While this blog has undergone several significant changes since I launched it in 2009, book reviews have remained a vital component throughout its history. I have posted over 175 reviews of books published between 2007-2012. You can access these in several ways: Choose "Book Reviews" from the category menu to browse the reviews in reverse chronological order of their post dates Use the site search (top right on any page) to locate a specific author, title or subject Download Read More …
Warm Wishes for a Blessed Christmas (#0954)
The following video by the Officers of the United Church of Christ is a powerful reminder of what this day is all about. The closing blessing is worth repeating: May God's blessings be yours this Christmas. Be filled with wonder. Be touched by grace. Believe in the miracle of God's love made flesh. And may the miracle, glory, and wonder of this sacred season warm your heart this Christmas and through each day of the coming year. Read More …
The World’s Christians (#0953)
The latest report on the size and distribution of the world's largest religions was released less than a week ago by the Pew Forum. This report shows: 31.5% of the global population is Christian 87% of Christians live in countries where they are a religious majority Christians are a religious majority in 157 countries So What? On Christmas Eve, it seems appropriate to think about those among us who follow the way of Jesus. We are living at the moment in human history with Read More …
Pastors of Growing Churches (#0952)
What do pastors of growing churches have in common? Cynthia Woolever finds three commonalities: Age. While pastors of all ages shepherd growing churches, those in their 50s are most likely to do so. Career Path. Statistically first career pastors are more likely to lead a growing church than are second career pastors. Tenure. Pastors with longer tenures are more likely to lead growing churches. So What? Reviewing the profile of pastors of growing churches the most Read More …
People Are Driving Less (#0951)
In recent years America has experienced a decline in the number of miles people are driving. More specifically, adjusted for population, following a few years of decline in the total miles driven current levels are now at roughly the same level as we were in 1995 (17 years ago). Additionally, the data for the latest year recorded shows a decrease of nearly 9% from the peak. So What? As I pondered this data, I immediately thought of my own driving habits. I drive Read More …
Most Popular Posts of 2012 (#0950)
In order, the five most popular posts made on sowhatfaith.com this year are Top Church Websites Review of Christianity After Religion The Future Church v.2020: 10 Shifts Football, Jesus, and Ninja Plate or Plate Free? So What? When I first started blogging, I paid a fair amount of attention to statistics related to readership. More recently, I have gone months at a time without looking at any numbers. If you are a regular reader, let me know if any of the posts on the Read More …
Religious Rockstars on Twitter (#0949)
Christina Chaey recently placed the following people on her list of religious rockstars on Twitter: Pope Benedict XVI (@Pontifex) Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) Joel Osteen (@JoelOsteen) Joyce Meyer (@JoyceMeyer) Jesse Jackson, Sr. (@RevJJackson) Reverend Run (@RevRunWisdom) Rick Warren (@RickWarren) Rabbi Shmuley Boteach (@RabbiShmuley) So What? My immediate response to reading this list was to see how many of the religious Read More …
A Growing World (#0948)
Global population passed the 7 billion mark recently (either last year or this year, depending on who is counting), and continues to grow. While reaching the 7 billion mark generated significant conversation, it seems to be forgotten by most now as other national and global issues prove more pressing or of greater personal interest. Nonetheless, it remains important for people of faith to be aware not only of our current population, but of just how recent a development the population Read More …
A New Multi-Site Model (#0947)
Teddy Ray is pastor and preacher for the Offerings Community and the Executive Pastor of 1st United Methodist Church in Lexington, KY. Recently, he wrote about the dramatic growth in multi-site churches and provided an explanation of how his church's approach differs from the traditional multi-site models. Multi-site congregations are a relatively new idea. Ray mentions the years multi-site congregations in the USA reached significant numeric milestones: Read More …
Review of Today We Are Rich (#0946)
Meet the Author Tim Sanders is a popular keynote speaker, consultant to Fortune 1000 companies, bestselling author, and CEO of the Los Angeles tech start-up Net Minds. Previously, he was the Chief Solutions Officer at Yahoo, as well as its Leadership Coach. Sanders has written several previous books, including the New York Times best seller Love is the Killer App (2003). Book Basics Tim Sanders masterfully weaves together his own life lessons, the wisdom of his grandmother Billye, Read More …