What The Bible Says Good Samaritan's Penny Pulpit by Pastor Ed Rice

Astatula Baptist Church's motto is Loving God, Loving Others, and Serving Both! We have been serving the Astatula community for ...

Astatula Baptist Church's motto is Loving God, Loving Others, and Serving Both! We have been serving the Astatula community for ...

Astatula Baptist Church's motto is Loving God, Loving Others, and Serving Both! We have been serving the Astatula community for ...

Astatula Baptist Church's motto is Loving God, Loving Others, and Serving Both! We have been serving the Astatula community for ...

Astatula Baptist Church's motto is Loving God, Loving Others, and Serving Both! We have been serving the Astatula community for ...

A New York man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison after being found guilty of placing a hidden camera in the showers of a church's bathroom in order to film minors.

Our faithfulness requires being counter-cultural in our attitudes about sex and children, an insistence that sex be confined within its God-given scope of monogamous marriage, honoring its God-given purpose, and welcoming all children who result into our families and into the community of faith, including those discarded by pagan parents. ?

The Global Methodist Church has issued an official response to the United Methodist Church's General Conference vote to drop the denomination's decades-old ban on ordaining noncelibate homosexuals and allow the blessing of gay unions.

Less than 1% of American Catholics agree with all three of the Catholic Church's teachings on the sanctity of life issues, showing the widespread existence of what some call "cafeteria Catholics" in the United States, according to an analysis.?

Most pastors will tell you of the importance of small groups. Speaking from personal experience, I know that if someone is connected in a small group, there is a greater likelihood that they'll be involved in a wider mission and more involved within the local church's life. They also have a built-in support system to help them grow in Christ. A recent LifeWay study found what I already knew through personal experience—small groups are important. Scott McConnell summarized the study with these words:"Small groups and Sunday School classes provide the relational glue that allows a local congregation to be a place where people love one another. Groups and relationships that are centered on the Word of God unify a congregation and motivate people to work together on the mission of the church. Churches with few people participating in groups are not in a healthy position to make more disciples."? [1]We also know that, just as with Sunday morning attendance, there are more women than men in attendance—about 60-40. Why is it harder to get men to be actively involved in small groups? Do they not like going? Or are there other reasons?Before answering these questions, I should say that in my own experience, I have witnessed many men absolutely love going to small groups. If a man is engaged in other disciplines within the body of Christ, these "reasons" are usually not a big enough hurdle. And in my experience, many of the men who attend small groups say it's their favorite time of the weak. Nevertheless, it can be a tough hurdle for some to overcome. Here are some of those reasons: ? [1]? https://research.lifeway.com/2023/03/07/research-reveals-importance-of-small-groups-evangelism-assimilation-for-church-growth/Photo Courtesy:? ? Jantanee Rungpranomkorn from? Getty Images