What Are Some Creative Ways to Recruit More Group Leaders?

March 2, 2022

This great question comes from Ashley Calabro, Small Group Director at 5 Points Church, Easley, South Carolina. And, this is THE question for small group point people, isn’t it? If you don’t have a leader, well, you don’t have a group. Here are some “creative” ways to recruit leaders:

Look at Your Current Group Members

Often your best new leaders are already in a group. Who is the group important to? Who’s always there? You could start by making these dedicated group members co-leaders. When the group grow to be over eight members, then the co-leader could lead a portion of the group when it sub-groups for the discussion. (If you didn’t catch it there, if your group is more than eight people, it is too large for everyone to get a word in. Sub-group and give everybody a chance to talk).

Now, a word of caution here: North American churches have a hard time to get groups to divide. I know that you’re supposed to say “multiply.” But, in this part of the world, “birthing” a new group might as well be called getting a “small group divorce.” You’re breaking up the family! Don’t lead with this thought. Develop co-leaders. Raise up apprentices. But, don’t go strong with the “birthing” thing. Now, there are a few other things to consider.

Train the Whole Group to Lead

Just like you would pass around a signup sheet to have different members bring refreshments, ask them to sign up to lead the discussion. Here’s how this DOESN’T work: “Would anyone like to?” After seeking the Lord, most of the group members will feel that God wants them to remain comfortable and not lead. (I’m only joking, but it’s basically that response.) What DOES work is: “Today is the first and only day that I’m going to lead the discussion. Everyone needs to take a turn. Please sign up.” They will! Once they’ve had the experience of leading, they will gain confidence and lead more. Maybe they’ll eventually lead your group or their own group.

Let the Group Get Themselves into Trouble

Since North American groups don’t like to divide, just let them become too big. You see if you are pressuring your groups to divide, then YOU are the only one feeling the pain. But, when the group gets too big, then they will start feeling the pain: first the leader, and then the members.

Great groups love to invite and include people. Let them keep inviting. Monitor the group as it grows. Ask their coach to check-in with them (Do you have coaches?). Ask them how they are managing the group growth. Are they sub-grouping? (This is the first step to starting another group). Let the group continue to grow until it’s unmanageable. When they come to you (notice the sequence), then ask them what they are going to do. Let them raise the issue to the group. Just don’t give them a bigger room at the church!

Look at Your Church Membership Role

What committed members of your church are not in a group or are not leading another ministry? Ask them to lead. Ask the ones you think would be great group leaders. “Have you ever thought about leading a small group? I think you would be great at that.” (But, only say this if you truly believe it.)

For the members who might seem out of your relational reach, enlist your senior pastor to invite them. If you don’t have credibility with some folks, then borrow from your pastor’s credibility! One way or another, invite them!

The Gospel is NOT Results May Vary

Joe McKeever

March 2, 2022

I was getting ready to face the day and noticed something on the television. An ad for “hair club for women” was running. Photos flew by of before and after shots of women. Most had been afflicted with bare spots or thinning mane and the “after” photos showed them with gloriously full tresses. Then I saw it. Down in the corner the small print said, Results may vary.

Ahh. Yes, indeed. Results may vary. The old “caveat emptor.” Let the buyer beware. Instead of results may vary the ad might as well say “these are not typical,” as advertisers are forced to do by truth-in-advertising laws.

Results May Vary?

Sadly, in our culture we’re used to such come-ons and slick sales spiels. No one expects the used car salesman to tell you why we should be cautious in buying this particular car. We’ve learned to turn a suspicious eye toward the seller of the house who cannot quit raving about all its fine points. What, we wonder, is he not saying?

Which brings up another point…The fine print of the gospel

Has anyone ever found “fine print” in the Lord’s offer of salvation? Is there anywhere that we are told things such as:

You’re going to love Jesus, but not everyone has the complete package of sins forgiven, name written in the Book of Life, acceptance into God’s family, and Holy Spirit’s entrance.

You’re going to love Jesus but not everyone gets all their sins forgiven. Some get all, some get 40 percent, and some more. Results vary.

What we are offering is the Truth, but not everyone has to call on the name of Jesus. Other deities may also be invoked in various cultures of the world.

Anyone ever seen any of that? No, and you won’t.

Thank God, you will not find any such in God’s Word. Instead, we find statements such as:

Whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely (Revelation 22:17).

As many as believed, to them He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12).

Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).

If anyone thirst, let him come unto me and drink…. (John 7:37).

Whoever comes to me, I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).

May I make a suggestion or two?

How to Deal With “Results May Vary”

First, look up those scriptures.

Second, look closely for an asterisk.

See anything directing you to footnotes with qualifying statements such as: “Only for residents of Israel or New Jersey”? Or “Results may vary” or “Not typical” or even “Only for the educated.”

Third, smile. Really big.

You are included in every one of those “whosoevers!” You are an “anyone.” You can come to Jesus!

Freely come drink, words the soul to thrill. O, with what joy they my heart do fill. For when He said ‘whosoever will,’ Jesus included me. (Hymn by Johnson Oatman)

4. And fourth, for the rest of your life, thank Him for accepting someone like you: someone who deserved hell (yes, you do!), someone who brings nothing to qualify for heaven–into His eternal family. Someone like you.

Thank Him for loving you!

Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the children of God! (I John 3:1)

Worship and Doubt – Can They Co-Exist?

Ray Hollenbach

March 2, 2022

Why doesn’t everyone include verses 16 and 17 in the “Great Commission?” I suspect because these two verses include topics rarely discussed in the lives a disciple: obedience, worship and doubt. Can we worship in the midst of doubt?

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. (Matthew 28:16-17)

Imagine the scene around the resurrected Jesus: his best friends giving him worship in a private setting, yet in some minds and hearts there was still doubt. Yet their doubt did not disqualify them. He still received them, and he gave the “Great Commission.”

Worship and Doubt: Can They Co-Exist?

Doubt is a solitary struggle. Most expressions of worship are outward: we sing, kneel, pray, dance, bow, read, listen, and fellowship. Others see our actions, but this passage reminds us Jesus knows our hearts and thoughts as well. What kind of doubts did some of the disciples have? Matthew does not tell us. We are left to speculate: perhaps, “I don’t belong here . . . I denied the Lord . . . Have I gone mad? . . . Is this really Jesus? . . . What will he require of me?” I believe their worship was sincere; so were their doubts.

But the doubting disciples had obeyed. They had made their way to Galilee, just as Jesus instructed. Worship and doubt — Jesus did not turn away the doubters, he received their worship and included them in his mission. Disobedience would have kept them from hearing his voice; doubt did not.

What if worship is giving all of ourselves to God–even the parts that struggle to believe, to trust, to surrender? Perhaps that day the doubters discovered Isaiah’s description of Jesus was true: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” (Matt. 12:20)

Earlier in his ministry Jesus told his friends, “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” Some people have interpreted “truth” to mean “doctrine,” but what if Jesus also meant the truth about ourselves? Here’s a meditation worthy for the week: can I bring my doubts as an act of worship?

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

Family Church Service Ideas for Keeping Everyone Together

Christina Embree

March 1, 2022

Are you looking for family church service ideas? Then you’ve come to the right place. Many congregations now try to incorporate times where families can stay together to worship and learn about God. I’ve gathered five suggestions below.

These family church service ideas come from a variety of church backgrounds and traditions. So they may not all work for your ministry context. But chances are one might strike a chord. Then you’ll be able to work toward more times where families experience faith formation together with their church community.

Family Church Service Ideas: 5 Starting Points

1. Family Worship Sundays

Many churches now offer times of Family Worship, often once a month or on fifth Sundays. In these services, family members stay together and worship as a unit. These Sundays should not be confused with Children’s Sundays or times where kids perform for the church. While these are special times as well, they’re more focused on children than on families.

A Family Sunday incorporates ways for the family to experience worship together. This includes communion, corporate prayers, worship songs that everyone knows and can sing, and a sermon appropriate for all ages. Elements of the service invite participation of parents, caregivers and children, such as Scripture readings by families and prayer as families. For ideas on how to include families in Sunday worship, check out jensfrontporch.org.

2. Family Worship Experiences

A few subtle differences exist between a Family Worship Sunday, where the family joins with the whole congregation in a regular service, and Family Worship Experiences, which specifically targets and ministers to families.

Often these experiences take place at a time other than Sunday morning. They typically incorporate a variety of interactive activities, worship and teaching. Some great examples are posted at www.dandibell.com.

3. Family Faith Formation

For some churches, inviting the family to stay together works best in a midweek experience. This is what our church does. We’ve had lots of fun using these nights to explore the Bible together. We write our own curriculum in five-week blocks based on what families indicate they want to learn.

Each family sits in a circle and explores Scripture. Then we offer activities and a time of affirmation and blessing. Topics have included Prayer, Salvation, The Bible, God as Creator, and Service.

Kids absolutely love spending this time with their parents. Of all the church programs we offer, this one gets the highest praise from children.

High School Youth Group Is Changing—So We Must, Too

Andy Lawrenson

March 1, 2022

When I was a teenager, I lived for the weekend events of our junior high and high school youth group. I attended every possible one. Roller skating? I was in. Camping? Definitely. Lock-ins? Absolutely!

Every Wednesday night, I was at high school youth group—all the way through graduation. I loved the fun and the social opportunities. Now, I didn’t necessarily attend for the great teaching from awesome youth pastors. Instead, I mainly wanted to be with my peers and friends. I never asked, “Should I go?” Granted, my parents played a big role too, because church wasn’t optional.

When I started leading youth ministry decades ago, students were just like me. They loved youth group activities because of the social connections. The only way to connect back then was by the phone on the kitchen wall. Then came the cell phone. But kids still loved youth group because they wanted to connect face to face. Then came social media…

How High School Youth Group Has Changed

Fast forward to today. I began to wonder, “What are we doing wrong?” For the past several years, we’ve constantly changed things up in our high school youth group. Why? We saw the noticeable drop in student participation. Yet we were doing things that kids would have lined up for even five years ago.

Last year, our camp signup was the lowest ever. We had to cancel two events because just two kids signed up. They weren’t lame events either; one was archery tag! I’ve even noticed this at Friday night football games. Where are the teens?

In my frustration, I started praying and seeking and reading. What was going on with our high school youth group? As I talked to other student ministers, they were experiencing the same things. One friend’s group went from about 80 students weekly to only 25…in the span of just one year. Yet they were doing the same things that made youth group exciting and relevant for the 80!

So I started reading about Generation Z and smartphones. The impact of this technology on teens is incredible, for both good and bad. Sexual activity is down. Why? Because kids aren’t dating as much; they’re constantly looking at screens. But suicide is up about 200%! Why? Social media can lead to abuse, loneliness, comparisons, and fears about what everyone thinks about you.

I finally realized: None of these articles had anything to do with God, the church, or youth group. They were all about the mental state of teens. They look at the huge changes in kids’ social lives as a result of smartphones. Today’s students fill their social needs by looking at a screen, texting, using Snapchat, etc.

What Must Change

So why come to high school youth group if your social need is met elsewhere? It’s time to figure out student ministry for the future. How can your church keep student ministry alive and viable?

Greg Locke Shares He’s Received Death Threats, Satanic Postcards, and Sex Toys After Exposing Witches

Jesse T. Jackson

March 1, 2022

Global Vision Bible Church pastor Greg Locke has been preaching on demonic deliverance since January, which has led to the alleged exposure of witches within their church.

On Friday, Locke posted a video on Facebook detailing the pushback and hatred Global Vision Bible Church’s leadership has been receiving.

From explicit packages in the mail to thousands of profanity laced phone calls every week, Locke shared that many times the church’s voice mail box will fill up before the next call can be answered.

Locke said they have tracked down a man who has threatened to come to the church to kill him by slicing his throat. “We’ve been getting—literally—sex toys in the mail every single day [and] glitter bombs from witches.”

Witches are real, the pastor exclaimed, and people are mad at him for exposing them. A frustrated Locke called out the Christians who have openly disagreed with what they are doing, saying, “The church is too unbiblical and ignorant to recognize witchcraft, sorcery, spells, and curses when they see them.”

Some witches sent a box addressed from Locke’s mother to the church that contained crystals, hexes, and curses. The church has been getting postcards from the Church of Satan, pornographic materials, and pentagrams.

“We have people walk out of restaurants when me and my family walk in to sit down and eat,” Locked shared. “I get it—I’m not everybody’s cup of tea, and I’m not trying to be. I could care less—I’m going to speak the truth. If people hate the truth they’ll hate you when you tell it.”

Locke’s favorite Dunkin’ Donuts store told him they have people calling looking for him and trying to get him banned from getting coffee there. One of the workers said callers say horrible things to them because the pastor is a frequent customer.

“Stop acting like grown-up babies,” Locked told his haters, joking that he’d buy them a pacifier. “You act like we’re going to stop preaching the truth of the gospel. You act like I’m just going to roll over in a corner and be like ‘well you all, that stuff I said I didn’t really mean it.’—No! I meant it. And I’m gonna keep saying it, because we’re calling out witches and wizardry and sorcery and occultism in the church. We’re not going to apologize and back down from that.”

Calling his critics cowards for not coming to his office to have a face-to-face conversation with him, Locke said he welcomes them to his office and encouraged them to show up.

Ed Litton Announces ‘Gospel-Based Reconciliation Initiative,’ Will Not Seek Second Term as SBC President

Jonathan Howe

March 1, 2022

SBC President Ed Litton provides an update from the Sexual Abuse Task Force to Executive Committee trustess on Feb. 22 in Nashville. He announced March 1 he will not seek a second term as SBC president. (Baptist Press/Brandon Porter)

SARALAND, Ala. (BP)—Citing a growing desire to develop a strategy to “bridge our divides and bring about a Gospel-driven unity and reconciliation” and the need to lead as a “pastor rather than from the office of president,” SBC president Ed Litton announced Tuesday (Mar. 1) that he would not seek a second term as SBC president at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

Litton, pastor of Redemption Church in the Mobile, Ala., area, made the announcement in a short video released by the church saying he believes “God is calling [him] to devote the next five to 10 years of [his] life” to pursuing racial reconciliation through the local church.

Litton did not provide specifics of the initiative other than that it “is not a top-down program but a locally-based strategy inviting local churches to take the lead in their communities.” More information will be released at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in June.

Related to his term as SBC president, Litton noted “that it’s been a difficult year,” and took responsibility “for mistakes [he] made in the preparation and delivery of particular sermons”—an acknowledgement of the plagiarism accusations Litton addressed and apologized for early in his presidency.

Litton’s presidency will also be known for his involvement in appointing a task force to oversee an investigation of the SBC Executive Committee as it faced accusations of not appropriately handling claims of sex abuse in the SBC. That task force is expected to report its findings later in the spring.

In closing his video, Litton noted that “in a time of increased division and polarization,” Southern Baptists “must be united in our pursuit of that one sacred effort of reaching the nations for Christ,” pointing Southern Baptists to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting theme of “Jesus, the center of it all.”

The 2022 SBC Annual Meeting and related events will be held in Anaheim, Calif., from June 12-15.

This article originally appeared here.

Sadie Robertson Huff Shares ‘Overwhelming Joy and Awe’ at Daughter’s Response to Worship

Jessica Lea

March 1, 2022

Sadie Robertson Huff shared a video of her 9-month-old daughter, Honey, moving to worship music, saying the sight gave her “overwhelming joy and awe.” The former “Duck Dynasty” star then pondered the fact that recognizing God’s goodness is what leads his followers to respond with the same abandon.

“The overwhelming joy and awe that I felt today in church today as I watched Honey begin to express herself in worship was something I hope I never forget,” says Huff in the caption of her Instagram video. “I watched her as she watched every hand go up around her as people raised their hands in a posture of pouring out their heart to God.”

Sadie Robertson Huff on Why We Worship

Sadie Robertson Huff is an author, speaker, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. In addition to “Duck Dynasty,” Huff appeared on Season 19 of “Dancing with the Stars,” where she was a runner-up. She married her husband, Christian Huff, in November 2019, and on May 11, 2021, the couple welcomed their daughter, Honey James Huff, into the world.

Huff has revealed that the name “Honey” has special significance to her for several reasons. She has always loved Proverbs 16:24, which says, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” The wife and mother relates this verse to her husband, whom she says has spoken sweet and healing “words like honey” over her. Huff also says her daughter’s name “reminds me of my great grandma who calls everyone she loves honey.”

As she was watching Honey during worship, Huff says, “I could see the curiosity in her eyes. She seemed almost unsure about what we were doing as we raised our hands. But man was she interested in it. She studied it.” Huff continues, “So, as I watched, I shifted her over to my hip and I raised my hand and Christian raised his and then with the fullest confidence Honeys hand shot up on the air! And from that point on this girl worshiped. Hand up and legs kicking. By the end she even had both hands up.”

Huff went on to consider how followers of God could easily struggle with worshiping him with all of their hearts. “Sometimes it can feel [intimidating] to worship,” she says. “[It] can seem confusing even, when you look around at a world so troubled and you see people with hands lifted high trusting in God. It can feel awkward to surrender and express yourself in such a way that gives glory to a king you can’t even see.”

Ukrainian Priest Aims to Exorcise ‘Evil Spirit’ From Russia’s President

Stephanie Martin

March 1, 2022

A Greek Orthodox Catholic priest who once survived a brutal kidnapping by pro-Russian forces is now performing daily exorcism rituals aimed at Russian President Vladimir Putin. Father Tykhon Kulbaka recently shared that he decided to use his longtime status as a church leader to rid Putin of “an evil spirit” that “may inspire [his] actions.”

Kulbaka is from Donetsk, one of two eastern Ukraine republics to which Putin granted independence on February 21, days before invading the nation. Long-simmering religious tensions have contributed to the political unrest between the two countries.

Exorcism: Priest Wants to Cast Out ‘Demonic Influence’

On Facebook, Kulbaka writes, “I ask the merciful God either to free [Putin] from demonic influence and make them renounce evil and stand up for good (or) destroy such a devil bodily so that the soul may be saved in the day of the Lord.”

He welcomes others to join him in the exorcism, including fellow priests and laypeople, noting that “specific prayers are available to the laity with requests for deliverance from the evil spirit.” Kulbaka took those steps after deciding “to use my status as a priest of the United, Holy, Conciliar Church, to whom I have the grace and privilege to be for 30 years.”

Separatists Captured, Tortured Kulbaka in 2014

In July 2014, Father Kulbaka was shopping when four men blindfolded him and used chloroform to knock him out. Using torture and threats, they tried to get him to convert to the church aligned with the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. That branch is often a mouthpiece for Russian nationalist ideology, with Putin relying on it to legitimize his actions.

Kulbaka refused to convert, despite life-threatening conditions. Three times the captors engaged in mock executions, shooting bullets above his head. When the militants discovered the priest is diabetic, they withheld his medicine and most water and food. Kulbaka ended up drinking water from a toilet tank to survive.

After 12 days of captivity, the priest was taken to a field and left in his car. For three months, he remained silent to protect his parishioners—whose names the captors knew. Afterward, Kulbaka recalled that the “emotional captivity” was worse than the “physical captivity,” with kidnappers accusing him of being the enemy.

Kulbaka was told, “You prayed for Ukraine! Imagine in 1942 anyone praying for the victory of Stalin in central Berlin. Hitler would kill them on the spot!” Kidnappers told him there was “no place” for Ukrainian Catholics, Protestants, or “schismatics” (people belonging to the Kyiv Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church).

TX Church Evicted After Pastor Preaches That Gay People Are ‘Worthy of Death’

Dale Chamberlain

March 1, 2022

Stedfast Bible Church Jonathan Shelley — Screengrab from YouTube.

Stedfast Baptist Church in Hurst, Texas, is being evicted from its building after the church’s pastor, Jonathan Shelley, preached that those who practice homosexuality are “worthy of death.”

A judge ruled in favor of the building owner after Stedfast Baptist Church appealed a justice of the peace eviction order. According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, the building owner argued that the church violated the terms of its lease, which prohibits threats and violence. The church will also have to pay $42,000 in attorney’s fees.

The eviction does not appear to come in response to one particular sermon, but rather a pattern of hate speech directed at the LGBTQ community over the course of time.

For example, in one sermon, Shelley celebrated the death of one person who was killed when a truck crashed through a Pride parade in Florida.

“And, you know, it’s great when trucks accidentally go through those, you know, parades. And I think only one person died so, hopefully, we can hope for more in the future,” Shelley said. “Well, you say that’s mean. But the Bible says they are worthy of death.”

While Shelley has maintained that he has not preached with the intent of his people acting violently toward the LGBTQ community, the court has ruled that his words nevertheless constitute a real threat of violence.

On February 23, Shelley posted a video response to the court’s ruling on YouTube, doubling down on his previous remarks.

“The situation is really unprecedented,” Shelley said. “In fact, even the enemies of our church are gloating and bragging about the fact that our church is being evicted for what we believe and what we preach. And they are actually incredulous, because they believed that the First Amendment would protect us, as did everybody who’s heard anything about our situation or our case.”

“Yet, today, you’re not allowed to preach what the Bible says without receiving a lot of harassment, a lot of persecution,” Shelley continued, going on to remark that he isn’t surprised by the “persecution” Stedfast Bible Church is receiving, because the church has been “thriving.” He then described the church’s evangelistic efforts.

“But the Great Commission goes beyond just simply preaching the gospel and getting people baptized to also teaching all things whatsoever Christ commanded,” Shelley said. “And because our church does believe very controversial verses in the Bible, it’s receiving all kinds of persecution and attack.”

Lifeway Research: Churches Still Recovering From Pandemic Losses

Aaron Earls

March 1, 2022

Compared to the beginning of 2021, more U.S. Protestant churches are gathering in person and more churchgoers are filling the pews. The return to pre-pandemic attendance levels has stalled, however, in recent months.

The latest Lifeway Research study found, despite a new variant wave of COVID-19, 97% of U.S. Protestant churches met in person during January 2022, while 3% say they did not gather for in-person services.

The percentage of churches meeting in person is statistically unchanged from an August 2021 Lifeway Research study, when 98% of churches physically gathered, but is up significantly from the 76% that met in January 2021.

“Almost all churches are able to meet in person for worship, though a few are struggling to re-open their doors,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “Many more churches are working to restart all their important ministries and continuing to encourage people to resume in-person participation.”

More than 1 in 5 U.S. Protestant pastors (22%) say their church is close to their January 2020 attendance, with 10% saying they are at 90% to 100% of pre-pandemic levels and 12% reporting attendance is now higher than before COVID-19. The same percentage of pastors (22%) reported crowds reaching at least 90% of their pre-pandemic attendance in August 2021. In January 2021, however, only 8% of churches had such levels.

Compared to January 2021, far fewer churches today have crowds of less than half of what they had in January 2020. At the beginning of last year, 31% of churches were at less than 50% of their pre-pandemic attendance levels, including 8% of churches that were below 30%. Now, 14% are below 50% attendance, and only 1% still say their congregation is less than 30% of what it was before COVID-19.

More than 8 in 10 churches have an attendance of at least half of what it was prior to the pandemic. The average U.S. Protestant church reports attendance at 74% of what it was prior to COVID-19, which means 1 in 4 pre-pandemic churchgoers are still missing from in-person worship services.

“People’s return to in-person worship services has stalled,” said McConnell. “There has been virtually no change in average attendance since August 2021. Some of this is the direct impact of COVID with people getting sick, needing to quarantine or being at high risk. But this also likely includes healthy individuals choosing to not return.”

The smallest churches, those with attendance less than 50 before COVID-19, are the most likely to be back at pre-pandemic levels. More than a third of those small churches (37%) report their attendance is at least 90% of what it was in January 2020, including 18% who say they have grown numerically during the pandemic.

Online Transitions

Most churches shifted to some type of online video services during the height of the pandemic. Now, many are asking those watching online to participate in person.

In January 2022, more than 9 in 10 U.S. Protestant pastors (94%) say their churches provided some type of video content for their congregations, including 84% who livestreamed their worship services and 10% who posted a video of the sermon later. Prior to the pandemic, Lifeway Research found 2 in 5 churches said they neither livestreamed their service nor posted the sermon online later.

Father Fatally Shoots His Children During Supervised Visit Inside CA Church

Jesse T. Jackson

March 1, 2022

The Church in Sacramento shooting gunfire — Screengrab via YouTube @ABC10

Shortly after 5 p.m. PST on Monday, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a worker reporting gunfire inside The Church In Sacramento, located in the Arden-Arcade area.

Authorities shared that the gunman was a 39-year-old father who shot and killed his three daughters in the main sanctuary of the church before taking his own life during a supervised visit. All three children were under the age of fifteen: aged 9, 10, and 13.

A fourth victim, who was also shot and killed by the gunman, is believed to be the chaperone for the children during the supervised visit.

KCRA3 News reported that their LiveCopter3 witnessed first responders carrying one of the victims through the church’s parking lot and attempting to resuscitate them. However, they were ultimately unsuccessful.

An unknown amount of people were inside the church at the time of the shooting, but no one else was harmed. It is unclear what type of activities were taking place at the church during the time of the shooting.

Sacramento County Sheriff’s spokesperson Sgt. Rod Grassmann said that the shooter’s wife had a restraining order against her husband and was not present. Due to the restraining order, the deceased suspect should not have legally had access to a firearm.

In early reports, news agencies reported the fourth victim to be the shooter’s wife and mother of their three children, but according to ABC10 News, the mother was not present, had been notified, and was on her way to the scene.

Grassmann said the sheriff’s office is treating the shooting as a domestic violence related incident and have not released any names at this time.

After the deadly shooting, California’s governor Gavin Newson took to Twitter to express his thoughts regarding the horrific event. “Another senseless act of gun violence in America,” Newsom wrote. “This time in our backyard. In a church with kids inside. Absolutely devastating. Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and their communities. We are working closely with local law enforcement.”

Sacramento’s mayor Darrell Steinberg posted, “This is an unspeakable tragedy. It happens too often, and tonight it happened in our backyard. First thoughts are with the victims and their families. Same to the first responders who have to confront such a horrible scene. Will say more as we learn more.”

California Bill Could Make It Easier for Houses of Faith to Build Affordable Housing

Adelle M Banks

March 1, 2022

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — As IKAR, a Jewish congregation in Los Angeles, has developed plans to build a new synagogue and affordable housing on its property, it has encountered a big obstacle: parking.

The number of parking spaces the city of Los Angeles requires for their development is too high and too expensive, and it could hamper their plans to move forward, said Brooke Wirtschafter, director for community organizing for IKAR.

A newly proposed bill could help make it easier for religious congregations like IKAR that are seeking to build affordable housing on their properties.

Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, a Democrat in Oakland, introduced a piece of legislation on Feb. 16 that would reduce residential parking requirements for newly built religious institutions to allow for the construction of housing.

Current state law eases parking requirements for housing on religious properties, but local governments have interpreted it to apply only to existing religious institutions, not new ones that are proposed to be developed, according to the legislation’s fact sheet provided by Wick’s staff. State law allows religious institutions to remove up to 50% of their existing parking to build affordable housing on their site.

“These interpretations strictly limit the applicability of this important housing option for all future congregations that may wish to support and address the housing needs of their local community,” according to the fact sheet.

To Wicks, this legislation makes sense.

“You have a nonprofit developer who wants to build housing. You have a church who has the land who wants to build the housing. We have a big need for affordable housing, and yet it wasn’t happening because the cities were putting these parking requirements on these churches around how many parking spots they need depending on the size of the church,” Wicks said.

“This felt like an honestly pretty simple solution,” she added.

Houses of worship own thousands of acres across the U.S., and many pastors and faith leaders have been exploring how to turn their underused land into housing. However, several challenges have surfaced.

Clergy often lack the resources or knowledge to cut housing deals, and zoning restrictions have also made things difficult.

The national nonprofit Enterprise Community Partners on Feb. 23 announced $8.5 million in grants from the Wells Fargo Foundation to help houses of worship in Atlanta, New York, Seattle, Baltimore and Miami convert underutilized land into affordable homes and community facilities.

This money will help build roughly 6,000 affordable homes, Enterprise said, adding that the nonprofit will assist faith leaders to navigate the development process, enter into long-term ground lease agreements and refer them to vetted development partners, such as architects and designers.

Brooke Wirtschafter. Photo via IKAR

For Wirtschafter, easing the parking restrictions “will be the difference between our ability to be able to offer this opportunity to build this housing and not.”

Across US, Worshipers Seek Solidarity at Ukrainian Churches, Pray for Peace

Emily McFarlan Miller

March 1, 2022

prayer_hands — Photo via Unsplash @pedrolimadias_

CHICAGO (RNS) — Everybody at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral has family in Ukraine, said Tamara Nosa. It’s why she brought her family to the church in Chicago’s Ukrainian Village on Sunday morning, knowing how many people would turn out for the Divine Liturgy, including Roman Catholic Cardinal Blase Cupich and Ukrainian Catholic Bishop Benedict Aleksiychuk.

Nosa, 38, of suburban Plainfield, Illinois, said Sunday (Feb. 27) she is happy to see so many people protesting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But, standing outside the cathedral surrounded by signs sporting the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag and emblazoned with messages of support for the country, Nosa still felt discouraged. Nothing is changing, she said.

The invasion continues. She checks in each day with her family outside the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, where they’re hiding in their basement. They can hear sirens blaring outside.

What else is left to do but pray?

“I’m teaching my kids let’s go to church and pray. I think like God’s maybe going to help, I’m hoping, because nobody is helping right now,” she said. “I think we lost hope, you know? And it’s really, really bad.”

In cities with some of the largest Ukrainian populations in the United States, worshippers prayed for peace and an end to war Sunday as Russia threatened its western neighbor for the fourth straight day.

“Today we are all Ukrainians,” said Cupich, the archbishop of Chicago.

In Chicago — where more than 54,000 people in the metropolitan area identify as having Ukrainian ancestry, according to 2019 U.S. Census estimates — several Catholic churches held special Masses and rosaries over the weekend to pray for peace in Ukraine and an end to the war. All rang their bells at noon Sunday in solidarity with the Ukrainian people — something they’ll repeat on Ash Wednesday, when Pope Francis has asked all believers and nonbelievers alike to fast and pray for peace.

Sunday’s liturgy at St. Nicholas was sung by a choir of mothers and daughters — fitting, Cupich said, as “this moment is an opportunity for the whole world to reflect on what kind of world we want to leave to future generations.

“It is our moment in the history of the world to say, ‘Stop. No more. We want a different world for our children.’ That is what this moment is all about. That is why the entire world is raising its voice in outrage, but also support,” the cardinal said.

In New York City’s East Village neighborhood, Saint George Ukrainian Catholic Church welcomed Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Roman Catholic archbishop of New York, to join them in prayer.

New York City is home to the largest community of Ukrainian immigrants in the U.S., with around 130,000 in the five boroughs and tens of thousands more across the river in New Jersey. Many of them live in the East Village.

Bishop Paul Chomnycky, Ukrainian Catholic eparch of the Stamford diocese that envelops New York and much of New England, said one of the first phone calls he got after the invasion was from Dolan, offering support.

“It is exactly in times like this that true friends show themselves,” Chomnycky said.

Dolan previously had visited Saint George in 2014, during the Russian takeover of Crimea, he reminded the congregation, which included Roman and Ukrainian Catholics and even a congresswoman — Carolyn B. Maloney, the East Village’s representative in Washington.

“When you and I don’t know what else to do, we pray,” the cardinal said.

Near Pittsburgh, a banner outside St. Peter and St. Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church also urged prayer for Ukraine.

Louisiana City Apologizes 60 Years After Church Beating

Chevel Johnson

March 1, 2022

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Rev. Asriel McLain was 10 years old when mounted police in Shreveport, Louisiana, burst through the doors at his father’s church, where a memorial service had been held for four girls killed in a church bombing in Birmingham, Alabama, in September 1963.

Harry Blake, a young civil rights leader, was among those there at the time. He needed at least seven stitches after police finished beating him, McLain recalled. When it was over, the stench of horse manure filled the newly renovated sanctuary at Little Union Baptist Church.

“It was a night I will never forget,” McLain said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press after the city of Shreveport, in northwest Louisiana, officially apologized for actions taken that night and the following morning when high school students protested.

It happened at a time when Shreveport’s then-police commissioner, the late George D’Artois, was known for squelching civil rights demonstrations.

“The police brought horses up the steps of the church, grabbed (Blake) and left manure everywhere,” McLain recalled. “After they beat up Rev. Blake, he came up the stairs and I heard my mother scream like I never had before. We went outside for a moment and saw the cops going crazy, beating up people in front of the church; my dad said ‘This is not right, this is not Russia or Nazi Germany, this is America.’”

McLain said Blake was taken to Dallas for treatment for fear he would not get the proper care in Shreveport.

“It’s an ordeal that I will never forget,” he said.

Blake was the president of the Shreveport chapter of the NAACP at the time he was beaten on Sept. 22, 1963. He would later become pastor at Mt. Canaan Baptist Church, serving for more than 52 years before retiring in 2018. He died in April 2020.

Apologies for Blake’s beating, the violence and desecration of Little Union and the arrest the next day of 18 high school students who protested in response were made in two resolutions approved unanimously by the City Council last week. Resolution 17 offered formal apologies for the terror at the church. Resolution 18 apologized to the sophomores, juniors and seniors at Booker T. Washington High School who peacefully marched in protest of the previous day’s incident but were attacked by a group of armed officers.

“The students were met by Police Chief George D’Artois and a mob of armed officers on foot and in squad cars. The students were ordered back to school but stood their ground in protest for the beating to Reverend Harry Blake on Sunday, September 22, 1963,” reads Resolution 18.

“When the children refused to turn back, police brutally attacked them with batons and teargas,” the resolution continues. “Students frantically ran from officers and returned to the campus of Booker T. Washington, police attempted to enter the school and proceeded to attack Principal R. H. Brown and several teachers as they attempted to protect the students.”

Close to the Conflict, Southern Baptists Move to Prayer Over Ukraine

Scott Barkley

March 1, 2022

Prayer Ukraine — Andrew Causey leads a verse of You Are My All in All in Ukrainian at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Nashville on Feb. 27. (submitted photo, via Baptist Press)

PARMA, Ohio (BP) – It doesn’t require a personal connection with the country of Ukraine to pray on its behalf. But for many Southern Baptists, the ongoing invasion and fighting there has made it personal nonetheless.

Those prayers were lifted on the outskirts of Cleveland at Mercy Hill Chapel, a Southern Baptist congregation that features sermons in both Ukrainian and English. Pastor Oleh Zhakunets’ message Feb. 27 was based in the book of Matthew and didn’t address his native country directly. But it is evident, he said, that the situation in Ukraine is never far from congregants’ minds.

“I would describe it as a ‘heavy’ atmosphere in church right now. And though what I preached yesterday wasn’t particularly somber, there would be language or terms that affected people and made them think about Ukraine,” he said.

Zhakunets was four years old in 1988 when he, his brother and his parents escaped the former Soviet Union in a minivan, making their way to Austria and then Italy. His father later helped other family members escape. They eventually joined others settling in Cleveland.

He has extended family in Ukraine but spends the majority of time checking in with ministry partners there. Confusion contributes to the tension, as differing media reports can paint various pictures of the situation.

“They’re trying to know what to believe, and what you believe affects how you react,” he said. “Some are leaving with their families, but others are wrestling with whether they should stay. Others struggle with how the church should be involved. Should they take up arms? All of that is being processed.”

Frank and Suzanne Bennett became linked to Ukraine when they adopted two brothers and a sister from an orphanage there in 2012. Bennett serves as pastor of Lake Pointe Church in Emerson, Ga.

“We’ve very heartbroken about everything that’s going on,” he said. “We love the Ukrainian people. They’re very rich in family and culture, and very determined.”

While preaching on a mission trip to the country, he recalled a group of older ladies who had walked five miles to attend. He was struck by their resolve and hunger for the Word of God.

“I’m not surprised at all by the determination of [Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy] and the people,” Bennett noted. “They love their country and the world is seeing it.”

That love of country takes a twofold meaning for The Bennetts, who had three biological children prior to adoption. One of their Ukrainian sons recently joined the U.S. Marines and added a new tattoo reflecting the phrase “who can stand against” from Romans 8:31.

Georgia pastor Frank Bennett’s son was born in Ukraine and, now serving as a U.S. Marine, showed support for his home country through tattoos that state “who can stand against” from Romans 8:31. (Photo submitted)

“They’re very proud [of their Ukrainian heritage]. They’re Americans, but have dual citizenship,” said Bennett.

Pastor Bogdan Kipko of Forward Church in Irvine, Cali. led his congregation in prayer for strength, courage and perseverance in Ukraine as well as for safety amid threats and imminent conflict.

The Beauty of a Gentle Heart

Tim Challies

March 1, 2022

If there is any quality that is conspicuous by its absence today, perhaps it is a gentle heart. Though this is a precious and beautiful trait, it is sadly rare. I recently read (and highly recommend!) J.R. Miller’s short work A Gentle Heart, and in that book I came across this convicting passage which reminds us of the source and model of our gentleness.

***

There was gentleness in the world before Jesus came. There was mother love. There was friendship, deep, true, and tender. There were marital lovers who were bound together in sacred union. There were hearts even among heathen people in which there was gentleness almost beautiful enough for heaven. There were holy places where affection ministered with angel tenderness.

Yet the world at large was full of cruelty. The rich oppressed the poor. The strong crushed the weak. Women were slaves and men were tyrants. There was no hand of love reached out to help the sick, the lame, the blind, the old, the deformed, the insane, nor any to care for the widow, the orphan, and the homeless.

Then Jesus came! And for thirty-three years he went about among men—doing kindly things. He had a gentle heart, and gentleness flowed out in his speech. He spoke words which throbbed with tenderness. There was never any uncertainty about the heartbeat in the words which fell from the lips of Jesus. They throbbed with sympathy and tenderness.

The people knew always, that Jesus was their friend. His life was full of rich helpfulness. No wrong or cruelty ever made him ungentle. He scattered kindness wherever he moved.

One day they nailed those gentle hands to a cross! After that the people missed him, for he came no more to their homes. It was a sore loss to the poor and the sad, and there must have been grief in many a household. But while the personal ministry of Jesus was ended by his death, the influence of his life went on. He had set the world a new example of love. He had taught lessons of patience and meekness which no other teacher had ever given. He had imparted new meaning to human affection. He had made love the law of his kingdom.

As one might drop a handful of spices into a pot of brackish water, and therewith sweeten the waters—so these teachings of Jesus fell into the world’s unloving, unkindly life, and at once began to change it into gentleness. Wherever the gospel has gone these saying of the great Teacher have been carried, and have fallen into people’s hearts, leaving there their blessings of gentleness.

This article originally appeared here.

10 Great Ways Kids Can Serve at Church

Dale Hudson

March 1, 2022

Did you know that studies show that kids and teenagers who serve in their local church are far less likely to walk away from their faith as they get older? And there are great ways kids can serve at church.

The Bible reminds us of this in James 2. Here’s what it says…

Just as the body is dead without breath,so also faith is dead without good works.

Good works lead to a faith that is alive and vibrant.

The verse also compares someone who has no good works to a person who has no breath and is dead.

What is the difference between a child/teenager who has dead faith and a child/teenager whose faith is alive and vibrant?

Good works.

I remember when I was a teenager in high school. I was attending church, but was not serving. Looking back I would have to say my faith was bland at the time. All I cared about was my car, girls and sports.

But that all changed when my youth pastor asked me to serve in children’s ministry. At first, I said “no” but he kept asking and eventually I agreed to come in and check out the children’s ministry. As I began serving, my faith was transformed. I moved from being a nominal follower of Christ to being a passionate, mission-driven follower of Jesus.

What made the difference? Serving. Good works.

I shared that story with you because I want you to see how impactful it is when you get kids and students involved in serving.

Let’s take that premise and look at 10 specific ways kids can serve.

1. Preschool. Children can serve alongside their parents in preschool ministry. In this situation, the child can help pass out crafts, snacks and interact with the preschoolers in a positive way.

2. Help the teacher clean up the classroom after services are over. Parents can also serve with their child in this capacity.

4. Sing on the praise team and help lead worship. A few times a year, you can give kids the opportunity to lead worship in the adult service.

5. Help direct traffic with their father or mother. Of course, the child should be equipped to help with this and safety measures should be in place.

6. Prepare crafts and other classroom elements together during the week.

7. Be an actor in a skit.

8. Put together thank you packages and deliver them to local police officers, firemen, nurses, etc.

9. Write an encouraging note to men and women who are serving in the military.

10. Join in community service projects. Paint the house of a widow. Clean up the yard of a single parent. Help clean up a local park.

One important thing to help kids understand is this.

When we serve, we are not just “doing a chore.” Rather, we are serving in the name of Jesus. It’s not just a good work, it’s a God work.

If you want to see the kids and students in your ministry stick with their faith, then get them involved in serving. It will change their life and help them love and follow Jesus for a lifetime.

This article about ways kids can serve originally appeared here.

What’s the Future of Live Streaming – And Why Aren’t We There Yet?

Phil Cooke

March 1, 2022

Pastors, communication, and media leaders need to think through the future of live-streaming. It’s been over a year since the mandated church lockdowns. Obviously, back then many churches were caught by surprise and needed to do some catching up to make their livestream worship services work for an online congregation. In that process, I know communication and media teams worked overtime getting their production schedules, equipment, and volunteers up to speed, and that incredible effort should be appreciated. But after a more than year, I’m distressed to say that I haven’t seen much innovation, and now that we’re moving back into the building, I’m concerned about the future of live streaming.

I’m not trying to be overly negative, but by now I would have liked to see more innovations. We’ve had a year to explore new ideas, adapt more effectively to an online audience, and be more creative in our presentation. But most live streamed services I’m seeing are not very different from those early first months of the lockdown. What happened?

Questions About the Future of Live Streaming

1. We know live-streaming is here to stay, but are we putting as much effort into that service as our physical services?

2. Are we regularly filming testimonies, stories, and church updates?

3. Does the pastor still engage with the livestream congregation during the service?

4. Are we rehearsing the elements of the livestream like we rehearse the physical service?

5. Are our transitions between segments smooth?

6. What about our B-roll footage? Are we taking the time to film it well? Are we using high-quality stock footage?

7. Have we adapted our audio and video equipment toward producing a better online experience?

8. Perhaps most important, do we understand that live stream services don’t have to mimic the physical service? By now, we should understand that it’s a unique experience and design it for an online congregation – not a physical one.

Our producer at Cooke Media Group, Dan Wathen puts it this way: “It’s important to stress effectiveness over quality. Just because you have a chat room or special video segments doesn’t mean you’re actually “connecting” with your congregation. The real meaning for weekend services is to share worship and the Word in a community environment. I’ve come to believe a livestream is never going to feel like the physical service, even if the pastor addresses the camera. The real key to growing the online church is to not only think about weekends but also create other digital options throughout the week (small groups, Sunday school, etc). That idea allows us to create both in-person options as well as digital-only experiences that may be different but work together. I’ve watched some single camera pre-taped services that I personally enjoy more than the 6-camera live services, because it’s really about how effective you are using what you have.”

As I said, live-streaming is here to stay. But the future of live streaming will only be engaging to online viewers based on the level of effort we put in. Perhaps we should stop comparing our live-stream with the physical service, and compare it more to a broadcast TV program. Like a television audience, the online congregation is distracted, they have other things to do, and to be successful, we have to make a compelling case.

Keep in mind that even after a year, everything is fluid. When it comes to the future of live streaming it’s important to experiment with new ideas and formats because what we learn from this will potentially set the pace for the church moving forward.

Let’s keep exploring. Our digital presence matters more than ever.

This article on the future of live streaming originally appeared here, and is used by permission.

Select FIT Leaders – Faithful Intentional Teachable

Dave Stewart

March 1, 2022

In the past, we’ve used the acronym F.A.T. (faithful, available, teachable) to describe those who should be selected for discipling. Through discussion with our staff team, we’ve chosen F.I.T. (faithful intentional teachable) as our criteria, because it reflects our desire to develop spiritually FIT disciples who will reproduce in the lives of others.

In an ideal situation, when someone receives Christ, they would be followed up in a personal way to be grounded in the foundations of the Christian life. The next step would be ongoing discipleship, which they would eagerly engage in, developing personal habits of Bible study, reading, prayer, etc., and then go on to witness to the lost and disciple others.

Faithful Intentional Teachable = F.I.T.

Unfortunately, many people aren’t eager to invest time and energy into their own spiritual growth, so it seems that there needs to be a way to determine those who are eager, and focus our discipleship energy into them.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim 2:2)

The Apostle Paul’s first criteria for investing time in others was that they were reliable. The idea of entrusting carries the thought that what you are entrusting is very valuable, and those you disciple can be trusted with the valuable thing you are passing on. The subject of what you pass on (the things which Paul passed on to Timothy) is biblical teaching, which includes doctrine, character instruction, etc.

The second criteria from 2 Tim 2:2 is that they “will be able to teach others also.” This establishes the precedence that the normal pattern of discipleship will include reproduction into others who will then reproduce into others as well.

How do we determine faithful intentional teachable leaders? Observation! Have they been devoted to the disciplines and habits that will help them grow closer to Christ? Things like personal devotions, regular church attendance, involvement in a men’s group or other small group? What about serving – have they followed through in areas where they serve? What about their attitude toward learning, even when it comes through a confrontation? Implied in the ability to make this kind of assessment is relationship. A F.I.T. person has taken steps to get involved in the opportunities presented through the church, and you’ve connected with them relationally and had the opportunity to observe their attitudes, behaviors, and choices.

As men and women called to “Go make disciples of all nations…”, we need to engage in loving relationships with other Christians, while always having our radar up, looking for those who are F.I.T. If we are going to follow the biblical pattern of discipleship, let’s prayerfully and intentionally select F.I.T. people to disciple who will go on to disciple others.

Look at Your Current Group Members

Train the Whole Group to Lead

Let the Group Get Themselves into Trouble

Look at Your Church Membership Role

Results May Vary?

You’re going to love Jesus, but not everyone has the complete package of sins forgiven, name written in the Book of Life, acceptance into God’s family, and Holy Spirit’s entrance.

You’re going to love Jesus but not everyone gets all their sins forgiven. Some get all, some get 40 percent, and some more. Results vary.

What we are offering is the Truth, but not everyone has to call on the name of Jesus. Other deities may also be invoked in various cultures of the world.

How to Deal With “Results May Vary”

Worship and Doubt: Can They Co-Exist?

Family Church Service Ideas: 5 Starting Points

1. Family Worship Sundays

2. Family Worship Experiences

3. Family Faith Formation

How High School Youth Group Has Changed

What Must Change

Sadie Robertson Huff on Why We Worship

Exorcism: Priest Wants to Cast Out ‘Demonic Influence’

Separatists Captured, Tortured Kulbaka in 2014

Online Transitions

Let’s take that premise and look at 10 specific ways kids can serve.

Questions About the Future of Live Streaming

1. We know live-streaming is here to stay, but are we putting as much effort into that service as our physical services?

2. Are we regularly filming testimonies, stories, and church updates?

3. Does the pastor still engage with the livestream congregation during the service?

4. Are we rehearsing the elements of the livestream like we rehearse the physical service?

5. Are our transitions between segments smooth?

6. What about our B-roll footage? Are we taking the time to film it well? Are we using high-quality stock footage?

7. Have we adapted our audio and video equipment toward producing a better online experience?

8. Perhaps most important, do we understand that live stream services don’t have to mimic the physical service? By now, we should understand that it’s a unique experience and design it for an online congregation – not a physical one.

Faithful Intentional Teachable = F.I.T.

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