Bectala

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 …

What to Order from the ‘Secret’ Menu at Chinese Restaurants

You’ve been missing out on some incredible authentic Chinese food all this time!

His pew or hers? Woman concerned about man she met in church

Q: I met a nice guy at church of all places, and he's invited me out. I'm excited but nervous. Do I stay at his house or let him come to mine? It's been a while.

How To Be a Bad Church Member

Ever wanted to set your church back and create an unhealthy culture? Here is a short list of things to do to: 1. Constantly point out what should be done, but never volunteer to actually do anythin…

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 Tips for Creating Inclusive Religious Organizations

We are a stronger country when religious organizations of all faiths live up to our values -- when we are welcoming, diverse, moral, and respect one anot...

Philanthropic and Religious Schools Rigorous in Developing Countries

Can philanthropic and religious schools improve education for children in developing countries? A rigorous review of the evidence.

How Religious Are You?

Pew Research has developed a typology of religion based on "how religious" a person is, along with the nature of that religious belief.

Religious belief may extend life by 4 years

A new study of over 1,500 obituaries finds that religious affiliation is linked with a 4-year longevity boost. Social conformity may play a role.

As Non-Religious Numbers Grow, More Parents Are Raising Kids Without Religion

7 Religious Liberty Quotes From Our Founding Fathers You Should Know

Despite being guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, religious liberty is in the crosshairs of many of our most powerful ...

Faith-Based Organizations as Force Multipliers

Faith-based organizations are an important community-based resource for veterans who are adjusting to civilian life. What current and potential roles can they play in reintegration?

How much time can you take off for religious holidays?

Serious repercussions await an employer who unnecessarily infringes on an employee’s religious freedoms without good cause.

Do religious people live longer than non-religious people?

British researchers have concluded that people who attend church regularly tend to live slightly longer than non-religious people. Partisan theologians (individuals biased toward a particular religious doctrine) embraced the finding

What can neuroscience offer religious faith?

What does neuroscience have to do with faith? Can it aid our self-understanding as religious people? Or will the new Scientific Revolution destroy the illusion of religion? Philosopher, neuroscientist, and skeptic Sam Harris certainly thinks so. In his book Waking Up: A Guide to Spirituality Without Religion, Harris writes: The feeling that we call “I” is an …