Robert Morris Demanded Millions in Compensation Following Resignation, Gateway Church Claims in Court Documents

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May 15, 2025

Disgraced Pastor Robert Morris has demanded from Gateway Church a lifetime retirement package worth millions of dollars, the church claims in a court filing.

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

Morris, who founded the Texas megachurch in 2000, resigned as its senior pastor in 2024 after decades-old allegations of child sex abuse came to light.

Morris had actually spoken openly about the alleged abuse in the past, referring to it as “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady.” What was previously unknown to most is that the young lady in question was then 12-year-old Cindy Clemishire.

Clemishire has alleged that Morris sexually abused her while staying with her family as he worked as a traveling evangelist. Morris was in his early 20s at the time of the alleged abuse.

Morris, 63, now faces criminal charges in Oklahoma, where the alleged abuse occurred, and he could face up to 100 years in prison if convicted.

According to WFAA, Gateway Church has now requested that a judge put a halt to an arbitration process initiated by Morris regarding financial compensation. The church claims that Morris has demanded a $1 million payout, an annual retirement salary of $800,000 until he turns 70, and an annual retirement salary of $600,000 every year thereafter for the remainder of his life.

Morris is also reportedly seeking to obtain the intellectual property rights to his books, sermons, social media accounts, and the web addresses pastorrobert.com and PSRobert.com.

The church is arguing that in light of the accusations, and now criminal charges, against Morris, his contract with the church has been disqualified, and Gateway is not obligated to Morris.

Causes and Cures for Leadership Burnout

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Full Strength Network

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May 15, 2025

Leadership is really tough. Good leaders understand this and manage their lives and leadership demands to avoid burnout. Sometimes, however, even the best leaders get burned out. If you’re facing burnout now, examine the cause list below to see what factors might be contributing to it. Then, take one proactive step this week from the cures list to take better care of yourself.

Here Are 4 Causes of Leadership Burnout

1. Allostatic load.

This term describes the wear and tear on our body from chronic stress. Our bodies have limits. Yet, when we are under stress for long periods of time, our bodies suffer. Prolonged stress causes sustained high levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which, along with an overabundance of other neurotransmitters and hormones, can cause heart problems, weight gain, impaired immunity, decreased memory due to brain cell atrophy, and diminished brain functioning.

2. Power stress.

Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee, authors of “Resonant Leadership,” coined this phrase to describe a kind of stress unique to leaders. They say, “Power stress is part of the experience that results from the exercise of influence and sense of responsibility felt in leadership positions.” McKee and Boyatzis explain that when the demands of leadership get so high and leaders fail to manage them, they risk becoming trapped in what they call the “Sacrifice Syndrome.” Sometimes we leaders feel so overly responsible for the success of our organizations or churches that we get caught in a vicious cycle of unhealthy sacrifice for others that leads to burnout.

3. Continuous partial attention.

Linda Stone, author and consultant, developed this phrase to describe the mental trap we easily fall into when we constantly scan our surroundings to look for the best opportunities to spend our time on. It happens when we “skim,” and pay attention, only partially. When this happens to a leader, he will fail to focus on the most important tasks at hand and get further behind on mission critical issues. Then, he must rush to get the important things done which contributes to chronic stress.

4. Multi-tasking.

“Many leaders have convinced themselves that multitasking leads to greater productivity. However, researchers have shown that when we try to process two mental tasks at once, our mental capacity can drop from that of a Harvard MBA to that of an 8-year-old. And it can reduce our mental capacities as if we missed a night’s sleep or smoked pot (Rock, 2009, pp. 34–36). Multitasking can also diminish long-term memory (Foerde et al., 2006). Even college students who multitasked with their laptops while in a class scored lower on tests than did students who didn’t multitask. And students who could see others multitasking also scored lower. So multitasking decreases others’ productivity as well as our own” (Sana et al., 2013). (From “People Pleasing Pastors: Avoiding the Pitfalls of Approval Motivated Leadership” by Charles Stone).

In fact, research shows that multitasking can add up to a 40% loss of productivity in a day. This decrease in productivity is called task switch cost.

So, what can we do to combat these factors that lead to burnout? Consider these steps.

Can the SBC’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Survive Trump 2.0?

By

Bob Smietana

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May 15, 2025

(RNS) — During their annual meeting in Dallas next month, Southern Baptists will sing, bless missionaries, pass a budget, listen to sermons and engage in lively debate about a host of issues.

Among those issues: what to do with the denomination’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. For nearly a decade, the ERLC has been a source of controversy as the nation’s largest Protestant denomination has navigated the cultural and political divides of the Trump era.

While Southern Baptists, like many evangelicals, have been strong supporters of President Donald Trump in the voting booth, some of the president’s policy decisions and personal conduct have clashed with Baptist ethics and beliefs.

That’s left the ERLC, which speaks to ethical issues and public policy debates, occasionally at odds with the denomination’s 12.7 million members, leading to three attempts to disband or defund the agency over the past decade.

Clint Pressley, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said he has spoken to a number of Southern Baptists about the ERLC – including Texas megachurch pastor Jack Graham, a past critic of the agency.

Some like what the agency is doing, he said. Others don’t.

While he suspects there will be a motion to close the agency at the denomination’s annual meeting in June, Pressley said the future of the ERLC is not up to him. Even if he had concerns about it, he’s got no power to make a decision. Instead, that power rests with church representatives known as messengers.

“I think those concerns about the ERLC will be answered by the messengers,” said Pressley, pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I can’t do anything about the ERLC.”

Pressley added that his role as chair of the SBC’s annual meeting means he cannot take sides in any debate over the ERLC.

In recent months, both the ERLC and its critics have engaged in an online public relations war over the agency’s reputation and future. The Center for Baptist Leadership, a startup activist group with ties to American Reformer magazine, has run a series of articles, podcast episodes and social media posts critical of the ERLC — primarily for its stances on immigration reform and lack of close ties to the Trump administration.

The ERLC has promoted its ties to House Speaker Mike Johnson, a former ERLC trustee, and its support for defunding Planned Parenthood, as well as its opposition to gender-affirming care for minors and “radical gender ideology.”

“The ERLC team has been diligently working to advocate for Southern Baptist beliefs in the public square while also providing meaningful resources that help our churches navigate today’s cultural challenges and gospel opportunities,” Scott Foshie, chair of the ERLC’s trustees, told RNS in an email. “Southern Baptists have supported an ethics and public policy entity for over a hundred years. We need an effective, responsive ERLC now more than ever.”

Discontent with the ERLC has been festering for years — and much of it dates back to the tenure of former ERLC President Russell Moore, who led the agency from 2013 to 2021.

Live Music Mix – What to do When the Music’s Too Loud

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Staff

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May 15, 2025

Worship should be a unifying, spiritually uplifting experience—but for some churchgoers, it’s also an overwhelming one. One of the most common concerns raised by congregants today is the volume of the music during worship services. Is it too loud? Is it hurting participation rather than encouraging it? Churches that use a full band and modern worship sets must walk a careful line between energy and accessibility. And the key issue behind it all? The live music mix.

Finding Balance in Your Live Music Mix

Whether your church meets in a small sanctuary or a converted gym, the live music mix is central to the worship experience. A well-balanced mix can lead people into the presence of God. But when that balance is off—especially when it’s too loud—it can alienate attendees or distract from worship altogether.

RELATED: Audio Mixing 101

Too often, churches equate loud with powerful. But volume alone doesn’t create an atmosphere of worship. The goal of every church’s music ministry should be to support the voice of the congregation, not drown it out. A carefully crafted live mix should highlight vocals, allow instrumentation to complement rather than dominate, and fit the size and acoustics of the room.

Signs Your Worship Music Might Be Too Loud

Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to recognize the signs that the volume or mix may be problematic:

People regularly complain or leave during worship
The congregation isn’t singing along
You see attendees using earplugs or covering their ears
Sound levels are inconsistent from week to week
The lead vocal gets buried under the instruments

These signs don’t mean your worship team isn’t talented or your heart is in the wrong place. It simply means your live music mix may need adjustment to better serve the people in your space.

What to Do If the Volume Is a Problem

If you’re starting to recognize that volume is an issue in your church’s worship services, here are several steps you can take to create a more inclusive and enjoyable sound environment:

1. Start with a Heart Check

Before tweaking dials or reassigning volunteers, revisit the purpose of your worship music. Ask the team: “Are we leading people in worship or just putting on a show?” Refocusing on the “why” behind your worship sets the stage for healthy, humble discussions about change.

2. Measure and Monitor Your Sound

A subjective feeling that it’s “too loud” can spark debate, but objective measurement can guide solutions. Use a decibel meter app or device to check sound levels during services. Generally, safe and comfortable levels for church environments fall between 85-95 dB (with peaks below 100 dB).

If your room consistently exceeds those levels, especially for extended periods, it’s likely too loud for some members. Also, keep in mind that perception of volume varies—older adults and children often experience high frequencies and loudness more acutely.

Is Your Small Group Too Small? (And What To Do About It)

By

Staff

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May 15, 2025

Church small groups are meant to foster community, discipleship, and spiritual growth—but what happens when your group feels more like a quiet dinner party than a vibrant gathering of believers? Many leaders wonder if their small group size is too small to be effective. If you’ve found yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. Understanding the dynamics of group size is key to creating a healthy, life-giving community.

Understanding the Ideal Small Group Size

There’s no magic number when it comes to how many people should be in a small group, but generally speaking, most churches recommend a group of 8 to 12 people. This number allows for everyone to contribute without being overwhelmed. It creates a balance between intimacy and diversity of voices.

A group of fewer than six, however, can sometimes feel limited. With too few participants, discussion can stall, perspectives are narrowed, and absences are more noticeable. If just one or two people can’t make it, the group might cancel altogether. While smaller groups offer deeper relationships, they may lack the energy and variety that larger groups bring.

Is Your Group Too Small?

Here are a few signs your small group size might be too small:

Low energy during meetings: With only a few people in the room, discussions might lack momentum or diverse perspectives.
Cancellations are common: If one or two people can’t make it, meetings may get postponed or canceled altogether.
Limited discussion: When there are only a few voices, it’s harder to get dynamic conversation, even with great material.
No room for guests or growth: A consistently small group may unintentionally become closed off to new members.

Of course, small doesn’t always mean ineffective. A group of three or four deeply committed members can still be transformational. But if your group consistently feels more like a counseling session than a communal Bible study, it may be time to evaluate the structure.

RELATED: When Small Groups Don’t Work

What to Do if Your Small Group Size Is Too Small

If you’ve determined that your small group size is limiting the potential of your gatherings, there are several practical steps you can take.

1. Invite with Intention

Sometimes we assume everyone already has a group, or we fear we’re intruding by inviting someone new. But many people in your church or neighborhood are looking for community—they just don’t know where to find it. Consider personally inviting individuals or couples who are new to the church, or who seem disconnected. A personal invitation often carries more weight than a general announcement.

Think beyond Sunday morning. Who are the people you connect with during other church activities or even in your workplace or neighborhood? Expanding your invitations beyond the church bulletin can yield surprising results.

2. Partner with Another Group

If there’s another group in your church that’s also struggling with numbers, consider merging. This can breathe new life into both communities. While there may be some adjustments in group dynamics, the opportunity for fresh voices and perspectives can be revitalizing.

This also opens the door for sharing responsibilities—like teaching, hosting, and organizing—which can help prevent burnout among leaders.

Developing Young Leaders in Your Church’s Preteen Ministry

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ChildrensMinistry.com

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May 14, 2025

Developing young leaders is a worthy goal for any church. It’s especially crucial for older-elementary kids and tweens. Preteens have an incredible four-year window that’s critical for influencing future leaders in our communities. Here’s how to make the most of it.

From ages 10 to 13, kids are exceptionally teachable and moldable as leaders. I call this the 10/13 Window, and I believe these are the most critical years for developing young leaders. This is when kids’ cognitive and moral development is growing and being shaped.

Giving Kids a Head Start

Sometimes I tell people I could beat the world’s fastest runner in a race. They look at me and wonder what I’m getting at, as they gauge my middle-aged-ness. I say, “I could beat the fastest person in the world—as long as I had a big enough head start.”

Imagine if we gave all kids a 15- to 25-year head start by training them how to be effective, ethical leaders as preteens. The future of the church and society depends on encouraging all kids to develop ethical leadership skills while they’re still pliable.

After 25 years of pastoral ministry, including over 15 years of training leaders and writing on the topic, I’ve reached a conclusion. The best hope for developing ethical, effective leaders is to train them during their preteen years.

I didn’t always believe this. Like many people, I believed that leadership is a role reserved for adults. You hear it in comments to kids: “Someday you’ll be quite a leader!” You see it in how we develop influencers. Most formal leadership training doesn’t begin until ages 25 to 35, when corporations provide staff with assessments, coaching, and training. It’s even evident in research on leadership, nearly all of which focuses on adults.

Over the last few years, I’ve focused on kids and leadership. And I’ve discovered that preteens have an incredible ability to grasp leadership concepts and demonstrate leadership skills. In fact, this is the most neglected area of leadership potential in the church today.

Despite many misconceptions, kids really are capable of true leadership. Focusing on youth, specifically preteens, is the most effective way to raise ethical leaders. So what better place to start developing young leaders than in your children’s ministry?

Capture the Preteen Moment

Cognitive Development

Kids’ cognitive development is becoming increasingly complex during the 10/13 window. Their ability to understand abstract concepts and reason abstractly is in high gear.

Leadership involves organizing people toward a common goal to accomplish something together that they couldn’t achieve as individuals. This ability requires a relatively sophisticated capacity to understand and manage a variety of factors.

By age 10, most kids are developmentally ready to handle this complex thinking and problem-solving. Plus, preteens have the emotional intelligence required to read others and know how to effectively relate to them.

Moral Development

By age 14, our moral development tapers off significantly. In other words, our “hard-wired” ethics are fairly well-established. Kids with strong character grounding in their formative years are far more likely to make good ethical choices into adulthood. These years are the prime time to instill the Christian values you want young leaders to have.

In the 10/13 window, children’s cognition is sufficiently developed to learn sophisticated social skills such as leading. Yet their character is still pliable enough for shaping. The goal in this window is to teach character in the context of leadership. In other words, to teach leadership that’s ethical and Christ-centered.

Tips for Developing Young Leaders

Use these step-by-step guidelines to develop faith-focused leadership skills in kids.

Look for the leader in all kids.

If you want to intentionally develop young leaders, start with kids who naturally exude social-influence behaviors. Social influencers are typically the most motivated and quickest to pick up leadership skills because, in reality, they’re already leading.

But these kids aren’t always who you think they are. Social influencers aren’t always the “good” kids or the most committed. Sometimes they’re the challenging kids who seem to rope the rest of your class into misbehavior. Sometimes they’re the nonconforming kids others emulate and look up to.

These kids, by their very nature, will encourage other kids to try their hand at leadership opportunities when they arise.

Pentecost Sunday School Lesson About the Holy Spirit, Our Helper

By

ChildrensMinistry.com

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May 14, 2025

A Pentecost Sunday school lesson teaches children about the Holy Spirit. Kids, especially younger ones, might picture a ghost like they see on television. But the Holy Spirit is one of our greatest blessings from God. He is a loving advocate and intercessor who pleads on our behalf.

This Pentecost Sunday school lesson explains what it means to have an advocate (someone who goes to bat for them). It also explores the role of intercessor (someone who takes our needs to God).

Scriptures for This Pentecost Sunday School Lesson

Romans 8:26 – The Holy Spirit helps us by praying when we don’t know what to pray.

1 John 2:1 – The Holy Spirit talks to God on our behalf.

Hot Air Helper

This Sunday school activity takes about 10 minutes.

You’ll need:

30 balloons
timer
air or balloon pump (available at party-supply stores or on Amazon)

Tell kids you have a big challenge for them. You’ll give three of them one minute to each inflate and tie off 10 balloons. Ask for three volunteers. Tell them you know it will be a challenge. But challenges can be fun!

Start the timer and give them one minute to inflate all the balloons. It’s highly unlikely anyone will be successful. (If they are, they must have superpowers!)

After the timer goes off and they’ve all caught their breath, continue.

Ask:

How did this challenge seem impossible?
Tell about a time you had to do something that seemed impossible.
What’s something that would’ve made your impossible situation easier?

The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper

Say: The great news is that God doesn’t expect us to handle every challenge that comes our way all alone. God gives us the Holy Spirit to help us rise to the challenge of difficult situations. In other words, God gives us a “balloon pump”—the Holy Spirit.

Pull out the balloon pump.

Say: And help in tying the balloons. Have two assistants stand beside you. The right tools change the challenge of inflating these balloons from impossible to possible. Let’s try again!

Set the timer and use the balloon pump and your assistants to inflate and tie the balloons, 10 in one minute.

Say: And now what seemed impossible was possible. The Holy Spirit isn’t some magical creature who makes your problems disappear. The Holy Spirit is God—your helper and friend who teaches you and makes the difficult challenges in your life a whole lot easier. Let’s explore this another way…

Backpack Burden

This portion of the Pentecost Sunday school lesson takes about 25 minutes.

You’ll need:

Bibles
backpack
numerous heavy objects (large beanbags, thick books, rocks, water bottles, and so on)
masking tape
marker

Prep: Label each heavy object with masking tape and marker. Write the words fear, worry, sadness, anger, and loneliness, along with other similar words. Prepare the backpack by filling it with heavy objects.

Have one child come to the front of the group. Ask him or her to pick up the backpack and put it on. It should be heavy enough to make this really difficult.

Say: I need you to carry this for me. Can you do that? Let the child answer. I was hoping you could carry it for the rest of our time together. Then turn your attention to the rest of the group while the child with the backpack stands beside you.

Ask:

Let’s talk about things that weigh us down. What things make life harder for kids your age? After kids name a few things, turn to the child with the backpack.
Is that backpack feeling heavy? Let the child answer. Let’s see what’s inside. Pull out the item marked fear.

Say: Hmmm. This heavy item says “fear” on it. What things are kids often afraid of? Let kids respond. Pull out the item marked worry.

Ask:

What do you worry about? Let kids respond.

Repeat this process as you pull out the rest of the items (sadness, loneliness, anger).

Baptist Preacher Says There’s ‘No Biblical Basis’ for Abstaining From Premarital Sex

By

Janna Firestone

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May 14, 2025

Delman Coates on premarital sex — Screengrab via YouTube / @Mt. Ennon Baptist Church

Megachurch Baptist preacher, Dr. Delman Coates, referenced “problematic translations” of the Bible as he argued against the teaching that sex before or outside of marriage is a sin. In a sermon series that aimed to “clarify what has been distorted and misunderstood by the church for millennia,” Coates fully supported consensual premarital sex.

“I’m acutely aware that today’s message is one that you ain’t never heard preached in the church,” admitted Coates.

Baptist Preacher Doesn’t Want To ‘Further Myths, Superstitions, and Lies’—Promotes Consensual Premarital Sex

Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland, a church of 9,000 people, aims to be a “Caring, Christ-Centered, Community Church, with a Kingdom Agenda.” The church values the Word of God, calling it “unchangeable; it is to be used to equip the saints to achieve our mission,” while also “embracing Godly innovation.” Coates helps “people to learn to live life with no limits.”

As part of his “Let’s Talk About Sex” sermon series, Coates attempted to dispel beliefs that have simply “been passed down from generation to generation.”

“I am obligated as a preacher of the Word of God to preach the truth of the Bible and not to further myths, superstitions, and lies,” said Coates.

“There are very few Christians—especially Black Christians—who were introduced to the subject of sex in ways that were positive, open, honest, loving, accepting, and celebrated,” said Coates, “and that experience, I believe, is why there is so much sexual ignorance, dysfunction, trauma, guilt, and shame in our community.”

Coates went on to say, “The church’s mishandling of this subject has had considerable consequences on our culture and our society.”

He argued that the difference is how the church has interpreted the word “fornication.” Coates said, “You cannot assume that it means in the text what it means today.”

“The Greek word ‘fornication’ in the Bible does not refer to premarital sex,” said Coates. He referenced 1 Corinthians 6 when the Apostle Paul says to “flee fornication” and argued that Paul wasn’t referring to premarital sex.

“Porneia” is the Greek word that appears 24 times in the New Testament, according to Coates. It’s root, “pornos,” he said, “means a harlot or a prostitute.”

Coates argued, “The entire context is fleeing prostitution, not fleeing premarital sex.”

It wasn’t until a thousand years after the New Testament was written, said Coates, that the word “fornication came to mean things like sexual immorality, sex before marriage…infidelity, or unchastity in the English language.”

G3 Ministries Will Now Remove All of Josh Buice’s Content Because ‘Egregious’ Sin ‘Stained’ Ministry’s Mission

By

Jesse T. Jackson

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May 14, 2025

Josh Buice G3 Ministries — Josh Buice screengrab via YouTube / G3 Ministries

On May 13, the board of G3 Ministries (G3) released a new statement sharing that the ministry will now remove all of Dr. Josh Buice’s content from its platforms.

In an earlier statement, G3 board members had said that Buice’s content would “remain accessible via the G3 website and G3+.”

Buice, who is G3’s founder and former president, resigned last Thursday after elders at Pray’s Mill Baptist Church (PMBC), where Buice is pastor, discovered that Buice had been using multiple anonymous social media, email, and Substack accounts to attack church leaders, including PMBC elders.

PMBC elders shared in a statement on Monday that Buice admitted to having the accounts following a two-hour confrontation. Buice was then put on indefinite leave as pastor of PMBC.

Elders said that Buice “acknowledged his sin, expressed sorrow, and asked for forgiveness” and desired to make things right by “personally [asking] forgiveness of every person he has slandered or lied to.”

Addressing why they now feel they need to remove all of Buice’s content from their platforms, G3 board members said:

Due to the public and egregious nature of the sin, we believe Josh Buice has stained the mission and character of G3 Ministries. After further consideration and godly counsel, we have made the decision to remove all of Josh Buice’s content from every platform.

G3 explained its purpose is to “educate, encourage, and equip local church with sound biblical theology” and then said, “With sadness, yet in light of these recent events, we do not believe Josh’s content will help fulfill that purpose any longer.”

Board members also shared why they cancelled the upcoming conference that was scheduled to take place on Sept. 11 in Atlanta.

“We want to clarify the reason for canceling the conference,” G3 board members said. “While the conference and ministry could continue without Josh’s leadership, we chose to cancel this year’s event primarily because several of the scheduled speakers had been sinfully targeted by him through anonymous accounts.”

Wes Huff, ‘The Most Bodaciously Brolic Bible Expert,’ Preaches the Good News of Jesus on Andrew Schulz’s ‘Flagrant’ Podcast

By

Dale Chamberlain

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May 14, 2025

Wes Huff and Andrew Schulz — Screengrab via YouTube / @FLAGRANT

This week, apologist Wes Huff appeared on the “Flagrant” podcast, hosted by comedians Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh, to discuss the Bible, theology, and how Christianity compares to other faith traditions.

Editor’s note: This article contains references to language that some readers might find offensive.

The conversation, which lasted more than three hours, was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances for Huff, whose popularity has surged after he appeared on “The Joe Rogan Experience” in January.

Huff is the Central Canada director for Apologetics Canada. He is currently working on a Ph.D. in New Testament at the University of Toronto’s Wycliffe College, and he regularly posts YouTube videos discussing theology and apologetics.

While introducing Huff, Schulz described Huff as “the most bodaciously brolic Bible expert you’ve ever seen,” as well as “a true man of God.”

From the beginning of the interview, Schulz peppered Huff with questions about ancient biblical manuscripts, textual criticism, and the history of the Bible.

At one point, Singh asked Huff how Christianity compares to Hinduism, saying, “Obviously, I’m not Christian, so this is a much broader, maybe ignorant, question. Is there like a ‘Matrix’ kind of thing in Christianity? Like in Hinduism, we call that Maya, which is like all the stuff you see is an illusion—the reality is the afterlife. Is that like a thing?”

“No,” Huff replied, and the group of men began laughing. Schulz joked, “Yo, I love confident Christians. Get your goofy-a**, multi-god religion out of here.”

Huff went on to explain, “There’s a differentiation between—eastern mysticism has this idea that this world is an illusion. So you have Samsari…the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth, and you’re trying to escape this.”

“So that would be ancient Platonic philosophy that gets mixed in with like the Gnosticism that develops in the second century, where the physical is bad and the spiritual is good,” Huff continued. “So when you have the early Christians arguing against the Gnostics, they’re doubling down on—not that Jesus is God—they don’t have a problem with that. It’s that Jesus is a human.”

“Because they believe if you’re human, you can’t be God,” Huff added. “But Jews and Christians have the inherent belief of the resurrection. So we are embodied. You’re not a spirit that has a body. You are spirit and body.”

Tim Tebow Shares Shocking Data With Shawn Ryan on the ‘Brutal Abuse of Children’: ‘This Is Happening in Our Backyard’

By

Jessica Lea

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May 14, 2025

Americans might envision the sexual exploitation of children as something that primarily happens in other countries, says Tim Tebow, but the truth is, “this is happening in our backyard,” and frequently the abusers are family members. In fact, the top perpetrator of sexual crimes against children are biological fathers.

Tebow, whose foundation fights to protect exploited children, shared shocking and graphic information on child abuse in the U.S. in an interview on “The Shawn Ryan Show.”

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

Calling the trafficking and exploitation of children “one of the worst evils in the world,” Tebow noted it’s easy to “think so much [evil] is done by all these groups and gangs and, yes, that does take place in a lot of areas.”

If you take anything away from this, please take action and urge your representatives to pass this bill. It’s time we rally together, stand up as protectors and providers, and put an end to this evil.

Use this link: https://t.co/80JNw4LV8i @TimTebow pic.twitter.com/33717dMsR0

— Shawn Ryan Show (@ShawnRyanShow) May 13, 2025

“But man,” he continued, “it’s overwhelming when you think how much is done by families, by friends, by those in the trusted circle. And especially when we fight against child exploitation and child sexual abuse, it’s off the charts of what is being done in the families.”

Moreover, Tebow said, “One of the most heartbreaking” realities is that “the number one offender is “biological fathers.”

“By far,” he explained later, “it is being done by middle-aged, Caucasian men, many…of them college graduates, many of them are educated” with “good jobs.”

Tim Tebow and Shawn Ryan Discuss the Horrors of Child Abuse

Tim Tebow is a former professional athlete, Heisman Trophy winner, and activist. He played college football for the Florida Gators and won national championships in 2006 and 2008.

Tebow is the founder of the Tim Tebow Foundation, which has a “mission of bringing Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need” and “a vision to reach the Most Vulnerable People in the world.” In particular, the foundation focuses on anti-human trafficking and child exploitation, special needs ministry, orphan care and prevention, and profound medical needs.

Shawn Ryan is a former Navy SEAL, a former CIA contractor, special operations outreach consultant for Veterans Advocacy Services, and a CNBC contributor. He is the owner of Vigilance Elite, a company that provides training to civilians and law enforcement so people can protect themselves “against imminent threats.” Actor Keanu Reeves trained with Ryan to prepare for the third movie in the “John Wick” franchise.

The mission of “The Shawn Ryan Show” is “preserving history through the unfiltered stories of heroic events and current world issues by honoring the real experiences of the men and women who lived them.”

Priest Dismissed for Nazi-Like Salute Is Restored to Service by ACNA Jurisdiction

By

Kathryn Post

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May 14, 2025

(RNS) — Less than four months after a Nazi-like salute cost him his license in the Anglican Catholic Church, the Rev. Calvin Robinson, a priest and British transplant living in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has been granted a temporary license to act as a priest from another small Anglican jurisdiction.

In January, at the end of a speech at the National Pro-Life Summit, Robinson thumped his chest and saluted quickly to the right, arm extended, palm down. Viewers were quick to link the gesture with Elon Musk’s controversial salute during an Inauguration Day speech at Capitol One Arena, which was also compared to a Nazi salute.

Robinson was dismissed as a priest soon afterward by the Anglican Catholic Church. He had been serving since fall 2024 as rector of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

On Monday (May 12), the presiding bishop of the Reformed Episcopal Church, who also oversees its Diocese of Mid-America, the Most Rev. Ray Sutton, granted Robinson a one-year license to serve as a priest. The license will allow Robinson to resume work as rector of St. Paul’s. The Reformed Episcopal Church is a distinct jurisdiction within the Anglican Church in North America, known as ACNA, which broke away from the Episcopal Church in 2009.

“I know Bishop Ray Sutton to be a godly shepherd, and I am thankful that he has provided St. Paul’s with Provisional Oversight and Pastoral Care, and me with Episcopal Sanctuary. St Paul’s can now continue ministering to the community of Grand Rapids, in the English expression of the Catholic faith. All for the greater glory of God,” Robinson told Religion News Service.

On May 4, St. Paul’s Anglican disaffiliated with the Anglican Catholic Church, and Sutton will provide oversight of St. Paul’s as it determines its future affiliation. “I have licensed their rector, Calvin, to continue to serve a parish that wants him to continue to be their pastor,” he wrote.

While Sutton made clear the arrangement doesn’t grant Robinson or his parish membership in the Reformed Episcopal Church (or, by extension, ACNA), it prompted concerns from ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood about Robinson’s public profile. The Reformed Episcopal Church is self-governing but operates under the umbrella of the Anglican Church in North America, according to a spokesperson for the denomination.

“I am concerned to have the Anglican Church of North America aﬃliated with a leader whose public comments and persona consistently fail to exhibit the love and grace of Jesus Christ,” said Wood in a statement.

“I have concerns about Rev. Robinson’s ability to uphold the full commitments of our Anglican tradition, and his ability to model the Christ-like virtues of peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and love I know all of our permanent licensed clergy abide by in the daily exercise of their priestly duties. I do not personally believe The Rev. Robinson is a good representative of the Anglican Church in North America.”

In response to Wood, Robinson said he’s spoken at several ACNA events and finds ACNA clergy and laity to be “faithful brethren in Christ.”

“I do not know Abp Steve Woods, but I look forward to getting to know him. I have been praying for a strong shepherd for the ACNA for some time; I am hopeful he is that man,” Robinson wrote. “It will take all of those virtues of peace, patience, gentleness, goodness and love to lead the ACNA back into the fullness of the Anglican tradition and away from the modern error of female ordination.”

Robinson has criticized the Anglican Catholic Church’s handling of the incident, saying the revoking of his license happened “without conversation, without any disciplinary hearing, without any opportunity to apologize or to repent or explain.”

The Anglican Catholic Church insists Robinson’s license was not revoked because of a single act, or without warning. In a statement released by the Anglican Catholic Church in February, the ACC said Robinson was “warned repeatedly that his continued partisan political activity was inconsistent with his ministry” and was “told that his license was at risk because he was continuing to act as a political social media personality.” The ACC also cited Robinson’s alleged antisemitic statements as reason for his dismissal.

“Priests are certainly called to support the Church’s teaching on the sanctity of life and on a range of other doctrinal issues; but they are not called to provoke, to troll, or to behave uncharitably toward their opponents,” The Anglican Catholic Church said in the statement.

8 Signs Your Church May Be Closing Soon

By

Thom Rainer

-

May 14, 2025

If you are worried there are signs your church may be closing soon, it might be closer to shutting its doors than you think. We call it the death spiral.

I know.

It’s not a pleasant term. I can understand if it causes you to cringe.

By the time I am contacted about a serious problem in a church, it is often too late. The problems are deeply rooted, but the remaining members have been blind to them, or they chose to ignore them.

8 Signs Your Church May Be Closing Soon

There are eight clear signs your church may be closing soon. If a church has four or more of these signs present, it is likely in deep trouble. Indeed, it could be facing a church closing sooner than almost anyone in the church would anticipate.

1. There has been a numerical decline for four or more years. Worship attendance is in a steady decline. Offerings may decline more slowly as the “remnant” gives more to keep the church going. There are few or no conversions. Decline is clear and pervasive.

2. The church does not look like the community in which it is located. The community has changed its ethnic, racial or socioeconomic makeup, but the church has not. Many members are driving from other places to come to the church. The community likely knows little or nothing about the church. And the church likely knows little or nothing about the community.

3. The congregation is mostly comprised of senior adults. It is just a few years of funerals away from having no one left in the church.

4. The focus is on the past, not the future. Most conversations are about “the good old days.” Those good old days may have been 25 or more years in the past. Often a hero pastor of the past is held as the model to emulate.

5. The members are intensely preference-driven. They are more concerned about their music style, their programs, their schedules and their facilities than reaching people with the gospel. Their definition of discipleship is “others taking care of my needs.”

9 Types of Worship

By

Russell Henderson

-

May 14, 2025

It’s captivating to read through the Psalms and see the variety of ways in which David worshipped. When we pause to ask ourselves what we are doing during our worship times today, we are often faced with several questions. How do we worship? What are we able to do and still be reverent before the Lord? What is God’s desire for our worship? Does God give us the right to pick and choose how we worship? The Psalms have given us nine different types of worship: heart expressions. These expressions stem from David’s desire to worship the Lord wholeheartedly and without reservation. Oddly enough, these types of worship are not foreign to us, but we fail to practice them in our corporate worship for one reason or another.

Listed below are the nine types of worship that we will focus on in this article. They can be broken down further into three physical expressions.

Nine Types of Worship

1 – 3: The Spoken Voice

Speaking – Psalm 34:1 says, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”
Shouting – Psalm 27:6 says, “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.”
Singing – Psalm 47:6 says, “Sing praises to God, sing praises to our King, sing praises.”

4 – 6: Our Physical Posture

Bowing – Psalm 95:6 says, “Come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”
Standing – Psalm 119:120 says, “My flesh trembles in fear of you; I stand in awe of your laws.”
Dancing – Psalm 149:3 says, “Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.”

Our Hands

Playing Instruments – Psalm 33:2, 3 says, “Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to him on the ten stringed lyre. Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.”
Clapping – Psalm 47:1 says, “Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy.”
Lifting Hands – Psalm 63:4 says, “I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”

RELATED: Dancing in Worship

None of these types of worship are foreign to us. They may be foreign to our present worship experiences, but not to our culture. When there is a wedding and the bridal march begins, what do people do without thinking twice? They stand in honor of the bride and groom on this special day. When a man asks a woman to marry him, he gets on his knee to propose to her. Why? Because he wants to show her that this is an important event and that she is being honored as someone very special.

Can There Be Pastoral Restoration After Moral Failure?

By

James Emery White

-

May 14, 2025

A question being asked more frequently than at any other time during my many years of leadership is when, or even if, there can be pastoral restoration after moral failure.

Sadly, the rise in the frequency of the question seems tied to the rise in moral failures. Whether they are simply being made more public through social media or there is an actual increase in pastoral failings, it seems we are being inundated with stories of pastors having affairs, abusing children, misusing church funds, falling prey to pride or anger, abusing power and authority, and more.

When such things surface in ways that force a leader from his or her role, can they be restored? Pastors themselves are unsure about whether there can be pastoral restoration after moral failure. According to Lifeway Research, when asking current pastors how long a pastor found guilty of adultery should step away, only 2% said they didn’t need to. 16% said for one year, 18% for two to 10 years, and 27% said permanently. The most popular answer? 31% saying “I don’t know.”

I would counsel that the answer depends on the nature of the moral failure. So, let’s tease out some scenarios.

When a minor is involved. If there is any type of moral failure with a child, I have long held to a “one strike and you’re out” mentality. Sexual abuse of a child is an immediate forfeiture of any future spiritual leadership.

RELATED: What About Burnout?

When it is proven to be serial. A second type of moral failure that I have long held should preclude any restoration would be when there is evidence of someone being a serial adulterer or sexual predator, a consistent abuser of power, or a consistent embezzler of money. Meaning there is a history, a pattern, of immorality that continues to rear its head time and again. This demonstrates a lack of repentance and the church’s need to step in and prevent any further use of their position to abuse, wound, take advantage or destroy.

When the position itself was used. Another type of failure where I would argue against restoration is when the pastoral position itself was used to groom or abuse or take advantage. For example, there is little that is truly consensual when a pastor uses the confines of a counseling session to manipulate an emotionally and spiritually vulnerable person into an affair. This is such a gross abuse of the office that, in my mind, it precludes future restoration.

So, those are at least three situations (I can certainly envision more) where I would counsel against any restoration to vocational ministry. But there are situations when a pastor was justifiably removed from office when, after a time away addressing the issues that led to their removal, they could very well be restored.

For example, cases where:

… the failure was truly an anomaly in someone’s life as a result of a very unique set of vulnerabilities;

… the issues were deeply personal, and they needed time away to get help (think addiction to pornography, a broken marriage);

… they found themselves caught up in another’s manipulation (such as a junior member on staff falling prey to a senior leader’s grooming and advances).

Children’s Ministry Insights: 8 Things People Don’t Get About KidMin

By

Dale Hudson

-

May 13, 2025

Children’s ministry workers will resonate with these eight statements of what people don’t understand about this field. I’m not writing this for us insiders. It’s for people who aren’t serving in kidmin. If we can help them see how important children’s ministry is, our churches and ministries will benefit and be more effective.

What People Don’t Get About Children’s Ministry

1. Children’s ministry is just as much about adults as it is kids.

Without adults serving in children’s ministry, there is no children’s ministry. In kidmin, leading adults is just as important as leading kids. Our success rises and falls on the strength of the volunteer team we build and shepherd. Most people looking in from the outside don’t know this.

Children’s ministry leaders are some of the best in the church. They are one of the few groups who minister to all ages: children, youth who serve, adults who serve, and parents. Being able to do this takes serious leadership skills.

Each week, kidmin leaders shepherd all these different age groups. They often pray with volunteers just as much as they pray with the kids. They often invest spiritually in adult volunteers as much as they invest in kids. In addition, they often counsel parents. They make hospital visits, conduct funerals, and officiate weddings. They truly are pastors.

2. Children’s ministry is the best place to invest your time and resources.

About 85% of people who come to Christ do so before age 18. That alone makes it clear where the greatest mission field is. Churches that build great worship centers, coffee shops or adult space but neglect the children’s ministry space make a serious mistake. Spending big-budget money on adult ministry but skimping on the kidmin budget limits their impact. Churches with a large worship staff but an understaffed children’s ministry won’t reach as many families.

When you invest in children’s ministry, you’ll see fruit now and for years to come. It’s also easier to build kids than to repair adults. When you welcome kids into your church and make them a priority, you’re ushering in the blessings of Jesus. He made this clear in Matthew 18: “If you welcome a child in my name, you are welcoming Me.”

D.L. Moody started his ministry by reaching kids in inner-city Chicago. Later, as his ministry grew, he “graduated” out of kids ministry into being a pastor and evangelist. Near the end of his ministry, he said, “If I could relive my life, I would devote my entire ministry to reaching children.”

Moody got it. He understood that the best investment you can make is reaching children. Many people use children’s ministry as a “stepping stone” to an adult ministry role. I’m not saying God doesn’t move people and direct them to different ministries. But I am thankful for people whom God calls to serve their entire life in children’s ministry.

3. Running a children’s ministry requires lots of volunteers.

A children’s ministry leader once told me, “I just wish people outside of children’s ministry understood how much work it takes to have volunteers in place each week.” She wasn’t complaining. She was simply saying that most people don’t realize how much work is required to enlist, equip, and encourage a team.

This is especially true in early childhood, where you need very low ratios of volunteers to kids. Volunteers don’t just magically appear in the classrooms.

4. Nursery and preschool ministry aren’t childcare.

How many times have you heard people refer to nursery and preschool ministry as childcare? If only they knew it’s so much more. The pathway of children is largely determined by their preschool years, and a child’s view of God is formed early. In the preschool years, the foundation is laid for spiritual formation. Children absorb more information in their first three years than during any other time.

One study showed that you can predict a person’s career success as early as kindergarten. Children who did well as kindergartners were far more likely to earn a college degree and have a full-time job by age 25. Those who assessed poorly in kindergarten had a much higher chance of getting arrested, binge drinking, and not doing well financially as an adult.

The results confirm that helping kids develop life skills in early childhood is critical for their future. From an early age, this can determine if the child goes to prison or college and whether they end up employed or addicted.

We must lay the foundation of God and His Word in the hearts of children in their early years. It prepares children to step across the line of faith when they get older. As we teach preschoolers that God loves them and Jesus wants to be their best friend, we plant seeds. And those grow into saving faith when they are older.

Bonfire Snacks for Youth Groups: 15 Campfire Treats Teens Will Love

By

Stephanie Martin

-

May 13, 2025

Need new ideas for bonfire snacks? Then check out all these creative campfire options! Some are on the healthier side, while others are more indulgent. But they’re all tasty—and terrific for your next youth group adventure!

Warmer weather means it’s time to head outdoors with your teens. Youth campouts, campfire devotions, outdoor worship, and nighttime games make for memorable outings. And because teenagers always seem to be hungry, don’t forget the bonfire snacks!

S’mores and roasted marshmallows are always a hit around a camp fire. But many more options are available, from sweet to savory. To “spark” your creativity, we rounded up some fun, delicious outdoor snack ideas.

Ask a few food-savvy group members to narrow down some favorites. Then enlist parent volunteers to wrangle up the supplies and do any necessary prep work.

Enjoy browsing through—and sampling—these yummy campfire snacks for youth groups!

15 Sources for Creative Bonfire Snacks

Adapt these ideas and recipes for your youth group:

1. Campfire Replicas

These adorable (and healthy) snacks look like a miniature campfire. Kids will love making and eating them.

2. Popped & Fresh

Have teens pop their own popcorn around the flames…safely. This recipe is easy to adapt, with various popcorn flavors.

3. Customized Cones

Offer a variety of treats so teens can “cook” their own campfire cones.

4. Fancy Fare for Flames

We love this delicious snack for campouts: campfire eclairs!

5. Hearty & Hale

For more filling campfire snacks, check out this picnic in a bag. It’s also known as a walking taco.

6. Campfire Nachos

Here’s another savory treat that teens are sure to love.

7. C is for Cookies (and Campfires)

These cute cookies are ideal to serve at a pre-camp meeting.

Joe Rogan on Origin of Universe: ‘Jesus Makes More Sense’ Than the Big Bang

By

Stephanie Martin

-

May 13, 2025

In a lengthy conversation with fellow podcaster Cody Tucker, Joe Rogan said it’s incongruent for people to contend that Jesus’ resurrection was impossible yet believe that nothingness “instantaneously became everything” via the Big Bang.

Rogan and Tucker, author of “And Now You Know: Mind-Blowing Stories from History and Pop Culture,” spoke for almost three hours on the May 7 episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience.” The pair touched on topics including the beginning of the universe, resurrection, and the veracity of biblical accounts like Noah’s Ark and David and Goliath.

Rogan, a Catholic-turned-agnostic, has been exploring faith concepts and speaking to Christians. At one point during his conversation with Tucker, he said, “Jesus makes more sense” than some stories scientists offer about the origin of the universe. “I’m sticking with Jesus on that one,” said Rogan.

That stance prompted social media posts, with conservative news personality Collin Rugg writing, “Joe Rogan says the resurrection of Jesus Christ is more believable than the logic behind the Big Bang theory.”

Editor’s note: This video contains language that some might find offensive.

Joe Rogan Calls Out Inconsistent Stances

As Cody Tucker and Joe Rogan talked about the unknowns of space and whether the universe is infinite, Tucker asked, “But then who made all that? Is there a God? Did God make this?…Then who made God?” Rogan added, “Or is God the universe?”

Rogan continued, “Wouldn’t it be crazier if there wasn’t something at one point in time? That seems even crazier…It couldn’t be nothing and then all of a sudden everything.”

Tucker added, “Because what started that? What kicked that off exactly? What snapped its fingers?”

As he has previously, Rogan mentioned a quote from ethnobotanist and mystic Terence McKenna. “The difference between science and religion,” Rogan paraphrased, “is that science only asks you for one miracle. I want you to believe in one miracle, the Big Bang.”

Founders Ministries Says Josh Buice Targeted Tom Ascol With ‘Sinful, Deceitful, and Slanderous’ Actions

By

Jesse T. Jackson

-

May 13, 2025

Tom Ascol Josh Buice — (L) Tom Ascol at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting. Photo by Adam Covington / Baptist Press. (R) Josh Buice screengrab via YouTube / G3 Ministries

On Tuesday, May 13, Founders Ministries released a statement saying that its president, Tom Ascol, was a target of former G3 Ministries’ president Dr. Josh Buice’s “wicked words.”

In addition to his role at Founders Ministries, Ascol is the senior pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, and a founding faculty member of Founders Seminary.

On Monday, Pray’s Mill Baptist Church (PMBC) and G3 Ministries announced that Buice had resigned as president of G3 Ministries and was put on indefinite leave as pastor of PMBC. The news came after PMBC elders discovered Buice had been using multiple anonymous social media accounts to speak ill of Christian leaders, both publicly and privately.

PMBC elders shared in a statement that Buice admitted to having the accounts following a two-hour confrontation.

“On Sunday evening, May 4, 2025, after clear and comprehensive evidence emerged linking the accounts directly to him, the elders of PMBC confronted Josh,” the statement said. “For two hours, he continued to deny his involvement. Only after further evidence was presented and much pleading with him to walk in the light did Josh finally confess to his actions.”

Elders said that Buice “acknowledged his sin, expressed sorrow, and asked for forgiveness” and desired to make things right by “personally [asking] forgiveness of every person he has slandered or lied to.”

Based on a statement released by Founders Ministries, it appears Buice hasn’t wasted any time making those amends.

“We have been informed by the G3 board and the elders of Prays [sic] Mill Baptist Church, and Josh Buice himself of his sinful, deceitful, and slanderous activities engaged under the cover of anonymous accounts, emails, and substacks over the last several years,” the statement began. “Because his actions demonstrate his disqualification for spiritual leadership, we have removed all of Josh’s content from our Founders website.”

The statement indicated that “a large percentage” of Buice’s “wicked words and actions were directed at Founders Ministries, our President, Tom Ascol, and his family.”

The ministry thanked everyone who has reached out to express “concern and support” and expressed grief over Buice’s actions.

Russell Brand Praises Kanye West’s Viral Song ‘Heil Hitler’ for Being ‘Catchy’

By

Dale Chamberlain

-

May 13, 2025

Left: Screengrab via X / @rustyrockets; Right: Cosmopolitan UK, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Russell Brand, a comedian and actor turned Christian influencer who is currently on trial in the U.K. for rape, took to social media this week to praise Kanye West’s viral new song, “Heil Hitler.”

Editor’s note: This article references to sexual assault and racial slurs that some readers might find offensive or potentially triggering.

The song and accompanying music video is the latest in a string of public declarations of antisemitism from the award-winning rapper and hip hop producer. For several years, West, who now simply goes by Ye, has raised alarm bells for his racially and sexually charged statements on social media and in interviews.

At one point, Ye appeared on Alex Jones’ “InfoWars” for a three-hour interview in which he repeatedly denigrated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and praised Hitler. Earlier this year, Ye declared on social media, “I’m a Nazi,” and began selling on his website apparel featuring swastikas.

Ye has also been accused of sexually assaulting those who work with him or for him. On May 5, he posted on social media, “That employee p**sy hits different 😅.”

All of this is a dramatic shift in public persona for Ye, who surprised fans in 2019 by converting to Christianity, hosting celebrities for “Sunday Service” musical performances, and dropping his first gospel album, “Jesus Is King,” which went on to achieve critical and commercial success.

Ye’s follow-up album, “Donda,” was similarly praised.

However, in 2024, Ye publicly began publicly discussing his “issues with Jesus,” and he has on more than one occasion referred to himself as a god.

Last week, Ye released his “Heil Hitler” song and accompanying video. While Spotify, SoundCloud, and other major tech platforms have sought to remove the song and its various remixes from their platforms, the song has racked up millions of views on X.

In the song’s lyrics, Ye laments that “they don’t understand the things I say on Twitter” and goes on to declare, “n**ga, heil Hitler.”

The chorus of the song states, “All my n**gas Nazis, n**ga, heil Hitler.”

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1. Start with a Heart Check

2. Measure and Monitor Your Sound

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Is Your Group Too Small?

What to Do if Your Small Group Size Is Too Small

1. Invite with Intention

2. Partner with Another Group

Giving Kids a Head Start

Capture the Preteen Moment

Cognitive Development

Moral Development

Tips for Developing Young Leaders

Look for the leader in all kids.

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Hot Air Helper

The Holy Spirit Is Our Helper

Backpack Burden

Baptist Preacher Doesn’t Want To ‘Further Myths, Superstitions, and Lies’—Promotes Consensual Premarital Sex

Tim Tebow and Shawn Ryan Discuss the Horrors of Child Abuse

8 Signs Your Church May Be Closing Soon

Nine Types of Worship

1 – 3: The Spoken Voice

4 – 6: Our Physical Posture

Our Hands

Read more about pastoral restoration after moral failure on Page Two . . .

What People Don’t Get About Children’s Ministry

1. Children’s ministry is just as much about adults as it is kids.

2. Children’s ministry is the best place to invest your time and resources.

3. Running a children’s ministry requires lots of volunteers.

4. Nursery and preschool ministry aren’t childcare.

15 Sources for Creative Bonfire Snacks

1. Campfire Replicas

2. Popped & Fresh

3. Customized Cones

4. Fancy Fare for Flames

5. Hearty & Hale

6. Campfire Nachos

7. C is for Cookies (and Campfires)

Joe Rogan Calls Out Inconsistent Stances

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