Top Issues Church Planters Face: Insights from Exponential and Ed Stetzer

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January 31, 2022

thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

In collaboration with Todd Wilson, Director of Exponential, and a group of seasoned church planting leaders, we conducted research to understand the key challenges faced by church planters today. Drawing from over 500 years of collective experience, individual interviews, online surveys, and real-world observations, this report offers valuable insights for anyone involved in church planting. Although not a scientific study, this qualitative research provides practical advice to help church planters navigate their journey effectively.

A Changing Landscape in Church Planting

Since planting my first church in Buffalo, New York, in 1988, the world of church planting has evolved significantly. Back then, resources and support were scarce, leaving planters to figure things out on their own. Today, the landscape is vastly different, with abundant resources, coaching, and training available. Despite these advancements, the challenges of church planting—leadership, finances, volunteers, vision, and personal health—remain daunting. Yet, there is hope as systems and support improve, helping new planters thrive.

Key Issues Church Planters Face

1. Leadership Development

Finding and Developing Core Leaders: Many church planters struggle with building a strong leadership team early on, leading to a lack of accountability and support. It’s crucial to vet leaders carefully and establish a solid team to share the burden and provide encouragement.

Need for Speed (Volunteers and Staff): Planters often rush to fill leadership roles due to the immediate demands of the ministry, sometimes leading to hasty and problematic hires. It’s important to balance the urgency with thorough vetting to avoid future setbacks.

Resources and Financial Strain: The financial strain of starting a new church is significant. Many planters face challenges in raising funds and managing budgets, often delaying additional staff hires and straining their personal finances.

Reproduction Realities: While many planters aspire to plant other churches, the realities of budget, leadership shortages, and spiritual maturity can turn this vision into a distant dream. Recognizing and planning for these obstacles can help create more sustainable growth strategies.

2. Financial Self-Sufficiency and Viability

Bi-Vocational Challenges: Many planters work bi-vocationally to support their ministry, which brings its own set of challenges in balancing a full-time job with the demands of church planting. While bi-vocational ministry can be effective, it often isn’t the goal for most planters.

church-plant-year-self-sufficient — Percentage of Church Plants Self-Sufficient

Tension Over Teaching About Giving: Planters may avoid discussing finances with their congregation, fearing it might deter new attendees. However, addressing financial stewardship is essential for the church’s sustainability and growth.

Limited Budget Experience: Many planters lack experience in creating and managing a church budget, leading to potential financial mismanagement. Developing these skills is crucial for the church’s long-term viability.

Flow of Funds Management: Understanding the difference between cash flow and total cash commitments is vital. Mismanagement can lead to financial crises even if the total funds seem adequate.

Personal Financial Impact: Planters often invest their personal savings into the church, leading to significant financial stress. It’s essential to seek external support and avoid relying too heavily on personal finances.

3. Team Development and Volunteer Mobilization

Healthy Launch Teams: A strong launch team is critical for a successful church plant. Planters should focus on building a team that is committed and aligned with the church’s vision.

Church Planting as a Team Sport: Moving into a new community without a support team increases the difficulty of planting. Building relationships and mobilizing volunteers is essential for sustainability.

Pre-Launch Tasks vs. Relationships: Balancing administrative tasks with relationship-building is challenging. Planters need to prioritize forming a solid team while managing pre-launch logistics.

Core Group Dynamics: A core group of volunteers can be both a blessing and a challenge. Planters must navigate the dynamics of integrating these teams into the church’s vision and leadership structure.

Volunteer Retention: High turnover among core team members is common. Planters should be prepared for relational losses and develop strategies to retain and motivate their volunteers.

4. Systems, Processes, and Cultures

Establishing Healthy Systems: Creating effective systems and processes is crucial for long-term impact. Planters must focus on building structures that support growth and sustainability.

Fix-It Mentality: Planters often believe that fixing a single issue will lead to growth. However, systemic health requires a broader approach that addresses deeper underlying problems.

Pre-Launch Behaviors: The actions taken during the pre-launch phase have lasting impacts. Planters should intentionally establish healthy systems and processes before the church launches.

Urgency and Accountability: The lack of formal requirements for new churches often leads to the establishment of unhealthy systems. Accountability and strategic planning are vital for creating a solid foundation.

Balancing Capacity and Production: Planters must manage their time effectively, balancing the demands of ministry with the need to build healthy systems. Strategic planning is essential for managing growth and maintaining momentum.

5. Casting Vision and Avoiding Mission Drift

Clarity of Vision: Clear and compelling vision is essential to avoid mission drift. Planters must ensure that their team understands and aligns with the church’s goals and direction.

Core Values: Defining and adhering to core values helps guide decision-making and maintain focus. Planters should articulate their values clearly and consistently.

Mission, Vision, and Values Alignment: Confusing or interchanging mission, vision, and values can lead to a lack of clarity and direction. Planters should establish a clear and consistent philosophy of ministry.

Ministry Philosophy: A well-defined ministry philosophy helps navigate challenges and avoid distractions. Planters should develop and communicate their philosophy early on.

Non-Negotiables: Focusing on a few core priorities helps avoid mission drift and ensures that the church remains aligned with its vision and values.

6. Evangelism and Discipleship

Balancing Time Demands: The demands of planting often detract from time spent on evangelism and discipleship. Planters must prioritize these core activities to stay true to their mission.

Engaging Culture: Living incarnationally and engaging with today’s culture is essential for effective evangelism and discipleship. Planters should seek ways to connect with their community meaningfully.

Strategic Evangelism and Discipleship: Implementing deliberate strategies for evangelism and discipleship is critical for long-term impact. Planters should develop and execute plans that align with their mission.

Small Group Dynamics: Small groups are vital for discipleship but require careful management and investment. Planters should focus on building healthy and effective small groups.

Personal Investment: Planters must personally invest in relationships with lost people and new believers. This personal engagement is crucial for creating a culture of evangelism and discipleship.

7. Spiritual, Physical, and Mental Health of the Planter and Family

Personal Development and Family Nurturing: Balancing the demands of planting with personal and family health is challenging. Planters must prioritize their own well-being and that of their families.

Managing Discouragement and Loneliness: Church planting can be lonely and discouraging. Building a support network and seeking fellowship with peers is essential for maintaining morale and motivation.

Dealing with Spiritual Attacks: Planters and their families often face spiritual attacks. A solid foundation of faith and a healthy marriage are critical for resilience and perseverance.

Navigating Financial and Emotional Stress: The financial and emotional stress of planting can be overwhelming. Planters should seek support and develop strategies to manage these pressures effectively.

Maintaining Focus on God: Amid the busyness of church planting, it’s easy to lose focus on God. Planters should prioritize their spiritual health and maintain a close relationship with God.

Conclusions

The challenges of church planting are significant, but understanding and addressing these key issues can help planters build healthy, sustainable churches. By focusing on leadership development, financial viability, team building, systems and processes, vision clarity, evangelism and discipleship, and personal health, planters can increase their chances of success. It is essential to seek support, build accountability networks, and prioritize personal and spiritual well-being throughout the journey.

Addressing these issues strategically and intentionally will position new churches to thrive and make a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God.

Cora Jakes Coleman, Eldest Daughter of T.D. Jakes, Announces Divorce from Rapper SkiiVentura

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Dale Chamberlain

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January 31, 2022

The eldest daughter of megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes, Cora Jakes Coleman, announced last week that her marriage to rapper Richard Brandon Coleman (known by the stage name SkiiVentura) is ending after 10 years. The couple have two adopted children: Amauri (13) and Jason (7).

Coleman posted an announcement to Instagram, saying, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce that my husband and I have decided to divorce. This is a very private and personal matter and I kindly ask for your prayers as I prioritize myself, and most importantly, my children’s well being at this time. God bless.”

Coleman, who is the author of “Faithing It: Bringing Purpose Back to Your Life” and “Ferocious Warrior: Dismantle Your Enemy and Rise,” has been vocal about her struggles with infertility and has used her platform to encourage women of faith in their journeys to motherhood, whether through childbirth or adoption. She also serves as an associate pastor at The Potter’s House, her father’s megachurch in Dallas, Texas, and is licensed through the Potter’s House School of Ministry.

The couple has not announced the reason for their split, and Richard Brandon Coleman has not made a public comment regarding the divorce. The artist, who goes by the name SkiiVentura, is known for producing music that he says reflects his conversations with God. He suffered from renal failure in 2018, which led to his hospitalization and a slow recovery, an event which he says shaped his perspective moving forward.

“I promised myself after experiencing not having energy to get up out of bed in the morning or not having the appetite to eat—or me throwing up every time—I would eat something or drink something if I got the chance to get out and get better, that I was going to live every single day like it was my last,” the rapper told the Dallas Observer.

One day after the announcement, Cora Jakes Coleman posted on Instagram again with what she regularly refers to as “Your Cora Check-in,” wherein she encourages her followers to “drink your water and mind your business” and shares a daily affirmation.

“Your affirmation for today is, ‘I’m okay,’” Coleman said. “That’s your affirmation for today. Listen, trust Him. He’s got you. Do not be afraid.”

Chick-fil-A Has Been Labeled As Anti-Gay, yet Maine Location Is Owned by Same-Sex Couple

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Jesse T. Jackson

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January 31, 2022

Chick-fil-A is America’s favorite fast food restaurant and has been for the seven consecutive years. The restaurant known for its delicious chicken and top-notch customer service is often in the news for its Christian values, and especially for its stance regarding biblical marriage.

In 2019, the city of San Antonio, Texas, blocked Chick-fil-A from opening a new restaurant at its airport because of CEO Dan Cathy’s outspoken stance on same-sex marriage. The city does “not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior,” city council member Roberto Trevino said at the time.

Trinity University, a college in Texas, also barred Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant on campus because the popular chain charitably gives to organizations known for speaking out against LGBTQ+ initiatives and organizations.

Those actions led Texas Governor Greg Abbott to sign a law protecting businesses like Chick-fil-A from discrimination due to their religious beliefs or where they donate money.

Cathy told the Baptist Press in 2012 that he was “guilty as charged” for supporting and leading a company that supports traditional marriage. “We are very much supportive of the family—the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”

“We operate as a family business…our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single,” Cathy continued. “We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that.”

Over the past decade, public support in America for the LGBTQ+ community has increased while support for the value of Biblical marriage has waned. Cathy has come under fire for being vocal about his beliefs. “We intend to stay the course,” he said. “We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles.”

In 2020, Chick-fil-A announced a shift in its charitable giving, stating it would no longer donate to groups like Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Salvation Army. The company’s giving would focus “exclusively in the areas of hunger, homelessness, and education.” Both FCA and the Salvation Army have been criticized for holding anti-LGBTQ+ stances.

This shift in donation policy led some Christians, including former Arkansas Governor and current Conservative Baptist Network Steering Council member Mike Huckabee to argue that Chick-fil-A was caving to secular pressure. “The sad message of @ChickfilA is quite clear,” Huckabee tweeted. “They surrendered to anti-Christian hate groups. Tragic.”

New Jersey Township Mayor Doesn’t Want Chick-fil-A

The latest attempt to block construction of a Chick-fil-A is Mayor Michael Venezia of Bloomfield Township in New Jersey. The mayor is calling on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority to reconsider its decision to allow a Chick-fil-A to be built at an upcoming service area located on the Garden State Parkway.

In Lawsuit, Catholic Lawyer Claims World Relief Rescinded Job Offer Because He Is Gay

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Kathryn Post

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January 31, 2022

(RNS) — A lawyer in Spokane, Washington, is suing an evangelical-run humanitarian organization for discrimination, alleging the organization rescinded his job offer due to his sexual orientation.

Emmanuel Campos Gonzalez, a licensed attorney, filed a lawsuit against World Relief on Monday (Jan. 24) stating that the group violated Washington’s law against discrimination.

“The allegation he’s making is that the job offer that was given to him at World Relief Spokane was rescinded because he is in a same-sex marriage,” Campos Gonzalez’s lawyer, Stephen Bergman, told Religion News Service.

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, involved in refugee resettlement and immigration aid, disaster relief, addressing extreme poverty and ending violence against vulnerable populations. World Relief has had an office in Spokane for 30 years and has settled roughly 10,000 refugees during that time.

Campos Gonzalez is Catholic and has been married to his husband since 2012. According to the complaint, he signed up to volunteer at World Relief Spokane’s immigration law clinic in August 2021. During the interview process for the volunteer post, he learned of and applied to a paid position as a Department of Justice Accredited Representative.

“One of my goals, when I went to law school, was to become an immigration attorney to help other immigrants like me,” Campos Gonzalez told local news outlet 4 News Now. In the position, Campos Gonzalez would have provided legal representation for Immigration Legal Services clients.

The lawsuit states that in late September, Campos Gonzalez received a verbal job offer for the position and was scheduled for an Oct. 18 start date. Two weeks later, World Relief’s director of human resources allegedly informed Campos Gonzalez the job offer was rescinded. While the director of human resources declined to clarify the reasons for the decision, the lawsuit says Mark Finney, executive director of World Relief Spokane, indicated it was due to a policy of the National Association of Evangelicals, an umbrella organization to World Relief.

The NAE policy, which applies to subsidiary organizations, requires employee’s sexual activities take place within the “biblical covenant of marriage between a man and a woman,” according to the lawsuit.

Sam Smith, who was the director of immigration legal services at World Relief Spokane at the time and who initially hired Campos Gonzalez, said members of the World Relief Spokane office were not informed about this employment policy.

“No one in our office knew about it,” said Smith, whose team Campos Gonzalez would have joined. “This isn’t something that we were operating under knowingly, so that’s part of where our frustration came from, that failure in communication.”

Smith resigned after World Relief’s national office rescinded Campos Gonzalez’s job offer and says those who remain in the Spokane office were also troubled by the incident, even if not all of them are currently in a position to seek employment elsewhere.

Vatican Braces for 2022 Deficit as Donations Drop in Wake of Financial Scandal

By

Claire Giangrave

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January 31, 2022

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Donations to the Holy See are expected to continue to drop following financial scandals currently at the heart of a high-profile Vatican trial. The institution is tackling an expected deficit of $37 million, according to its 2022 budget projection published Friday (Jan. 28).

The Vatican expects to have an income of $857.1 million and expenditures of $894 million in 2022. Efforts to cut costs in the department and offices that make up the Roman Curia have led to a reduction of its expenditures by about $4.5 million.

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the institution’s finances, which largely depend on foreign tourists visiting the Vatican Museums. But financial scandals surrounding the purchase of a costly property in London using a fund destined for charity, known as Peter’s Pence, has undermined the Vatican’s credibility and cost it millions of dollars.

The London property purchase is at the center of the ongoing Vatican trial of 10 individuals, including Cardinal Angelo Becciu, who are charged with — among other things — abuse of power, corruption and money laundering.

The Vatican will publish a report on Peter’s Pence in the coming months, but donations are expected to have decreased by 15% in 2021, said Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves, head of the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Economy, in an interview with Vatican Media published alongside the 2022 budget.

Donations to Peter’s Pence in 2021 decreased to barely over $41 million following a downward trend that can be traced to before the onslaught of the pandemic.

While COVID-19 has negatively impacted donations due to reduced Mass attendance, Guerrero acknowledged that the real issue is restoring the reputation of the church among the faithful by increasing transparency and enacting modern accounting regulations.

“We are well aware that we have made major mistakes in financial management, which have undermined the credibility of the Holy See,” Guerrero said. “We seek to learn from them and we believe we have remedied them so that they do not happen again.”

The Rev. Juan Antonio Guerrero Alves in 2019. Photo by Robert Ballecer, courtesy of Society of Jesus

Guerrero also said the Vatican has signed a contract with a buyer for the controversial London property. “The loss from the alleged swindle,” Guerrero said, “was already taken into account in the balance sheet.”

Other measures include enacting Pope Francis’ new laws requiring greater fairness and transparency in the institution and reducing expenses by Vatican departments. “Obviously, there is a limit to the reduction — the mission has to be accomplished,” Guerrero said.

In 2019, Pope Francis issued a law for the purchase of goods and services by Vatican entities that, while increasing transparency, also added to the length and bureaucracy of such operations.

For Tornado-Ravaged Churches, Rebuilding Means Rethinking

By

Bobby Ross Jr.

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January 31, 2022

MAYFIELD, Ky. (AP) — Mayfield First United Methodist Church, a century-old temple with stately columns and stained-glass windows, has long been an anchor in the life of Kathy O’Nan, the city’s 68-year-old mayor.

She directed the children’s choir for 42 years and attended countless worship services and ceremonies, from weddings to funerals to the baptisms of both her children — before a massive tornado tore off the church’s roof and covered the front entrance in rubble.

“It was just my home,” O’Nan said. “For all of us, it was our home.”

First United Methodist is one of a half-dozen historic churches in the central core of this western Kentucky community that were destroyed or heavily damaged, all with roots dating to the 1800s. Most of their sanctuaries were more than 100 years old, constructed when worship spaces tended to be grand with amenities such as giant pipe organs, heavy wooden pews and the now-collapsed dome that once crowned the nearby First Christian Church.

While the rubble is still being cleared, it’s already apparent that Mayfield’s historic congregations, most with graying, shrinking flocks, are unlikely to rebuild in anything resembling their previous architectural glory. Their leaders say they must instead adapt to meet 21st-century needs and possibilities.

“People at the turn of the last century took great pride in building buildings they thought honored God, and that is no longer the style anymore,” said the Rev. Milton West, senior minister at First Christian.

“I think all of the congregations in the downtown area are using this experience to re-envision their ministries … and how they might make a difference in our community,” West added. “I think the whole town of Mayfield has an opportunity to reinvigorate itself. There were a lot of empty buildings when the storm hit.”

Firefighters say the tornado damaged or destroyed about 1,300 homes, businesses and houses of worship Dec. 10 when it swept through the close-knit town of some 10,000 residents.

Besides First United Methodist and First Christian, the red-brick First Presbyterian Church on Mayfield’s main street and Fairview Baptist Church, about a half-mile away, were destroyed as well. First Baptist Church and St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church sustained heavy damage that could take years to repair.

“These churches were a spiritual touchstone for the community,” West said.

His First Christian expects to receive at least $5 million from its insurance company. But that’s not enough to rebuild like before — replacing just the $800,000 organ and the Steinway piano would account for about one-fifth of the payout, according to the pastor.

Pakistan Gunmen Kill Christian Priest on Way Home From Mass

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AP News

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January 31, 2022

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Gunmen killed one Christian priest and wounded another as they were driving home from Sunday Mass in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar, police said.

Father William Siraj, 75, was shot multiple times and died instantly in the ambush in the Gulbahar neighborhood, while Father Naeem Patrick was treated briefly in hospital for a gunshot wound to the hand, officer Iqbal Shah said. A third priest in the car was unharmed.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, the latest on Pakistan’s tiny Christian minority that has been targeted several times by militants in recent years. Militant violence has been a broader increase since the Pakistani Taliban ended a ceasefire with the government last month.

A memorial service for Father Siraj will be held on Monday at Peshawar’s All Saint’s Church, which was brutally attacked by militants with bombs and gunfire in 2013. Over 70 worshippers were killed and 100 wounded.

Police said they were reviewing CCTV footage to locate the attackers, who witnesses said escaped on motorcycles.

Chief Minister Mahmood Shah of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province condemned the attack, urging police to find the culprits as soon as possible. Bishop Humphrey Peters also condemned the killing, saying it aimed to harm interfaith harmony.

Also Sunday, a bomb planted in a parked motorcycle exploded in the southwestern Baluchistan province, wounding 16 passersby, police said. No one immediately claimed responsibility.

This article originally appeared here.

Ten Tips on Sermon Illustrations

By

Barry York

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January 31, 2022

Sermon illustrations can be a glorious bridge in a sermon between the text of God’s Word and the congregation. A good illustration can open up a passage of Scripture, bring understanding to God’s people, and touch their hearts with application. They paint a picture upon the listener’s imagination to bring clarity and ways to implement the spiritual truths being set before them.

Yet an illustration can also distract and disorient if not done well.

So here are ten tips on sermon illustrations that can help make illustrations connect for preachers with their congregation.

The primary source of sermon illustrations should be the Bible, though it is not necessary that they exclusively come from the Scriptures. We take our cue here from our Lord, the Master Preacher and one who emphasized how Scripture is to interpret Scripture in part with sermon illustrations from it. Clearly Jesus used the Old Testament to illustrate His teachings. He spoke of Jonah in the fish’s belly for three days to picture His resurrection, David’s eating the priest’s bread for Sabbath freedom, and the flood in Noah’s day for His final coming. Preachers should do likewise.

Yet the Bible does not always have to be the source of sermon illustrations. Jesus also pointed to common day objects, people, and news events in delivering His message. Preachers have that freedom as well.

They should make the text more clear, not less. The primary purpose of an illustration is that it is a “window” to the text. If an illustration in any way draws the attention away from the text to the preacher, obscures what God’s Word is saying, or is thrown in to just draw a laugh or show cleverness, the illustration should find its way to the garbage bin instead of the sermon manuscript.

When it comes to sermon illustrations, usually the shorter the better. Long, drawn out stories can take listeners further and further from the the text and theme of the sermon. Think of Jesus’ parables. Most of them would only take a minute or so of time to tell. When I was in seminary, what we used to call Spear’s Law of Preaching applies to illustrations as well as sermons: “If it’s going to be long, it better be good.”

Sermon illustrations should be convincing and not be inaccurate, improbable, or canned. As I learned a few times the hard way when preaching in an automotive city surrounded by farms in Indiana, if I was going to speak about cars or farm animals, I better get the details correct! Also, developing overly complicated or fantastical illustrations defeats the very purpose of them, which is letting in light. And taking overused stories from others and using them is like serving stale leftovers. Better to “cook up” illustrations of your own.

However, illustrations can come from others – you just need to give them credit. Occasionally, an illustration another used is so fitting that you want to use it in a message. That’s okay as long as you tell the congregation where you heard it. I have used James Boice’s Monopoly money illustration numerous times to show how our own righteousness is worthless in God’s economy and that’s why we need the righteousness of Christ. (Probably about time to put it away for a time to avoid the error above.) In the age of the internet, trying to act as if an illustration is your own when a famous preacher has used it is fool’s gold.

They must be acceptable to the setting and timing. It should go without saying, but clearly some preachers do not understand this principle. An illustration used when talking to a high school boy’s gathering may not be fitting when speaking on the Lord’s Day in church or at a women’s retreat. I once visited the same church on two different occasions, separated by a long period of time, and both times heard illustrations that were not appropriate for a locker room, much less a sanctuary. Additionally, given a congregation’s present history some illustrations should be avoided. For instance, the Bible uses the metaphor of a miscarriage to illustrate futility, but mentioning that when a lady in the church has recently suffered one would be wise to avoid.

Do not let them be boring or boorish. If there is one place that should be guaranteed to be more lively and engaging in a sermon, it is when an illustration is given. If a story or anecdote is done poorly and does not hold the interest of the listeners, then things do not bode well for the rest of the sermon. Make them lively both in their content and presentation! Neither should the preacher seek to use the illustration in a condescending way, for instance having as its motivation an attempt to show the superiority of his church over others. Jesus used illustrations to humble pride, not encourage it.

If an apology is needed, do not use it. I have heard preachers say, “I probably should not say this, but…” then go ahead and launch into something that is inappropriate to the church’s holiness. For example, a preacher may have watched an R-rated movie, but drawing an illustration from it to use on a Sunday morning must be done wisely. He can distract the teenager or a mom who is thinking, “He watched THAT movie!” as they start thinking more about the inappropriate scene found there than the illustration.

Do not violate confidence or embarrass with an anecdote. A preacher should ask permission from his child or congregant if he is going to mention an incident regarding them in the message. If an anecdote starts causing people to wonder who the preacher is talking about, better to not use it.

Illustrations are not only to give insight into the text, but into the heart as well for application. The preacher is not only to have the Bible constantly in mind as he preaches, but his hearers as well. When using an illustration, he should consider if it not only helps explain the text, but also helps the listener know how to respond to the truth as well.

One of the most evident examples of this principle is seen in Jesus’ conclusion to the Sermon on the Mount. He ends His message with the very short story (Another tip is to make sermon conclusions brief!) of two men building houses on rock and sand to highlight the difference between those who hear and obey versus those who only hear. Not only was the Lord highlighting the moral force the Word of God has in that it is to be obeyed whenever heard, but He was pressing that truth upon those standing on the mountainside listening to Him.

This article about 10 tips on sermon illustrations originally appeared here.

R.C. Sproul: Is Marriage ‘Just a Piece of Paper’?

By

R.C. Sproul

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January 31, 2022

In the past few decades, the option of living together, rather than moving into a formal marriage contract, has proliferated in our culture. Christians must be careful not to establish their precepts of marriage (or any other ethical dimension of life) on the basis of contemporary community standards. The Christian’s conscience is to be governed not merely by what is socially acceptable or even by what is legal according to the law of the land, but rather by what God sanctions.

Unfortunately, some Christians have rejected the legal and formal aspects of marriage, arguing that marriage is a matter of private and individual commitment between two people and has no legal or formal requirements. These view marriage as a matter of individual private decision apart from external ceremony. The question most frequently asked of clergymen on this matter reflects the so-called freedom in Christ: “Why do we have to sign a piece of paper to make it legal?”

The signing of a piece of paper is not a matter of affixing one’s signature in ink to a meaningless document. The signing of a marriage certificate is an integral part of what the Bible calls a covenant. A covenant is made publicly before witnesses and with formal legal commitments that are taken seriously by the community. The protection of both partners is at stake; there is legal recourse should one of the partners act in a way that is destructive to the other.

Contracts are signed out of the necessity spawned by the presence of sin in our fallen nature. Because we have an enormous capacity to wound each other, sanctions have to be imposed by legal contracts. Contracts not only restrain sin, but also protect the innocent in the case of legal and moral violation. With every commitment I make to another human being, there is a sense in which a part of me becomes vulnerable, exposed to the response of the other person. No human enterprise renders a person more vulnerable to hurt than does the estate of marriage.

God ordained certain rules regulating marriage in order to protect people. His law was born of love, concern, and compassion for His fallen creatures. The sanctions God imposed on sexual activity outside marriage do not mean that God is a spoilsport or a prude. Sex is an enjoyment He Himself created and gave to the human race. God, in His infinite wisdom, understands that there is no time that human beings are more vulnerable than when they are engaged in this most intimate activity. Thus, He cloaks this special act of intimacy with certain safeguards. He is saying to both the man and the woman that it is safe to give oneself to the other only when there is a certain knowledge of a lifelong commitment behind it. There is a vast difference between a commitment sealed with a formal document and declared in the presence of witnesses, including family, friends, and authorities of church and state, and a whispered, hollow promise breathed in the back seat of a car.

This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.

You May Not Know What to Pray, but the Holy Spirit Does

By

J.D. Greear

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January 29, 2022

A lot of us say we want to live by faith, but the moment we can’t see or understand what God is doing, we throw up our hands to pray and say, “Are you even there, God?”

We want to live by faith, but we also want to be able to understand why every bad thing happens. We want to be able to say, “Oh, I see. I get it now.” But that is not walking by faith. That’s walking by sight.

Faith means trusting God even when you can’t see him. As the Apostle Paul says in Romans 8, faith means waiting to experience resolution until the end.

While we wait to experience the glory of eternity, we can trust that God is working. And, we can trust that the Holy Spirit is perfectly interceding for us:

“In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

– Romans 8:26–27 CSB

What does it mean that the Spirit groans in us? Paul uses this word “groan” to mirror what creation is doing, and it reveals a couple of things about the Holy Spirit.

First, that groan indicates deep emotion. We may not often consider that Jesus experienced emotions, but one of the most moving scenes of Jesus’ life takes place in John 11 when he weeps at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. In the same way, the Spirit feels our pain with us.

I don’t know about you, but in my lowest moments, I don’t want answers so much as I want someone. I want to know that I’m not walking through the valley of the shadow of death alone. And this is precisely the assurance that Romans 8:26 gives us. When we weep, the Spirit of God weeps with us.

This is good news in a society that too often tries to deal with pain by minimizing it. How often have you heard someone going through a tough time be told, “Well, at least …” My guess is you’ve been on the receiving end of this more than you’d like. And, if you’re honest, you’ve probably offered that kind of line, too.

Suffering, however, is not a competitive sport. Just because someone else got hit by a truck doesn’t make your chronic knee pain hurt less. Just because someone else has terminal cancer doesn’t mean your infertility is any less of a struggle.

Thank God that the Spirit doesn’t meet us in our pain with “At least …” The Spirit knows our pain is real. Jesus knows it’s real. They feel it with you, and the Spirit groans even more deeply than you do.

But the Spirit doesn’t just empathize with us. Groaning also indicates the Spirit’s wisdom. The Spirit prays “according to the will of God.” He prays the will of God perfectly over us, that God’s good purpose will be accomplished to the letter.

The assurance that he is going to pray for us is something every follower of Jesus can rest in.

One of the greatest prayer warriors to ever walk the earth was my childhood pastor, Dr. Sheehan. He would always respond to a need by saying, “I’m praying for you. But more importantly, Jesus is.” Romans 8 says, “So is the Spirit.” The whole Trinity is involved in the work of bringing good from your suffering.

Be encouraged: In your moment of pain, when you can’t even express the words yourself, the Holy Spirit will pray for you.

This article originally appeared here.

It’s a TikTok World

By

James Emery White

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January 29, 2022

The most popular site in 2021 was not Google, Amazon, Facebook nor YouTube.

It was TikTok.

If you are unfamiliar with TikTok, it is a video-sharing platform akin to YouTube that allows users to post one-minute-or-less videos. TikTok stars now make more than many of America’s top CEOs, such as the $17.5 million made in 2021 by Charli D’Amelio; and not too far behind her was her sister Dixie who brought in $10 million.

The user demographic of TikTok skews young. Nearly one-quarter of its users in 2021 were between the ages of 10 and 19. This helps explain the number of viral TikTok videos that have been dangerous or, in many people’s minds, just plain dumb, coining phrases such as a TikTok video that has gone “tok-bottom” or “a-tok-alyptic.”

There are two dynamics fueling the popularity of TikTok’s content: It is short, and it is visual. I talked about the importance of both dynamics in my book Meet Generation Z.

Attention Spans

What has been conventional wisdom is true: Attention spans have been shrinking dramatically in recent years; more dramatically than most have realized. According to the research of the National Center for Biotechnology Information, the average attention span has dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to just 8.25 seconds in 2015. That’s approximately a 25% drop in a little more than a decade. So, what does this mean for, say, a church trying to reach out to an internet-based generation? Here are some internet browsing statistics that may cause you to rethink everything:

Average length watched of a single internet video: 2.7 minutes
Percent of page views that last less than 4 seconds: 17%
Percent of page views that lasted more than 10 minutes: 4%
Percent of words read on web pages with 111 words or less: 49%
Percent of words read on an average (593 words) webpage: 28%

Bottom line? Whatever it is we are attempting to convey, much less explain, will need to be communicated more frequently in shorter bursts of “snackable content—at least initially in the ‘engagement’ phase.”

Some have suggested that what is really operating are highly evolved “eight-second filters.” Generation Z, for example, has grown up in a world where options and information are virtually limitless; time, of course, is not. So, they have developed, almost out of necessity, the ability to quickly sort through enormous amounts of data. Or they rely on sources that do that for them, such as trending information within apps.

The good news is that once something does gain their attention, and is deemed worthy of their time, they can become intensely committed and focused. The very internet that forced them to evolve “eight-second filters” is the same internet that allows them to go deep on any topic they desire and to learn from a community of fellow interested parties. This means you can still engage people on a very deep level with truth. The bad news? You’ve got eight seconds to get past their filters. As one 18-year-old UCLA student said, “Generation Z takes in information instantaneously, and loses interest just as fast.” That’s why Dan Schawbel, managing partner of Millennial Branding, a New York consultancy, tells his advertising partners “that if they don’t communicate in five words and a big picture, they will not reach this generation.”

Bible Word Search: 8 Fun Learning Resources for Kids

By

Stephanie Martin

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January 28, 2022

Kids of all ages love puzzles and fun learning activities. That’s why a Bible word search is ideal for reinforcing Scripture verses and lessons. Age-appropriate challenges help children remember and cherish God’s Word.

Many free Bible word search resources are available online to download. Find a puzzle that fits well with your Sunday school or children’s church topic. Print copies to hand out as children leave. Or keep some handy in classrooms for kids who finish activities early.

Other options include distributing copies of a Bible word search in children’s worship bulletins. Or mail puzzles to kids who are sick. Include a personalized note as well as the church contact information. Also encourage children to share a Bible word search (and kind words) with a friend!

To help you get started, we’ve assembled a bunch of Bible word search options. Check them out and let us know if you have other suggestions. You might even want to join the fun and solve a puzzle or two yourself!

8 Great Sources for Bible Word Search Puzzles

1. Bible Stories

The puzzles posted here cover a wide range of Bible accounts, from Creation to Acts.

2. Bible Topics Galore

The free puzzles at this site help grow young brains while nurturing young faith and hearts.

3. Books of the Bible

This is a great resource for learning the books of the Bible—from both the Old and New Testaments.

4. Names of Jesus

Throughout this word search, children will find a bunch of scriptural names for Jesus.

5. Animals in the Bible

Animals are guaranteed to make for a fun word search. Bonus: Provide crayons and encourage children to draw their favorite animals in the margins!

Husband of Former Miss Mississippi Fatally Shot in Front of Wife and Son While Sharing the Gospel

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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January 28, 2022

Last week, the husband of former Miss Mississippi was fatally shot in front of his 2-year-old child while sharing the gospel with people in Montgomery, Alabama.

Thomas Hand Jr. (37) and Christine Kozlowski Hand (33) were married in 2016 and have a son, Roman (2). The couple announce they that were expecting their second child together two days before Thomas was shot and killed. Hand also has a child and stepchild from a previous marriage.

It has been reported that Kevin Rayan, a family friend, said that Hand was standing alongside his wife and son and sharing the gospel with a family in a poor neighborhood when a mumbling, shirtless, 17-year-old male walked up to Hand and shot him.

Police say Hand was pronounced dead at the scene, and they have arrested and charged the gunman, Jerimiah Walker, with capital murder. The incident took place on January 22, 2022 around 4:30 PM on the 3100 block of Texas Street in Montgomery, Alabama.

Hand was known as someone who loved fitness and had competed as a bodybuilder. He found God in 2018, loved to study the Bible, and would frequently share the gospel with others in low-income areas in Alabama on Saturdays. He hoped that one day he’d become a preacher.

The family had just moved to Alabama from New Orleans to escape the violence that was growing in their Louisiana suburb.

Christine told Dailymail.com, “What you said is true. It was a complete random act of violence.” She also posted on her Facebook page thanking everyone for their thoughts and prayers.

“Thank you for all of the thoughts and prayers during this time of the passing of my husband Tommy Hand,” Christine wrote. “I feel the love and support from everyone and just wanted to let everyone know that indeed Tommy was shot and killed last night on Texas Street in Montgomery, AL. I appreciate and welcome all of the messages, I’m just overwhelmed with all the questions and retelling of the details of what happened. I will at [a] later date release more information to explain everything to everyone.”

Christine’s sister, Danielle Kozlowski, posted on Facebook that she set up a GoFundMe page for those who wanted to help. The funds collected will go into a savings account for Hand’s son and unborn child.

“The funds raised by this account will go toward helping pay for my nephew Roman and the baby’s future expenses,” the page reads. “Any and all funds donated will be appreciated during this tough time for the Hand family. My sister Christine Kozlowski Hand will be the beneficiary for this account.”

Over $39,000 had been raised at the time this article was published. “The Hand Family, as well as The Kozlowski Family thank you all tremendously for the amount of love and support that everyone has shown,” Kozlowski wrote.

Church Planter Training Video Criticized for Appearing Prejudiced Against Pastors From the South

By

Dale Chamberlain

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January 28, 2022

southern accents — Screen shot from YouTube.

An uproar on social media occurred this week in response to a church planter training video produced by the North American Mission Board’s Send Network, which seemed to imply that southern church planters should consider working to lose their southern accents in order to appear more intelligent. The North American Mission Board (NAMB) is the domestic missions agency of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

In the video, which could be found on YouTube, pastor and church planter Kenji Adachi discussed the importance of contextualization for church planters, centering his presentation on the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 9, wherein Paul says that he has become “all things to all people, that by all means” he might save some.

Adachi went on to describe someone he knew who went to extraordinary lengths to bridge cultural gaps between himself and those to whom he was ministering in Boston, MA.

“This planter, I asked him where he was from, and he said that he was from South Carolina. And I was stunned. I said, ‘Did you grow up there?’ I was stunned, because he didn’t have an accent. And I said, ‘What happened to your southern accent?’ Because I’m a North Carolinian,” Adachi recounted. “And he says this: ‘I got a voice coach when I first moved here to get rid of my southern accent.’”

“Man, you talk about someone being all things to all people so that he can reach people for Christ,” Adachi said. “This is so critical as we think about who we are trying to reach, instead of just thinking about who we are. We need both. We need to understand the culture around us.”

Taken by itself, Adachi’s story might not have been the center of any controversy. However, as Adachi spoke about the church planter who worked to lose his southern accent, a graphic appeared on the bottom left of the screen which read, “According to a 2012 study conducted by the University of Chicago, people with southern accents are assumed less intelligent than their northern accented peers, even among children.”

Some who saw the video took this as a tacit affirmation of the stereotype that people with southern regional accents are, or at least seem, unintelligent.

One of those people was Tom Buck, who serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in Lindale, TX, and who has a southern accent.

“I’m sick of this, but people need to know how their @SBCCP & @sendnetwork dollars are used,” Buck tweeted. “NAMB church planters w/ Southern accents are encouraged to lose their accent because ‘people w/ Southern accents are assumed less intelligent.’”

“Everyone knows if NAMB had said that an individual of a different ethnicity changed his vernacular because a study found that people thought talking that way sounded unintelligent, everyone (including me) would be outraged. And rightly so,” Buck later said.

Amid Scandals, Catholic Church Needs ‘a Housecleaning,’ Says Actor Mel Gibson

By

Stephanie Martin

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January 28, 2022

Mel Gibson, an actor and director who’s faced numerous personal controversies, says the scandal-ridden Catholic Church must regain “equilibrium.” Speaking with Extra, the Oscar-winner says, “It’s lamentable all the stuff that’s gone on. Like any institution, [the Church] is capable of being corrupt.”

Gibson adds, “I don’t think it’s the institution that’s at fault. I think it’s a lot of people they get in it.” Because the Catholic Church “is having a bit of a rugged time right now,” he says, “I think there’s going to need to be a housecleaning.”

This week, the Vatican defended Pope Benedict XVI’s handling of sexual abuse cases, saying he defrocked almost 400 priests and met with abuse victims.

Mel Gibson: Catholic Church Should Go ‘Back to Basics’

Gibson, raised as a traditionalist Catholic, says “nothing [was] wrong” with the Catholic Church before the changes of Vatican II. “It didn’t need to be fixed,” he says. Now Gibson wonders “who’s hiring” bishops and popes, adding, “I don’t think it’s Jesus.” Traditionalism, or Sedevacantism, equates modernism in the Catholic Church as heresy.

In Malibu, California, Gibson founded The Church of the Holy Family, which isn’t affiliated with the Roman Catholic diocese. The actor stars with fellow Catholic Mark Wahlberg in the upcoming film “Father Stu,” about boxer-turned-priest Stuart Long. Sony plans to release the movie in theaters on April 15, Good Friday.

For years, Gibson has faced allegations of anti-Semitism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Although his 2004 film “The Passion of the Christ” was panned by many critics for its depiction of Jews, it made more than $600 million at the box office. A sequel is reportedly in the works.

How Has Mel Gibson Survived Cancel Culture?

With Gibson’s name attached to several upcoming projects, some people wonder why he’s still working in Hollywood. Last month, actor Joshua Malina railed against Gibson’s alleged anti-Semitism in an Atlantic article. Malina accuses production studios of “wearing moral blinders” and prioritizing dollars over Gibson’s history of hate speech. Referring to an uptick in hate crimes against Jews, Malina writes, “Is this really the time to glorify a man like Mel Gibson?”

A 2020 Variety article posits several explanations for Gibson’s resilience in the entertainment industry. They range from white male privilege and the public’s short memory to Gibson’s “deep bench of Hollywood supporters” and his likeability on set.

Gibson’s comeback isn’t necessarily surprising, according to Hollywood PR expert Howard Bragman. “I never write off somebody who’s a star,” he says. “I always think they’re capable again of reaching greatness.” Any future questionable incidents may change that, Bragman notes. But so far “the people that are Mel Gibson fans tend to be the people who might actually rebel against political correctness.”

Reputation also plays a key role, says Bragman. Because Gibson has always been considered “a bad boy,” people become “numb” to reports of misbehavior. “Some people can get away with things, and some people can’t,” Bragman says. In Hollywood “two people may do the exact same thing, and one may lose their career and one may…be just fine.”

Jerry Falwell Jr. Addresses ‘False Media Reports’ About Him Following Vanity Fair Profile

By

Dale Chamberlain

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January 28, 2022

Jerry Falwell Jr., former president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia and son of preacher and conservative activist Jerry Falwell Sr., made headlines earlier this week, when a Vanity Fair interview revealed that Falwell didn’t consider himself “a religious person.”

The profile focused on Falwell’s rise to evangelical stardom, from his relationship with his father to his pivotal role in bringing Liberty back from the verge of financial collapse, his remarkable success as the university’s president, which rose to greater prominence among evangelical educational institutions under his leadership, as well as the controversies surrounding his marriage and personal conduct, and his eventual departure from Liberty.

Speaking about his father’s legacy and his own fall from grace, Falwell told Vanity Fair, “It’s almost like I didn’t have a choice.” As Falwell stepped into leadership, he did so in the shadow of his father, who cofounded the Moral Majority, founded Liberty University, and planted a megachurch in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“Because of my last name, people think I’m a religious person. But I’m not. My goal was to make them realize I was not my dad,” Falwell went on to say.

As someone who served as president for an unabashedly evangelical university for over a decade, Falwell’s words came as a shock to many, and a number of news outlets reported on Falwell’s revelatory statement.

Some evangelicals have remarked about the dissonance between Falwell’s public persona as an evangelical leader and his private beliefs and practices.

“It seemed like [Falwell] was taking all that he could from his name and taking all that he could from his affiliation with Liberty, while taking as little as he could in the form of obligations, or assuming as little as he could in the form of obligation,” said David French on a recent “Holy Post” podcast episode. “And that’s a very unsustainable lifestyle. And that brings you to the tragic part of this, which is, that is a life that is set for a collapse.”

“It’s helpful to remember that public figures aren’t avatars but real people who have hurts and pains. Doesn’t mean we don’t need accountability but we should keep their humanity in mind before we use them as a way to make a point,” tweeted Daniel Darling, Director of the Land Center at Southwestern Seminary. “I think it applies to any public figure. The Falwell stuff initially triggered [my statement] but it applies to really any public figure. We tend to want to reduce them to avatars.”

One person who did not seem at all surprised by Falwell’s words was Russell Moore, director of the Public Theology Project at Christianity Today.

On Thursday, Moore released an article entitled “Jerry Falwell Jr. Isn’t a Hypocrite.” In the article, Moore argued that, based on Falwell’s words and actions across multiple years, his goals had always seemed to be more political than theological in nature.

A Christian Music Tour During the Pandemic? NewSong’s Russ Lee Shares Why It’s Important

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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January 28, 2022

russ_lee_winterjam — (L) Russ Lee (R) Winter Jam promo screengrab via Instagram @winterjamtour

Winter Jam is an annual Christian music tour that showcases artists such as Skillet, TobyMac, Newsboys, NewSong, Andy Mineo, Lecrae, Red, David Crowder, Rend Collective, for KING & COUNTRY, Colton Dixon, Lauren Daigle, Trip Lee, Sidewalk Prophets, Hillsong UNITED, Third Day, Ledger, Tenth Avenue North, Kari Jobe, Steven Curtis Chapman, Hawk Nelson, and more.

The tour started on January 7 and runs through March 27, ending it’s 40-city tour in Allen, Texas.

Winter Jam also focuses on the hard work youth pastors and student leaders do by providing a exclusive reception at each concert, where they thank them for the important work they do in the student’s lives. Winter Jam leaders, pastors, some of its artists encourage them and pray over them and allow them to have a more up-close and personal time with some of their favorite bands.

Each night the concert stops to explain the gospel to everyone in attendance and invites people to commit their lives to Jesus Christ. Greg Stier announced in 2020 that, in just one weekend, the tour witnessed over 5,000 first time decisions for Jesus.

NewSong founded the tour in 1995. Since then, it has become one of the most attended music tours, Christian or non-Christian, every year. According to their website, the tour has often outpaced any other tour’s attendance worldwide, based on Pollstar statistics.

ChurchLeaders reached out to NewSong’s Russ Lee to discuss this year’s Winter Jam tour and why now, more than ever, working through the hurdles of the pandemic is worth it to spread the name of Jesus throughout the country.

CL: Why start winter jam back up this year after missing a year due to the pandemic?

Lee: We felt like it was time for us to encourage Christians and others to get back together for the sake of communities and to strengthen and gather local believers for corporate fellowship and worship.

CL: What type of obstacles did you run into planning out this year’s tour?

Lee: We always face the obstacles of routing the tour so that it makes sense for our drivers and team, as well as scheduling the artists. Finding venues that were big enough and at the same time could accommodate the new protocols is also a challenge. We did a smaller test run last year and just a few cities and learned a lot of things about what to expect and what to put into place so that the evening at Winter Jam would be safe, comfortable, and at the same time fun.

Pope Denounces Fake News About COVID, Vaccines, Urges Truth

By

Nicole Winfield

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January 28, 2022

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis denounced fake news about COVID-19 and vaccines Friday, blasting the “distortion of reality based on fear” but also urging that people who believe such lies are helped to understand true scientific facts.

Francis met with Catholic journalists who have formed a fact-checking network to try to combat misinformation about the pandemic. Francis has frequently called for responsible journalism that searches for the truth and respects individuals, and his meeting with the “Catholic fact-checking” media consortium furthered that message.

“We can hardly fail to see that these days, in addition to the pandemic, an ‘infodemic’ is spreading: a distortion of reality based on fear, which in our global society leads to an explosion of commentary on falsified if not invented news,” Francis said.

He said access to accurate information, based on scientific data, is a human right that must be especially guaranteed for those who are less equipped to separate out the morass of misinformation and commentary masquerading as fact that is available online.

At the same time, Francis asked for a merciful, missionary approach to those who fall prey to such distortions so they are helped to understand the truth.

“Fake news has to be refuted, but individual persons must always be respected, for they believe it often without full awareness or responsibility,” he said. “Reality is always more complex than we think and we must respect the doubts, the concerns and the questions that people raise, seeking to accompany them without ever dismissing them.”

Some Catholics, including some conservative U.S. bishops and cardinals, have claimed that vaccines based on research that used cells derived from aborted fetuses were immoral, and have refused to get the jabs.

The Vatican’s doctrine office, however, has said it is “morally acceptable” for Catholics to receive COVID-19 vaccines, including those based on research that used cells derived from aborted fetuses. Francis and Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI have both been fully vaccinated with Pfizer-BioNTech shots.

Francis has been one of the most vocal religious leaders speaking out in favor of vaccines and respect for measures to fight the pandemic. He has implied that people have a “moral obligation” to ensure the health care of themselves and others, and the Vatican recently required all staff to either be vaccinated or show proof of having had COVID-19 to access their workplaces.

This article originally appeared here.

Sister Janet Mead, Who Turned the Lord’s Prayer Into a ’70s Rock Hit, Has Died

By

Bob Smietana

-

January 28, 2022

(RNS) — An Australian nun whose rock version of the Lord’s Prayer once competed against Elvis for a Grammy, has died.

Sister Janet Mead was 84, according to a report from the Australian Broadcasting Co.

Her 1973 version of the Lord’s Prayer, featuring distorted guitars, drums and bass, set to a rock tune that would have been at home in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” sold more than a million copies in the United States and millions more worldwide, a 1974 profile of the then-36-year-old Mead by the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The song — which also resembled some of the early Protestant Christian rock music — was nominated for a Grammy but ultimately lost to Elvis Presley’s rendition of “How Great Thou Art.”

A 1975 publicity still of Sister Janet Mead. Photo courtesy of Festival Records

The success of the song caught Mead by surprise. She once recalled that an American journalist suggested people who had been freaked out by “The Exorcist” had run out and bought her records — a suggestion she found hard to believe.

“But I can’t believe people would go and buy it just because it’s sung by a nun,” she told the Morning Herald in 1974. I would never go and buy a record just for the singer, anyway, but then the kids do buy David Cassidy’s records because they like him.”

A 1973 short film, set to the music of Mead’s hit, shows the nun hanging out with young people and then singing her signature tune while backed by a youthful four-piece band. The film shows Mead dressed in her habit and tapping her toes.

Mead also would go on to organize Masses that featured rock music.

“I think that everyone has a song to sing really, haven’t they,” she once told the Australian Broadcasting Co.

Mead, who reportedly donated all the proceeds from her hit song to charity, became a nun at 17. She taught at a Catholic college and was known for her social activism on behalf of the homeless. She was once named Australian of the year because of her charitable work.

She was not the only singing nun to be a one-hit wonder. In 1963, Dominican Sister Luc Gabrielle — known as “Soeur Sourire” or “Sister Smile”— had a pop hit with the song “Dominique.” She would eventually leave her Dominican order to pursue a music career but was never able to recapture her initial success.

Sister Janet Mead's 1983 album "Brand New World." Courtesy image

Sister Janet Mead’s 1983 album “Brand New World.” Courtesy image

In 2014, Sister Cristina Scuccia took the Italian version of the television show “The Voice” by storm. An Ursuline nun, she won that year’s edition of the television series and, known as “Suor Cristina,” went on to sign a record contract and performed in a stage version of the film “Sister Act.”

Mead’s version of the Lord’s Prayer was one of a number of hits with spiritual or religious themes in the late 1960s and early 1970s, from Jesus Christ Superstar and Spirit in the Sky to My Sweet Lord and Put Your Hand in the Hand.

Mead, who saw her 1970s musical stardom as a nuisance, said she became interested in rock music as a way to connect with young people.

“I was constantly involved with teenagers through being a teacher and I came to realise how important rock was to them,” she told the Morning Herald in 1974. “I decided to use it to bring them together in the name of God with the introduction of rock Masses to the cathedral.”

This article originally appeared here.

Claremont School of Theology Ordered to Offer Land to Neighboring Universities

By

Alejandra Molina

-

January 28, 2022

LOS ANGELES (RNS) — The Claremont School of Theology must offer to sell its property to the neighboring Claremont Colleges for a price below market value, a Los Angeles County Superior Court ruled earlier this month.

The Claremont Colleges — made up of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges and two graduate schools — and the Claremont School of Theology, a United Methodist seminary, have been in litigation over the land for nearly six years.

At the center of the dispute is an agreement reached in 1957, when the Claremont Colleges sold the seminary land to relocate to Claremont, a city about 30 miles east of Los Angeles.

Under this decades-old agreement, the consortium of colleges has the right to repurchase the land — for less than the fair market value — if the seminary puts it up for sale. Claremont School of Theology leaders have sought to sell at a higher value than stipulated by the agreement. The seminary had it appraised for nearly $40 million and estimated that under the agreement the price could be as low as 10% of market value. The Claremont Colleges have previously offered $14 million for the property, but the seminary said that wasn’t sufficient.

The court order states the seminary “must promptly make an offer of sale” to the Claremont Colleges in accordance with the “terms and conditions” detailed in the 1957 agreement.

Claremont School of Theology leaders, in a Jan. 6 statement, said they are “considering appealing the decision and will continue to use every avenue available, including arbitration, to receive a fair, reasonable, and equitable price for its property.”

Kah-Jin Jeffrey Kuan, president of the School of Theology, said last fall that the seminary would likely close if it wasn’t able to sell the property for close to the appraised value, according to Inside Higher Ed.

The seminary in 2015 sought to ease its financial struggles by merging with Willamette University, a private university affiliated with the Methodist Church in Salem, Oregon. Due to the litigation, the seminary last summer said selling the property was “no longer an option.” Instead, Claremont School of Theology leaders moved toward becoming a two-campus institution, with a home base in Claremont and a branch at Willamette.

Since the pandemic, the seminary has held its classes online, with faculty members based in Salem, Claremont and elsewhere, and administrators in Claremont, according to United Methodist News.

“Our number one priority is ensuring our current and prospective students maintain access to the world-class education they want and deserve from Claremont School of Theology. We prefer to carry out that mission on our campus in Claremont, where we have successfully done so for more than 135 years,” Kuan said in the statement.

“We hope to collaborate in good faith with The Claremont Colleges Inc. to identify a mutually beneficial and fair resolution to this matter that will allow (Claremont School of Theology) to continue to operate on our present property, perhaps on a smaller footprint,” Kuan said.

Meanwhile, Claremont Colleges officials, in a Jan. 6 statement, said they were pleased with the court’s rulings and remained “steadfast” in ensuring the land “is used in a manner consistent with the higher education mission of The Claremont Colleges.”

The Claremont Colleges said it envisions using the property for additional student housing, office and classroom spaces and new academic programs.

“The litigation has been complex and taken several years, but (the Claremont Colleges) is the prevailing party. The rulings issued provide a clear path forward for resolution of this matter,” the statement read.

This article originally appeared here.

A Changing Landscape in Church Planting

Key Issues Church Planters Face

1. Leadership Development

2. Financial Self-Sufficiency and Viability

3. Team Development and Volunteer Mobilization

4. Systems, Processes, and Cultures

5. Casting Vision and Avoiding Mission Drift

6. Evangelism and Discipleship

7. Spiritual, Physical, and Mental Health of the Planter and Family

Conclusions

New Jersey Township Mayor Doesn’t Want Chick-fil-A

So here are ten tips on sermon illustrations that can help make illustrations connect for preachers with their congregation.

Attention Spans

8 Great Sources for Bible Word Search Puzzles

1. Bible Stories

2. Bible Topics Galore

3. Books of the Bible

4. Names of Jesus

5. Animals in the Bible

Mel Gibson: Catholic Church Should Go ‘Back to Basics’

How Has Mel Gibson Survived Cancel Culture?

New Articles

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