Recently, the United Methodist Church has been in the media spotlight over the departure of clergy. Most such publicity has focused on those who have chosen to perform same-sex weddings despite the denominations official position prohibiting such. While such acts are likely to continue to attract attention and may ultimately help lead to reform, the denomination's position on who clergy may marry is not the only reason clergy are leaving the denomination. Jack Kale, pastor of the Read More …
Trends
Education & Low Wage Work (#1311)
It is a widely held assumption that higher levels of education are associated with higher paying jobs. This data has long been used to argue for the vale of higher education. A new study by the Economic Policy Institute finds that low-wage workers (those in the bottom 20% of income) have far more education now than they once did. More specifically, the percent of low-wage workers with varying levels of educational attainment has shifted a great deal from 1968 to 2012, Read More …
God’s Role in the Super Bowl (#1309)
According to a new survey, more than half of all Americans believe God has a role to play in this year's Super Bowl. This number includes: Americans who pray for God to help their team (26 percent), think their team has been cursed (25 percent) or more generally believe God is involved in determining who wins on the court or in the field (19 percent). So What? During my adult life, I have watched at least part of every Super Bowl. My reasons for watching have varied: some years I Read More …
The Rise of e-reading (#1307)
The Pew Research Center's new report on e-reading offers insight on just how rapid the rise has been in both ownership of e-reading devices and the popularity of e-reading. More specifically: half of all adults (50%) now own an e-reader or tablet, and more than a fourth (28%) read an e-book last year. So What? In 2010 almost no one owned a tablet or e-reader; today more than half of American adults own at least one such device. Given the newness of the technology it isn't Read More …
American Morality: 1987 & 2014 (#1303)
CNN recently conducted a poll of American morality similar to the one conducted by Time Magazine in 1987. When the statistics are placed side-by-side, one can see significant signs of change over the past 27 years. Overall: In 1987, 7 out of the 8 actions surveyed were considered by the majority of Americans to be morally wrong. Now, only 3 of the behaviors are thought to be morally wrong by a majority (being married and having sex with someone else, cheating on taxes, and Read More …
Fastest Growing Group (#1298)
D.J. Chuang, former Leadership Network Director for Asian-American Churches, recently co-authored an informative presentation for church leaders focused on the fastest growing group in the United States: Asian Americans. Some of the many significant facts within that document are less than 5 years ago Asians overtook Hispanics as the largest immigrant group entering the United States, by 2011 over 18 million Americans self-identified as Asian American and the number is projected to Read More …
Top Bible Verses of 2013 (#1295)
The most popular Bible app, YouVersion, recently released data about how people used the Bibles they provide in 2013. The top five Bible verses are Philippians 4:13 - I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Isaiah 40:31 - but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength… Matthew 6:13 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil Joshua 1:9 - …Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged… Philippians Read More …
Sermon Preferences (#1292)
According to the latest survey by LifeWay Research, most Americans prefer in person preaching to a video sermon when attending worship at a church. About a third (35%) indicated they will only visit churches with services of worship that feature live sermons. Strikingly, less than 1% prefer viewing a video sermon. So What? I have only attended one service of worship that featured a video recording of a pastor's sermon. Prior to that experience, I disliked the idea. Read More …
2014 = Year of the Bible? (#1289)
Jonathan Merritt, senior columnist for Religion News Service, recently suggested that 2014 may be known as the "Year of the Bible" thanks to five films: “Son of God” | 20th Century Fox (February 2014) “Noah” | Regency Enterprises (November 2014) “Heaven is For Real” | Sony Pictures (April 2014) “Exodus” | 20th Century Fox (December 2014) “Mary, Mother of Christ” | Lionsgate Films (December 2014) So What? The good book will certainly be represented on the big screen through Read More …
No Longer Taboo (#1286)
Zack Perkins, a blogger who is "trying navigate Christianity as a Millennial through the Orthodox way," recently shared a list of five uncomfortable issues the church needs to talk more about: addiction, sexuality, sincere doubt, mental illness, and loneliness. So What? Perkins is right when he suggests that the items appearing on his list are "issues that individuals in the Church are dealing with—issues that the Church Body should be talking about." I am thankful that I Read More …