NASHVILLE (BP) – In his first trustee meeting as president and CEO, Ben Mandrell gave board members an optimistic vision for the future of LifeWay Christian Resources. He described the current season as "a new day" for both himself and the 128-year-old organization, during LifeWay's Aug. 26-27 trustee meeting. Mandrell announced several strategic areas on which he would focus during his first 90-days. Among his top priorities are re-energizing employees and building strong relationships … [Read more...]
Pastors ready for fallout of legalized sports gambling
NASHVILLE (BP) – Americans are expected to wager more than $8 billion on this year's NCAA men's basketball tournament. But according to a new study released March 20, don’t bet on many pastors joining in. LifeWay Research's survey – conducted Aug. 29–Sept. 11 – found most pastors believe it is morally wrong to bet on sports, while few agree it should be legalized nationwide. Though if sports gambling does become legal in their state, many pastors are already planning their response. "The … [Read more...]
Churches ramp up background checks to ensure safety
NASHVILLE (BP) – As churches become aware of potential safety issues, more are signing up for background check services through LifeWay Christian Resources' OneSource program. "The numbers have increased dramatically since we began our relationship with backgroundchecks.com," said LifeWay's Jennie Morris. "On average, we add 160 customers a month." Since January 2009, more than 16,000 customers have conducted more than 320,000 screenings with backgroundchecks.com through the LifeWay … [Read more...]
Survey: Americans want more Christ this Christmas
NASHVILLE (BP) - Most Americans want more religious meaning to the Christmas season, and for some that includes the seasonal greetings we say to each other. A new study from LifeWay Research found two-thirds of Americans (65 percent) say, "Christmas should be more about Jesus." Those looking for more Christ in Christmas in 2018, however, are significantly fewer than four years ago. A 2014 LifeWay Research study found 79 percent of Americans at that time said Christmas should be more … [Read more...]
Social media strategy & the church
NASHVILLE (BP) – By the time churches have fully embraced Facebook, many of their members and those they are trying to reach may have left it behind. Nearly three-quarters of Facebook users (74 percent) have adjusted their connection with the social media platform in some way over the past year, according to Pew Research. That reportedly includes the 54 percent who adjusted their privacy settings, 42 percent who took a break from checking it for several weeks or more, and 26 percent who … [Read more...]
China banning online Bible sales ‘absurd’
CHINA (BP) -- China is purportedly the largest publisher of Bibles in the world, but the communist nation has now apparently blocked online Bible purchases for its residents. Beginning last week, searches for Bibles at leading online retailers in China came up empty, according to reports from The New York Times and CNN. The reports indicate certain Bible studies or illustrated storybooks were available through searches. Two merchants told CNN the Bible could be purchased through … [Read more...]
Overwhelmed parents focus of new resource
NASHVILLE (BP) – As the parents of two, Josh and Christi Straub know how exhausting modern parenting can be. Teaching children to know God can feel like one more item on a daunting to-do list. So the Straubs and LifeWay Christian Stores have created TwentyTwoSix, a subscription-based resource to help parents be more confident in the discipleship of their children – without adding time to a jam-packed schedule. “To disciple our kids requires intentionality and creativity,” said Josh … [Read more...]
March mildness? Americans say sports isn’t all about winning
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Thanks to wild buzzer beaters and unbelievable upsets, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament has become known as March Madness. For most Americans, however, their attitude toward sports is more mild than mad. A new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research found 52 percent of Americans describe their philosophy of sports by saying, “It’s not whether you win or lose—it’s how you play the game.” “Most Americans want players to play the game ‘the right way’ and not … [Read more...]
Most churches hold Sunday services, Super Bowl or not
For churches that have Sunday night activities, most pastors say it’s still “game on” despite the big game next weekend. According to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research, 68 percent of Protestant pastors say their church typically has some activity on Sunday night. And among those pastors, almost 6 in 10 (59 percent) say they will continue as normal on the night of the Super Bowl. “It is easy to think everyone is watching the game,” said Scott McConnell, executive director … [Read more...]