SBC Pastor Matt Queen Resigns a Month After Pleading Guilty to Making False Statements During Federal Abuse Investigation

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November 11, 2024

Matt Queen Resigns — Screengrab via YouTube / @Friendly Avenue Baptist Church

Dr. Matt Queen, a former administrator and professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, has resigned as pastor of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Queen’s resignation comes roughly one month after he pleaded guilty to making false statements to federal investigators during an investigation into whether Southwestern had mishandled allegations of sexual assault.

Friendly Avenue Baptist Church said in a statement to ChurchLeaders that Queen’s resignation from the church is “effective immediately.”

“While this has been a challenging season, we continue to trust in God’s sovereignty and remain focused on our mission,” the church said. “As we move forward, we encourage our congregation and the wider community to stay focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.”

Queen was charged in May with falsification of records amid the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) probe of Southern Baptist entities regarding their handling of sexual abuse allegations. The investigation of Southwestern began in 2022, when Queen was still employed there.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleged that shortly after the DOJ opened its investigation, Southwestern received a report of sexual abuse committed by a student, but the incident was not reported to the DOJ.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office further said that Terri Stovall, who serves as dean of women at the school, created a document in January 2023 that described the failure of Southwestern “to take action regarding the allegation at that time” but that Heath Woolman, then chief of staff, ordered the document destroyed during a meeting with Stovall and Queen.

Queen later produced notes for investigators that he said were from that meeting. The notes conflicted with Stovall’s testimony, and investigators believed them to be falsified.

Queen was placed on administrative leave from Southwestern in June 2023. He subsequently resigned before assuming his role as pastor of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in February of this year.

Handle Your Critics Like a Pro

By

Carey Nieuwhof

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November 11, 2024

So you signed up for leadership, but you didn’t really sign up for all the critics that came with it, did you? And yet here you are. Next question: Did anything really prepare you for the emotional journey of leadership Nope. Me neither. How to handle your critics?

Criticism is an almost daily staple for most leaders. You get everything from side comments, to direct challenges, to people who walk out the door, to anonymous notes sent to you by people with no courage.

You dread it. I dread it. Who doesn’t? In fact, it can completely derail your day, your week and your work. I can’t tell you how many times I have a completely sarcastic, immature and emotional response ready for my critics as soon as they sting me.

And, of course, it’s a horrendous mistake to ever let those comments see daylight. But in my head, it’s so easy to take revenge.

So: how do you handle your critics?

There will always be critics

It’s easy to dream about working in a place where no one criticizes anyone.

And, as a result, more than a few leaders have left their current job find greener pastures where there won’t be as much opposition, only to be disappointed that criticism just seems to come with the territory wherever you go.

Ditto with starting your own venture. As long as you have customers and staff, you’ll have critics.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some toxic workplaces and there are definitely some toxic people. And there are healthy workplaces and healthy people.

But even in a healthy environment, criticism is inevitable.

So can you avoid criticism? Well, the best way to avoid significant critics is to do nothing significant. But then all you end up with is regret. So how handle your critics — who will inevitably come your way?

HANDLE YOUR CRITICS LIKE A PRO

The basic problem for me personally with criticism? Honestly, it makes me want to respond like a toddler would.

Criticism naturally makes me defend, deny, and if I’m having a bad day, it also makes me want to retaliate.

None of that is good.

And if you study leaders who don’t do well in the long run, they almost always tend to respond to critics with immaturity.

This is where emotional intelligence can be a leader’s best friend. And the good news is, emotional intelligence can be learned (here, for example, are five EI hacks that can help you grow as a leader). Here are five ways to handle your critics like a pro.

1. DON’T RESPOND FOR 24 HOURS. JUST DON’T.

Every time you get a critical email, a critical comment, a critical text or phone call, something happens inside you, doesn’t it? Your heart starts beating faster. You feel hurt, even crushed depending on what they said. And sometimes you get angry. And usually, when that happens, your emotions derail your brain. At least they derail mine.

I learned years ago almost nothing good happens when I’m upset. In an attempt to address the situation, I almost always make it worse. Even if I convince myself I’ll make it better, I usually don’t. Not when I’m upset.

Are You Too Old to Lead Worship?

By

David Santistevan

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November 11, 2024

There’s not a worship team on earth that hasn’t had to address this question. The tension is alive. What is the lifecycle of a worship leader or a musician? How old is too old to lead worship? How young is too young? Does a multi-generational worship team work? What are the best practices?

I’m sure you’ve been there. You’ve had conversations with your older team members and how they feel pushed out.

You might be an older singer, musician or worship leader struggling with insecurity later in life.

“Are my jeans skinny enough?”
“Is my voice cool enough?”
“Am I trendy enough?”
“Do I have a place anymore?”

If you’ve thought this, let’s talk.

The best answer I know how to give is to tell anyone over 40 that they need to leave. I’m kidding. Wow, relax!

In all seriousness, there is a deeper question than “too old or too young.” It’s more of a culture question.

Are we building the kind of culture where the young feel welcomed and the old are actively investing in the young? Start now creating the culture where your team isn’t focused on holding tightly to their role, but investing in others. Young or old, everyone can invest into the life of another.

Picture this. Envision a 65-year-old pouring into a 16-year-old. Envision that 16-year-old investing in a 12-year-old. Imagine a 25-year-old guitar player helping a 50-year-old rocker with ambient guitar tone.

Do you see the potential?

Problems arise when we get obsessed with our own usefulness. We become less concerned with the Kingdom of God and what is best for his church and become consumed with our role, our position, our ministry.

A Better Approach to Lead Worship Ministry

Want a better approach? What if you never did ministry alone? What if instead of simply leading worship, you used those preparation times, rehearsal times and service times to train someone younger?

Here’s the reality: A reproducing leader will always have a spot on the team. They actually provide the most strength to an organization. Why? Because when they’re not around, they leave things in good shape.

They don’t create a culture that is dependent on their gifts or abilities. They create a culture where others are constantly stepping up. Quality rises not because they are talented but because they are pouring into others. Their very presence raises the bar for others.

See where I’m going? This is the best way to address the too old/too young life cycle of musicians. If we’re thinking outwardly, if our hearts are for the Kingdom, we won’t be offended when more talented people surface. We’ll serve to make them even better.

It’s because we have a greater heart for the church than we do for our own talent. We love the kingdom more than our own legacy.

That way, it’s baked into the culture that every musician works to replace themselves. The older singers and musicians should work one on one with younger musicians, coaching and teaching. Then encouraging them to step out. Even being present off the stage to encourage the younger.

Oftentimes the question isn’t am I too old or too young? It’s also more this:

Are you teachable?
Are you helpful?
Do you love the church?
Do you speak well of the church?
Are you developing?
Do you have a growing relationship with Jesus?

See where I’m going? There’s no easy answer, but it’s an intentional choice to create a culture where humble people help one another.

I have no problem with older musicians or older worship leaders. I do have a problem with those who approach their role with a clenched fist and don’t reproduce themselves. That is an issue. If that’s you, old or young, start loosening that grip today.

This article on being “too old” to lead worship originally appeared here.

Pastors and Pay: How To Negotiate a Pastor Salary

By

Matthew Hoskinson

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November 11, 2024

It seems awfully unspiritual to talk about pastoral remuneration, especially during the candidating process. After all, if the Lord wants you to minister somewhere, hasn’t he promised to provide for you? And didn’t George Mueller pray meals to the front door of his orphanage? Why waste time on the temporal such as your pastor salary? That’s a good question with a surprisingly simple answer: If you do not provide for your family, you cannot be a pastor.

Scripture and the Pastor Salary

That’s not my opinion, but the word of God through Paul.

“If someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” (1 Tim 3.5)

“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Tim 5.8)

Of course we must bear other texts in mind, such as Titus 1 .7 (“he must not be…greedy for gain”) and 1 Timothy 3.3 (“not a lover of money”). These verses may explain our awkwardness in discussing pastor salary packages and benefits. We recognize that we are servants of the Lord and are often amazed that we have the privilege of being pastors. But our rejection of greediness does not constitute a vow of poverty.

It is true that, if the Lord wants you to minister somewhere, he will provide for you. It is also true that one way the Lord confirms whether he wants you to minister somewhere is whether the provision is adequate for you and your family.

It may be the Lord’s will for you to serve as a pastor for XYZ Church, but it is the Lord’s will for you to provide for your family. If you cannot do the first without accomplishing the second, XYZ Church is not the Lord’s will for you.

This topic has been on my mind of late. In 2010, my family relocated to the most expensive city in our country. Moving to NYC has been challenging in many ways, none more so than adjusting to the cost of living. Since then, God has grown my thinking about pastoral remuneration, employing both lay leaders in our congregation, and pastors, mentors and friends from other churches to instruct me. Here are a few thoughts, especially if you’re considering a pastoral transition.

1. Have the talk.

Get over the awkwardness in discussing a pastor salary. Don’t fear what they might think of you. The Scriptures compel you: open your mouth and have the conversation.

Making Friends With Your Anxiety

By

Josh Spurlock

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November 8, 2024

In this article you’ll learn a little bit about the neurobiology of anxiety, a little bit about what the Bible has to say about anxiety, and you’ll learn about what you can do to have a healthier relationship with anxiety.

Anxiety is God’s idea…

Weird, right? But it’s true.

Your brain, including the sympathetic nervous system, the amygdala, the vagus nerve, the adrenal glands, the ventral medial prefrontal cortex (does your face hurt yet from all the neurobiology terms?), were all spoken into existence by your Creator.

God gave you anxiety on purpose. When it’s functioning in a healthy way it’s actually VERY helpful.

You see, anxiety is your body, your sympathetic nervous system, signaling you about something that needs your attention and doesn’t feel safe. Think about it kind of like a smoke detector. If the alarm is blaring, it might mean the house is on fire! Get out QUICK! Or, it might mean the cookies you forgot to set a timer for are charring in the oven. Or, maybe it’s just time to change the batteries.

Either way, you don’t want to ignore the alarm! The smoke detector is your friend.

But you also don’t want it to keep blaring in your ears. What then shall you do? Stay tuned to the rest of the article to find out.

First, let’s look at what the Bible has to say about anxiety.

In the book of Matthew in the Bible, Jesus identifies the underlying fears that drive many of our anxieties—will I have my basic needs met (food, clothing, shelter), life and death (Matthew 6:25-34)—saying “your Father in heaven knows you need these things.” Notice he doesn’t shame you, saying, “these things don’t matter so stop being dumb.”

He invites you to acknowledge the fears you have and bring them into relationship—bring them to him. God invites you to bring to him the fears that your anxiety alerts you to because he cares about you (1 Peter 5:7 (LEB): casting all your cares on him, because he cares for you.)

Again, in Philippians the Apostle Paul says, don’t just be anxious, let your anxiety alert you to what’s going on and lead you to Christ (…in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6)

Diabolical Christmas Movie ‘Dear Santa’ Stars Jack Black as Satan

By

Jessica Lea

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November 8, 2024

The upcoming Christmas movie, “Dear Santa,” stars Jack Black, not as Father Christmas, but as a holiday version of…Satan. The film, which is set to release on Paramount+ Nov. 25, tells the story of a young boy who writes a letter to Santa but accidentally sends it to the Lord of Darkness.

“When a young boy mails his Christmas wish list to Santa with one crucial spelling error, a devilish Jack Black arrives to wreak havoc on the holidays,” says a synopsis of the film. “From the hilarious minds behind DUMB & DUMBER, Christmas is about to go up in flames.”

‘Dear Santa’ Is a ‘Family Story,’ Says Director

Liam Turner (Robert Timothy Smith) intends to send his Christmas list to Santa, but, as a voiceover in the trailer notes, the boy is “crappy speller.” Instead, his letter goes to Satan at the “North Lope.”

“This looks like fun,” says Satan, played by Black, who then materializes in Turner’s room, scaring the boy, who admits Satan is not what he “expected.”

“I’m way better than Santa,” Satan tells Turner, promising to fulfill three wishes. There’s just one small catch, of course. “By the way,” Satan says, “After you make your wishes, I’m taking your soul.”

The rest of the trailer shows Satan dazzling Turner with what he can offer him—like the chance to meet Post Malone (who has a cameo in the movie)—while being frustrated that the boy is “incorruptible.”

“What about doing something out of kindness?” Turner asks the devil at one point.

“I don’t even know what you just said,” Satan replies. “I mean I know all the words, but I just never heard them in that order.”

“Dear Santa” also features Keegan-Michael Key as Turner’s therapist and Brianne Howey and Hayes MacArthur as Turner’s parents.

Director Bobby Farrelly told Entertainment Weekly that for Satan he wanted an actor who could be “diabolical, but in a fun way.”

Allen Parr Warns Christians Not To ‘Gloat’ About the Election Results

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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November 8, 2024

Allen Parr Donald Trump election — Screengrab via YouTube / THE BEAT by Allen Parr

Ministry leader and YouTuber Allen Parr woke up early on Wednesday morning to provide his social media followers with some words of wisdom following Donald Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s election.

“I woke up this morning with what I believe is a word from God on my heart for the people of God,” Parr said.

Rather than focusing on who is in office, Parr said he wanted to explore how Christians should respond to the results. He offered three key insights.

Allen Parr: Monitor Your Communication

Parr told Christians that this is not time to gloat just because the candidate they voted for won the election. “In other words,” he said, “if your candidate has won, don’t use this as an opportunity to boast or gloat…This is particularly important regarding how we conduct ourselves on social media.”

“We need to remember that our brothers and sisters who may have voted differently than you did [might be] hurting, disappointed, [and] devastated,” Parr said. “It’s not becoming of us as a Christian to use this opportunity to hurt someone [or] to talk about someone when they are down.”

Parr then quoted Galatians 5: “Let us not become conceited or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” He also referenced Proverbs 24, which says, “Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them.”

“So ask yourself,” Parr encouraged, “is this post [or] conversation communicating and encouraging a sense of togetherness and unity and peace, or am I being used as a tool of the devil to create more disunity and a lack of peace in the body of Christ?”

Allen Parr: Put Your Ultimate Faith in God

Describing his next area of response as the most important thought in his video, Parr said that “we have to put our ultimate faith in God. I know that’s a cliché. We say that all the time.”

“But listen,” he emphasized, “regardless of how you voted and who you voted for, as a Christian, we must always remember that we are not placing our hope in a political candidate.”

Parr discouraged against making comments indicating that “Trump is the savior of our nation” or “now our nation is doomed.” Parr told Christians, “We are different than that. We are not of this world. We are in this world, but we need to operate from a different mindset—from a different perspective of faith.”

Former OnlyFans Star Nala Ray, Lecrae Discuss the Price of Porn vs. the Freedom Christ Offers

By

Stephanie Martin

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November 8, 2024

On a new episode of “The Deep End With Lecrae,” OnlyFans-star-turned-Christian Nala Ray opened up about how she became an adult content creator and how Jesus changed her life.

As ChurchLeaders has reported, Ray left a lucrative career in online porn after meeting her now-husband, a devout Christian. She was baptized in December 2023, deleted five years’ worth of explicit material, and now is “consuming Christian content” to grow closer to Jesus. Although some critics question Ray’s sincerity, she said Christ has “absolutely, radically saved” her.

During their recent discussion, Ray told Christian hip hop artist Lecrae why she was vulnerable to joining OnlyFans, how that lifestyle affected her, and how God redeemed her. Ray, 26, also revealed publicly for the first time that she was molested as a young teen.

Lecrae, who said he could relate to many parts of Ray’s story, said he’s “super encouraged” by the transformation God has orchestrated in her life.

Nala Ray’s Childhood Traumas Led to a ‘Void’

Nala Ray recapped traumatic experiences from her childhood and adolescence. While living in Missouri, her family lost “everything” when a tornado struck their house. Ray’s parents divorced, her dad moved to Mexico, and eventually her parents remarried each other.

Amid all that, there was “lots of arguing,” parental infidelity and depression, and several moves. Ray’s dad became a pastor, experienced “three consecutive church splits,” and is now “facing a prison sentence,” Ray shared.

Although she was raised in the church, Ray said it felt like faith was “being shoved down my throat.” Because she was homeschooled, she had no friends. And with no family support, she felt broken, with “such a void in my soul.”

Ray became rebellious and acted out. When she was 13, a teen boy who had moved into the family’s house molested her, “twisting” how she viewed sex. In her mind, sex became associated with power.

Ray, a fitness buff, started posting bikini photos on Instagram and sending nude pictures to a boyfriend. Eventually she received a message from a “random guy” telling her she’d “kill it” on OnlyFans, which she hadn’t heard about. Ray, whose current job wasn’t paying much, began posting relatively mild content to the site. Then she discovered that showing more skin led to more requests for content, which meant more money.

New York Pastor and Anti-Gun Violence Activist Accused of Sexually Abusing Teen Boy

By

Dale Chamberlain

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November 8, 2024

Rev. Edward-Richard Hinds, a pastor and community organizer in Brooklyn, New York, faces seven criminal charges after being accused of performing sex acts with a teen boy on multiple occasions.

Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse that some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing.

Hinds had been the executive director of 67th Precinct Clergy Council, known as the GodSquad, a faith-based organization aimed at reducing gun violence. Prior to his work with the GodSquad, Hinds had worked as a youth pastor at Rugby Deliverance Tabernacle in Brooklyn.

The charges against Hinds stem from alleged incidents that took place in 2022 involving a 16-year-old teen boy, according to Daily News. The alleged sexual encounters, one of which is said to have occurred on Christmas Eve in 2022, were reportedly not forcible.

None of the alleged sexual encounters that occurred after the victim turned 17, which is the age of consent in New York, are reflected in the charges.

These charges come roughly three months after Hinds was removed from leadership at the GodSquad after the group became aware of “serious allegations” against him.

“Less than a month ago, allegations involving our executive director were brought to our attention that required immediate and serious action,” the GodSquad said in a statement on Aug. 12. “When our board was notified of these allegations, we promptly removed our executive director from the position and commenced an in-depth and thorough investigation, which is still ongoing.”

“In light of the serious allegations involving our Executive Director, we want to reassure our community that we are handling this matter with the utmost seriousness and integrity,” the statement continued. “As members of the clergy, we hold ourselves to a higher standard, and it is with this responsibility in mind that we have taken immediate action.”

The GodSquad indicated that it had also notified law enforcement officials about the allegations against Hinds.

“We remain dedicated to transparency and will continue to keep our community informed as the investigation progresses, prioritizing the trust, safety, and wellbeing of everyone involved,” the group said. “We are committed to restoring hope and ensuring safe, dignified communities for everyone.”

Gateway Church Congregants Take Up Morris’ Offer To Get ‘Money Back’ on Tithes

By

Marissa Greene

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November 8, 2024

FORT WORTH, Texas (RNS) — Katherine Leach’s stomach churned while she was driving to Saturday worship at Gateway Church early this summer.

Leach, who has been attending the nondenominational North Texas congregation for the past three years, has also tithed — a practice of giving a tenth of one’s income to a church or religious organization. She was also considering joining Gateway’s prayer team.

Then, on June 18, Gateway’s founder and senior pastor, Robert Morris, resigned after accusations made by an Oklahoma woman named Cindy Clemishire, who told the Wartburg Watch that Morris had sexually abused her on multiple occasions in the 1980s, starting when Clemishire was 12 years old.

Since Morris founded Gateway church in 2000, it has grown into one of the largest megachurches in the nation, with roughly 100,000 active attendees at its main campus in Southlake, a Tarrant County suburb, and nine campuses across Texas and two others in Missouri and Wyoming.

“This is an unthinkable and painful time in our church. Our church congregation is hurt and shaken, and we know that you have many important questions,” Gateway Church elders said in a June 21 statement, saying the church hired law firm Haynes and Boone LLP to conduct an independent inquiry on the matter.

The following service, on June 22, as Leach pulled up to the church, a group of protesters carried signs reading “She was only 12” and, citing the Gospel reading forbidding the corruption of children, “Matthew 18:16 Millstones not cover ups!”

Leach also made a sign, but she wanted to hear what leadership would say at the service. After handing water bottles to the protesters, she went in and watched from the balcony. “I was going with the anticipation that there would be this sense of grief as a church body,” Leach said. “It was heartbreaking, and it made me sick to my stomach, quite honestly, because it was just business as usual.”

That was the last time, Leach said, she’s been to a Gateway worship service, but she didn’t add her name to the 25% of congregants who have officially left the church since June. Instead, Leach has been asking questions, asking for a copy of the church’s bylaws, financial statements and how her tithes have been used.

In 2022, Morris, during a visit to Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago, spoke about a deal he made with Gateway Church members. “I’ve told our church on multiple occasions, I’ve said to them … ‘If you’ll try it for one year — if you are not fully satisfied — at the end of that year, I’ll give you your money back,’” Morris said. “With 22 years of church, no one has ever asked for their money back.”

Leach is now one of several congregants trying to take Morris up that offer. On Sept. 9, she submitted a letter to Gateway Church requesting her tithes back. Almost a month later, she and other congregants filed a lawsuit alleging that Gateway Church committed financial fraud with congregants’ tithes.

Pastor Robert Morris applauds during a roundtable discussion at Gateway Church Dallas Campus, June 11, 2020, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)

The suit alleges Morris and other Gateway leaders told their congregation that 15% of all tithes would go toward foreign missionary work. Leach and the suing congregants allege the promise wasn’t upheld and that they don’t know where the tithes — which could amount to more than $15 million annually — went.

Is Our Church Planting Apostolic or Colonialism?

By

JDPayne

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November 8, 2024

Have you ever wondered why the overwhelming majority of church planting in the North American context is a plant-and-pastor model? Why is a Pauline apostolic approach so radical and foreign to our imaginations?

Of course, there is no one cause, but I do want to draw attention to our history. We imitate what we know; we know what has been modeled before us.

Is Our Church Planting Apostolic or Colonialism?

European colonists were a product of Christendom and brought their variation to North America. When the new government launched in 1776, religious establishment was rejected for a plurality of religious minorities. Andrew Walls notes “the United States became a semidetached form for Christendom, with a generalized adherence to Christianity but without a state church” (Andrew F. Walls, The Missionary Movement from the West, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, forthcoming 2023, 32). Now, Protestants lived alongside unbelievers.

Though evangelization, especially toward indigenous tribes, was advocated–even written into charters–land acquisition and Christianization, rather than widespread evangelization and contextualized churches, became common. Walls continues, “These protesters against European Christendom were caught up in the structures of Christendom even as they separated themselves from it.

The Faith of the Fatherless

By

James Emery White

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November 8, 2024

Paul Vitz is an American psychologist who is a Senior Scholar at Divine Mercy University in Sterling, Virginia. He is emeritus professor of psychology at New York University. His landmark book was a fascinating study of the role of parents in relation to the absence of faith. It was called Faith of the Fatherless, and it was about the psychology of atheism.

In the preface to the book, he notes that there is a widespread assumption that:

“… belief in God is based on all kinds of irrational, immature needs and wishes, where atheism or skepticism flows from a rational, grown-up, no-nonsense view of things as they really are.”

The Faith of the Fatherless

He then argues that from a psychological standpoint, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, his research found the exact opposite. He found that the average atheist’s rejection of a Father God is rooted in their disappointment in, and resentment of, their own father.

He then details the many ways a father can lose his authority or seriously disappoint his child; for example:

… he can be absent through death or abandonment;

… he can be present but obviously weak, cowardly and unworthy of respect;

… he can be present but physically, sexually or psychologically abusive.

How To Keep Teens Interested in Church: 8 Biblical Strategies

By

Staff

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November 7, 2024

Knowing how to keep teens interested in church can be tough. Yet it’s a key aspect of youth ministry and discipleship. As teens navigate today’s world, church should be a place that challenges their Christian faith and meets their unique needs.

For youth leaders and pastors, this means appealing to students, harnessing their talents, and boosting their leadership skills. Then they can confidently continue following Jesus after high school and beyond. Use these Bible-based tips to keep teens engaged and growing closer to Christ.

8 Ideas on How To Keep Teens Interested in Church

Here are biblical insights and practical ideas for how to keep teens interested in church and engaged with faith.

1. Understand and respect their interests.

Biblical Insight: First Corinthians 9:22 says, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” Paul understood that to reach people, he needed to meet them where they were, understanding their cultures and interests.

Practical Application: Teens have passions and interests that often shape their worldview. Take time to learn what students are into—whether music, sports, gaming, or social media trends. Then create relevant messages, activities, and events that connect to biblical truths. Music nights or game nights can make church a place kids want to be. Plus, it shows you care about them as individuals. And that makes church feel more like a community than a classroom.

2. Create space for worship that speaks to teens.

Biblical Insight: Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” For worship, let kids express their love for God in ways that resonate with them.

Practical Application: Try different styles of worship music that appeal to young people and seekers. Ask students to lead worship, sing, or play instruments. This gives them a platform to glorify God with their gifts and makes worship relatable. Offer opportunities to contribute through art, spoken word, or dance.

3. Use relevant, relatable teaching.

Biblical Insight: Jesus often used parables—stories drawn from everyday life—to illustrate spiritual truths. He met people where they were, speaking to issues they understood.

Practical Application: Study real-life issues teens face, like stress, friendships, dating, and self-worth. Use current events and examples in sermons and lessons. Connect Scripture to day-to-day situations so the Bible becomes a living, relevant guide. Also invite guest speakers, including older teens or young adults, to share struggles and victories.

4. Build true community and genuine friendships.

Biblical Insight: Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Fellowship within the church community is essential for spiritual growth.

Practical Application: Teens are more likely to stay engaged in church when they belong. So help them build friendships through small groups, retreats, and events. Provide safe space for teens to share thoughts, ask questions, serve together, and find support. Challenge students to invite friends, especially those new to church or still searching. Then welcome them warmly and express excitement about faith.

Nursery Activities for Babies: 3 Fun Ways To Teach About God

By

ChildrensMinistry.com

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November 7, 2024

Nursery activities for babies introduce little ones to God and the Bible. Check out these three fresh ideas for your church nursery. Babies and toddlers will love them. And so will nursery teachers or volunteers!

3 Nursery Activities for Babies & Toddlers

1. “God Made Me” Flowers

First up, help toddlers create this delightful craft that celebrates God’s handiwork.

You’ll need:

brightly colored mini-cupcake liners
sheets of paper
glue
tempera paint (green and other colors)
wet wipes

Help each toddler make a green handprint in the center of the paper. Allow it to dry. Then glue a cupcake liner on each fingertip to create flowers on their stems. Next, let children dip their fingertips in paint and dab color inside each cupcake liner.

As the flowers dry, say: God made everything we see. God made you, and God made me. Thank you, God!

2. How to Be Kind

Next, remind toddlers that God wants them to be kind. This song, sung to the tune of “The Muffin Man,” is a cue for kind behavior. Use it often enough that toddlers become familiar with the words. Remember to gently pat each other on the back as you sing.

Oh, do you know how to be kind,
How to be kind, how to be kind?
Oh, do you know how to be kind,
The way God wants you to?
Oh, yes, I know how to be kind,
How to be kind, how to be kind.
Oh, yes, I know how to be kind,
The way God wants me to.

Pastor John-Paul Miller Arrested for Assault, Released on Bond Less Than a Week After FBI Raid

By

Jessica Lea

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November 7, 2024

John-Paul Miller, pastor of Solid Rock at Market Common church in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was arrested Wednesday, Nov. 6, charged with third-degree assault, and released on a $776 bond Thursday, Nov. 7, after appearing in court.

Miller has made headlines nationally and internationally following the April death by suicide of his estranged wife, Mica. Miller’s arrest comes less than a week after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided the pastor’s home for undisclosed reasons.

Pastor John-Paul Miller and Mica Miller’s Controversial Death

John-Paul and Mica Miller have been in the headlines since April 28, when John-Paul Miller took time at the end of Sunday service to tell his congregation his wife had died by suicide. Miller said that Mica, who passed away April 27, had mental health challenges and had struggled with suicide in the past.

However, former Solid Rock congregant, Angela Clark, who was a friend of Mica’s, said Mica had filed for divorce and was attempting to get out of “an abusive marriage.” Additional troubling details emerged in the following weeks.

Miller told The Christian Post that he and Mica had married each other after committing adultery while they were each married to other people. The pastor also said his wife had “bipolar II, schizophrenic and dependent personality disorder.”

However, some friends and Mica’s own family members maintained that Mica would not have taken her own life. Mica’s sister, Sierra Francis, encouraged people not to “listen to false stories being shared about” Mica, adding “Mica was a God-fearing, joyful, loving woman who did not deserve the abuse she endured” and including the hashtag #justiceformica.

Francis later claimed that Mica had told her, “If I end up with a bullet in my head, it was not by me, it was JP (John-Paul).” Mica’s friends and family have also said Mica told them that Miller, who was 14 years her senior, groomed her when she was a minor.

Despite the speculation surrounding Mica’s death, officials have ruled that Mica did indeed die by suicide. The Robeson County Sheriff’s Office said its “decision was based on surveillance footage, interviews, physical evidence, and the examination of the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office.”

During their investigation of Mica’s death, officials found that Miller was “allegedly romantically involved” with another woman when his wife passed away. The pastor has threatened legal action against anyone who spreads allegations that he was responsible for his wife’s death, and his attorney, Russell Long, said, “Our client refutes any report that suggests he ever abused his wife.”

‘I Believe God Is up to Something,’ Greg Stier Says As He Prepares for a Record Breaking Dare 2 Share LIVE

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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November 7, 2024

Dare 2 Share LIVE Greg Stier — Image provided by Dare 2 Share

On Nov. 9, Dare 2 Share LIVE will kick off a powerful event, mobilizing teens from around the world to share the gospel. This free event, designed by Dare 2 Share Ministries, is led by its founder and president, Greg Stier, who has devoted his life to empowering young people to embrace and spread the good news of Jesus Christ.

“We’re super excited about Dare 2 Share LIVE,” Stier told ChurchLeaders. “This is a day of Global Youth Evangelism, where teens from around the world are going to be equipped and inspired to share the gospel and actually mobilized to go out and share the gospel of Christ.”

Stier described the event as “three hours of inspiration,” during which attendees will hear not only from Stier but also from Jerrod Gunter, Callum Thomas from Australia, and Winter Jam tour pastor and evangelist Zane Black.

Dare 2 Share LIVE is more than just a conference. It’s an experience of immersion and activation. In the first session, teens are challenged to explore the gospel message and respond personally.

In the next session, attendees receive practical training on how to start conversations about faith, role-play in their auditoriums, and prepare to take the gospel to their communities.

Then these young evangelists are encouraged to venture into their neighborhoods to pray for and reach out to others with the gospel message. Teens will then regather to share stories of what happened on the outreach before the event finishes with a time of prayer and commissioning.

This event is designed to be accessible to youth groups worldwide, regardless of budget. Stier said, “We made it free because youth leaders, honestly, around the world, and even in the U.S., don’t have a lot of budget, and whatever budget they have is usually used on curriculum and camp.”

“So we wanted to make this available free of charge but with a high, high quality event to mobilize students,” he added.

When asked about the role of youth evangelism in discipleship, Stier explained the significance of engaging teens in gospel outreach from an early age. “A lot of people are talking about discipleship,” he said, “but not a lot are talking about biblical discipleship. Jesus said, ‘Follow me, and I’ll make you fishers of men.’”

Stier believes that evangelism is integral to discipleship. That’s why he puts young people in situations where they must rely on the Holy Spirit, articulate the core beliefs of their faith, and face challenging questions.

Stier shared that he has observed that the church has “lost the link between evangelism and discipleship.” He explained, “Because the number one question I get from people is, ‘What about discipleship?’”

AZ Church’s Stolen Trailer, Equipment Recovered; Suspect Arrested

By

Stephanie Martin

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November 7, 2024

Edward Charles Gouer Jr. — Screengrab via Fox 10 Phoenix

Ten days after it was stolen, an equipment-filled trailer belonging to an Arizona church was recovered, thanks to an anonymous tip. The Glendale church’s Ford F-250 pickup truck is still missing.

Security footage from the night of Oct. 29 shows someone stealing a trailer and truck that belong to The Table Church. On Nov. 5, police located the 24-foot trailer plus all its contents. They arrested Edward Charles Gouer Jr., who was booked into jail on two counts of theft of means of transportation. According to court documents, Gouer, 44, was previously convicted of trafficking stolen property and was on probation.

Because the church meets at an elementary school, it stores thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment in the trailer. “All of our chairs, all of our racks, all the furniture that goes in our lobby that we make for the check-in tables,” said Lead Pastor Cody Deevers. He indicated that thieves might have cased church property before committing the crime.

Arizona Pastor: ‘The Gospel Goes Forth’

The day after the theft occurred, Pastor Deevers posted a video telling congregants that worship would continue but just look a bit different. “We’re still going to preach the Gospel of Jesus, we’re still going to sing to Jesus, and Jesus is still going to be continually changing lives,” he said via Facebook. “The gospel goes forth. The church has taken a lot more hits than this and survived a whole lot worse, so we can do the same.”

In his post, Deevers encouraged church members to pray, first of all, that God will save the thieves. Another request: “Help us to stay focused on creating atmospheres where lives can be continually changed by Jesus.”

The pastor also asked for prayers that God would help law enforcement find and return the property—and “provide for us, if not.”

‘We Just Pivoted,’ Says Pastor

Camera footage from Oct. 29 shows a dark-colored Chevy Trailblazer enter church property and then park behind the truck and trailer. “Shortly after, the [church] truck headlights are seen turning on,” police reported, “and the truck and [attached] trailer began to drive away, leaving westbound.” According to police, the stolen property was worth about $30,000.

‘The Election Is Over…What Do We Do Now?’—Pastor Greg Laurie Answers

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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November 7, 2024

Greg Laurie Donald Trump — Screengrab via X / @greglaurie

In a recent social media post, Pastor Greg Laurie congratulated Trump on winning the election and then proposed a question to Christians: “Well, the election is over…What do we do now?”

Laurie, who leads of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, defended himself last month for praying at a rally for Donald Trump last month.

Laurie, the evangelist whose life is depicted in the 2023 major motion picture “Jesus Revolution,” said, “I’m sure that about half of you are really happy. I don’t know how many of you are not so happy. But what do we do now?”

“Hey, what we do now as Christians is we go back to what we should have always been doing, and back to what we always should be doing,” Laurie explained. “That is living out our faith [by] being salt and light in the culture.”

He then asked, “What does that mean?”

Congratulations to President Donald Trump,the 47th president of the United States!
So, what should we as Christians do now? pic.twitter.com/71DFhtQVw7

— Greg Laurie (@greglaurie) November 6, 2024

“Well,” he answered, “light means we let people know we’re believers in Jesus [and] also [through] our good works.”

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven,” Laurie continued.

Laurie also reminded Christians to “be salt” and explained that “in the first century, salt stopped the rotting process.” Laurie said that Christians in today’s culture must “speak out against what is wrong and speak up for what is right.”

Lectio Divina (Devotional Reading)

By

Full Strength Network

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November 7, 2024

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103

When was the last time you read the Word of God to drink deeply of his presence rather than prepare a sermon or a Bible study? Lectio Divina is one way you can read Scripture to abide in God’s presence and to experience his living Word for you today.

Lectio Divina” (pronounced LEX-ee-oh dih-VEE-nuh) is a Latin phrase that means “divine reading” or “sacred reading.” It is an ancient practice used throughout early church history for those who were illiterate or didn’t have Bibles to read.

Adele Calhoun describes Lectio as a “devotional reading or hearing of Scripture aimed more at growing a relationship with God than gathering information about God” (Spiritual Disciplines Handbook, 168). It is also a form of “praying the Scriptures.” The following are the five traditional movements for practicing Lectio Divina, presented by Calhoun.

Silencio. Prepare your heart to be quiet. Come into God’s presence, slow down, relax, and intentionally release the chaos and noise in your mind to him.
Lectio. Read the Word. Read a Scripture passage slowly and out loud, lingering over the words so that they resonate in your heart. When a word or phrase catches your attention, don’t keep reading. Stop and attend to what God is saying to you. Be open to that word or phrase. Don’t analyze it or judge it. Just listen and wait.
Meditatio. Read the Scripture a second time out loud. Savor the words. Listen for any invitation that God is extending to you in his Word. Reflect on the importance of the words that light up to you. Like Mary, who pondered the Word in her heart, gently explore the ramifications of God’s invitation.
Oratio. Respond and pray. Read the Scripture a third time. Now is the moment to enter into a personal dialogue with God. There is no right or wrong way to do this. The important thing is to respond truthfully and authentically. What feelings has the text aroused in you? Name where you are resistant or want to push back. Become aware of where you feel invited into a deeper way of being with God. Talk to God about these feelings.
Contemplatio. Contemplate, rest and wait in the presence of God. Allow some time for the word to sink deeply into your soul. Yield and surrender yourself to God. Before you leave, you might consider a reminder that can help you dwell on or incarnate this word throughout the day.

Practice:

Select a passage of the Bible. A short passage of 5-10 verses is usually best.
Walk yourself through the five movements.
Feel free to write down your thoughts as you move through the reading.
Don’t rush! Take time to pause and listen after each reading.
Thank God for the time of abiding with him whether or not he speaks a direct word to you.

Suggested Passages to practice Lectio Divina:

This article originally appeared here.

John Piper Under Fire for Referring to Trump’s Re-Election as an ‘Evil’

By

Dale Chamberlain

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November 7, 2024

John Piper is drawing criticism for his remarks about the re-election of former President Donald Trump. Piper, who has long been respected as a pastor and theologian in evangelical spaces, has also been consistently critical of Trump.

“Presidential election results,” Piper wrote on Wednesday. “Having delivered us from one evil, God now tests us with another.”

Piper added a reference to Deuteronomy 13:3: “The Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”

While Piper’s stern opposition to Trump is notable among evangelicals, he has been equally opposed to the candidates against whom Trump has faced off in the last three election cycles.

In 2020, Piper said in reference to the race between Joe Biden and Donald Trump that his calling as a pastor would be “contradicted by supporting either pathway to cultural corruption and eternal ruin.”

“When I consider the remote possibility that I might do any good by endorsing the devastation already evident in the two choices before me,” he added, “I am loath to undermine my calling (and the church’s mission) to stand for Christ-exalting faith and hope and love.”

“At times, it happens in a fallen world that a vote for any proposed candidate is so offensive, so morally compromised, so misleading,” Piper said in 2023, “that it may be a matter of greater integrity, more faithful obedience to Christ, and a clearer witness to truth if we do not vote for any of the proposed candidates.”

Piper’s remarks on Wednesday raised the ire of a number of Trump supporters, many of whom are Christian leaders and influencers.

“MASSIVE L TAKE HERE,” commented activist Sean Feucht, a worship leader and self-described Christian nationalist.

“This is religious horsecrap,” said author Eric Metaxas. “Shame on these pastors for NOT being Sons of Issachar, but rather modern day Pharisees and Sadducees, not knowing Truth from a lie. Lord deliver us from them.”

Metaxas is perhaps best known for his award-winning biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, although the book has recently come under fire from a group of Bonhoeffer’s relatives, who allege that Metaxas “ignored the historical context and misrepresented Bonhoeffer as a fundamentalist Evangelical.”

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