A recent study led by Jeff Temple from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, shows how common sexting has become among teens: 28% have sent a naked photo of themselves via text or email 31% have asked someone for a sext 57% have been asked to send a sext So What? In recent years, churches have gotten more involved in educating youth and their parents about technology. Sexting is too significant and has become too widespread an issue to ignore. How is Read More …
Review of The Post-Black & Post-White Church (#0841)
Meet the Author Efrem Smith is an evangelical minister who serves as superintendent of the Pacific Southwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and as an itinerant speaker for Kingdom Builder Ministries. Previously, he served as founding pastor of Sanctuary Community Church in Minneapolis, MN. Smith is the author of three books, including Jump: Into a Life of Further and Higher (2010). Book Basics The Post-Black & Post-White Church explores what it means Read More …
The Bottom Line & Nonprofits (#0840)
Leadership expert John Maxwell has written over fifty books, including three that have sold more than a million copies: The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Developing the Leader Within You, and The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. Recently he blogged about the value of bottom line thinking in nonprofit organizations. For these organizations, including churches, the bottom line isn't financial. Instead, Maxwell suggests the bottom line is "the end, the Read More …
Reaching Young Adults (#0839)
Bruce Reyes-Chow is a consultant who previously served as founding pastor of Mission Bay Community Church, and was the former moderator of the General Assembly of the 2.3 million member PCUSA. On the conservative Red Letter Christians blog he recently shared three common faulty assumptions church leaders make when seeking to begin or expand young adult ministries: We (older adults) can build ministry from them (younger adults) Young adults are all alike Read More …
Megachurches Offer a “Religious High” (#0838)
According to a new University of Washington study, there may be a scientific reason why people return again and again to megachurches: a religious high. Put differently, the hi-tech high energy megachurch worship service experience is thought to "trigger feelings of transcendence and changes in brain chemistry – a spiritual “high” that keeps congregants coming back for more." So What? While megachurches comprise a very small percentage of churches in America, they are home to Read More …
Who Are Americans? (#0837)
In the Sunday paper, I encountered a half-page AP article written by Calvin Woodward and Christopher S. Rugaber that offers incredible insight into our changing nation. Consider these facts: Closer Together: Cities and closely surrounding suburbs are growing faster than farther-off suburbs for the first time in over 20 years Less Mobile: Mobility (defined by the percentage of population that moved in the last year) is at lowest it has been since the Census Bureau started Read More …
Adult Education Opportunities (#0836)
One of my current roles is organizing adult educational offerings at Naples United Church of Christ (Naples, FL). Since our congregation grows significantly during season (the time of year when many snowbirds visit), we provide a more robust program during that portion of the year. A preview of some of the highlights of the season to come (Advent 2012 - Pentecost 2013) follows: General Education internet guru Marcus Zillman memory expert Dr. Bill Beckwith Read More …
Review of Living the Questions (#0835)
Meet the Authors David M. Felten (pictured at right in a black shirt) and Jeff Procter-Murphy (pictured at right holding a tablet) are United Methodist pastors who serve theologically progressive congregations. Together they created a video resource that brought together some of the "most provocative and authoritative voices" (p.xiii). Known as Living the Questions, this resource seeks to "help people wrestle with the questions they hear asked in their congregations - Read More …
Obama & Romney on Faith (#0834)
President Barrack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney both responded to questions about their religious experiences in the current edition of "Cathedral Age," the quarterly magazine of the Washington National Cathedral. Their responses to the question "How does faith play a role in your life?" follow: Romney: Faith is integral to my life. I have served as a lay pastor in my church. I faithfully follow its precepts. I was taught in my home to Read More …
Social Media Benefits the Homeless (#0833)
A recent study conducted by Art Jipson, a sociologist and criminologist at the University of Dayton, found that "social media . . . tear down economic and geographic barriers to help homeless people connect to their families and support networks." More specifically, Jipson learned that homeless people leverage free services like Facebook and Twitter to find food, shelter and job services, and to keep up with family and friends. All they need is a smart phone or public library Read More …