Archive

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Rich Villodas on Contemplative Leadership

In the age of the 24-7 news cycle, American attention is in constant demand—with notifications coming every hour, time of quiet and solitude is rare. But pastor and author Rich Villodas believes that this high-attention state may be dangerous for church leaders and their congregants.

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Vivian Mabuni on COVID’s Impact on Women

On the most recent ChurchPulse Weekly episode, guest Vivian Mabuni sat down with host Carey Nieuwhof to discuss this year’s impact on people’s emotional well-being, women’s growing burdens and Gen Z’s current perception of the Church. She likens 2020 to a marathon without a finish line, but offers hope in Christ and encouragement for fellow leaders as they step into the new year.

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Craig Groeschel on Leadership During Crisis

In the most recent ChurchPulse Weekly episode, Carey Nieuwhof invites Craig Groeschel, senior pastor of Life.Church, to share what he has learned as a church leader during 2020, and what lessons he hopes to take with him into the coming year.

3 Insights to Help Pastors Care for Their Church This Season

As a difficult year comes to a close and a challenging holiday season continues, let's examine findings from three recent Barna studies that could help pastors as they think through caring for their congregants—and themselves—during crisis.

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Francis Chan on Finding Humility and Healing Division

Over the past nine months, data show that pastors’ mental and emotional well-being has suffered greatly as they worked to guide their people through the pandemic and an election year fraught with tension. Researchers also discovered that Christians’ relationships with churches are changing, with church attendance at a low even with digital worship services available to them. In recent ChurchPulse Weekly episodes, host Carey Nieuwhof chats with pastor Francis Chan about how church leaders can respond to the collapse in attendance and mental health.

2 in 5 Churchgoers Are Open to Inviting Others to Digital Church Services

As COVID-19 cases continue to rise across the U.S., local and state governments continue to implement new mandates and restrictions that effect how Americans gather for the holidays—both inside and outside the home. Many church leaders are now contemplating how a socially distant Advent and Christmas season will impact invitations, attendance and outreach for holiday services.

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Miles McPherson on Trusting God and Seeking Justice

In recent ChurchPulse Weekly episodes, host Carey Nieuwhof and guest Miles McPherson of The Rock Church in San Diego discuss the future of the Church, both in its changing modalities and in its pursuit of justice.

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Mark Sayers on Faith During Crisis

With the number of U.S. COVID cases once again on the rise as colder weather sets in and political polarization still palpable across the nation following the recent presidential election, pastors and their people may feel just as uncertain now as they did at the start of the pandemic seven months ago. In recent ChurchPulse Weekly episodes, host Carey Nieuwhof and guest Mark Sayers—cultural commentator, writer, speaker and pastor—discuss faith, safety and opportunity during crisis.

Three Lenses to Keep in Mind When Converting Live Services to Digital

While many churches have re-opened since the nationwide shut down in March, the logistics—and perhaps necessity—of hybrid church (combination of in-person and digital) is something pastors remain curious about. What does it mean to offer both in-person and digital experiences? How can these experiences be just as impactful online as they are in person?

What Churches Might Miss When Measuring Digital Attendance

Can digital ministry become more than a sermon? Our data collected during the 2020 tumult—releasing in a new report, Six Questions About the Future of the Hybrid Church Experience—suggest that viewing and attending church are not seen as the same thing, and a more holistic strategy for digital or hybrid ministry is needed for the long term.

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Aaron McRae and Brian Wurzell on Hybrid Christmas

Back in 2019, Aaron McRae and Brian Wurzell of Hillside Church were hoping they’d explore digital outreach more in 2020. When the pandemic hit, they realized those plans would have to accelerate. Now, months later, they’ve seen unexpected fruitfulness, with over a million views on their YouTube—and they’re gearing up for Christmas. On the most recent ChurchPulse Weekly episode, David Kinnaman summarizes Barna’s latest research, and podcast host Carey Nieuwhof sits down with McRae and Wurzell to discuss how the Church can minister during this year’s disrupted holiday season.

3 Things Church Leaders Must Know as They Navigate Election Season

As the U.S. presidential election looms, pastors might wonder how to lead well during this time of increased tension. If our data on the tug-of-war for their engagement is any indication, they likely feel there is no way to win with all of their congregants. Today’s article offers three research insights to help pastors understand the current climate and thoughtfully guide their church through this divided moment.

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Alejandro Reyes and Haley Veturis on Digital Church

On the most recent ChurchPulse Weekly episode, podcast hosts Nieuwhof and Kinnaman sit down with Alejandro Reyes, CEO of Digital Napkin and executive pastor at New Vintage Church, and Haley Veturis, director of digital engagement at Bayside Church, to talk about digital outreach in the church.

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Christopher Harris & Jim Sheppard on Financial Health in the Church

On ChurchPulseWeekly, Carey Nieuwhof and David Kinnaman sit down with Christopher Harris and Jim Sheppard to discuss how churches can make healthy financial choices in 2020.

Why 2020 Might Be Good News for the Church

In the final installment of the series Five Essential Conversations About Ministry to the Next Generation, David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock wrap up their discussion with a hopeful note: looking at the positive outcomes and opportunities presented to the Church, even in the chaos of of 2020.

How Mental Health Is the New Domain of Ministry to the Next Generation

Recent data show that the mental health strain teens and young adults were under pre-pandemic have only intensified during the crisis. How should church leaders respond in light of these findings?

ChurchPulse Weekly Conversations: Latasha Morrison on Bridge Building

Why You Might Be Aiming at the Wrong Target in Your Ministry to the Next Generation

With only 10 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds who grew up Christian or in the Church qualifying as what Barna defines as "resilient disciples," pastors may wonder, what can be done to engage young people and even raise this percentage in the years to come?