Holy Soup

While some people stay energized through a lifetime of demanding ministry, others seem to get seriously stuck. What makes the difference? Let me introduce you …

I just returned from a land where the church is booming. I found the conditions there fascinating. The Christian population may double in the next …

How churches select pastoral staff is sometimes just weird—and counterproductive. Some years ago I agreed to serve on a search committee for a new pastor. …

What does your newsletter really communicate about your ministry? What impression does it leave? I recently invited churches around the country to send me samples …

“Oh, we couldn’t afford that.” “We’re not a rich church.” “That doesn’t fit our budget.” It’s true that many churches have struggles meeting their ministries’ …

Most people don’t go to church anymore. And the minority who do regularly attend and appreciate weekly services fit a certain profile. They’re the church-inclined. …

“Christians are a bunch of judgmental witch hunters. They find a way to vilify anything that anybody enjoys.” Increasingly, that’s the reputation attached to Christian …

The men surrounded Candace after the community meeting. They knew Candace was a Christian. They had some serious questions for her. This scene played out …

“The church has an image problem,” somebody said in the board room at the national offices. “We need an ad campaign to change the public’s …

No wonder most people walk away from church with little to show for it. Recent Barna research revealed that most people (61 percent) cannot recall …