By Marissa Postell Sullivan According to Lifeway Research’s Greatest Needs of Pastors study, nearly 2 in 3 pastors (63%) say disciple-making is an area they need to invest in developing to help them be better pastors. Of all the areas of skill development needs, disciple-making stands out above the rest. And discipleship is the heartbeat of the church. In their latest … [Read more...]
3 factors that lead to unchurched christians
By Dean Inserra BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — According to Lifeway Research, among Protestant pastors in the United States, 3 in 5 consider someone in their congregation a regular churchgoer if they attend church at least twice a month. Come to church every other Sunday (26 times a year) and you’re now considered a regular in the American church. To say that infrequent is the new … [Read more...]
Nearly dead for camp cred, but totally worth it
By Laura Erlanson NASHVILLE (BP) – During June, I did what many said could not be done. I pulled off the exhaustion hat trick, the triathlon of tired, the white whale of weariness – the SBC annual meeting, Vacation Bible School and CentriKid in back-to-back weeks. It was the Baptist Ironman of sleep deprivation. The first week of the month, I flew to Anaheim, where I … [Read more...]
First Person: 3 Reasons Pastors Avoid Counseling When They Need It
By Ben Mandrell NASHVILLE -- “Too fast!” my wife, Lynley, screamed as I drove down a steep hill caked in snow. The vehicle picked up speed like a roller coaster on first fall. “I grew up driving in this!” I snapped, more than slightly annoyed that she doubted my driving. Moments later all six Mandrells were sledding sideways, out of control and bracing for … [Read more...]
