Last week, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released a study, “’Nones’ on the Rise: One-in-Five Adults Have No Religious Affiliation.” This week, two related articles caught my eye. Ready for some unsupported, but perhaps helpful, connecting the dots? Here we go. For the full Pew study go here, but the stats should [...]
New Media Project: “The old rugged hymnal: New songs and old media”
It’s an honor to write a few posts for the New Media Project. If you don’t know their research and case studies on church life and new media, check it out today. Today’s post is entitled, “The old rugged hymnal: New songs and old media.” I’ve posted an excerpt below: The old rugged hymnal: New songs and [...]
Scrapping Sunday School? Faith Development Today
Last weekend I spoke on a panel for a congregation’s Task Force on Faith Development. The congregation is a strong one with a great history and vital programming for all ages. It’s also, of course, enmeshed in our culture and congregational leaders are increasingly aware that their current model of Christian education, worship, and discipleship training [...]
Renew 52: 50+ Ideas to Revitalize Your Congregation from Leaders under 50, Edited by David Lose
Want a great e-book? Free? Full of creative new ideas for your church? Well have I got a deal for you! Renew 52: 50+ Ideas to Revitalize Your Congregation from Leaders under 50 is a free e-book, edited by David J. Lose, that features short essays from 54 Christian leaders in 15 different traditions. The [...]
How Pastors Have it Easy
Last weekend, when leading a Men’s Bible Study retreat, a group discussion led me to reflect on how easy pastors have it. Of course I’m not talking about workload, or the intellectual demands of pastoring, or the stress of shepherding a flock. Rather, I noted that when it comes to discipleship, pastors have it relatively [...]
Out of Touch Professors Like Me
It took about three weeks in my new post for me to feel like an out-of-touch academic. One afternoon last week I was sitting in my office about to send an email when I suddenly thought, “Oh no! I have no idea what’s happening in the church, ‘in real life’ ministry, right now.” It felt [...]
Brief Reflections in My Final Days Leading The Project F-M
This is my last week serving as Director and Mission Developer of The Project F-M (our new Director starts Wednesday!). Much is swirling through my head — and past my desktop — these last days, but here’s a few fairly random thoughts about leadership, young adult ministry, and transition. It’s all about relationships. Thankfully, since [...]
Hopes and fears from Collegeville
A post from the Collegeville Institute, Summer Writing Program: Theology in the Real World with Kathleen Norris “What are our hopes and fears for the week?” Kathleen asks us Sunday night as the shadows fall and the mosquitoes fly. “Write them down. We’ll share them in the morning.” Fears? Fear are easy. Anxiety is one [...]
