The hottest Church Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Faith & Spirituality Topics

Dear Pastors

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 3816 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Theology Church Politics Community Leadership
  1. Pastors should focus on their local congregations and their real needs rather than seeking attention on social media. The people in their communities need spiritual guidance more than viral posts.
  2. It's important for pastors to lead people toward Jesus instead of political idols. Encouraging love and prayer for neighbors and leaders can help foster unity rather than division in challenging times.
  3. While voting is a civic duty, true hope and redemption come from faith in Jesus, not political outcomes. The Kingdom of God is everlasting, and that's what should matter most to Christians.
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‘An offense against God’ - Sisters say Vatican abuse response not enough

The Pillar • 923 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Abuse Healing Renewal Church
  1. The Vatican's decision regarding the alleged misconduct of Fr. Nicgorski was not considered sufficient by the women involved, highlighting the need for a stronger response to allegations of abuse.
  2. The personal stories of the women reveal the harm caused by inappropriate conduct of a spiritual director, showing the importance of safeguarding against abuse in the Church.
  3. The experiences of these women exemplify the need for reform in the Church's approach to handling cases of misconduct, emphasizing the significance of listening to victims and holding abusers accountable.

My Roman nemesis, bottle episodes, and the Seinfeld synod

The Pillar • 1061 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Catholicism Church Theology
  1. The synod on synodality involves diverse descriptions like ecclesial reform, renewal, and revolution, leading to broad mistrust among Catholics.
  2. About 25% of the voting members at the synod are non-bishops, raising concerns about non-bishop votes deciding resolutions.
  3. The impact of the synod on synodality on the Church's narrative and mission may be limited, with expectations of it being more of a 'bottle episode' and a 'departure episode'.

Our Father, Fr. Rupnik, and the devil’s paradox

The Pillar • 923 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Church Spiritual warfare
  1. The retreat focused on praying the Our Father with sincerity and what it means to call God our Father.
  2. A monk was murdered in the Nigerian Diocese of Ilorin, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the Church in Nigeria.
  3. Pope Francis' decision to waive the statute of limitations for Fr. Marko Rupnik's prosecution showcases the importance of listening attentively and compassionately to victims.

Suiting up, making the case, and guess who’s coming to dinner

The Pillar • 805 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Church Events Justice History
  1. Pope Francis is creating new cardinals in a consistory this weekend, and it's a tradition full of pomp and pageantry in Rome.
  2. Wearing fancy uniforms and titles like 'cardinal' signify belonging to a greater purpose and celebration of collective work.
  3. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors is urging Church leaders to prioritize reforms for abuse survivors during upcoming events like the Synod of Bishops.

Mother Teresa, the news, and 'where’s the salt?'

The Pillar • 746 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Catholicism Saints Church
  1. Mother Teresa found Christ in the poor, loved them deeply, and considered prayer life essential.
  2. Unity among priests in dioceses is crucial for successful large projects like parish consolidations.
  3. Pope Francis and Pope Benedict have cited theologian Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, raising questions about the compatibility of his work with Catholic doctrine.

Weekly Digest: Young Men Turn to Church in Finland

Aaron Renn • 314 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Church Christianity Family Dynamics
  1. Young men in Finland are turning to church, showing a rise in religiosity among this demographic. This trend is more noticeable among young men compared to young women in the country.
  2. The concept of a "Two-Parent Privilege" points out the advantages children in two-parent households have, compared to those raised by a single parent. This privilege is linked to economic prospects and outcomes for children.
  3. There is optimism among some Gen Z individuals about the future of American Christianity and the role of pastors. Starting work as a pastor now could lead to influence and responsibility in a stronger church in the future.

‘Isä Raimo’ - The bishop casting deep in frozen Finland

The Pillar • 314 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Church Prayer Theology
  1. Helsinki experienced extremely cold temperatures but saw a slight increase in the weather.
  2. The Diocese of Helsinki welcomed a new bishop after a period of vacancy, covering all of Finland.
  3. Bishop Raimo Goyarrola is actively involved in various projects to strengthen the Catholic Church in Finland, such as establishing a theological school, Catholic school, and enhancing digital evangelization.

What's Finnish for Catholic?

The Pillar • 216 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Catholicism International Community Church
  1. The city of Helsinki was covered in snow, which was a new experience for someone from a hot city. Different nationalities and languages come together at St. Henry's Cathedral for Mass, creating a diverse and international parish community.
  2. Despite its small size, St. Henry's Cathedral in Helsinki hosts Masses in 11 languages, catering to a wide range of immigrant communities. The cathedral itself has historical significance and plays a central role in the local Catholic community.
  3. The Catholic Church in Finland is growing, especially with an increase in conversions during and after the pandemic. The church provides a supportive environment for diverse communities, with a focus on family and fostering a strong faith community.

A school of vocations

The Pillar • 196 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Education Church Catholicism Homeschooling
  1. There has been a significant decline in the number of Catholic schools in the U.S. over the last 50 years.
  2. While the number of Catholic colleges decreased, the number of students enrolled in these colleges increased.
  3. The percentage of Catholic children attending Catholic schools has reduced, but Catholic education still influences vocations like priesthood.

On USCCB Bible license fees, ‘the money is not the point’

The Pillar • 176 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Licensing Worship Scripture Church
  1. Parishes are required to pay licensing fees to reprint Scripture in worship aids to discourage parish production of liturgical worship aids.
  2. The USCCB owns the copyright for the New American Bible to ensure correct handling of the text.
  3. Licensing fees are meant to deter parishes from creating worship aids that may not include all necessary elements for liturgical accuracy.

Latinos Are Flocking to Evangelical Christianity

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 306 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Religion Church
  1. Latino voters are shifting rightward, with a recent poll showing Donald Trump leading Joe Biden among them, impacting future voting patterns.
  2. The Latino population is increasingly driving America's evangelical movement, with projections indicating that by 2030, half of U.S. Latinos will identify as Protestant evangelicals.
  3. Latino immigrants are turning to evangelical churches for support and upward mobility, with the promise of economic advancement and a more conservative doctrine appealing to many.

‘The plane’s going down’ — am I absolved, generally speaking?

The Pillar • 176 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Church Prayer
  1. Emergency landings due to aircraft issues can happen, but thankfully, no one was hurt this time.
  2. The sacrament of penance, also known as confession or reconciliation, is a way for the baptized to seek forgiveness for sins.
  3. General absolution, done in specific circumstances like a crashing airplane, offers a collective pardon, but individuals should plan to confess individually later on.

Do Not Go to a Vampire Bar with a Bunch of Baptists or Hunt Vampires in Mexico

Think Future • 79 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Beliefs Mythology Church Meditation Prayer
  1. Refusing to adapt and move forward can lead to being trapped in the past, like a vampire unable to cross thresholds or change.
  2. Fear of the future can darken your soul, so embrace change and be open to new eras.
  3. Avoid living in nostalgia or too much fear of the unknown; stay present and prepared for what lies ahead.

Stop Converting, Start Recruiting

DruGroup • 99 implied HN points • 05 Jul 22
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Christianity Church Theology Spirituality
  1. Everyone who follows Jesus is part of a holy priesthood, not just some special group. This means all believers share the same role and responsibility.
  2. Instead of just trying to convert people to attend church, we should be recruiting them to join a community of believers. It's about helping them understand their place in the spiritual family.
  3. The church is not just an organization but the people and their relationship with Christ. If you are in Christ, you are part of the church, and you can't really separate them.

How to Radicalize a Church (in One Easy Step)

Think Future • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Church Radicalization Theology Ethics
  1. To radicalize a person or church, consistently promote fear with phrases like "The wolf is at the door."
  2. There are strategies to turn a religious tradition toxic, detailed in the free e-book "Combat Theology: How to Weaponize and De-Weaponize a Religion."
  3. Even though de-weaponizing a religion is difficult, historical examples show even faith-based terrorists can change, like two of Jesus' twelve disciples.

Church Democracy

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 13 Nov 11
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Democracy Church Community Civic engagement
  1. Democratic structures in churches can empower community members. People feel more involved and engaged when they have a say in decisions, especially in smaller, more self-governing congregations.
  2. The election process observed was not very effective. It seemed to favor candidates with some support but also significant opposition, and many voters did not fully understand the responsibilities of the positions.
  3. Getting young people involved in voting is beneficial for both them and the church. It helps them feel connected and valued, and it could encourage them to stay engaged as they grow older.