Books
Six Dramatic Trends Impacting Small Churches In his new book, American Religion: Contemporary Trends, Professor Mark Chaves of Duke University identifies six new trends affecting U. S. congregations, including small churches. In the chapter titled simply “Congregations,” Chaves examines sociological and demographic trends which are shaping church congregations. These six
Books
Evangelicalism has thrived in America because of its ability to adapt to its culture, according to Randall Balmer in his book, The Making of Evangelicalism: From Revivalism to Politics and Beyond. Balmer, professor of American religious history at Columbia University and a contributing editor to Christianity Today, writes in this
Culture
The Myth of Why Conservative Churches Are Growing The myth that conservative churches are growing today because people are looking for theological fundamentalism is roundly debunked by Mark Chaves in his new book, American Religion: Contemporary Trends. Despite the book’s mundane title, Mark Chaves sheds dramatic new light on
Trends
Watching the news reports of those mourning the death of Steve Jobs, it struck me that for the first time in my experience people are genuinely saddened at the death of a business leader, rather than a rock star, a member of the royal family, or a politician. Did Henry
Church news
I recently was asked by a church publication in Taiwan to respond to the controversial film, Divided. Here is my response. I would be interested in yours. If you haven't seen the film, here's the link to the film's website. A Pastor Looks At
ethics
The strange case of Warren Jeffs, the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' leader, ended today in Jeffs's conviction for child rape. We wonder how it is possible in the 21st century for hundreds of men and women to be deluded by Jeffs' bizarre,
Culture
Normally, I don't write about politics because it's a sure way to alienate at least half of your readers. But I just read Wendell Griffen's article titled, Obama Protects the Powerful Over the Poor. Griffen contends that President Obama needs a prophetic voice in
Culture
Today I was talking to a friend, Jim Stovall, who teaches journalism at the University of Tennessee, and is a pioneer in developing and teaching web journalism. In our conversation about how the internet is changing newspapers and journalism, Jim said, “I tell my students to start now, to become
Culture
While total estimated charitable giving edged up by 3.8% compared to 2009, gifts to churches and religious organizations actually declined when adjusted for inflation. Philanthropy toward other human services groups, like those which sought funds for the Haiti earthquake disaster, fell even more, registering a 1.5% decline when
Culture
MSNBC reports this morning that "For the first time, minorities make up a majority of babies in the U.S., part of a sweeping race change and a growing age divide between mostly white, older Americans and predominantly minority youths that could reshape government policies." But not only
Culture
Recently I cancelled my Linked-In and Plaxo accounts. I had previously cancelled my Twitter account, but now have one under @PeaceFriendsCom to promote my blog, PeaceFriends.Com. I mostly look at my own family's Facebook posting and photos, and spend almost no time posting to Facebook, except for
Culture
Married couples no longer are the majority of U.S. households according to the 2010 U.S. census, the New York Times reports. For the first time ever, families without a traditional husband-and-wife now comprise 52% of households, with families headed by married couples comprising 48%. But the misperception that