Tiny Churches, Big Hopes: Why Some Thrive Despite the Odds

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In the age of the megachurch, meet some very small congregations that defy the odds for survival and thrive by “being all you can be in a religious setting.”

CHR Comment: In 2010, 49% of congregations had 100 or fewer members. That figure rose to 58% in the last five years. 90% of American congregations are Protestant and the majority of them fit into the smaller churches category. The article explains a study of changes in American religious life and how some congregations are finding ways to thrive.

Source: Tiny churches, big hopes: Why some thrive despite the odds – Religion News Service

Sunni-Shiite Schism Compared with Catholic-Protestant Divide

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A disagreement 14 centuries ago over Islamic leadership following the death of the Prophet Mohammed –whether it should be by merit or bloodline–divides a religion that will be world’s largest this century.

CHR Comment: Reporter Gregg Zoroya attempts to make the Sunni-Shiite conflict more understandable to western readers by comparing it to the conflicts that followed the Protestant Reformation. Both the Muslim conflict and the Christian conflict had issues of authority at their center and resulted in wars, which makes the different events comparable to some extent.

Zoroya points out that the conflict in Islam was over who would succeed the prophet Mohammed as a leader. In the Reformation, the conflict was different. Before the Reformation took place, the medieval church was developing the modern papacy and often conflicted with kings  and councils over issues of authority . Martin Luther appealed to the Scriptures as the ultimate authority since popes and councils erred. When the papacy took offense at Luther’s teaching and concluded that he was harming the church, Luther and his supporters appealed for a council to address the issues. The papacy did not wish for such a counsel to take place, which would undermine papal authority by putting the Protestants and the papal supporters on equal footing. Ultimately, the papacy did call what we know today as the Council of Trent (1545-1563), which established the doctrine and practice of Roman Catholicism in distinction from Protestantism. Not long afterward, the European wars of religion arose (Thirty Years’ War; 1618-1648), which brought horrible devastation.

When reviewing religious history, it is important to note that conflicts often have their origin not in religion itself but in the varied interests of religious people. There are always political and economic factors that attach themselves to the spiritual issues.

Source: Ancient Islamic Sunni-Shiite schism inflames a modern world

Kenya’s Garissa University Reopens

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Kenya’s Garissa University College officially reopens, nine months after the killing of nearly 150 people, mainly students, in an attack by militant Islamist group al-Shabab.

CHR Comment: The attacks just before Easter last year specifically targeted Christians and is a good example of how African Christians continually face persecution in warring Africa. Garissa University is a public institution, not a Christian school.

Source: Kenya’s Garissa university reopens after deadly al-Shabab attack – BBC News

The Next Mass Missionary Movement

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Chinese Christians plan to send 20,000 missionaries by 2030.

CHR Comment: In 2010 the Chinese government prevented Christians there from gathering to a mission conference in South Africa. Since then, Chinese Christians have worked to improve their opportunities to foster mission work. The article includes some helpful figures on countries that currently send the most missionaries.

Source: Made in China: The Next Mass Missionary Movement

Epiphany Celebrations around the World

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CHR Comment: Christians today celebrate the Epiphany of Jesus Christ, added to the calendar by the Early Church. The name of the feast comes from a Greek word meaning “Make manifest.” The celebration includes different events from Jesus’ life such as the following:

Visitation of the Magi, the first Gentiles to worship the child Jesus. Matthew 2 records their visit, which did not take place on the night Jesus was born but up to two years afterward while Joseph and Mary were living in a house at Bethlehem rather than a stable. Christians in the western tradition often commemorate this event, emphasizing Christ’s mission to save all nations. The Christmas tradition of giving gifts also comes from this biblical event since the Magi brought gifts to Jesus.

Baptism of Jesus. All four Gospels in the New Testament record when the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus as He stood in the Jordan River, consecrating Baptism as a Christian practice and demonstrating its importance for the Christian life. Christians in the eastern tradition often commemorate Epiphany by emphasizing Baptism.

Miracles, such as turning water into wine. A third Epiphany theme is based on John 2 and other passages where Jesus performs miracles or “signs” as John the evangelist called them. Jesus’ miracles showed that He was more than an ordinary human being. He was God manifested in the flesh, the Messiah and Savior. All three Epiphany themes are wonderfully commemorated in an English hymn by Christopher Wordsworth (1807-85), “Songs of Thankfulness and Praise.” Each stanza ends with, “God in man made manifest.”

Included below are links to news stories that describe different local Epiphany practices. In Bulgaria, Eastern Orthodox Christians dance in an icy river. Italian parents put gifts of candy in the shoes of children. In Poland, Spain, and former Spanish colonies, there are Epiphany parades. Christians generally commemorate the feast with a special service on January 6 or the nearest Sunday. The Epiphany season reaches a high point on Transfiguration Sunday and ends on Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten fast.

Our family plans to watch The Nativity Story tonight, which includes biblical and legendary portrayals of the Magi visiting the Holy Family (New Line, 2006). We will also have special prayers together, rejoicing that God became man for us and for our salvation.

Blessed Epiphany!

Source: Bulgarians Dip Into Icy River to Celebrate Epiphany Day – NBC News

Epiphany in Italy and Elsewhere

Church Surrounded by Wildflower Beauty

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Situated in “the bulb capital of the world,” this under-the-radar South African guesthouse has a reputation spread by the most trusted method of all: word of mouth. We were lucky to be squeezed in at Papkuilsfontein.

CHR Comment: Sharing this beautiful setting for a Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa where winter rains bring out the glory of God’s good creation. Enjoy this fine photo essay.

Source: Flower Season: An Under-the-Radar Guesthouse in South Africa: Gardenista

Christian Musician, Craig Strickland, Died from Hypothermia

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Backroad Anthem shared an emotional tribute to their lead singer on Facebook.

CHR Comment: A sad story about a young church musician who was having success in the country/rock band, Backroad Anthem. The article describes how the band started after members met at church. The congregations affected are Cross Church, a family of Baptist congregations in Arkansas (see second link below). The Fayetteville congregation is apparently where the band members met. The Springdale congregation appears to be the home church for the Stricklands. Lord, have mercy.

Source: Wife: Craig Strickland died from hypothermia

About Cross Church

New Giant Jesus Statue

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Move over, “Christ the Redeemer.” A new giant statue of Jesus is about to be unveiled in a Nigerian village. Dubbed “Jesus de Greatest,” . . .

CHR Comment: Nigerian businessman, Obinna Onuoha, commissioned the 28 foot statute to be placed outside of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, which is located in the southern, Christian portion of Nigeria. It will not be near the location of the numerous Boko Haram attacks that occur mostly in the north and east portions of the country. It will be the largest statue of Jesus in Africa.

Source: The world is about to get a new giant Jesus statue

Education Secretary Delivers Final Address from Church Basement

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Arne Duncan did not go quietly. In his final speech as U. S. Education Secretary, Duncan on Wednesday delivered a blunt, wide-ranging, sometimes unsparing address.

CHR Comment: Duncan spoke from the basement of Saint Sabina Catholic Church, on the south side of Chicago. The church is home to a private school, Saint Sabina Academy, for grades K through 8. His comments focused on improving safety and conditions for students.

Source: In farewell, Duncan chides ‘collective failure’ to protect kids