The following articles have been selected because they are informative, instructive, entertaining, or simply interesting. Articles appearing in Your Friday Five do not represent an endorsement.
U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time, By Jeffrey M. Jones
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Americans’ membership in houses of worship continued to decline last year, dropping below 50% for the first time in Gallup’s eight-decade trend. In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999.
Greatness Redefined, By Trevin Wax
If you were to ask ordinary people in the first century what greatness looks like, chances are people would point to someone like Alexander the Great. At 20, he succeeded his father as the king of Macedonia. He solidified his power, mastered all of Greece, and then he went to war and conquered the rest of the known world at the time. He was 33 when he died, but he accomplished so much in his lifetime that people thought he was divine.
What Do Americans Actually Believe About the Resurrection?, By Aaron Earls
The truthfulness of the resurrection is not as controversial today as many Christians may assume. The bigger issue, however, may be helping Americans recognize the relevance of Jesus rising from the dead.
4 Post-COVID Steps Every Pastor Needs to Take, By Mark Dance
We are all understandably eager to look ahead to the post-COVID world we have all been longing for. The Oklahoma Baptist Convention, where I serve, met with small groups of pastors in March at about 10 locations around the state to hear how they are doing, as well as what they have learned in these last 12 months of pastoring through a pandemic.
What Churchgoers Missed Most About In-Person Services, By Barna Research
It was nearly impossible for congregations to meet together for Easter last year. Now, 12 months later, pastors are continuing to adapt to digital and hybrid ministry.