the late 1970s.

De La Rosa learned the membership process from his sending pastor, Randy Lanthripe, founding and senior pastor of Church in the Valley in Ontario, Calif. It was the first time for de la Rosa that church membership involved more than making a public commitment or transferring by letter.

“The value of membership went up though at that point in my mind. I realized this is a different approach. You actually have an intentional membership process to walk people through their mission, their method, their values, their strategy,” De La Rosa said. “It was really there I learned it, and he learned it from his mentor Harold Bullock.”

The specific membership process may vary by congregation, but all 17:6 Network churches are unified in the acceptance of seven core heart attitudes drawn from Scripture.

Anna Chapman, who with her husband Dennis served on Orangecrest’s launch team, expresses “a specific, beating heart for certain things” in embracing the heart attitudes.

“Our heart is to help people grow in their next steps with Jesus and to reach the lost. That’s like two big things for us,” Chapman said. “We want people to know upfront. We want you to come and investigate at your own pace. You don’t need to be a member to do that, but if you want to be a member here, here’s what we’re asking of you.

Priesthood, Politics and Propaganda: One Clergyman’s Life in War-Torn Ukraine

Marika Proctor

August 3, 2022

(RNS) — “Father, is it a sin to kill the enemy?” This is the question the Rev. Sergiy Berezhnoy, an Orthodox priest and chaplain with the Ukrainian army in Kyiv’s 42nd Battalion, hears most often from soldiers headed to the front lines of the war with Russia.

The 38-year-old clergyman — who, despite spending his days packing humanitarian aid headed for hard-hit areas and presiding over frequent funerals at cemeteries and crematoriums, exudes sincere pastoral warmth — said he fields this question amid the bustle of military buildings and the candlelit quiet of church alike.

Soldiers often come to Berezhnoy’s parish, situated right off a busy road in a semi-industrial neighborhood north of the city center, seeking confession and Communion before leaving for combat.

The church, named in honor of the Kyivan saints, stands between a gas station and the shores of Lake Jordan. While the small wooden structure looks more like a warming house than a grand cathedral, Berezhnoy excitedly points out that the parish stands on an auspicious site.

According to Berezhnoy, local historians consider the nearby lake to be the remnants of the historic Pochaina River, where the historical Baptism of the Kyivan Rus took place, an event that was commemorated both in Ukraine and Russia last Thursday (July 28).

The Baptism of Kyivan Rus commemorates the medieval mass baptism event in Kyiv in 988, commanded by Grand Prince Volodymyr. While Christianity had existed in parts of the medieval Slavic kingdoms before this time, the large-scale baptism in Kyiv is remembered as the Christianization of the area as Christianity officially became the state religion for the first time.

In opposition to how Russian President Vladimir Putin has long characterized the event to claim Ukraine should be part of Russia, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, introduced Ukrainian Statehood Day, to be celebrated alongside the story of the historic baptism.

From these shores of national mythos, soldiers visiting Berezhnoy make their way to the country’s most heavily hit areas, such as the Donbas region in the east. Or the southern city of Kherson, where the Ukrainian army has launched an ambitious bid to retake the city from Russian control.

So what is the chaplain’s answer to these men and women who have chosen to defend a country under siege since February?

“My answer for them is, you are not going to kill an enemy,” Berezhnoy told Religion News Service over Zoom from Kyiv earlier this month, his black clergy shirt and white collar peeking out from underneath his camo military jacket. “You are going to protect our children, our wives, sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers — all Ukrainians.”

The issue of Ukrainian identity, and what is required to protect it, is not isolated to life on the front lines.

For many Ukrainian Orthodox Christians, and clergy in particular, the question of religious identity in relationship to the Russian Orthodox Church has become increasingly unavoidable.

The choice comes down to which church to be a part of: the 3-year-old independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine or the older, larger Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has historic ties with Moscow.

Barber and Keahbone Discuss Resolution Dealing With Native Peoples

Timothy Cockes

August 3, 2022

barber_keahbone — Mike Keahbone (left), Bart Barber (center), and Todd Fischer were honored by the leaders of the Indian Falls Creek camp in Ada, Oklahoma. (Twitter photo) Courtesy of Baptist Press.

ADA, Okla. (BP) – During a Twitter Space conversation on Monday night (Aug. 1), SBC President Bart Barber and Native American Pastor Mike Keahbone discussed the passing of Resolution 4, which decried the forced assimilation and conversion of Native peoples.

Barber served as Chairman of the 2022 Resolutions Committee, while Keahbone, pastor of First Baptist Church Lawton, Okla., helped draft the resolution titled “On Religious Liberty, Forced Conversion, and the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative Investigative Report,” as part of his work with the Committee.

The two recorded the presentation while visiting Indian Falls Creek Camp in Ada, Okla. Later Monday night they presented the resolution during Monday’s evening session.

Barber is the first SBC President to attend Indian Falls Creek Camp, the largest gathering of Christian Native American believers in the world. This year marks the 75^th anniversary. Around 1,400 students are attending the camp this year.

He opened the Twitter Space conversation by speaking to the important role SBC resolutions play.

“Resolutions give the Southern Baptist Convention messenger body the opportunity to speak to issues that they think are important, issues that are central to who we are as Baptists and issues that shape the direction of our ministries,” Barber said.

Barber said he is planning to host a Twitter Space conversation talking about each of the resolutions that were passed during the annual meeting in Anaheim.

Barber said the resolution was written in response to a recently released federal report documenting the forced assimilation and conversion of Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians in the U.S. between 1819 and 1969.

The report said Native peoples were specifically targeted with these efforts of forced conversion and assimilation in order to systematically remove them from their native lands.

Much of the efforts took place in the form of mandatory boarding schools for Native children, which were run with the help of various Christian denominations. Southern Baptists are not specially mentioned among the denominations in the report.

Isolation and abusive tactics were used by the boarding schools to try to force Native children to reject their heritage and instead embrace Christianity. Around 75 percent of the boarding schools mentioned in the report were located in Okla.

The resolution rejects any type of forced conversion or assimilation of Native peoples as antithetical to Southern Baptist beliefs about the Great Commission, religious liberty and soul freedom.

“This resolution says something about our beliefs in our missiology, religious Liberty, and how we share the Gospel with people who need to hear the Gospel,” Barber said.

Jennifer Barnett is on the Executive Board for Indian Falls Creek, and joined Barber and Keahbone for the beginning portion of the conversation.

She explained what the passing of the resolution meant to her and all Native peoples.

Answering the Community Fairytale–Community Is Built, Not Discovered

James Emery White

August 3, 2022

One of the great myths of relational life is that community is something found. In this fairy tale, community is simply out there—somewhere—waiting to be discovered like Prince Charming finding Cinderella. All you have to do is find the right person, join the right group, get the right job or become involved with the right church. It’s kind of an “Over the Rainbow” thing; it’s not here, so it must be over there.

This is why so many people (and you’ve seen them and probably flirted with this yourself) go from relationship to relationship, city to city, job to job, church to church, looking for the community that they think is just around the corner if they could only find the right people and the right place.

The idea is that real community exists somewhere and we simply must tap into it. It’s not something you have to work at; in fact, if you have to work at it, then you know it’s not real community.

This mindset runs rampant in our day:

If you have to work at community in a marriage, you must not be right for each other.

If you have to work on community where you are employed, you must have a bad boss or bad coworkers or a bad structure.

If you have to work at community in a neighborhood, you just picked the wrong subdivision.

If you have to work on things with people in a church, well, there are obviously just problems with the church or its leadership or… yep, its “community.”

I cannot stress enough how soundly unrealistic, much less unbiblical, this is.

Community is not something you find; it’s something you build.

What you long for isn’t about finding the right mate, the right job, the right neighborhood, the right church—it’s about making your marriage, making your workplace, making your neighborhood and making your church the community God intended.

Community is not something discovered; it is something forged.

I don’t mean to suggest that any and all relationships are designed for, say, marriage. Or that there aren’t dysfunctional communities you should flee from. My point is that all relationships of worth are products of labor.

The Value of Knowing Both Sides

Dan Franklin

August 3, 2022

In formal debate, participants prepare themselves to be able to articulate and defend a certain side of an argument. But they often are not told until right before the debate which side they will need to argue. For example, they may know that the debate is about the death penalty, but they may not know whether they will be arguing for or against it.

Because of this, debaters are forced to learn both sides of an issue. In fact, they are forced to know both sides so well that they would be able to effectively argue for positions with which they disagree.

This skill—the skill of articulating both sides of an issue—is one that is in short supply in American culture. Most debates that we observe on television consist of two people trying to outshout and demonize each other. This is because it is much easier to dismiss opposing arguments than it is to understand them.

And most of us opt for the easy way more than we realize. We do this by listening to podcasts, reading books, and watching shows that reinforce—rather than challenge—our beliefs. It is more comfortable to think that the other side (politically, theologically, or in relationships) is immoral or foolish than to think that they may have arguments that would challenge us.

Proverbs 18:17 says, “In a lawsuit, the first to speak seems right until someone comes forward and cross-examines.” In this verse, Solomon says that wise people make sure that they know both sides of an issue before drawing a conclusion. Because this practice is so rare in our culture, I want to offer four ways that we can follow Solomon’s wise words and pursue understanding both sides.

1. Assume there is more to the story.

I have three sons. When one of them comes to me with a story about how his brother attacked him, I find myself being skeptical. I am not skeptical that a conflict occurred. I am simply skeptical that the conflict arose because of one completely innocent victim and one unprovoked perpetrator. So I ask questions, and I listen to both of them give their explanations for what happened. This is a good practice not only in parenting, but in life as a whole. If you find yourself saying something like, “Why would anyone vote for that candidate?” or “Why would any thinking person be an atheist?” I suggest that you begin with the assumption that your perspective would change if you had more information. This would not necessarily mean that your opinion about politics or religion would change, but you may end up having more empathy and respect for those who hold differing viewpoints.

2. Listen to the other side’s best case.

We can all find YouTube videos of our favorite debaters ripping their opponents to shreds. However, many of these videos exist because the debate is a mismatch. My suggestion is not simply to listen to a liberal if you are a conservative, or to a pro-life person if you are pro-choice. My suggestion is to listen to the most articulate liberal or the most intelligent pro-life person. Listen to the other side make their best case and see if your belief stands up to this. In saying this, I am not suggesting that Christians should only read books by atheists (I think this would be a bad idea because we all need encouragement from other believers). I am simply suggesting that it is best not to draw a firm conclusion unless we have heard the other side give their best argument. I personally read a lot of books by people with whom I agree. But I also read books by people who disagree with me on foundational issues, whether relating to God, to politics, to the Bible, or to human nature. Listening to the other side gives me a great chance to (a) be more secure in my position or (b) change my mind when presented with a better option.

3. Ask questions.

Social media thrives on each person expressing strong opinions. While strong opinions may get clicks and likes, they are often uninformed. If wisdom is found in knowing both sides, cultivate the skill of asking questions. If someone says something that you find outlandish, ask them about it instead of simply concluding that they are a fool. We would all do well if we had less name-calling and more question-asking.

4. Offer conclusions humbly.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have strong beliefs and convictions. We absolutely should. G.K. Chesterton—one of my favorite authors—said, “Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid.” So draw conclusions. I personally have very strong beliefs about God as the one and only Creator, about Jesus Christ as God’s only Son, about our need for salvation through Christ alone because of our sins, about the resurrection of Jesus, and about a number of other issues. And when we come to strong conclusions, most of us want to share those conclusions with others. But we should do this with humility. After all, if you have arrived at the truth, the great thing that you have to offer is not yourself, but the truth.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

Dial It Down? Never! (Well, Maybe)

Ray Hollenbach

August 3, 2022

I keep a dreadful secret from my friends at church. You see, where I worship, if you think the music’s too loud, you are definitely too old. The drugged-out neighbors near our building call the police to complain about the volume. The Kentucky Academy of Pediatrics has labeled my church the number one threat to children’s hearing. Baby Boomers bring ear plugs to church. All the guitar amps go to 11. We don’t dial it down.

But deep in the recesses of my iPhone, where no one can see my music collection, I have a playlist of gentle music. At my desk, I put in the ear buds and (secretly) dial it down. The fools–they think I’m still rocking it out! But God lives in the still small sounds, too.

So if you promise not to let this get back to the hometown gang, I’d like to recommend quiet music for quiet times when you need to dial it down:

Where to Dial It Down

Chant, The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos. These guys have been rockin’ it old-school for 1500 hundred years. Careful–people might mistake you for a closet Catholic.
Chants of the Russian Orthodox Church. Still quiet music, until the chimes and bells go nuts. These guys get a little rowdy–the Benedictines to the south think of this music as punk.
Love Came Down, Brian Johnson. A thousand years and a ten thousand miles from the monks comes an album from the Jesus Culture rockers. Don’t even call it unplugged. It’s sweet and gentle, and a pathway to His presence

This article about how to dial it down originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

Modern Scripture Meditation on the Good Samaritan

Ray Hollenbach

August 3, 2022

Here’s a modern scripture meditation on Jesus’s Good Samaritan parable. Scripture meditation is one way to explore the impact of Bible passages. We should never confuse our musings and scripture meditation as having the authority of the Bible–far from it! But scripture meditation, when used humbly, can be a valuable tool in applying the Bible to our everyday lives.

Modern Scripture Meditation on the Good Samaritan

1). Once there was a Good Samaritan traveling a country road who came across a man beaten and bruised. Using his cell phone the Samaritan immediately made an on-line donation to the Red Cross in honor of the man in the ditch.

Later, the Samaritan thought better of his actions, and immediately called Marriott to send a shuttle to the man in the ditch and set him up in a comfortable suite for three days, and to charge it to his Capital One card, so he could get airline miles in addition to his Marriott Reward points.

2). Once there was a Good Samaritan traveling a country road who came across a man beaten and bruised. Using Siri on his iPhone, the Samaritan immediately made a note to himself to develop a Samaritan App that would enable people to send help right away with one touch on their phone. The Samaritan App will ask permission to use your location.

3). Once there was a Good Samaritan traveling a country road who came across a man beaten and bruised. Later that day the Samaritan blogged about the importance of noticing people on the side of the road. Especially women and minorities. Then he tweeted a link to his blog. Later, the Samaritan kicked himself because he realized he should have shot some video of the man in the ditch. Video always enhances a blog post and those kinds of video are likely to go viral.

4). Once there was a Good Samaritan traveling a country road who came across a man beaten and bruised. The Samaritan stopped his car and ran to the man. He picked the man up and carried him to the car, which spoiled the interior of the car with bloodstains, as well as the Samaritan’s clothing. At the Emergency Room the Samaritan stayed with the man through the initial treatment. He offered to call his family and stay with the man until they came to his side. It turned out the man’s family couldn’t book a flight until the next day, so the Samaritan ended up at the man’s bedside for another 24 hours, during which time the police came and questioned the Samaritan about the incident—they told him he would have to testify at a trial if the thieves were ever captured.

The Samaritan lost two days of work and a thousand dollars of resale value on his car. His favorite suit was ruined. The Samaritan became frustrated because of the inconvenience, but he quickly saw how small-minded this was. He repented from his own personal lack of patience and realized more deeply than ever that loving his neighbor was costly.

When the man’s family arrived, the Samaritan learned the man was in reality the son of a Great King. The Great King bowed low to the Samaritan in gratitude and honored the Samaritan, declaring that because the Samaritan had stopped to care for the King’s son, the King would forever more watch over the Samaritan and his family.

This scripture meditation on the Good Samaritan originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

Successful Children’s Ministry: 18 Tips Every Leader Needs to Know

Greg Baird

August 2, 2022

A successful children’s ministry can seem like a daunting operation, especially when you’re in charge. But after nearly 30 years leading children’s and family ministries, I believe it can be both daunting and rewarding!

When I started in kidmin, I was clueless. Seriously…clueless. And as I’ve worked with church leaders throughout the country and world, I’ve found many others are just as clueless. Many people who step into children’s ministry literally have no idea what they’re getting into.

So here are tips about successful children’s ministry I’ve learned along the way. Everyone needs to know these insights before becoming a children’s ministry leader!

18 Tips for a Successful Children’s Ministry

1. Leading in children’s ministry is not primarily about the kids.

2. Everyone would assume I knew how to change a diaper. I didn’t!

3. Children are the most responsive group to the Gospel. They’re also the most receptive to discipleship.

4. The standard answer in children’s church is “Jesus,” “God” or “the Bible.”

5. Jesus gave a promise and a warning about serving kids. (Look it up: Mark 10:42.) He didn’t do this for any other group.

6. One parents is always—always—assigned to be an hour or more late to pick up their kid from special events.

7. Church children’s ministry is tough.

8. Fruit-punch puke really stains carpeting in the fellowship hall. Do not let that happen or the maintenance crew will not be happy.

9. Senior church leadership can be key to successful children’s programming.

10. Your church’s impact in children’s ministry begins in the nursery.

11. People can be very creative in saying “no” to serving.

5 Things Kids Want (Cool Youth Group Name Optional!)

1. A place where they matter

2. A place where they belong

3. A place where they can make a difference

4. A place that encourages them

5. A place where people invest in them

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Other Ways to Listen to This Podcast With Jonathan Dodson

Key Questions for Jonathan Dodson

Key Quotes From Jonathan Dodson

Community is not something you find; it’s something you build.

Community is not something discovered; it is something forged.

1. Assume there is more to the story.

2. Listen to the other side’s best case.

3. Ask questions.

4. Offer conclusions humbly.

Where to Dial It Down

Modern Scripture Meditation on the Good Samaritan

18 Tips for a Successful Children’s Ministry

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