The church’s atmosphere has changed over the years from one of quiet worship to another of praise and music.
Millions of people in their fifties and sixties feel that their churches have been taken over by church-growth movements. These movements are characterized by loud praise band, PowerPoint presentations, and mega-churches without any personal touch. They are becoming increasingly confused by these changes, and they are abandoning their congregations after 30-40 or 50 years. Some people consider it a crisis.
The Barna Group is a company that seeks to partner with Christian ministries and individuals in order to help in spiritual and moral transformation in the United States. They believe the church as we know will disappear in 20 years.
A new book, Who Stole My church? Pastors and church members can find hope in Who Stole My Church?
Gordon MacDonald is a pastor and author who uses fictional characters and current examples to remind readers it’s possible to embrace and implement change.
“There are many books on church change. Usually written from the standpoint and the instruction of the change agent, the leader who has the responsibility to bring about something new,” writes MacDonald. “In this book, however, I decided to deal with the subject from the perspective of some of the people who are powerfully affected by change -; the dear people in the pew who have to live with and even support the new ways.”
MacDonald understands the frustrations of change but believes that the church must find a way to gracefully enter the twenty-first century. “Any church that has not turned its face toward the younger generation will simply cease to exist,”He says. “We’re not talking decades – we’re talking just a few years.”
Gordon MacDonald is a pastor and an author who has served as a pastor for over forty years. He is the editor-at large of Leadership Journal and a former chairman at World Relief. His latest books are: The Life God Blesses and Renewing Your Spiritual Passion. He also wrote Rebuilding Your Broken World, Ordering Your Private World, and When Men Think Private Thoughts.
Visit www.amazon.com for more information www.thomasnelson.com.
Today’s life is very fast. People can check their kids’ soccer scores on the phone, while also sending emails to work with the help of digital technology. With the advent of the Internet, consumers can expect the same conveniences from all services and businesses except their insurance companies. For many people struggling to pay their medical bills, this can seem like a long wait, even though 98 percent of claims for health insurance are processed in 30 days.
It is no longer enough to be insured, as nearly two-thirds of American households have less income than 2002. It’s vital to understand how fast your insurance carrier pays claims and processes them. This is important for both financial and medical recovery.
According to a recent survey, 66% of workers would struggle to pay for the financial burdens associated with serious injuries and illnesses. Only 49% of workers have over $1,000 to pay out-of-pocket costs. Employers are being forced to reduce costs as rising health care costs put even more financial pressure on their employees.
* Increasing employees’ health care insurance copayments.
* Increasing employees’ share of premium.
* Implementing high-deductible health plans with health savings accounts.
A lot of people will have to wait for up to a few months before receiving their insurance payments. Many insurance companies are able to provide customers with fast service thanks to modern technology and better understanding of their needs. This is just one example. AflacIn the insurance industry, it is rare to find policies that allow for claims approval, processing, and payment within one day.
In the past, fast payment policies were a luxury. It is a necessity in today’s world. It is more important than ever that you have money available immediately for serious injuries or illnesses. You should ensure that your insurance company can move at your pace.
Aflac’s One Day Pay guarantee can be found on aflac.com/onedaypay.