Author: ofwjl
Throughout the ages, people have tried to find new languages to give voice to their spiritual journey. Millennial author and speaker, Eric Clayton, finds this “new language” in the Star Wars story, as he enters the epic story, engaging characters and trying some higher reading for form in a way that resonates with the spirituality of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Just as Ignatius invites us to engage with scripture by entering into the story, Clayton suggests we do the same with stories in pop culture, such as Star Wars. Join Clayton for a webinar where he will reveal how God…
By Sam Renner President and Senior Consultant Pastors manage churches, if not more than they lead them. Making disciples requires pastors to be involved in the day-to-day operations of a church. If you are not willing to lead a church, you are not qualified to lead a church Should pastors be involved in every activity? no However, every pastor should have some involvement in the daily activities of church life. The Shepherd—by God’s design—is among the sheep. Why is it tempting and dangerous to neglect the work of management? It is tempting to neglect the operation. The operation takes time.…
Kenyan leaders have been tight-lipped about the security forces they plan to send to gang-battled Haiti. But they are talking to God a lot. Last month, as armed groups escalated their insurgency in Port-au-Prince and plunged Haiti deeper into a historic humanitarian crisis, the pastor advising the Kenyan government met for three days to pray in a Nairobi hotel. In a sky-blue conference room at the Weston Hotel, three Kenyan pastors joined Haitian and American ministry leaders and Kenya’s first lady, Rachel Ruto, to plead for divine help for the beleaguered Caribbean nation. They prayed for the 2,500-person multinational police…
published 16 April 2024 7 minutes of reading News of good things happening in Kirk – and advice on how to make them happen – will be shared as a new series of roadshows arrive in Glasgow and Edinburgh in May.Led by Rev Neil Glover, Convener of the Church of Scotland’s Seeds for Growth Fund, and Rev Tommy McNeill, Convener of the Faith Action Program Leadership Team (FAPLT), these will take place at Langside Parish Church in Glasgow on Wednesday 8.m May, and Thursday 9 Palmerston Place…
by Chuck Lawless Church North Counselor This month, I celebrated 43 years in full-time ministry. It’s hard to believe I’ve been in this job this long—maybe because most of the years have been great fun. Here are some things I would do differently, though, if I were starting over: I used to pray more and more. To be honest, my current interest in prayer has really increased after I was a pastor for several years. My feathering years would have been different if I had spent more time on my knees. I would suggest less. I thought I had to…
Grammy Award-winning contemporary Christian singer Mandisa Lynn Hundley, former LifeWay Christian Resource worker and top-10 American Idol Finisher, was found dead at his Nashville home on Thursday, his publicist announced on social media. No cause of death is given. “We can confirm that Mandisa was found dead in her home yesterday. At this point we do not know the cause of death or further details,” according to an official release post On April 19, the performer’s official X account goes by the name Mandisa. “We ask for your prayers for his family and close circle of friends during this incredibly…
Resource Download: Text Message Template Library (22 pages) In an age where technology intersects with every aspect of life, churches have a profound opportunity to use text messaging as a way to deepen faith and foster community among their worshipers. As pastors, understanding and implementing strategic text messaging practices can revolutionize how discipleship is approached in the digital age. 1. Daily Devotions: A Morning Dose of Faith Have faith every dayThe rhythm of daily life often leaves individuals searching for spiritual grounding. Embedding Scripture into the fabric of this daily engagement via text message provides a moment of reflection and…
published 19 April 2024 Read for 2 minutes A church in Barrhead has welcomed a new youth and community worker to help connect with the local community.Graham Currie, who lives in the area and holds a degree in Community Education, will be employed by Barrhead St Andrew’s for at least the next three years. Graham Currie is the new Youth and Community Worker at St Andrew’s Parish Church, Barrhead. Funding for the innovative role was only available due to the recent sale of…
This fall, control of the House of Representatives will almost certainly hinge on a few swing seats. Democrats looking to take back the House will put what they see as vulnerable Republicans in their crosshairs (and thank you, Sarah Palin, for that metaphor) while Republicans looking to expand their current razor-thin majority will do the same. One of the seats national Republicans have been eyeing well is Alaska’s at-large seat, currently held — thanks in no small part to ranked-choice voting — by Democrat Mary Peltola. Now, Ms. Peltola has given Republicans more ammunition in their campaign to return her…
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCall (R-TX) said during an interview over the weekend that it was important for Republicans to pass legislation to provide additional military aid to Ukraine because it would be more disastrous for the West than Biden’s disaster in Afghanistan. .McCall made the comments during an interview Sunday on ABC News’ “This Week” while talking about the legislation the House passed late last week.”The people of Israel, the people of Ukraine, and the people of Taiwan and our NATO allies now know that America is back,” he said. “We lead the free world as Ronald…