Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2025, Christianity.com Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:21:34 -0400 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/20-short-prayers-to-prepare-your-heart-for-easter.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/20-short-prayers-to-prepare-your-heart-for-easter.html Rachel Wojo https://www.christianity.com/author/rachel-wojo/ Do you find yourself rushing to Easter Sunday without fully experiencing the journey? I've been there before. As the celebration of Easter approaches, we want more than surface traditions. What if we were to walk the sacred path from Calvary to the empty tomb?The prayers guide us through the Easter story, beginning with Christ's sacrifice, moving through the tension of waiting, and peaking in the dawn of resurrection. These twenty prayers are inspired by John 12:24, "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." Each prayer creates space for this Bible story to transform your current life. The prayers are divided into three sections of The Crucifixion, Waiting and Reflection, and Living the Resurrection.Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Kristina Kuptsevich Mon, 07 Apr 2025 13:05:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-to-recognize-false-teachers-in-our-local-communities.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/how-to-recognize-false-teachers-in-our-local-communities.html James Spencer https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/ False teachers don’t always lie—they often twist truth just enough to scratch our itching ears, and that’s exactly why we need to know how to spot them. Sat, 05 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/church/the-4-loves-of-a-healthy-church.html https://www.christianity.com/church/the-4-loves-of-a-healthy-church.html Dr. Josh Moody https://www.christianity.com/author/dr-josh-moody/ A healthy church isn’t built on programs or personalities—it’s built on four loves that keep Jesus at the center and the mission alive. Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:00:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/4-ways-trendy-church-culture-is-making-you-spiritually-weak.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/4-ways-trendy-church-culture-is-making-you-spiritually-weak.html John Stange https://www.christianity.com/author/john-stange/ During the past several decades of serving in pastoral ministry, I have observed a variety of trends in church ministry come and go. Admittedly, it can be easy for a local church to become stubbornly set in its ways, never adapting its approach to ministry and never stepping out of its comfort zone. That is certainly an issue I have observed in multiple church contexts, but at present, there's a concern that I think is possibly even more prevalent. At present, I'm observing a pattern among some pastors and churches of "chasing trends." Instead of remaining focused on key areas like worship, prayer, the study of God's word, discipleship, and evangelism, I see a greater focus on gimmicks, entertainment, production, and cultural relevance at the expense of truth. The end result, in some contexts, appears to be people who call themselves Christians but can't articulate the gospel, can't speak intelligently about Scripture, and aren't demonstrating the fruit of Spirit-empowered godliness in their lifestyle choices. This isn't a new phenomenon. It's an issue that those who call themselves God's people have wrestled with throughout history. It's an issue that I believe spiritual leaders should be particularly attuned to because spiritually shallow leaders contribute to and often influence the shallowness of faith among those they lead. The fourth chapter of the book of Hosea addresses these issues as they cropped up in the lives of the people of Israel living during Hosea's day.Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/David Nieto Tue, 01 Apr 2025 15:25:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-is-a-home-church-and-is-it-biblical.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/what-is-a-home-church-and-is-it-biblical.html Lisa Loraine Baker https://www.christianity.com/author/lisa-loraine-baker/ In countries where the church undergoes great persecution, a home church is often the only alternative for believers who want to join with the church to worship the Lord and fellowship with each other. Many cannot meet in homes and have to meet, instead, in hidden locations—for instance, in caves.Since the pandemic, however, many more folks even in countries that have religious freedom have avoided traditional church locations and have moved into home church settings. While this is understandable given ongoing safety concerns, many meet in home churches for other reasons. Let's look at how a home church works and what the benefits and challenges are that face home churches.Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Scott Webb Fri, 14 Mar 2025 09:40:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/which-christian-denominations-observe-lent.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/holidays/which-christian-denominations-observe-lent.html Mary Oelerich-Meyer https://www.christianity.com/author/mary-oelerich-meyer/ Lent is observed by churches that follow a liturgical calendar, including Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, and some Protestant denominations. Wed, 05 Feb 2025 09:45:00 -0500 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/church/do-tithes-and-offerings-have-to-go-to-the-church-or-can-we-give-them-to-other-ministries.html https://www.christianity.com/church/do-tithes-and-offerings-have-to-go-to-the-church-or-can-we-give-them-to-other-ministries.html Linda Lyle https://www.christianity.com/author/linda-lyle/ Giving to the church doesn’t exclude Christians from supporting other ministries and charities, but there should be a balance. Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:45:00 -0500 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/church/is-come-as-you-are-actually-biblical.html https://www.christianity.com/church/is-come-as-you-are-actually-biblical.html Britt Mooney https://www.christianity.com/author/britt-mooney/ Christianity is all about transformation and radical change. How does “come as you are” fit with the purpose of Christ? Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:45:00 -0500 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/church/6-things-to-consider-when-church-no-longer-feels-like-home.html https://www.christianity.com/church/6-things-to-consider-when-church-no-longer-feels-like-home.html Tamra Andress https://www.christianity.com/author/tamra-andress/ Finding the right church home is a deeply personal and spiritual journey. Tamra highlights six key reasons why it might be time to consider “church shopping,” including the need for deeper spiritual maturity, a stronger discipleship focus, and a sense of authentic community. If you’re feeling spiritually stagnant, disconnected, or unsure about your church’s direction, it may be time to prayerfully explore where God is leading you next. With His guidance, you can find a church that aligns with your growth and helps you live out your faith boldly. Fri, 24 Jan 2025 16:15:00 -0500 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-the-westminster-confession-of-faith.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-terms/what-is-the-westminster-confession-of-faith.html Britt Mooney https://www.christianity.com/author/britt-mooney/ Created in the mid-17th century, the Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) outlines the core beliefs of what we call Reformed Christianity. Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:30:00 -0500 2025-04-16T06:21:34-04:00