America Pray

Why we will no longer be a welcoming church

We’ve decided to quit being a welcoming church. No kidding. We’re giving it up. Like so many congregations, we’ve sunk an amazing amount of time and energy into becoming a welcoming church. We changed worship styles, trained greeters and ushers, wore name tags, brewed coffee, went to workshops on hospitality and put our friendliest people …

The Trajectory Phineas Bresee Gave Us: A conversation featuring Stan Ingersol, Harold Raser, and...

Created: 28 May 2014It was a new movement he felt was needed to engage society and minister to the needy. In the following edited discussion,* three Nazarene historians met with Grace & Peace Magazine to talk about Bresee’s life, ministry, and vision. The panel included Stan Ingersol, denominational archivist for the Church of the Nazarene; Harold Raser, professor of the history of Christianity at Nazarene…

3 Options When the Church No Longer Reflects the Community

I was coaching a group of pastors and was asked a question I’ve encountered, but never really answered. It’s a question, which seems to come up frequently these days. In fact, I think it’s a question many churches need to considerThe reality is some churches have had their community leave them. The community changed and they no longer look like their community demographicallyTo avoid…

7 Hard Words Every Pastor Needs to Hear

I love pastors. I love to encourage pastors. And, it’s Biblical. (Ephesians 4:29 – or something like that.)Seriously, I’m a pastor. And, I work with pastors everyday. Having not been a pastor – in the business world longer than I’ve been a pastor – I’ve still got somewhat of an objective — almost outside perspectiveAnd, now I am a pastor – having been one for over a decade – sometimes I wish I could share with pastors what I’m really thinking.…

How To Reach Unchurched People Who Don't Think They Need God

I read a survey the other day that made me literally sit up straight as I took notice. The number of people in Canada (my country) who profess “no religion” is now at 24%, up from 16.5% a decade earlier. That’s a massive shift in a mere ten years. As I reflect on it all,…

10 Ways to Teach Kids to Sit in Church

Want to take your kids to church with you? Find out how to learn to go to "big church." Worship, learn, and serve together. Kids can love going to church.

How should we then pray?

You can create your own elementary school tech curriculum

Mississippi lacks an elementary school tech curriculum, so STEM-focused educators at Madison County Schools developed their own computer science program.

Elementary school science students have wonderful cetaceans too.

2020 03-04 SB Coast It was a pleasure to see such a nice group of future scientists (elementary school) “marching forth” out to sea and learning about oceanographic and biological research techniques first hand. This was a group educational charter, not a regular whale watch trip. Nevertheless, we did encounter some nice cetaceans, including: 250 long-beaked common dolphins, 3 gray ... Read More

Why teachers need 'playtime' too

Having time to switch off and have fun is as crucial for teachers as it is for children, says Jo Steer

Want to pray with the Pope? There's an app for that...

Offering an improved digital 'praying experience' in a fast-paced world.

How MAP Growth helps elementary school teachers differentiate instruction

Memphis Elementary School in Memphis, MI, relies on MAP Growth data to differentiate instruction, reach more students, and save teachers time.

Let’s Move Beyond the Common Core in Catholic Schools

Well-intentioned Catholic educators have tried to contort Common Core to fit within Catholic schools, but the design and purpose of the s...

Homework for a 4-year-old? No, thank you: Multitasking Moms and Dads

Homework means less time for that all important childhood activity: play. So my 4-year-old is opting out.