Thom Rainer reveals a major shift if the popularity of Bible translations, as the New Living Translation moves into the second spot and the King James Version drops to number four. Here is the link to the article. I personally made the shift to the NLT soon after its release in 1996 for its readability…
Churches Are Still Recovering
A new study from Lifeway Research reports that while Churches continue to open their doors for in person worship, one in four attendees has yet to return. You can view the report HERE.
Live Humbly (James 1:9-11)
Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they…
Seek Wisdom (James 1:5-8)
Wisdom is an important theme in the Book of James, revealing the author’s influence from Old Testament wisdom literature such as Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Job. As James provides direction for times of duress, prayer for wisdom is the second sequential suggestion he offers. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give…
Choose Joy (James 1:2-4)
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:2-4, NLT) One…
Barna Report on Pastoral Credibility
Barna Research has published a new report on the credibility of pastors in America. Much of the erosion, as you will read, is due to the mishandling of power and authority that comes with the office and will only be remedied by reimagining what pastoral authority in congregational life looks like.
Introduction to James (James 1:1)
This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! (James 1:1, NLT) Welcome to my next series of online Bible studies. Today I will begin a series from a significant, albeit misunderstood New Testament letter, the Book of…
Racial Diversity in U.S. Congregations
Here’s an interesting article on the lack of racial diversity in American congregations. While racial diversity is still desired by the vast majority of pastors, it is by and large aspirational given they do not know how to achieve this goal. According to the study, a congregation is racially diverse when the predominant ethnicity is…
The Final Word (Ecclesiastes 12:8-14)
“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.” Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. The words of the wise are like cattle…
U.S. Pastor’s Identify Their Greatest Needs
Lifeway Research has compiled a survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors in order to list and rank what they cite is their greatest needs. I don’t believe there are any eye-popping surprises here, but I encourage you to take three minutes and take a look. If you’re a layperson, you might discover ways to be helpful…
