For many people, the year’s end means studying for finals, coordinating travel plans and trying to find the perfect gifts for friends and family. Add in the cold weather and shorter days, and fall can feel downright stressful! Thankfully, the season also brings countless opportunities to relax and connect with the community. Here are 10 ways you and your bible group can make the most of autumn. 1. Build a Bonfire A chill is in the air! On a crisp... Read more
Jesus often took time away to rest and you should, too. It’s essential for your well-being and your relationship with God. You’ll find that rest equips you for ministry responsibilities. If you’re feeling burnt out, spiritually weary and overwhelmed, it’s time to take a break and go on vacation. Here are some destinations that are enjoyable, relaxing and will also deepen your connection with God. 1. The Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., is known as one... Read more
An outdoor retreat has the potential to be a life-changing experience for your parishioners. Introducing them to a natural and open environment can lower their stress levels, stimulate their creativity and lead to more thought-provoking conversations. Follow these seven planning tips to make your outdoor church retreat as transformative and impactful as possible. 1. Choose a Relevant Location First and foremost, your church retreat should take place in a relevant location. It should be an hour or two away from... Read more
Think of “dinner church” as a dinner party with the word. People gathered around tables, sharing their thoughts over a home-cooked meal, asking questions, praying for each other and learning how to apply the word to their situations. Church attendance is at a record low, but creative movements such as “dinner church” across denominations in the country show the power of creativity and community. All You Need To Know About the “Dinner Church” Movement “Dinner church” is a gathering of... Read more
If your church is ready for a new location, you’re probably wondering if it’s cheaper to buy or build. Your budget is likely allocated among many important causes, and you want to ensure you can maintain those duties while making your move. With that in mind, here’s what you should consider when deciding how to proceed with your new church. 1. Distance How far away are you willing to go from your current church? Distance is an important thing to... Read more
It’s truly incredible how much people can accomplish when they work together on a project. Habitat for Humanity focuses on building homes so families can have security, independence and stability in their future. This non-profit is designed to work off volunteers, who come together to complete building projects. There are many ways to partner with Habitat for Humanity, and construction is just one of them. Want to become a faith partner with this organization? Here’s everything you need to know... Read more
There are more opportunities than ever to use technology in your church. Incorporating tech into your worship is a great way to enhance the experience and engage your congregation. Here are five tech-forward ideas for transforming your next sermon. 1. Lighting Don’t underestimate the power of lighting. Stage lights can be effective tools on a stage or in a pulpit. Different colors and intensities can add interesting effects to your sermon. For example, you can dim or brighten the lights... Read more
Christians have two sets of responsibilities. You are responsible for yourself and your family and the commitment to spreading God’s Word. It can be hard to manage your needs, but these seven ideas can help you find balance. 1. Make a Schedule A schedule is vital if you want to balance your responsibilities. Whether you work full- or part-time, are a parent, partner or live solo, it’s easy to plan two things simultaneously if you don’t write it down. A... Read more
It’s your job to raise your children to love the Lord. God directs all parents on how to instruct their children in the Word: “6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as... Read more
Gathering information is the first step to creating a more inclusive church building and atmosphere, so you’re doing great so far. In Luke, Christ calls us to welcome people of all abilities and backgrounds. Anyone who desires to worship the living God and hear the good news of the gospel should have a way to do so. The unfortunate truth is older buildings are generally far behind modern inclusivity standards. In addition, religious institutions are exempt from the Americans with... Read more
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