Five misconceptions about dechurching in America: Jim Davis and Michael Davis share that, “We’re currently living in the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. Some 40 million adult Americans who used to go to church at least once per month now attend less than once per year. This shift is larger than the number of conversions during the First Great Awakening, Second Great Awakening, and the totality of the Billy Graham Crusades combined.”
Immature defenses of ‘mature’ sexual content in movies: Cap Stewart begins, “In a pornified culture like ours, it’s no wonder various scenes from mainstream films and television shows demonstrate a “porn aesthetic” (to borrow a phrase from academic Shelton Waldrep). We’re not just talking about raunchy comedies, erotic thrillers, or TV-MA (“mature audience”) HBO shows. Works of otherwise genuine artistry and quality storytelling can be tainted by the inclusion of a sex scene or two.”
Can a Christian have mental illness: Tom Karel and David Murray explain why it’s important we get this question right. “Nearly half (48 percent) of evangelicals believe that serious mental illness can be overcome with prayer and Bible study alone. The result of this condemnation of mental illness as sin is that many Christians do not admit they have a mental illness, they don’t talk about it, and they don’t reach out for help.”
Serve in children’s ministry. It’s bigger than you think. Russ Ramsey concludes, “Children’s ministry is an expression of brotherly love. It’s a long ministry of hospitality—eternally long. Only God knows all you’ll get to be part of when you serve, but this much is sure: it’ll be more than all you could ask or think.”
When being affirming isn’t loving: Carl Trueman responds to a megachurch pastor and the pope, “Stanley and the pope seem to have missed something very basic: Christian pastoral strategy cannot be developed in isolation from Christian anthropology. Both the question of sexual identity and the politics that surround it are not primarily concerned with sexual behavior. They are actually about what it means to be a human being.”
Inside a stunning sandcastle house: Every detail of this home is jaw-dropping.

Photo by DDP on Unsplash