On Saturday we referenced a recent study released by PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute), called “Exodus: Why Americans are Leaving Religion—and Why They’re Unlikely to Come Back.” The study looked at a clear trend that must surely get our attention if we are concerned with the state of the church in the U.S. Let’s talk about itContinue reading “Exodus from U.S. Religion”
Category Archives: Church
Mike Bell: Some Thoughts on Change
Note from CM: Good to hear from our friend from the north country, Mike Bell, today. As remains the case for many of us, the ecclesiastical journey continues for Mike. Here’s his latest update. • • • Seventeen. That is the number of churches that I have been involved in, each for more than aContinue reading “Mike Bell: Some Thoughts on Change”
What about THIS “cutting edge”?
What are churches in the U.S. doing to advance this “cutting edge” ministry? Census data tells the story. From 2000 to 2010, those people age 45 to 64 (the boomers) increased 31.5%. The next highest increase was those 65+, who increased over the same period by 15.1% (source: US Census at http://www.census.gov/2010census/) It is projected thatContinue reading “What about THIS “cutting edge”?”
Church Growth: Pastoral Care
One thing I have noticed about people who promote church growth ideology, and the pastors who who “lead” churches by its principles: They really don’t like pastoral care. And yet, they still want to be called pastors. Take the eight-point list on why churches don’t grow by Carey Nieuwhof that we referenced yesterday. The first andContinue reading “Church Growth: Pastoral Care”
Church Growth: the Organization
Church growth thinking is alive and well, and in the eyes of many, successful. And I suppose it is from a certain perspective. Here is Outreach Magazine’s list of the ten largest churches in the U.S. in 2014: If my calculator is right, these ten churches claim that nearly 244,000 people are affiliated with them. That’sContinue reading “Church Growth: the Organization”
Discussing Scot McKnight’s “How Our Culture Challenges Church”
American culture challenges the church at its deepest levels. In the church the authority is God in Christ through the Spirit but in culture authority resides in the individual and in the will of “we the people.” • Scot McKnight • • • Read Scot McKnight’s article, “How Our Culture Challenges Church.” Scot has writtenContinue reading “Discussing Scot McKnight’s “How Our Culture Challenges Church””
Is Megachurch Culture Part of the Problem?
I really hope Tullian doesn’t do what Driscoll has done, and get back into ministerial work within the next month or two. He needs to stay home and mend relationships with his family and repair the damage done. He needs to mend relationships with those people who really looked up to him. I also think heContinue reading “Is Megachurch Culture Part of the Problem?”
So Long!
Today is my last regular post at Internet Monk. I have some pressing family matters that are going to take much of my attention for the foreseeable future and after much thought it seemed it was an appropriate time to end my regular contribution at Internet Monk. I am very grateful for all the opportunitiesContinue reading “So Long!”
Religious Switching 2.0 – Analysis
As promised, my commentary on the Pew Forum’s Religious Landscape Study. Prepare the skewers! Overview. If you run a business, you are concerned with cash flow. If the money coming in to your business is less than the money going out of your business for an extended period of time you are going to beContinue reading “Religious Switching 2.0 – Analysis”
Rachel Held Evans: An excerpt from “Searching for Sunday”
We’ll take a break from John Walton today and pick up the discussion next week. I had hoped to complete the series today, but I would like to discuss a few more of his concepts and need a bit of time to get my thoughts together. In a couple of weeks, we will blog throughContinue reading “Rachel Held Evans: An excerpt from “Searching for Sunday””
The Internet Monk Archives 