Free Object Lesson for Palm Sunday: The Rocks Cry Out

March 29, 2020

Help engage your kids in the Palm Sunday story even further with this free object lesson for Palm Sunday.

You’ll conduct a simple science experiment to help your kids see the rocks crying out in praise to God.

Luke 19:40 “And He answered and said, ‘I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out!’”

An often overlooked part of the Palm Sunday story is when the Pharisees approached Jesus. They insisted that Jesus reprimand the people from expressing their praises for Him as He enters Jerusalem. It’s almost as though the praises that nature wanted to sing out were being vented through the voices of the people. If those people were forbidden to praise the Son of God, then the rocks would absolutely burst as their praises built up.

Here’s an idea that’s not included in Easter-rific! It will give an idea of what you’ll find in this collection.

Science Experiment

You’ll need to gather …
hydrogen peroxide (20 vol.)
rocks
clear vase
liquid dish soap
packet of yeast
warm water
custard dish
funnel
food coloring (optional)

Pour ¾ cup of hydrogen peroxide in the vase. (Optional: put 10 drops of food coloring in the peroxide.) Then add three squirts of the liquid dish soap (about 3 T.) Swirl this around in the vase to mix it thoroughly. Carefully, place some clean rocks in the bottom of a clear vase, just enough to cover the bottom. In a custard cup, place 3 T. of warm water and the packet of yeast. Stir to dissolve and let sit for one minute.

In the meantime, ask the children to tell you things that the rocks might cry out if people did not praise Jesus. What would burst from them? What would their praises be? The rocks in our vase are about to burst forth with their praises!

Now pour the yeast mixture into the vase. (If the vase has a small opening, you’ll want to use the funnel; otherwise, just pour the yeast in.) Step back and watch the praises flow!

Resource provided by Tina Houser

7 Things to NEVER Say to a Depressed Christian

C. Michael Patton

March 29, 2020

depressed christian — Adobestock #403109453

As many of you know, I’ve been depressed for almost five years now. I had a major break in March of 2010. It came out of nowhere and has been a frequent uninvited guest in my home ever since. And in that time, I’ve learned a few things about what you should never say to a depressed Christian.

I won’t go into it now, but almost seven weeks ago I came out of the depression. I think I know the triggers. But I often tell people not to get too excited. I can never be sure which “me” is going to wake up tomorrow. Will it be joyful me (whom I love)? He’s the one who sees life positively and has no time for worry (too busy serving God). Or will it be broken me (whom I hate)? He can’t dwell on anything but the bad and sees no hope in life (and doesn’t even act like there’s a God). But while I have my thoughts straight, I’ve been able to dwell on so many positive things. One of these is the subject of this post.

I’ve accumulated a list of seven things to never say to a depressed Christian.

They’re meant to help them out of their depression. I’ve even had these things said to me. But these things are wrong.

Please Note: None of these things necessarily come from evil intentions. These come from people who sincerely want you to recover. However, they do come from the evil flesh that dwells in all of us: judgmentalism. I hope this becomes clear as you read.

Further Reading: Dealing With My Depression #1: Muffling Its Voice

1. Never Say This to a Depressed Christian: “Just Snap Out of It”

I don’t know how many times I said this to my depressed sister before she took her life. “Just snap out of it, Angie.” From my perspective, I thought you could. I thought that being depressed or happy was an act of the will. If you just make the right decision, you can think your way out of it. But more often than not, depression is not an act of the will. It is an interplay between the mind and the brain that you can’t snap out of. Don’t you think that people who are depressed would “just snap out of it” if it were that easy? Remember, they don’t want to be depressed. It is the worst torture that one can possibly imagine.

2. Never Say This to a Depressed Christian: “Think Positively”

Again, this might seem right. Please realize that most of the time a depressed person can’t think positively. That’s why they’re depressed. If I were to tell you there’s a giant elephant in your room, would you believe me? What if I said that all you have to do is close your eyes and trust it to be true? You’d probably say, “I can’t!” Telling someone who’s depressed to “think positively” completely misses the problem. They can’t think positively any more than you can believe there’s an elephant in the room. They don’t want to think negatively. They just can’t stop.

Further Reading: Depression—When We Want to Die

Muslim Refugees Coming to Christ in Record Numbers in Europe

Joshua Pease

March 28, 2020

In 2013, Bashir Mohammad belonged to a terrorist group fighting to establish an extremist Islamic state in Syria. Today, Bashir Mohammad is one of the 2.5 million Syrian refugees who have fled that very war and settled in Turkey.

It was in Turkey that Mohammad’s story took a surprising turn. Mohammad became a follower of Jesus.

“Frankly I would have slaughtered anyone who suggested it,” Mohammad said of his conversion in last Saturday’s New York Times.

But then a series of changes pulled Mohammad out of the world he knew. He became disillusioned with the war his Al-Qaeda-affiliated group was waging. Leaving the group meant death, so Mohammad fled with his wife, Hevin Rashid, to Turkey. Once there, Rashid became seriously ill, but recovered after Mohammad’s cousin, a converted Christian, prayed for her.

This experience led Mohammad to a Christian preacher in Istanbul, and after both Mohammad and Rashid dreamt they saw the person of Jesus and felt deeply loved by him, they converted to the Christian faith. “There’s a big gap between the god I used to worship and the one I worship now,” Mohammad said. “We used to worship in fear. Now everything has changed.”

Mohammad’s story parallels a growing wave of conversions among Muslim refugees in European countries. According to a recent article in The Guardian, multiple churches are reporting surges in refugees converting to the Christian faith. The Austrian Catholic Church reported 300 requests for adult baptisms over the past three months and estimate 70 percent of these were from refugees. According to the Anglican Bishop of Bradford, Toby Howarth, one in four of the church’s conversions in England over the past year are refugees.

It’s worth putting an asterisk next to these numbers, however. It is likely that some Muslims are “converting” to improve their immigration status in countries less hospitable to their faith. Because many European churches are leading the way in helping Muslims with their refugee status, it becomes easy to see how “giving the right answer” to certain questions about religion is tempting. However, there are many cases, like Mohammad’s, where the conversion comes from a genuine attraction to the Christian faith.

Johannes, a 32-year-old born into a Muslim family, began questioning the roots of Islam at university. “I found that the history of Islam was completely different from what we were taught at school. Maybe, I thought, it was a religion that began with violence? A religion that began with violence cannot lead people to freedom and love. Jesus Christ said ‘those who use the sword will die by the sword.’ This really changed my mind.”

Johannes is now in Austria, awaiting word on whether he can stay or whether he will be deported back to Iran, where his life will be in danger. Fuller professor Matthew Kaemingk recently told Fox News that many refugees like Johannes are stuck under a “tremendous amount of societal pressure. They experience racism, poverty, exclusion, discrimination, language and cultural barriers, and a deep sense of displacement,” Kaemingk said. “Their sense of homelessness is not only geographical, it is spiritual. Churches who offer these Muslims real and meaningful hospitality are seeing some surprising results.”

That being said, the Islamic faith is still rapidly growing globally. According to a recent Pew Report, by 2050 Muslims will comprise 10 percent of the European population and will outnumber Christians by the end of the century. In the United States, Muslims will make up 2.1 percent of the population by 2050, surpassing Judaism as the second largest faith group in America.

Both within the American political and evangelical world, there have been huge debates over immigration and how to deal with it. However, for some churches, the influx of Muslims to the United States presents an opportunity. The Jan/Feb Issue of Outreach Magazine reported on First United Methodist Church of the Rockies’ efforts to extend hospitality to the refugees relocated into their community.

“I don’t think we should question whether it’s a good idea to serve refugees in today’s political climate, because I don’t think this is political—it’s biblical,” said Cindy Todeschi, point person for Church of the Rockies’ relief efforts. “It’s about discipleship. We don’t think about it any more than we think about serving a hot meal to our homeless population or providing coats to less-fortunate kids in the elementary school. We’re not thinking of it as something controversial. You just find a way to help however you can.”

Whatever the circumstances are for refugees seeking the help of our communities or churches, there is one thing we know to be true: They deserve to hear the gospel and be given whatever help we can provide. We trust that God can even use the horrible wars and the deplorable circumstances that bring refugees into our countries for His good.

The Beauty of a Little Life

Samuel D. James

March 28, 2020

On Tuesday I was at the funeral for my grandmother, Wilma V. James. Wilma lived most of her 95 years in an industrial town named Owensboro, Kentucky. She raised three boys and worked at General Electric for decades. She outlived my grandfather by almost 22 years. You won’t likely read anything about her other than her obituary. Hers was a beautiful little life.

Do We Value a Little Life?

Do we value little lives? Do we see them as beautiful? Perhaps not. It’s easy to find someone preaching to follow your dreams, to aim for the stars, to become somebody. It’s even easy to baptize the fear of obscurity with Christian lingo, so that the measure of a life’s worth becomes how “radical” it is. What’s not easy is to hear a little life, given to a little family in a little town, held up as desirable. So much of modern life seems to be about escaping, through whatever means available, smallness. This seems tragic to me. There’s beauty in that smallness.

My guess is that we don’t value little lives because we don’t value what God values. Reflect for a moment on how much God loves the unseen and the seemingly “pointless.” Reflect on the planets in the visible universe that are uninhabitable, dark, cold, and remote. AS far as we know there are millions of planetary bodies that seem to be little more than floating landscapes. Have you ever thought about why God has made a universe and galaxies so enormous that we will almost certainly never even see most of it, let alone “use” or understand it? Perhaps it’s merely because God thinks such invisible, “useless” creations are beautiful. Perhaps it’s merely because He likes them. God likes what we cannot even perceive.

Perhaps we misjudge the value of little lives also because we don’t evaluate correctly. We all know how to quantify selling millions of albums or getting a six-figure advance or pastoring a 10,000 member church. We don’t know how to quantify feeding a family that turned around and fed another family, and another, and another. We know how to quantify being an “influencer” with a million followers, but we don’t know how to value parenting future parents of parents. In other words, we only see concentrated value, not generational value. This is the definition of failing to think in terms of eternity.

I wonder sometimes if it’s always been this way. Older generations seem to have more or less accepted the borders of their lives. Moderns have grown up on technology that promised a way of escape from the givenness of things. We’re upwardly mobile and connected. We can ditch town any time and become celebrities without leaving our living room. We don’t have to be here, we can be anywhere. A little life is thus all the more loathsome to us because it is all the more avoidable. Anonymity can be cheated with a smartphone and a free app. Insecurity can be mollified with the right filter. There’s no modern reason we have to stare down our fear of the “same old thing.”

The problem comes when I try to reconcile my grandmother’s life with my obsession to escape a small life. How much blessing did she infuse into my life through merely her presence? How much was I shaped by the meals, the open doors, the simple “How are you doing” calls? She was not anywhere; she was here. She was here, in a small obscure life, for my Dad. He was here for me. Where would I have ended up if it had not been this way? Suddenly I wonder if the problem is that I want to be on the receiving end of a little life, rather than the giving end. Let me dine on the fruits of obscure love and kindness while I use everything in my power to become famous or significant.

I pray that as I contemplate my grandmother’s glorious, little life, my heart will begin to release its craving for stature and instead look with love at the people and places my Creator has put right in front of me. To see a little life as beautiful instead of punishment is an act of love: Love for others and love for Jesus, who makes the least to be greatest in his kingdom. Obscurity is not failure and simplicity is not tragic when they reflect the worth of the world to come. The corners of the universe are invisible now, but they won’t stay that way. They’ll be glorious in our new eyes soon enough.

For Grandma, they already are.

This article originally appeared here.

Romans 16: A United Family in a Divided Society

J.D. Greear

March 28, 2020

Reading Romans 16 reminds me of a tradition my family had growing up on New Year’s Day. My mom would cook corned beef and cabbage, which is a meal we didn’t eat any other time of the year (because it is gross). But on New Year’s, it was my favorite meal of the year because my mom put little coins in it the cabbage for us to find. Maybe the money symbolized prosperity for the year. Maybe it was a culinary parable about the value of an agrarian lifestyle. Maybe my mom made the whole thing up.

But I digress. Like I said, Romans 16 reminds me of that cabbage and coins.

The long list of names in Romans 16 may seem like a random and strange way to close one of the most powerful books of the Bible. It’s “cabbage” for most people, essentially like the credits at the end of a movie. You don’t watch the credits unless someone has told you they’re followed by a secret scene or some bloopers.

But tucked among all the “cabbage” of those names are some awesome gospel-coins.

We don’t know much about most of the 26 individuals Paul lists, but what these names do reveal is that the early church was remarkably diverse. They may sound strange to us, but they reveal unity-in-diversity in three areas:

The Names in Romans 16 Reveal a Diversity of Ethnicity.

Some of the names are Jewish, and some are Gentile; they are from the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

Having Jews and Gentiles together in one church gave rise to all kinds of cultural and political problems, which Paul dealt with repeatedly in Romans. You have to wonder if it would have been easier just to plant two separate congregations, like it would be easier today to do church by ethnicity.

Paul knew that these believers demonstrating unity in one church was an important gospel witness. When we really believe that today, then we do not merely host multi-ethnic events. We live multi-ethnic lives. Multi-ethnic unity on the weekends comes from multi-ethnic friendship throughout the week.

The names reveal a diversity of class.

Some of the people were of considerable means, like Aristobulus and Narcissus, both of whom are said to have been the head of a “household” or estate. Some believe Aristobulus to be the grandson of Herod the Great, and Paul recognizes Erastus as the city treasurer.

Other names, like Rufus and Urbanus, were common slave names. Yet in the church in Rome, they all sat together as equals.

That’s what is behind Paul’s command in Romans 16:16: “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (CSB). The emphasis is on the word “holy,” which means a kiss like that on the cheek was a sign of equality and friendship. In the early church, royalty and slave met together as equals.

The names reveal diversity in gender.

Of the 26 names mentioned, nine are women. For contemporary readers, we may think Paul is weighted a little too heavily on the male side of things. But for an ancient reader, it would have been shocking to include women at all—let alone such a significant number of them.

Paul doesn’t just give these women a shout-out, either. He refers to them as “coworkers,” or co-laborers (verse 3). They were indispensable in the work of the early church.

Particularly worthy of note is the woman who leads the entire list—Phoebe. She is called “servant” in verse 1, but the word is diakonos, which often gets translated “deacon” (some translations even say “deaconess”). Deacons were a group of people Paul says in 1 Timothy 3 are appointed to work alongside the pastors to meet material and physical needs, both inside and outside the church.

We’re not sure which version of the word Paul is using here, but we do know that Paul recognizes Phoebe as a co-laborer and gave her a very important task: bringing the book of Romans to the Romans. His phrasing of “commending her to the church” is a first-century cue indicating she was the letter-carrier.

Think of how much Paul must have trusted Phoebe—not only to bring this letter to the Romans but to answer any questions they had about it. She must have mastered the theology of that letter just as much as the Apostle Paul!

Paul also mentions Prisca or Priscilla (16:3), who we know helped mentor Apollos, a well-known preacher in the early church.

Women like Priscilla and Phoebe weren’t “involved” in the church by making copies and getting coffee for the men while those men did the “real work” of the church. No, these women were prominent and very influential in early ministry. They were disciple-makers and leaders in their own right.

In society—now more than ever—we seem incapable of uniting around anything other than affinity groups. Where in our society is there a group that transcends differences of gender, class, or race?

The only place that happened in the ancient world was in the church. And I’m convinced the local church is still the only place that kind of unity-in-diversity can happen. It’s a unity I pray for daily, a unity God desires, and a unity God has promised to bring to those who are humble enough to let him do his work.

This article originally appeared here.

Charles Spurgeon on the Entertainment-Driven Church

Aaron Halvorsen

March 28, 2020

The recent resurgence of Spurgeon study is a delight for those who appreciate his life and work. There is at least one clear reason for the rise of Spurgeon’s popularity: His day mirrors our day. Spurgeon saw all around him theological and moral decline. He was even asked once to preach at a circus but denied enthusiastically. Because Spurgeon spoke discerningly and clearly in his day, he speaks prophetically to our day. Charles saw the dangers of the entertainment in church. Even today, many churches are tempted by a form of the attractional model, seeking to lure devotees through prizes, expensive giveaways, games, fairs and promises of fun.

The Danger of Entertainment in Church

Lest we be tempted by the same schemes, Spurgeon rightly warns us of the danger in wielding Christ’s bride as a tool for frivolous amusement. An All-Round Ministry is a collection of Spurgeon’s Presidential Addresses at the Annual Conference of the Pastors’ College, from 1872-1890. In one of these sermons, “The Evils of the Present Time, and Our Object, Necessities and Encouragements,” Spurgeon presents several arguments against the entertainment-driven church.

What does Spurgeon have to say about the attractional church model?

1) Our Mission Is Not Entertainment

Spurgeon remarks, “Within suitable bounds, recreation is necessary and profitable; but it never was the business of the Christian Church to supply the world with amusements.” Humans need leisure, and the church can be a place of rest and recreation with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our mission, however, is not to entertain the world; it is to save sinners through the preaching of the gospel. The world will provide entertainment and amusements enough. The church ’s distinct offering and singular mission is the soul-rescuing gospel of Jesus.

2) A Focus on Entertainment Negates the Weightiness of the Cross

Spurgeon notes how one church put on a series of services focusing on special plays, concerts, recreational events, including rousing games of musical chairs. He laments that “this is to go on side by side with the preaching of Thy bleeding sacrifice, O Christ of God!”

If our mission is to urgently call sinners to repent, to speak of the realities of heaven and hell, and to lift up the spirits of the shamed and downcast with the grace of Christ crucified—can we do all this while playing musical chairs? The greater the push toward entertainment and amusement, the lesser the imperative of the gospel will truly be felt as imperative. So Spurgeon exhorts, “By the solemnities of death, and judgment, and eternity, I beseech you, keep yourselves clear of the follies, the inanities of the day.”

3) Frivolous Entertainment Will Attack the Preaching of Christ

In fact, not only are frivolity and the gospel incompatible, one will eventually destroy the other. No one can serve two masters, and neither can a church pursue both silly amusements and true gospel preaching. At some point, either the church will allow the seriousness of the preaching of the gospel to win the day, or the church will choose entertainment of its “customers” as its ultimate pursuit. When the latter choice is made, the urgent gospel of salvation from judgment will no longer be allowed to threaten the good vibes of the entertaining church. So Spurgeon warns, “The preaching of Christ usually ceases when these frivolities come in. These things are so opposed in spirit, that one or the other will have to be dropped; and we know which it will be.”

Let us take a cue from Spurgeon. As ministers of the true gospel, we should cultivate churches of true rejoicing and rest. We do not find our rest in the kinds of weightless amusements the world offers so freely, and pursue amusements that may liven or distract for a moment, rather we make our aim the true gospel, the gospel of peace and joy.

This article about Spurgeon’s view on entertainment in church originally appeared here.

3 Indicators That a Child Is Ready to Begin a Relationship with Jesus

Dale Hudson

March 27, 2020

One of the most exciting times for a parent is when their child starts asking questions about beginning a relationship with Jesus.

It can also be a challenging time as parents try to decide if their child is really ready to make this decision or not. And many times they will come to you for help.

They will ask questions like…
“How old should my child be to make this decision?”
“How do I know if my child is ready or not?”
“Should I let them pray the prayer of salvation or have them wait?”

So how do you tell if a child is ready to begin a relationship with Jesus? Here are 3 indicators I tell parents to watch for.

#1 – The child knows what sin is.
Before a child (or anyone) can enter a relationship with Jesus, they must understand why they need a relationship with Jesus. They must understand what sin is and that they have sinned. If a child doesn’t understand this, then they are not ready to step across the line of faith.

#2 – The child initiates the conversation on a regular basis.
If a child continues to initiate conversations about accepting Jesus, then that is a good sign that God is working in the child’s life. The Holy Spirit convicts and draws people…including kids. There is no “Jr. Holy Spirit.”

#3 – The child knows they “need” to do this vs. the child “wanting” to do this.
There is a difference. There is a difference between “I want to do this because my friends are” or “I want to do this because it’s fun” and “I need to make this decision” or ” I need to do this because I want Jesus in my life.”

What are some other indicators you watch for?
What do you tell parents who ask for help?

Share your thoughts, insight, and ideas in the comment section below.

The Power of God

Nicole Cottrell

March 27, 2020

So many of us worship a different God. Oh, it’s still the God of Jacob. The God of Abraham. Yahweh.

Jesus Christ.

But, as my days in salvation go on, I have seen and met so many hopeless Christians. So many people, who are complacent in their faith. Lukewarm. Vacillating.

I have seen so many people who perhaps intellectually know God. They even love God, but they have never once experienced the power of God.

My hearts breaks when I consider this. I feel pangs in my chest when I grasp the fact that so many of my brethren have never, not once, felt His presence, been swept up in His Spirit, had a supernatural experience with the Living God.

Instead they have very different experiences…

I’ve heard believers say that they aren’t quite sure if they have ever actually heard the Lord speak to them.

I’ve heard believers say that they wouldn’t know the presence of the Holy Spirit if He were sitting right next to them.

I’ve heard believers say that the miracles of the Old Testament and New Testament are not meant for today.

But why do they say these things? Why do they believe these things?

Why is the supernatural scary for so many of us?

I know the word “supernatural” holds so many negative connotations within the Christian culture. It conjures up images of charismatic, dancing, tongues-speaking congregations.

And well, I quite like that.

My introduction to the Holy Spirit was not usual, as compared to most Christians. After meeting Jesus at a Christian conference for teens, I began regularly attending a rather charismatic church.

It was not uncommon for people to prophecy in the service. Or for people to approach you after service with a “word of knowledge” for you. Or for people to pray in tongues (in accordance with the instruction given in 1 Corinthians). Or for people to physically feel and sense the presence of the Spirit.

This was my introduction to Christianity and it was thick with the Spirit. I was ever aware and in touch with God’s power. It was not some far off, ancient, inaccessible idea. His power was now. It was everywhere.

And yet now, years later, I have become all too aware of the fact that my experience is not the common experience. My knowledge of the Spirit is the exception and not the rule. Oh, how it must grieve Him. When Jesus Himself said it would be better for Him to leave so that the Helper may come–and yet so many of us ignore, downplay, or disregard the Helper.

It’s as if we are running on low, constantly in search of more energy, more power, to enable us to live this Christian life. And instead of plugging into the Power Source, we run on empty and wonder why we don’t get very far.

To be honest, I’m not even sure where this post is headed, except to say that I believe the Lord wants me to start talking about more of these things–His supernatural being, but what it means to be supernatural everyday. I believe there is an opportunity to invite more of His power to our daily lives. We need only ask.

So, I’m opening it up to all of you. You are some of the most honest, genuine, thoughtful, passionate readers around. I am so grateful for each and every one of you and so I ask you…

What is the supernatural in your life currently? Do you believe in and/or experience the power of God on a regular basis? If not, why not? And go ahead and ask me anything you’d like about this topic. Let’s start discussing…

Hundreds Pray for Couple’s Frightening Coronavirus Journey

Christine Yount Jones

March 27, 2020

When both his parents were hospitalized, Young Life leader Tyler Olen Marcus reached out to his friends on Facebook to pray for their recovery from coronavirus.

This has been one of the hardest weeks of my life. If you are one to pray, please pray. My father, Bob, is fighting for his life due to complications from Coronavirus. My Mom and Dad are both confirmed Covid-19 patients and have been in isolation at Providence Hospital in Everett. Mom is responding fairly well to her care – she will start an experimental anti-viral drug tonight that has seen some success with other patients. My dad’s condition is not good enough to qualify for this anti-viral drug. His lungs are struggling big time! He needs to drop his liver enzyme counts.

Our family believes with everything we are that God is GOOD!!! Even in hard times, He is good. Please join us in prayer for a miracle. We need him so bad!! We need my Dad!

More than 800 people commented that they were joining with Tyler’s family for the much-needed miracle for his parents’ recovery from coronavirus.

Tyler posted on March 4:

Mom continues to get better and better every day. She has been discharged from the hospital but is still under care and supervision of medical teams. Ways to pray for Mom are that her lungs would continue to heal. She is still coughing up trace amounts of blood, which is concerning. She is starting to get a little appetite back. But, she gets drained from her energy real quick!! Pray for strength and comfort.

While his mother responded to treatment, his father’s condition worsened.

Our last update was after a series of tough conversation with doctors preparing us for the worst. Today the infectious disease doctor has said “what is happening with Bob is a miracle!” Last Wednesday Dad was at 100% oxygen assistance and maxed out on the pressure they could use to keep his lungs open (level 18). During that episode his body had an oxygen saturation level at 75% (dangerously low). They were preparing us for the worst.

Dad is still very sick! He has currently been on life support for 8 days. He has two huge problems: The coronavirus is still active in his body. He has had 5 doses of 10 of the experimental medication. We are confident his body will begin to take over control from the virus and kick his fever.

The second and at the moment biggest issue is his lungs. He is suffering from Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, ARDS. This is causing his lungs to harden and not oxygenate his body. We need healing to happen in Dad’s lungs.

The doctors had little hope for Bob’s recovery from coronavirus. But hundreds and even thousands continued to pray. Tyler posted on March 10:

Dad is is on 40% oxygen assistance and a 5 on the pressure needed to keep his lungs open. His oxygen saturation is at 96%!! He is progressing well and fast!! Dad had a breathing test today that told the doctors if he was ready to have his intubation removed. He passed that test but is still very labored. They are going to leave him on the ventilator for 1, maybe 2 more days and then possibly remove it!! The nurse was fighting back tears as she shared incredible news with us today. Dad still has a road to recovery but we are seeing the power of God at work! We have been praying specifically for certain treatments, specific doctors, and that the Holy Spirit would move through the hearts and minds of the staff and we are seeing exactly that happen!!

While Tyler’s heart and mind were focused on his mom’s and dad’s recovery from coronavirus, he asked that people pray for more than just their recovery.

Please continue to lift Dad up in prayer! But also, while you pray for Mom and Dad, PRAY FOR THINGS SO BIG THAT THE WORLD WOULD KNOW WHO GOD IS!!!!! All of this is for nothing if God doesn’t receive the reward of His goodness!! The ICU at Providence is filling up fast with people in dire need, just like Mom and Dad. Remember to pray for them. Remember to pray for the doctors and nurses. Remember to PRAY SO BIG!!!

This Is Why Alicia Keys Chose Not to Have an Abortion

Jessica Mouser

March 27, 2020

When singer and actress Alicia Keys found out she was pregnant with her second son, she initially felt there was no way she could see the pregnancy through. But after wrestling with her decision, Keys realized that if she chose an abortion, she would deny her child the chance to make a difference in the world and impact the lives of other people.

“How could I take away the potential for this beautiful child, this light that could touch others in ways I couldn’t dream of?” asked Keys in an excerpt from her new memoir, More Myself, that she shared with People magazine.

Alicia Keys Makes a Choice

Alicia Keys came to fame in 2001 when she released her first album, Songs in A Minor, which had the hit single, “Fallin’” on it. She has since had a successful career with 29 Grammy nominations and 15 wins. Keys married producer and rapper Swizz Beatz in 2010, the same year the couple had their first son together. When the singer found out in 2014 that she was four months along with their second child, she was in a hectic season of life. “This is the worst time ever,” she told her doctor. “I’m working on my next album. My husband just got into Harvard Business School. And I’ve been drinking—a lot.’ I left her office feeling so torn.”

Modern culture celebrates a woman’s “right” to choose an abortion, as actress Michelle Williams did in a recent award speech where she implied that abortion has enabled her to have a successful career. Said Williams, “I’ve tried my very best to make a life of my own making…I wouldn’t have been able to do this without employing a women’s right to choose. To choose when to have children, and with whom.”

But as Keys wrestled with what to do, the words of a song she and her husband had written together encouraged her that she had the strength to handle having a baby, despite the timing. “While I was struggling over my choice,” she said, “I went into the studio one evening and began listening to ‘More Than We Know’…The lyrics are about how we’re capable of so much more than we can ever imagine.” Listening to the song moved the singer to tears. She said, “For me, the song was a powerful message that I should go on with the pregnancy.”

Wrestling over her decision to choose life for her son has given Keys more insight into her own mother, who had to make a similar decision. Keys’ mother, Teresa Augello, had a short relationship with Keys’ father, during which Augello became pregnant. Augello ended up raising Keys as a single mother—but only after considering an abortion.

Augello’s decision was even more challenging than her daughter’s because Augello was raising her child on her own and had little money. Keys told NPR, “I grew up with not much and my mother had to work from paycheck to paycheck all the time.” The fact that her mother went through a struggle that corresponded to hers was something Keys discovered through working on the memoir.

“She chose me, even through all the difficulties,” the singer told People. “How would she ever know what I was brought here to do? In a way we are parallel, but I didn’t even know that.”

Now Streaming: ‘I Still Believe’ Soars After Box Office Win

Jesse T. Jackson

March 27, 2020

Grammy Award winner Jeremy Camp‘s Christian romantic drama biopic I Still Believe was released the same weekend most American’s were ordered to stay at home because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even still, I Still Believe managed to shine during its debut. It was the number one movie at the box office on the opening day of its release, Friday March 13. It beat out Disney’s new animated film, Onward, and Vin Diesel’s new superhero movie, Bloodshot, on Friday and recorded $12 million in sales in its first weekend.

Stream I Still Believe From Home

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I Still Believe is getting an early release to streaming platforms. Starting today (March 27th), you can rent the movie for $19.99 and watch it for 24-hours (standard online rental). It can be rented on most major streaming platforms including Apple TV, Google Play, and Amazon.

Critic Reviews

I Still Believe is a sweet film with an uplifting message that hope exists and love abounds. And with what’s going on in the world, what’s wrong with that? – Tania Lamb (Lola Lambchops)

With “I Still Believe,” the Erwin brothers raise the bar well above most faith-based films, in more ways than one. – Brandy McDonnell (The Oklahoman)

Call it a faith-based tearjerker, and you won’t be far off the mark. – Joe Leydon (Variety)

A sincere and tender love story with attractive stars and tuneful songs. – Nell Minow (Movie Mom)

This true romance packs plenty of spiritual punch, plus a radiant lead performance. – Christian Toto (HollywoodInTo.com)

The Erwins are careful to show that God is faithful even when He says “no.” In a prosperity gospel culture, that’s a theme worthy of any filmmaker. – Megan Basham (WORLD)

Thank You

Jeremy Camp took to Instagram to thank everyone for supporting the film: “Thanks to everyone who went out yesterday to support the film. I know times are crazy and uncertain right now, but we should never be controlled by fear. Stay healthy and remember God is in control! Love you guys!”

View this post on Instagram

Thanks to everyone who went out yesterday to support the film. I know times are crazy and uncertain right now, but we should never be controlled by fear. Stay healthy and remember God is in control! Love you guys! #istillbelieve

A post shared by Jeremy Camp (@jeremycampofficial) on Mar 14, 2020 at 11:35am PDT

Earlier this week Jeremy and his wife Adie (formerly of the Christian rock band The Benjamin Gate) preformed a new song entitled Whatever May Come that was written to process what is happening in the world at this time during the COVID-19 pandemic. They remind us that God is there for every heartbreak, every confusion, every fear. He is faithful every time.

Whatever I face
Whatever the fear
whatever the cost
You always draw near
Whatever the pain
Whatever may come
Whatever may fall
Your love overcomes
I will call
I will call upon you
Whatever I face you are with me
I will fall I will fall on my knees
For every heartbreak you will hold me
Every wall will break
All the darkness shake
All the joy will be renewed
So every knee let’s bow
And raise a victory shout
For the king will make things new
Every mountain moved
Every lie be loosed
For your banner we’re lifting high

Free Sermon Kit Available

Use this free 2-week sermon kit to challenge your church body to dive into the deep question of “what happens when God doesn’t answer my prayers?” The free kit covers practical ways to live in the waiting, and the power of faith in the middle of the unknown.

During this time while we are quarantined at home this is a great idea for a small group online study. You could also encourage your church family to rent the movie for a date night or family night. (For most families, $19.99 is actually cheaper than going to the movie theater to see it.)

No matter the fear, the doubt, the worry, or the anxiety I still believe in your faithfulness, in your truth, in your holy word.⁠ Even when I don’t see, I still believe. – Jeremy Camp

WATCH: Cell Phone Choir Performs ‘It Is Well With My Soul’

Megan Briggs

March 27, 2020

As most the U.S. figures out the logistics of working from home, some workers are having a harder time than others translating their jobs online. For instance, how do studio singers work from home? A group of about 30 singers from the Nashville, Tennessee area collaborated to sing a version of the hymn “It Is Well With My Soul” arranged for a choir. The task required the group to perform as a virtual choir using their cell phones. The effect is, well…incredible.

“[Thirty one] of Nashville’s Studio Singers using their cell phones during Nashville’s Safer at Home order to record and lift their collective voices to share a message of hope and encouragement during these challenging days. It is well,” the description on the group’s YouTube video reads.

The singers featured in the video are used to rubbing elbows with the big stars of Nashville. But a recent “safer at home” order for Nashville-area residents sent many of these singers home.

The video features mashups of the singers recording their respective parts from their residences. The project was produced and arranged by David Wise. TenTwoSix Music Group is listed as the executive producer of the video.

It’s amazing to see the singers use their talents to bring hope and encouragement to those who need it. As most of the churches and schools across the U.S. move to online platforms so they can continue meeting virtually, people are getting creative with their meetings.

Church leaders have many things to consider as Easter approaches. Typically the busiest time of year for the church, how will leaders communicate the message of Easter to families at home? Check out these articles from ChurchLeaders for ideas you can use:

Can’t Do an Easter Egg Hunt? Easter Photo Scavenger Hunt Alternative

6 Children’s Sermons for Parents to Use at Home This Easter

Drive In Church Helps People Who Are ‘starting to feel it’

Small Groups and Social Distancing: Promoting Online Community

The Church Guide to the Coronavirus

Coronavirus Updates and Stories

ChMeetings Simplifying the Church Administration

ChMeetings

March 27, 2020

A very affordable, easy and user-friendly church management software, available on web, Android and iOS. ChMeetings is designed for churches of all sizes and denominations. It’s used by thousands of ministries, churches and even dioceses.

With no effort, you can manage the church members with all needed information by customizing the profile fields as you like and add any number of needed custom fields. You can simply manage ministries, groups, events, follow-ups, member access, contributions and online giving.

Take the attendance from your mobile or tablet. Also, create event registration, surveys or feedback forms and share it with your people.

Effortlessly communicate with your people by emails, text messages, push notifications and even voice calls and receive text replies.

You will not miss any important notifications on your mobile, like the members’ birthdays, new members added to the app and when you are getting assigned to some follow-up tasks.

What Are the Responsibilities of Church Members?

Matt Emadi

March 27, 2020

What are the responsibilities of church members? In an individualistic and consumeristic culture, the very notion that there are significant responsibilities for church members comes as a surprise to some Christians.

I can still remember my excitement at seeing my name on the final basketball roster. I made the cut. High school basketball tryouts were over, the team was set, and my name was on the list. I got the shoes, the jersey, and a locker in the team locker room.

Now the real work was about to begin: conditioning, practices, travel, more conditioning, games, summer camps—and did I mention conditioning? These responsibilities defined my role as a team member. Without accepting them, my place on the team would have been insignificant; indeed it would have been non-existent.

Responsibility and church membership go hand-in-hand—you simply can’t have one without the other. In fact, wherever you have a defined group of people, those people necessarily incur responsibility simply by belonging to the group. You’re not a member of the Tuesday night bowling league if you don’t take responsibility to show up on Tuesday nights to bowl. Even more so, if you join a church, you have responsibilities.

So what are the responsibilities of church members?

How we answer that question depends on how we first define the local church. A local church is not a building or a place. A church is a people. More specifically a local church is born-again, Spirit-filled people who gather regularly in the name of the Lord Jesus and under the authority of God’s Word to profess the true gospel and affirm each other’s citizenship in the kingdom of God by the ordinances. That definition is a bit of a mouthful. But it shows us two important things about the church and its membership: the church has a unique identity and the church has a unique authority.

The church is made up of regenerate, Spirit-filled people. They have a new identity. No longer spiritually dead, they’ve been made alive in Christ. They are a new creation, forgiven of their sins, and adopted as God’s sons (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 1:7, 13, 22; Romans 8:15). All church members bear a responsibility to become who they already are in Christ by walking in a manner worthy of the gospel (Ephesians 4:1). Being leads to doing. Or in other words, New Testament imperatives flow from gospel indicatives.

God has also entrusted these local assemblies with authority to render decisions on earth on behalf of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:18). Local churches are embassies of God’s kingdom. Through baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and discipline, a local church wields the authority to affirm or denounce someone’s citizenship in God’s kingdom. This responsibility falls to the members of the church, not just its leadership.

SIX RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHURCH MEMBERS

In light of the church’s identity and authority, how do we define the responsibilities of church members? These six points summarize the Bible’s teaching on the responsibilities of church members.

Assemble Together

If church members don’t assemble, then there’s no church. In other words, gathering together in the name of the Lord Jesus is part of what makes a church a church. The author of Hebrews commanded his readers not to forsake assembling together (Hebrews 10:25). Every church member should prioritize Lord’s day worship with the people of God.

Of course, members may need to assemble for other reasons. If a church designates member’s meetings as the context for budget approvals, receiving new members, handling discipline cases, and clarifying doctrinal positions, then church members have a responsibility to gather at those meetings as well.

Protect the Gospel

Ensuring fidelity to the gospel isn’t the responsibility of pastors alone. Every church member is responsible to uphold and affirm the gospel. When the apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Galatia, he chastised the churches, not the elders, for turning to a “different gospel” (Galatians 1:2-6). He held the congregation accountable for allowing error to creep in and distort the gospel (Galatians 1:7). Granted, not every member can master the intricacies of systematic theology, but every member should be able to articulate and defend the substance of the gospel. The apostles assumed that every believer would mature in Christ, enabling them to discern true and false doctrine (Ephesians 4:13-14; Philippians 1:9-10; 1 John 4:1-6).

At a practical level, protecting the gospel means that church members should know and understand their church’s statement of faith. Every church member is responsible to ensure that the teaching of his or her church is in accord with the church’s confession. Church members that embrace this responsibility will view their private Bible study as more than an act of personal devotion and edification. It will also have an ecclesiological impulse: “I study the Bible to help the whole church maintain doctrinal fidelity.” When every member accepts the responsibility to protect the gospel, the whole church benefits. Together, they mature in the truth and build themselves up in the knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4:13).

Faith Without Works … The Problem With a Breadless Gospel

Jarrid Wilson

March 27, 2020

The problem with a breadless Gospel is that it is faith without works.

Today I walked into another home. Not just any home, but a home in the rural hills of Armenia. The house was full of dust, and the cracks in the walls screamed for care and attention. Although the floor was full of dirt and rubble, the glow on the faces of those who lived in this home would make you think otherwise.

As we gathered in the living room of this small and fragile structure, the family looked at us with great joy, honored to have us inside the place they call home. They knew why we were there. They knew we were all Christians, looking to help in any way we could.

As I stood there in disbelief, still baffled that I was halfway around the world on mission to share the love of Jesus, I couldn’t help but realize how broken the sharing of Jesus’ Good News has really become. Let me explain.

James 2:14-17 states, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

We Need More Action and Less Faith Without Works!

We must understand the importance of sharing the Gospel through our words, but also activating the Gospel through our actions. What does this mean? It means that although the Good News of Jesus is sufficient for all things, one must not ignore the tangible needs of someone who is standing right in front of them.

Faith without works is dead.

Sharing the Gospel without action is dead. It’s as James said: “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (James 2:15-17).

The Gospel of Jesus is the most important thing anyone could ever digest, but don’t mistake this truth for giving you a “get out of helping tangibly” free card.

The message of Jesus will transform a heart and soul, but a loaf of bread will fill a belly. The two must go hand in hand.

How Do We Transform Faith Without Works?

We must change the way in which we share the message of Jesus and initiate a tangible love that coincides with the all-consuming transformative Word of God. We cannot ignore what’s in front of us. We cannot ignore the needs of those around us.

Jesus fed the hungry, healed the lame and even raised people from the dead, all while sharing the Good News of grace and salvation. If we call ourselves Christians, then we must truly yearn to live a life that reflects that of Jesus. This means serving as he served, loving as he loved and caring as he cared.

We must break away from sharing a breadless Gospel and begin putting the needs of others before ourselves.

Why Do Christians Need to Hear the Gospel Every Day?

Cameron Smart

March 27, 2020

Some people believe that hearing the gospel is only useful for evangelism—a message only unbelievers need to hear. Yet the Bible teaches that followers of Jesus need to continue hearing the gospel even after they are born again. Christians should meditate on the gospel every day in their personal Bible reading, and pastors should preach the gospel in every sermon. We regularly need to hear about the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, as well as the call to repent of our sins and turn to Jesus in faith.

Here are eight reasons we need to hear gospel truths each and every day:

1. To evoke praise and thanks to God. God our Father is the one who should be in the news headlines each day. Rather than taking his incredible saving works on our behalf for granted, we should daily meditate on what he has done in Christ and offer up to him the worship and thanksgiving of which he is so deserving (Romans 11:33–36; Revelation 5).

2. To remind us of our identity in Christ. Hearing the gospel each day and each week focuses us on Christ (Colossians 3:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11). We easily forget who Christ truly is and who we are in him. The good news clears away the fog of forgetfulness and reminds us of what God has done in history and in his people.

3. To sustain us. Meditating on God’s Word and gospel truths roots our faith, makes us fruitful, feeds us, waters us, grows us, and keeps us firm through trials (Psalm 1; John 6:22-59; Jude 20-21).

4. To keep us from sin. The gospel sanctifies us because through it we grow in love for our Father, and we desire to please him with our life. The gospel is a greater treasure than temporary gratification, a greater pleasure than sin to enjoy. Knowing that there is no good thing we can do that would make God love us more in Christ actually frees us to love and obey him rather than to take advantage of His grace (see all of Romans 6).

5. To motivate us to do good works. The resurrection of Jesus Christ frees us to spend our lives no longer for ourselves but for those around us (Titus 2:11-14; Ephesians 2:1-10).

6. To protect us from despair. No sin we commit makes God love us less. The gospel frees us from despair. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, which was shown to us through the gospel of the Cross (Romans 8:31-39).

7. To encourage others around us. When we’re reminded of the gospel, we are more prone to share a word of encouragement with others throughout the day. This encouragement in turn builds them up in the gospel and ministers truth to their hearts (2 Timothy 2:1-7). A terrific resource in this regard is the book Counsel From the Cross: Connecting Broken People to the Love of Christ by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick and Dennis E. Johnson.

8. To beat down our pride. A sober reflection on our sin and what God has done for us in the gospel destroys our pride and cultivates a spirit of humility before the Lord and others (John 3:16, 5:24; Titus 3:1-7).

This article originally appeared here.

Answering Kids’ Questions About Why God Allows Things Like Pandemics

Dale Hudson

March 27, 2020

Today’s kids face situations that many of us never faced when we were kids. And we need help answering kids’ questions about why God allows things like pandemics.

Kids have heard in the news…

School shootings.

Terrorist attacks.

Church shootings.

Tsunami’s and other natural disasters.

And now they face the Coronavirus.

Answering Kids’ Questions

It’s important to prepare yourself to have conversations with children about what is happening so you’re prepared for answering kids’ questions.

One of the questions you may be called upon to answer is this…

1. WHY is God allowing this to happen?

This is a difficult and challenging question to answer – especially if it’s a kid who is asking. It can get complicated.

And let me say this. I believe as parents and church leaders, we must be prepared to answer these types of questions. We must be proactive and walk with our kiddos through difficult times…having age appropriate conversations about what’s happening.

If we are not strategic about answering these questions, we run the risk of seeing kids turn away from the faith when they are older. Teaching kids apologetics is more needed and crucial than ever before.

A prime example of this is Brad Pitt. He grew up in a conservative, Baptist family that went to church faithfully. According to Brad’s own words in an interview with a magazine, he said when he turned around the age of 13, he started having questions. Questions like many kids will be asking about the coronavirus.

No one at the time gave Brad any answers that made sense to him. As he got older and left home, he turned his back on the faith he had been raised in and now says he is an agnostic.

Please, please, please don’t brush off the tough questions with kids. They want to own their faith and believe for themselves. That’s the context they are asking the questions from.

Let’s look at some points you can use to explore while answering kids’ questions.

Q: Why is God allowing the coronavirus to spread and kill people?

1. First, ask the child what is happening and ask how he or she feels about it. This will give you a good sense of how much they already know and you can correct any misconceptions they may have.

Ask the child to be honest about their fears. Are they afraid? Are they stressed? Are they worried? What do they know or understand about the virus at this point?

2. Listen to the child and be emphatic with any concerns he or she may have. Keep a calm voice. Let the child know you are there to help protect them and keep them safe and healthy. Let them know lots of people like scientists and doctors are working to keep us safe.

3. Keep a positive attitude. Be honest and don’t bring a doom and gloom attitude. Keep the updates about what is happening to a minimum. If you constantly talk about it, it can begin to feel like impending doom is about to happen. Less is more for some kids when talking about something of this magnitude.

4. Keep balance in your conversation. Share what is happening, but also share the proactive things that are being done and specifically what they can do to help. Remind them they can take steps like washing their hands, not sharing drinks, etc.

5. Then move into why this is happening.

God created the world as a perfect place. Originally there was no pain, sickness, suffering or natural disasters.

God gave us the opportunity to love Him. He didn’t make us like robots. He wanted us to choose to love Him.

God gave us the freedom to love Him or not. This is because without the freedom to choose there is no true love.

And with that freedom, Adam and Eve made the decision to disobey God. When this happened, the world became a different place where there was suffering, pain and disasters. In Genesis chapter 4, we see the first murder take place. The sin caused the world to become a broken place.

We still live in a broken world and with that still comes sicknesses and diseases like the coronavirus.

But He also loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, into this broken world, so that one day we could have a perfect place to live again. When we accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness, we will live forever in a place where there is no longer any death, suffering, viruses or pain.

And while we wait for Jesus to return, we have a promise that God is always with us. Since right now we still live in the broken world, bad things happen at times to everyone. It’s part of living in this broken world. But God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. He is with us in the good times and the bad times. He is always, always, always there to love us and speak peace to our heart.

When bad things like the virus happens, we want God to wave a magic wand and make the virus go away immediately. But it’s not always like that. Sometimes we have to go through the tough times like everyone else. But the difference for us as believers is the fact that Jesus is with us and understands how we feel. He also felt hurt and pain when He died on the cross for our sins.

As followers of Jesus, we also have other believers who can encourage us and walk with us through the tough times. That’s why it is so important to stay connected to a church and have friends there who can help us and guide us. That’s what the church does. We support and care for each other.

We can also think about all the good things God allows to happen to us as well. We have food to eat, a place to sleep, people around us who love us and so many other great blessings God brings to us.

Our prayer is that we can raise children who have a deep faith that trusts in God in the good times and the “bad” times that come with living in this world.

This article about answering kids’ questions originally appeared here.

Read this next: What It’s Like for Special Needs Families During Coronavirus

7 Simple Ways to Help New Members Stick

Thom Rainer

March 26, 2020

Very few church leaders need to be convinced that assimilation is important. And very few church leaders need to be convinced that some upfront mechanism, like a new members’ class, is important. The question I am asked frequently is: “What are the best practices for this upfront orientation or new members’ class?”

I have the advantage of research, input, anecdotal information and ongoing conversations with church leaders. From these sources, I have derived seven ways to help new members stick. Obviously, my list is not exhaustive, but I do think it represents some of the best practices I see in churches today.

1. Keep the initial orientation brief. Some churches have new members’ classes that last multiple hours over multiple days. These orientations are counterproductive. They engender information overload and have little impact. If there is much information you need to share, do so over a longer period of time, but not in the initial new members’ class. The new members’ class works best if it is two to three hours in one setting.

2. Tell them what the church believes. These new and prospective members must know the key beliefs or doctrines of the church. Don’t let them be surprised later. Such could prove messy for the members and the church as a whole.

3. Explain to them the church’s polity. Polity is the organizational and authority systems of the church. Many new members assume the church they are joining makes decisions like churches where they have been in the past. Such assumptions can cause problems later.

4. Share with them what is expected of them. Too many churches are shy about sharing expectations with members. But clear expectations lead to both happier and healthier members. I was recently with some church leaders who told me they were very explicit about four minimal expectations of members: they should attend weekly worship services; they should get in a small group; they should be involved in at least one church ministry a year; and they should be faithful financial givers to the church.

5. Let them know how they can plug in. Don’t merely let them know what is expected of them; share with them the specifics of how they can carry out the expectations. For example, if the church expects them to be in a small group or Sunday school class (a key to assimilation health), give them clear and detailed information on who to contact, where and when the group meets, and when they should get started.

6. Orient them about the church’s facilities. I know it’s basic, but it’s important for members to understand the details of the church’s facilities, even in smaller churches. When are the offices open? Who can use certain parts of the church buildings? Where are the nursery or preschool areas? Where are the restrooms?

7. Have someone stay in contact with them for six months. You will typically retain or lose members in this time frame. Have well-trained members checking with the new members. It may be a simple call or an email once a week. It does not have to be overbearing. The veteran member can ask if they are orienting well, if they have found a small group or if they have questions.

The reality of assimilation, or new member stickiness, is that it is usually effective or ineffective in the first few months. Some churches err with too much upfront and drive new members away with information overload and lengthy classes and inventories. Others churches err by doing too little. But the most effective churches tend to shape their strategies on these seven simple efforts.

How Alexa and “The Internet of Things” Will Impact Your Church

James Emery White

March 26, 2020

You know about the internet. You know about the “Internet of Things.” If you have ever asked Alexa to play a song, you’ve used it. At its most basic, the Internet of Things refers to the interconnectivity between smart devices. Anything that can use or access the internet can become part of the IoT. And by “things” I mean a lightbulb, truck, microwave, washing machine… things that you might not normally think use the internet, but with growing technological innovation, could. As Forbes has reported, with broadband internet becoming more widely available, the cost of connecting to it decreasing, more devices being created with Wi-Fi capabilities and sensors built into them, smartphone penetration skyrocketing, a “perfect storm” for the Internet of Things is taking shape. Essentially, anything with an “on” and “off” switch could become part of the Internet of Things. So if you haven’t gotten a connection for your property yet, it might be time look up sites such as business broadband compare.

As an article on iCoolKid.com noted:

What makes this phenomena so interesting is that these objects could theoretically communicate between one another without the need for human interaction or input. Devices that operate simultaneously and share information are able to send back very specific information to applications or manufacturers, allowing companies to rapidly evolve their products and approaches to tech with increased ease.

The world around us is more responsive as a result of the Internet of Things—and it’s only set to become steadily more so as we move into the ’20s. My own home security system allows me, wherever I am in the world, to hear our home’s doorbell, see who is at the door through a camera, have a conversation with whomever is there, and even unlock the door for them if need be. All through my smartphone.

Currently, even the youngest of generations (Generation Z) tends to use the Internet of Things for little more than social media, music and personal communication. This will change. Generation Z will have grown up in a world of smart objects, which will shape not only their thinking, but also their experiential expectations. For them, things can and should communicate with each other.

And the change will come fast. According to Business Insider, the United States is expected to surpass 1 billion smarthome devices by 2023. “Gen Z will be the ones to adopt these technologies and implement them into real, daily life throughout this decade, and thanks to a generational understanding of smart products, this may all come to fruition quicker than you expect.”

Putting the obvious privacy and security concerns aside that will need to be addressed (none of us want our refrigerator spying on us), the implications for the church and its mission will need to process what will arguably affect the nature of our near-future world.

We will need to capitalize on whatever information we can gain from potential Internet of things feedback and use it to sharpen our missional effectiveness.

We will need to think through people’s experience when interacting with us in terms of their growing expectation of things communicating with each other.

We will need to wrap our thinking around two new relationships. Currently we only think in terms of “people-to-people.” We will have to learn to broaden that out to “people-to-things” and yes, “things-to-things.”

We will need to think through how a church’s physical campus can become part of a “smart city.”

And most of all, we will need to think through what it will mean as the world increasingly explores spiritual things … by asking Alexa.

This article originally appeared here, and is used by permission of James Emory White.

The 10 Commandments of Small Group Leadership

Rick Howerton

March 26, 2020

Okay, okay… Maybe these aren’t THE 10 Commandments of small group leadership as they didn’t come from God Himself. But, maybe these 10 expectations of a great leader will help you as you lead and serve your small group.
1.Thou shalt serve edible and delicious snacks.

2.Thou shalt consistently pray for every group member by name.

3.Thou shalt welcome stragglers who stick around after group meetings as the minutes after the group meeting ends is when transformational moments often occur.

4. Honor thy coach and thy groups pastor that your presence may be a blessing and not a curse.

5. Honor thy apprentice, allowing her/him opportunities to lead the group meeting.

6. Thou shalt not kill the overly talkative group member.

7. Thou shalt not talk too much.

8. Thou shalt not leave conflict unresolved.

9. Thou shalt not do all the work but will delegate responsibilities so that other group members are more deeply engaged in group life.

10. Thou shalt not covet another group leader’s group.

I’ve accumulated a list of seven things to never say to a depressed Christian.

1. Never Say This to a Depressed Christian: “Just Snap Out of It”

2. Never Say This to a Depressed Christian: “Think Positively”

Do We Value a Little Life?

The Names in Romans 16 Reveal a Diversity of Ethnicity.

The names reveal a diversity of class.

The names reveal diversity in gender.

The Danger of Entertainment in Church

1) Our Mission Is Not Entertainment

2) A Focus on Entertainment Negates the Weightiness of the Cross

3) Frivolous Entertainment Will Attack the Preaching of Christ

What is the supernatural in your life currently? Do you believe in and/or experience the power of God on a regular basis? If not, why not? And go ahead and ask me anything you’d like about this topic. Let’s start discussing…

More than 800 people commented that they were joining with Tyler’s family for the much-needed miracle for his parents’ recovery from coronavirus.

Alicia Keys Makes a Choice

Stream I Still Believe From Home

Critic Reviews

Thank You

Free Sermon Kit Available

So what are the responsibilities of church members?

SIX RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHURCH MEMBERS

Assemble Together

Protect the Gospel

We Need More Action and Less Faith Without Works!

Faith without works is dead.

How Do We Transform Faith Without Works?

Answering Kids’ Questions

1. WHY is God allowing this to happen?

Let’s look at some points you can use to explore while answering kids’ questions.

Q: Why is God allowing the coronavirus to spread and kill people?

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