On any given Sunday, churchgoers settle into pews as a clergy person takes an ancient holy text and figures out what it has to say about our lives today. But how would worshippers feel if they found out that sermon was written by Artificial Intelligence?
According to the National Survey of Religious Leaders report, “Clergy who lead predominantly white mainline Protestant churches are much less likely to hold traditionally orthodox Christian beliefs than clergy in any other group.”
According to a Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors, almost 3 in 4 say their congregation collects physical offerings by passing something around at the worship service.
An association ideally functions like a family of congregations collaborating on God’s mission within their context. This reduces the necessity to invite people to a building.
You’re leading. You’re preaching. You’re promoting. But still… it feels like no one’s really listening. That’s not just frustrating; it’s exhausting.
Remember all those things that happened back then — the things that you “just don’t think about?” Yeah. They’re still there.
The healthiest churches I know have small groups that are intentional about reaching non-believers. They set that goal, and they seek to reach lost people and then disciple new believers. At the same time, though, I’m reminded of reasons unchurched or newly-churched folks may be uncomfortable attending your small group.
Compared to a decade ago, pastors have less training in counseling but are more hesitant to refer church members to professionals.
“If families are drifting from the Lord and diving into sin and putting their faith on cruise control Monday through Saturday, then we are not really a healthy church because that is the church,” said Jonathan Williams.
It is 2033. Enrique Hernandez, associational mission strategist for the Southwest Baptist Association, attended a conference for associational leaders. Returning home, he felt excited, motivated
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