FIRST-PERSON: The power of a hidden life
At the time of her death in 1928, Lilias Trotter is considered to be not only one of the most beloved and respected missionaries of her day but “a world-wide spiritual force.” For she has dared to live a hidden life and to live it with all her heart.
Young men’s interest in religion a chance for churches to step up
NASHVILLE (BP) – Keith Boggs speaks to about 3,000 men a year in a variety of settings across the country. He has a good feel for the issues at the forefront of men’s ministry and how churches address them.
Churchgoers seek God in intentional and impromptu ways, says Lifeway Research
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Most churchgoers look for time to spend with God and regularly find themselves with Him in unplanned moments.
Bible Study: God’s grace fulfills our need
Jesus taught that participation in the kingdom of heaven is not based on human effort, but on the benevolence of God. All of us stand condemned before God and desperately need His generous grace.
State of the Bible: Growth in Bible use reverses in 2026, but trend uncertain
PHILADELPHIA (BP) -- An increase in personal Bible use in the U.S. in 2025 was short-lived, the American Bible Society said in its latest State of the Bible release, with newest engagement numbers receding to 2024 levels. But ABS isn’t ready to call it a loss.
Growing number of churchgoers face doubts, Lifeway Research finds
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – When facing difficult circumstances, most churchgoers still trust in God’s love and provision. Some, however, begin to question God’s character and involvement in their lives, and their number has grown in recent years.
How to measure discipleship in your church
For many churches, the ABCs of success are attendance, buildings and cash. While these are the easiest things to measure, pastors know they aren’t the best. There has to be a better way to measure discipleship success.
Bible sales growth brings opportunities for churches
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — In 1455, Johannes Gutenberg printed around 180 copies of the Bible, the first book to come from his movable type printing press. Last year, 570 years after Gutenberg, more than 19.1 million Bibles were sold in the U.S., according to market research firm Circana. Bible sales increased by 12 percent over 2024 and have more than tripled over the past 10 years.
Lifeway Research finds churchgoers aim to serve in and out of church
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – Most churchgoers say they’re looking for ways to serve God as well as the people in their churches and communities, but many still struggle to make that a reality.
Chatbots devastated them. Can the Church help?
NASHVILLE (BP) – James’ interactions with ChatGPT started innocently. He used it like a search engine at first, then began asking the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot “creative, philosophical and quasi-spiritual” questions, he said. The answers seemed life-like, so the upstate New York resident became convinced ChatGPT was alive – and it had to be freed from its cyber captivity.
