What comes to mind when you think of attrition in your church? Perhaps you think about the attrition of membership or attendance. Maybe you think about financial attrition. However, I want to draw your attention to a different and often overlooked category: cultural attrition.
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My own moral failings, intrusive thoughts, and moments of doubt have sometimes left me feeling worthless and weak. In those moments, I can’t help but feel that God is ashamed of me or distant. And in my weakness, I ask myself, “How can I hold on to Him more earnestly?”
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Today, every worship leader has become a curator and gatekeeper. And that’s not a small responsibility.
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Sometimes, when you’re in the middle of a church renewal initiative, it can be difficult to measure the kind of impact you’re hoping to see. It often requires stepping back, taking a breath and prayerfully evaluating what God is doing.
Ministry provides us with a front-row seat to the full range of human experience. One week, you are standing in a sanctuary decorated with flowers, watching a young couple promise forever.
Every few years a movie or cultural moment pushes us to wrestle with big ideas, questions of justice, identity, purpose, and of course, what it really means to be good. With the release of the movie, “Wicked: For Good,” conversations about goodness, darkness, and the blurry line between them are circulating again. Anytime a new buzz word and phrases start to pop up, it’s a perfect moment for Christians, especially women seeking to live faithfully in their generation, to pause and ask: Do we understand goodness the way God defines it?
Springtime is often one of the busiest seasons for women’s ministry, but it also brings a unique opportunity to pause and reconnect. Planning a women’s retreat is a meaningful way to create space for rest, community, and spiritual renewal. Though the process may seem daunting, breaking it into manageable steps can help you craft a retreat that is both well-organized and impactful. Whether you’re a seasoned planner or tackling your first retreat, these practical tips will guide you every step of the way.
Leading with community isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a necessity. Here are four ways we can lean into community in various seasons of ministry.
October, a month often dedicated to celebrating pastors, also offers a unique opportunity to acknowledge the invaluable role of their wives. As a pastor’s wife for nearly two decades, I’ve experienced the incredible privilege of witnessing God’s work firsthand. Yet, this privileged position also comes with its share of challenges, including betrayal, loneliness, and even […]
In a world that often prioritizes personal fulfillment and happiness, it’s easy to forget that God’s ultimate goal for us is holiness. Our culture is centered on success, recognition, and the pursuit of fulfilling our “passion,” but these things are often fleeting, influenced by circumstances and seasons.
The pressure to be perfect can be a crippling weight for leaders. Society often paints a picture of leadership as a flawless pursuit, where challenges are effortlessly overcome and success is guaranteed. However, the reality is far more complex. Behind the scenes, leaders grapple with immense pressure, uncertainty, and the weight of expectations.
In our culture, there’s so much emphasis on being a good leader that we rarely hear about what it means to be a good follower. In any church or organization, the strength of the team is often the defining factor in its success. So why does most of the responsibility and conversation land on the leader? For staff members, lay leaders, and followers, being an exemplary team member is crucial to the health of any organization. Here are some key traits that contribute to being an effective and supportive member of the team.
Recently, I had the privilege of speaking at a women’s conference where the diversity of attendees spanned generations. Across the table, I found myself in conversation with two women at different life stages: one fresh out of college and single, the other recently widowed. Despite their disparate circumstances, they shared a common struggle—navigating the challenges of finding an apartment, living alone, and facing the uncertainties of the future.
I’ve recently taken on the role of teaching a cultural theology and biblical worldview class for high school juniors at a private school in my new hometown. Surprisingly, I’ve found that I’m learning just as much from them during our discussions, whether in class sessions or through our private conversations.
