Why People Are Leaving the Church: What The Research Actually Says

I recently came across a Reel from @Bradyshearer sharing that two research groups independently reached similar conclusions about why people are leaving the church, and the readings have been fascinating.  This is a summary of the Pew Research Center and PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute).  And while many Christians assume the answer is simple, the

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Youth Pastor Compensation: What You Need to Know (and What To Do About It)

If you’ve ever sat in your office, looked at your budget, your schedule, your late nights, your camps, your messages… and quietly wondered, “Am I being paid fairly for this?” you’re not alone. The latest 2026 Youth Pastor Compensation Report: CLICK HERE gives us one of the clearest pictures yet of what’s happening across the

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Theme Nights 2026

Get ready—ASCENT 2026 is leveling up the fun! Each night of camp will feature a special theme, and both campers and counselors are encouraged to dress up and get creative. Every evening’s theme will connect directly to that night’s late-night party. Whether you go all-in with a full costume or keep it simple with themed

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What America’s Largest & Fastest-Growing Churches Have in Common (and What They Avoid)

Each fall, Outreach Magazine publishes the Outreach 100 (outreach100.com), ranking the largest and fastest-growing churches in the U.S. (attendance is gathered via Lifeway Research’s survey plus Hartford Institute public data).   They do this every year so you should really check it out.  But we used the data, scanned the lists, and fed them through AI

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