Eighty-seven percent of unchurched millennials perceive Christians to be judgmental, and 70% view them as insensitive to others. Yet, the church often prides itself on being a welcoming place for believers and nonbelievers alike. Where does this disconnect come from? Judgmental mindsets — on both sides. By making assumptions and placing labels on one another, the human race has created major divides between all kinds of people groups. Luckily, a more accepting and tolerant existence is possible, but it all... Read more

Being outdoors is a great way to be reminded of God’s presence and His role as creator of the earth. Nature is everywhere. The minute you step outside, you’ll see the sky, maybe a bird or squirrel, trees, and leaves. God created humans with senses that can relate to every aspect of nature — you feel the warmth of the sunshine, smell the beautiful flowers, see a bright blue sky, and hear the birds chirping. God created everything you see... Read more

A summer road trip is the quintessential American vacation, and one that offers a glimpse back in time to when things were simple and life was good. They also provide countless hours to bond with your kids and make memories you’ll all cherish for years to come. Ready to hop in the car and take a drive? Pack your bags, grab some snacks, and plan a route that hits at least one of the following spots along the way. Regardless... Read more

In Mark 16:15, Jesus commands his disciples to go throughout the world and preach the gospel to all people. However, sometimes it seems the church has forgotten about one very large group of people — those with disabilities.  Sixty-one million U.S. adults — or one in four Americans — live with a disability, and many children struggle with various physical and mental issues. Of course, most pastors and churchgoers would consider themselves welcoming to these individuals. However, kids with certain... Read more

Church bake sales are engaging community events that also support good causes. Plus, what’s not to love about all those homemade treats? If this is your first time organizing such an event, you may be wondering where to start. How can you ensure things run smoothly and are enjoyable enough for people to return to the next one? Here are five tips on how to throw your first bake sale successfully.  1. Plan Ahead Do yourself and everyone else a... Read more

In John 6, Jesus tells his followers that He is the bread of life. Whoever comes to Him will never be hungry, at least not in a spiritual sense. As long as you’re feasting on the Word, you’ll be full of grace, love, and gratitude. However, you and your fellow Christ followers will still experience physical hunger, especially if you don’t prepare enough food for your weekly Bible study. Use the recipes below to inspire your inner chef and feed... Read more

More than 84% of scientific studies show that faith is a positive factor in addiction prevention and recovery. Now, nearly three-fourths of addiction treatment programs include a spiritual element.  However, Christians don’t need science to tell them God can work miracles. His word alone is powerful enough to save lost souls and heal the brokenhearted. So, whether you or someone you know is struggling to recover from alcoholism, these Bible verses will offer comfort, healing and hope.  1. Matthew 11:28-30... Read more

As a Bible study leader, you have many responsibilities. You primarily concern yourself with feeding your flock spiritual fodder, but the flesh also requires sustenance. You can do much better than a box of donuts and a pot of coffee in the church basement. With a little creativity, you can put together an event that people want to attend for the food alone — while feeding their soul as a bonus. Here are six tips for preparing food for your... Read more

If you meditate on Job 12: 7-10, you’ll immediately see the benefits of taking your Bible study to the great outdoors. The good book itself instructs people to look to the animals and the earth to recognize the glory the Lord has made.  However, you can do so much more to take advantage of this dynamic in your worship than pulling your folding chairs into the churchyard after services for in-depth reflection. Wilderness retreats and team-building activities help you deepen... Read more

Teaching kids about Jesus is a lot like navigating a foreign country. There are no street signs, no traffic lights and nothing but the Holy Spirit guiding the way. How do you go about introducing a young person to Christianity, anyway?  It seems there’s no easy way to broach the topic. Yet, life presents plenty of opportunities to share your faith. You just have to seize the opportunity whenever it presents itself.  Whether you want to introduce your daughter, nephew... Read more