Culture
The more we're online as a society, the less religious we are. That's according to MIT's Technology Review which features a new study by computer scientist Allen Downey of the Olin College of Engineering. Downey concludes that “Internet use decreases the chance of religious
Culture
In keeping with end of the year predictions, here are mine. Of course, several years ago I predicted $5 per gallon gas. Thankfully, we never got to that point. But in light of my obvious fallibility I’m framing my prognostications in the familiar “what’s in and what’s
Culture
A Facebook friend of mine recently commented on a trip she took. “It was on our bucket list, so we decided to do it” she wrote enthusiastically. I don’t have a bucket list. Here’s why: 1. The whole thing smacks of the Addams Family. You remember The Addams
Culture
My family -- the Warnocks -- are of Scots-Irish ancestry. According to family legend, we left Scotland and arrived in Ireland just in time for the Irish potato famine. Call it bad timing, I suppose, but from that difficult experience three Warnock brothers came from Ireland to America in the
Resources
A few days ago I had the opportunity to participate in a leadership conference with Dr. Greg Jones, former dean of Duke Divinity School, and Dr. John Upton, president of the Baptist World Alliance and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. Next week, I'll share Greg Jones' thoughts
Culture
Despite the adoption of coffee bars, powerpoint presentations, and full-stage lighting, churches are seldom on the cutting edge when it comes to addressing demographic trends. Here are six dramatic trends that are not being addressed adequately by local churches, church networks, or denominations. If we continue to ignore these trends
Culture
The flood of articles predicting what’s going to happen in 2012 has begun, so I thought I would throw in a small church perspective. Interestingly, I think 2012 will bring us to a unique intersection of faith and politics. Here are the top five issues your members will be
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
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,