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.
This part of the president’s base remains solid.
Evangelical Supporters Have More Faith in Trump, Kate Shellnut
More than anything, these Georgia Christians gushed over what they had seen during Trump’s presidency: a leader who came through on his pledge to appoint conservative justices, defend religious freedom, and oppose abortion. “He really just kept his promises,” said Fred Engel, wearing a red plaid shirt and a volunteer lanyard around his neck. “I don’t remember a single politician in my 68 years who did that.”
Thinking about planting a church? Mapping is an important part.
Ministry Mapping for Church Planting, Caleb Crider
One of the most overlooked basic skills for God’s people on mission is mapping. Mapping is the collection of insights about a people and a place—beginning with observation, filtered through dialog, and recorded on a map. Around the world, missionary teams, church planters, and local church leaders are using mapping as a way to really understand the people they wish to serve.
The long-tenured FBC Atlanta pastor is stepping aside.
Charles Stanley Stepping Down After 50 Years as Pastor, Scott Barkley
“As you know, I don’t believe in retirement. … I’ll continue to preach the gospel as long as God allows,” he added. “My goal remains the same—to get the truth of the gospel to as many people as possible as quickly as possible in the power of the Holy Spirit to the glory of God.”
Voting is still considered a Christian responsibility.
National Voter Registration Day stirs call for Christians to vote responsibly, Baptist Press
“In Paul’s day, ultimate authority resided in the emperor, so Paul could only pray for government leaders to act justly (1 Timothy 2:1-4) and encourage those leaders, whenever he had the opportunity, to think biblically about their roles,” [JD] Greear told Baptist Press, citing examples in Acts 25:10-11 and Romans 13:1-4. “In the United States, however, ‘we the people’ sit in the ruler’s chair, and bear ultimate responsibility for how authority is used.
Helpful for all of us who preach regularly.
How to Avoid a Preaching Rut, Bryan Chapell
I’m not sure it would work the same for everyone, but I often get into a rut because I’m in a pattern in the way that I present information. That can be because many of us are trained to preach in academic settings and so we have an understanding of an academic presentation of material. I need to give you author, date, time, major theological issues, and make sure I define what expiation is.