Amid allegations that he helped cover up a series of child sex abuse scandals of his Sovereign Grace Ministries congregations, pastor C.J. Mahaney followed his address at Together for the Gospel with a sermon at his church that called on the congregation to protect their pastors. Mahaney said that Hebrews 13:17 tells congregations to stand by their pastors and to challenge allegations. Abuse survivor networks have protested Mahaney’s appearance at Together for the Gospel.

Source: Baptist New Global

Thom Rainer shares a list of different arrangements for tracking giving in your church. In one model, a pastor and a key volunteer keep track of the funds and giving trends together, but other churches prefer a committee, an appointed staff member, or a single volunteer. Still other churches hire someone outside the church to keep track of donations and to notify the staff of any important trends.

Source: The Christian Post

There was an average of 77 churches planted each week in 2014 according to the statistics from 34 denominations. That means there were 4,000 churches planted compared to the 3700 churches that closed. Church plants are one of the most effective ways to reach new people with the gospel since 42% of those worshipping in churches launched since 2008 are either new to church or returned after many years away.

Source: Facts and Trends