Grays Prairie Mennonite Church

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 …

Why Homosexuality Is Not Like Other Sins

Homosexuality is not the only sin prohibited in the Bible, but it is different from all the rest, at least right now. And we have really good news for homosexuals.

What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality

There is a lot of unnecessary confusion about what the Bible is really saying about homosexuality. Dr. Michael Brown offers five key scriptural truths that dismantle the modern-day argument that God's Word condones the homosexual ...

Why You Should Resist the Urge to Clean Out Your Closet

Four years ago, Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying shook a never-ending cycle of consumption to its core. All of a sudden, it seemed like everyone was taking to their closets to suss…

They Tried to Start a Church Without God. For a While, It Worked.

Secular organizers started their own congregations. But to succeed, they need to do a better job of imitating religion.

ID Card Benefits for Religious Organizations

Find out how religious organizations and church groups are using ID card technology to help identify church members and keep them more secure.

When Pastors and Churches Pray, God Moves

If you're a pastor, you should certainly be striving for greater excellence as a communicator, as a leader, and as an organizer. You need a vision. You nee

God doesn't want you to be happy

Yes, really. I said it. Although to be clear, I didn't say, "God wants you to be unhappy." There's a difference. But your happiness is not on His todo lis

5 Tips for Dealing with Gossip in the Church

Gossip undermines community. If you're ready to wage on this unity killer, I've put together 5 tips to help you put gossip in its place.

Is Your Church a Family or an Orphanage?

Dhati Lewis discusses the Church being a family, not an orphanage and explains the difference between the two.

Should I Give to My Local Church First ... Or to Other Ministries?

The local church is God’s “Plan A.” When we give to the local church, we give to the central institution for the mission of God.

May church convert to private foundation?

Your Legal Questions Answered<br>May church convert to private foundation<br>Can a 501(c)(3) church "convert" into a private foundation? My church membership has dwindled and we wish to convert to a private foundation so that we may make grants to other religious organizations. What is the process? Do we need to submit paperwork to the IRS? Or do we need to dissolve the church and then form a new foundation?<br>You would not have to give up your church status in order to…

What if the Church Was the Church?

What does it look like to be the salt of the earth? For one thing, it might look like Christians welcoming sinners and eating with them.

What if Churches Started Churches?

Good churches should add “church starting” to the list of ingredients that define their health.

Seven Things the Church isn’t and what the church is.

As a pastor in the 20th century, a part of preparing sermons is coming up with the “phrase that pays.” Sometimes they stick, sometimes they don’t. Sometimes I don’t even rem…

When Is a Church Not a Church?

The tax code allows for some strange political shenanigans.

Why Isn't My Church Like The Church In Acts?

It’s tempting to imagine that the early believers represented a golden era of the Church.

Why Millennials Are Valuable in the Church

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word millennial? Lazy? Commitment Issues? Entitlement? These are just a few of the major stereotypes that revolve around the millennial generation. But as a millennial myself, I can tell you that these aren’t always true when it comes to my generation. In

Tips to Prevent Church Embezzlement

Misappropriation of church funds (or embezzlement) is of the most concern for churches and nonprofits. Use these basic tips to prevent church embezzlement

What is the Church?