During the past decade, Send Network has learned valuable lessons about church planting and how to best attain the goal of church multiplication. 

Despite winning the Heisman Trophy and being a #1 overall draft pick, NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield was still searching for a way to fill “a lot of emptiness.” Several years into his pro career, “God taught me a lesson,” the 29-year-old QB said.

I share my story about the art of listening not so you’ll replicate it. Ministry is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor. I share my story to demonstrate the power of listening to people as your starting point.

In a world that often feels disconnected, the Black Church inspires all faith leaders to keep nurturing well. Let’s strive for a holistic approach, equipping members of Christ’s body to live out their beliefs, improve their communities, and fulfill the Great Commission by making new disciples.

The Nicene Creed is more than just a pattern of believing; it’s a pathway to flourishing. The point of knowing the creed is not knowing the creed; it’s knowing God.

As we look at the State of the Church in 2025, we see both disruption and opportunity, uncertainty and hope. The trends of declining Christian identification and the rise of the nones are real and pressing. That said, we have no reason to consider these current trends inevitable or inescapable.

A former pastor of the church where President Jimmy Carter taught Bible study has been arrested in a sting operation targeting child predators. Jeffrey Summers, formerly pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia, was one of 16 arrested. 

David Dummitt, who became pastor of Willow Creek Church at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, announced Sunday (March 23) that he is stepping down as leader of the influential Chicagoland megachurch.