articles

Less Than Half of Americans Attend Church at Christmas

A recent Lifeway Research study reveals some truly intriguing patterns about Christmas churchgoing in the U.S. As a nation, we’re almost perfectly split down the middle, with 47% saying they’ll typically attend a church service and 48% saying they won’t. The reasons those 47% show up vary from wanting to…

Christmas/Advent Survival Kit 2024

The celebration of Advent begins Sunday, December 1. The purpose of this season of the church year is looking toward the coming of Christ to earth—a season focused on waiting. A time of preparing for the glory of Christmas day. Kenny Lamm wants to share a few resources to help…

Mark Cole’s Top Worship Songs for 2024

Selecting the perfect songs for your congregation and worship band is a sacred art form for worship leaders. Truly exceptional worship songs carry a tangible sense of the Holy Spirit, compelling worshippers to sing with passion and return to them time and again. These musical moments have a transformative power—lifting…

How Can I Lead Worship With Christmas Songs?

Are you bracing yourself for the annual Christmas music challenge? That magical—and sometimes tricky—time of year when traditional carols meet modern worship is about to get a serious remix. Imagine transforming those familiar holiday classics from sing-along staples into powerful worship experiences that breathe new life into songs your congregation…

8 Advent Worship Songs for Your Holiday Services

Christmas approaches! Church worship leaders have undoubtedly spent weeks—perhaps even months—in Christmas worship service planning meetings. After all, Christmas holds immense significance in the Christian calendar; right up there with Easter Sunday. With that in mind, a critical question emerges: What Advent worship songs will guide your congregation through this…

Free Advent & Christmas Readings

If you’re in need of Advent and Christmas readings, you can’t get much better than FREE. Dan Wilt has written 11 biblically and poetically rich readings for families and congregations to use without even having to pull out their wallets. Find the FREE readings here.

Advent and Christmas Resources

Need resources for Advent and Christmas? Joyce Borger is here for you. She’s put together a comprehensive collection of Advent and Christmas resources to support worship planning. This selection includes weekly service series, lessons and carols, specialized services like Longest Night and Blue Christmas, children’s pageants, and advent candle lighting…

10 Ways to Prepare for Your Christmas Services

Christmas is coming, even if it doesn’t quite feel like it yet! For church leaders, now is the time to start planning for your Christmas services and series. Getting a head start on preparation can pay huge dividends down the road. In this article, church leaders from a variety of…

How Worship Leaders Can Stay Sane On the Christmas Treadmill

The holiday ministry rush feels like jumping on a treadmill and cranking it up to 12. If you’re wondering how to avoid ending up on the dirty gym floor, you’re not alone. In this heartfelt piece, we explore the delicate balance worship leaders face during the Christmas season – between…

[PODCAST] Embracing Digital for Church Growth: Insights from Jay Kranda

Want to take your church’s digital ministry beyond just livestreaming? This week on the UnSeminary podcast, join Jay Kranda as he breaks down the best digital strategies in the modern church. He shares only the best ideas for using technology to enhance (not replace) in-person community. From avoiding trendy distractions…

A Christmas Service for Those Experiencing Loss

During the joy-filled holiday season, an innovative church service has emerged that creates space for those experiencing grief and loss. Born from tragedy, this pre-Christmas gathering combines gentle ritual, music, and community support to offer comfort to anyone carrying sorrow – whether from losing a loved one, a job, a…

[PODCAST] Phil Wickham on Getting Priorities Straight & Christmas

Phil Wickham joins the WorshipFuel Podcast to talk about his new Christmas album: ‘Hallelujah! It’s Christmas!’ But also for conversations on meeting your congregation where they’re at (rather than where you want them to be) and getting priorities straight in the world of worship. Listen to the podcast.

Christmas Ideas For Small Churches

Just because you lead a small church doesn’t mean you can’t turn it into a winter wonderland spectacular this Christmas season. Take a deep breath – Nathan Drake has a refreshing message that might just change how you approach holiday worship this year. What if the intimate size of your…

The New Mid-Size Church Advantages

Remember when everyone thought mid-size churches were headed for extinction? Well, here’s a surprising twist: these churches aren’t just surviving—they’re thriving in ways that might make megachurches a bit envious. As the landscape of American Christianity shifts, mid-size churches (typically serving 150-300 people) are discovering they have some unexpected advantages…

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