While I have written extensively about the rise of the religiously non-affiliated (also known as "nones") in the United States, I have given far less attention to how this trend is impacting our neighbor to the North. Results from the 2011 National Household Survey show even as Christianity remains the dominant religion in Canada, the nones are growing quickly. More specifically, as a percentage of the population by year "nones" accounted for 2011: 23.9% 2001: 16.5%, Read More …
Tithers (#1096)
The fifth annual State of the Plate survey revealed interesting data about tithers. Among the over 4,000 tithers participanting in the survey: 73% of those who "tithe" give over 10%, including 9% who give over 20%; 70% "tithe" based on their gross income rather than net income; and 63% started tithing before turning 30. Interestingly tithers have lower debt levels and are financially better off than non-tithers: 80% have no unpaid credit card bills, 74% have no car Read More …
Church Communication Survey (#1095)
In recent months I have given more attention to the topic of church communications than I have in many years. It is astonishing how poorly most congregations identify and leverage the appropriate tools in support of their communication strategy (even more troubling are those congregations who just "play with" the tools without any formal strategy to offer guidance in their use). So What? Paul Steinbrueck, co-founder and CEO of OurChurch.Com, recently offered an introduction to the Read More …
Being Fully Present (#1094)
I follow the way of Jesus. This means seeing the world and my interactions with all within it differently. As I continue on the journey of faith I find it easier to approach life from this vantage yet more challenging to respond appropriately to the many situations that are a part of daily living. In many ways the more I learn and the more I experience, the more I recognize my own shortcomings. So What? There are many ways to live the way of Jesus in the mundane and everyday Read More …
Extreme Poverty in America (#1093)
Kathryn Edin, Professor of Public Policy and Management at Harvard, and one of the America's leading poverty researchers, teamed up with Luke Schaefer, Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Michigan, to try to determine just how common extreme poverty is in the United States. Their research considering how many households live on $2 a day or less will be published in June in the journal “Social Service Review.” Relying on data from the Survey of Read More …
Review of On God’s Side (#1092)
Meet the Author Jim Wallis is president and CEO of Sojourners where he is editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine. He has written ten books including two New York Times bestsellers: The Great Awakening: Reviving Faith & Politics in a Post–Religious Right America (2008) and God’s Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn’t Get It (2006). Wallis regularly teaches a course on “Faith, Social Justice, and Public Life” at Georgetown Read More …
Are Christians Loving? (#1091)
A recent research project directed by David Kinnaman (president of Barna Group) in conjunction with John Burke (author of Mud and the Masterpiece) explored "whether Christians have the actions and attitude of Jesus as they interact with others or if they are more akin to the beliefs and behaviors of Pharisees, the self-righteous sect of religious leaders described in the New Testament." The Christian participants responded to 20 statements regarding their actions and attitudes. The Read More …
Will Hymnals Survive? (#1090)
In the June 2013 issue of Reformed Worship magazine, John D. Witvliet explores reasons why he believes hymnals have a future. Witvliet is director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and professor of worship, theology, & congregational and ministry studies at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary. Witvliet offers 10 reasons why hymnals have a future, including: hymnals are especially well suited to good group singing of many kinds of songs (though Read More …
Pastors & Member Giving (#1089)
The May 2013 edition of Christianity Today includes a conversation about whether or not pastors should know how much church members give (p.16). The piece features six perspectives placed on a continuum from yes to no. So What? Over the years, I have been involved in many conversations about this topic. It is one about which many people have very strong feelings. Which of the following best describes what you believe is appropriate? Which best describes your local congregation's Read More …
Review of Ministry in the Digital Age (#1088)
Meet the Author David T. Bourgeois is director of innovation and associate professor of information systems at Biola University. Every summer, he teaches an online course at Biola’s Talbot School of Theology called “Digital Ministry.” Additionally, he consults with churches, ministries, and other faith-based organizations on how to use digital tools more effectively. Previously he worked in information systems at Fortune 500 companies in roles that included systems analyst, Read More …