Q&A with Guy Russ, assistant vice president – Risk Control at Church Mutual Insurance Company Why should a church consider opening its facility as a temporary shelter? Russ: Emergency shelters and transitional living arrangements are important ways churches can help those in need. This includes providing living arrangements within worship centers, fellowship halls and educational […]
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1. American teens are growing out of being Christian. Though almost all Christian U.S. teens identified as Christian in childhood (94%) and Christianity remains the most common affiliation for teens (70%), about a quarter now claims no organized religion. This includes the one in ten (12%) who describe their faith identity as “nothing in particular.” […]
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By Beka Johnson The last year was nothing short of incredible. From the pandemic, to economic and social unrest, to natural disasters, we were forced to confront some of the deepest, darkest parts of our culture, including the depths of our own hearts. And it wasn’t pretty. The Church had to step into anxiety-filled moments, figuring […]
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What are the signs that a church does not have adequate gathering and fellowship space right now? Charlie Daniels: The first sign starts with pre- and post-service traffic. If your congregation is not gathering before service or staying to gather after service, normally this is due to not having adequate gathering space. Connection groups […]
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By Eric Scalise, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT Years ago, I used to do quite a bit of rock climbing when I lived in California. I also worked with at-risk teens, most of whom lacked any meaningful connections in their lives. There are a number of critical voice commands climbers use, especially when there is limited or […]
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By Tiffany Self How do we care for our communities well amid isolation, racial tension, and economic uncertainty? In light of what’s going on in the world today, we clearly need to humbly plead for God’s help and guidance as we recognize that our world needs places where people can feel heard and respected, but […]
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By Karen Wolf Mass notification systems help communities navigate the path to normalcy Christians throughout the world recently celebrated Holy Week and Easter for the second time during the COVID-19 pandemic. While the progress made with vaccinating the public has boosted many churchgoers’ confidence, gathering in-person is still beyond the comfort zone of many of […]
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With 41% of Americans reporting symptoms of depression or anxiety attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s no wonder religious leaders also are feeling more stressed than ever before. Many of you are facing heightened needs from your members and the community while also managing personal stressors — balancing family needs, financial concerns and an increasing […]
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If summer is the season for fun in the sun, then spring is the time to prepare for that wonderful time of togetherness, outdoor activities, and faith-filled fellowship. Of course, this summer again will be different for camps and faith-based organizations due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The best way to get […]
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By Katie Albrecht It’s no secret that in order to have a thriving church, leaders need a strong community within their walls. In fact, when disruption occurs, many worshippers rely on the community around them for support. To maintain this foundation in the church, here are some ways to build and foster your community before, […]
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