8 times when church is just ‘fun’
I want church leaders to think about times when church really is fun – and to long for that to happen in their own congregations.
I want church leaders to think about times when church really is fun – and to long for that to happen in their own congregations.
iStock
I’m not what you would consider a man of the outdoors, but I did my fair share of fishing during my teen years.
Adobe Stock Photo. Do not publish.
The 20th century political anarchist Edward Abbey loved the desert and once observed, “What draws us into the desert is the search for something intimate in the remote.” Abbey was not the only person who discovered intimacy in the solitude of the desert. The same could be said for some of the most influential people of prayer mentioned in Scripture. God originally created man in a garden, but He frequently recreates them in a desert.
a golfer blasts his ball from the sand trap
I have tried really hard to like golf, but I prefer hobbies that do not tempt me to say or do things I will regret later. One thing I do like about golf is the mulligan—a do-over stroke that doesn’t count. They make those terrible shots disappear into thin air.
For many pastors, it’s difficult to not take it personally when people leave their church. But according to a recent Lifeway Research study, most churchgoers aren’t leaving a church because they have a personal complaint against the pastor. During the research screening process, it was determined only 53% of U.S. regular churchgoers say they have attended more than one church as an adult. Among these, most say their church change was impacted by a residential move (60%). Still, 40% of church changes were driven by something other than a residential move.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As churches across the country are thinking about this year’s ministry opportunities, many of them are setting aside time during the early months to plan for VBS this summer. Lifeway provides training and encouragement for church leaders and volunteers because VBS makes a difference for kids, families, communities, churches and the world.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) – For most pastors, the start of a new calendar year also indicates the start of a new fiscal year for their churches. But there is much more variety among pastors when it comes to who is involved in making the budget for the fiscal year.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Churches are offering Christmas events and activities beyond weekly worship services this Christmas season, which will make many churchgoers happy.
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn (BP) – What does God’s faithfulness have to do with your leadership? At Lifeway Women’s Leadership Forum, women studied God’s faithfulness and examined how it transforms their leadership in ministry, the workplace and their homes.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) – Most adult churchgoers in the United States don’t frequently switch churches. But if they make a congregational change, it’s likely they made a residential change first. And those who switch have high expectations for their new congregation.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (BP) – Ministry leaders and women churchgoers believe ministry to women is working in their congregations, but both feel there’s room for improvement.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Kids, student, Next Gen and family ministry leaders gathered at Brentwood Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tennessee, on Oct. 9-11 for Lifeway Christian Resource’s annual Next Gen Ministry Conference—ETCH.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As churches continue to navigate economic challenges in the United States, many pastors say the economy is still harming their churches as giving fails to keep up with inflation.
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – This summer, as thousands of kids, students and chaperones at Lifeway camps developed a greater understanding of missions and a heart for missionaries, they gave generously, entrusting their gifts for Great Commission purposes.