Churchday Newsletter

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News worth knowing

What’s happening across the church and the wider world, with links to the original sources.

Ideas worth your time

Thoughtful perspectives on leadership, ministry, and the everyday life of faith.

Resources worth keeping

Useful tools, research, and practical ideas to bring back to your team.

The latest issue

Churchday Newsletter

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

4 minute read

2 Myanmar Churches Destroyed in Military Attacks

The Christian Post reports that Myanmar’s military bombed a Presbyterian church in Mindat on October 9 and burned a Baptist church near Bhamo on October 12. Christian Solidarity Worldwide condemned the attacks and called for restrictions on the military’s access to aviation fuel and weapons. The group says churches in these communities also shelter displaced people, host schools and distribute aid. No casualties were reported in the Mindat bombing.

3 minute read

ChatGPT Receives 70 Million Religion Queries Each Week

An OpenAI analysis reviewed by The Christian Post puts religion-related ChatGPT requests at about 70 million a week. Looking at September 2025 through September 2026, it found that 45% concerned Islam and 34% Christianity. Nearly half of the Christianity-related messages concerned Bible passages. The researchers say AI should support religious practice and community, while leaving spiritual authority with people, faith leaders and congregations.

3 minute read

Bijan Robinson Prays With Rookie After 2 Fumbles

After Falcons rookie Zachariah Branch lost two fumbles against Chicago, teammate Bijan Robinson pulled him aside to pray. RELEVANT reports that Robinson wanted to support the young player’s mental and spiritual well-being in a difficult moment. Branch later caught a two-point conversion, though Atlanta lost 31–23. Robinson described his response as part of being a leader for a rookie who needed someone beside him.

7 minute read

Jim Bakker’s Legacy Raises Questions About Church Accountability

In an essay republished by The Christian Post, the Trinity Foundation examines Jim Bakker’s ministry after his October 5 death. Drawing on earlier reporting and Bakker’s own books, it connects aggressive fundraising and lavish spending with weak independent oversight. The watchdog group argues that churches should take financial transparency and leadership accountability seriously. This is its critical assessment of Bakker’s legacy, rather than a neutral obituary.

8 minute read

Can Faith Serve Democracy Without Becoming a Political Tool?

Reviewing Can Religion Save Democracy? in Christianity Today, Jeffrey Bilbro considers Matthew Kaemingk and Shadi Hamid’s case for Christianity and Islam as resources for public life. He shares their concern about political idolatry but questions treating religion chiefly as a way to improve democracy. His critique asks whether faith can challenge political loyalties if it is valued mainly for its civic benefits.

8 minute read

Confronting Injustice Without Condemning People

Jonathan Tremaine Thomas argues in Christianity Today that Christian activism should confront injustice without copying the contempt of political tribes. He proposes locally rooted truth-and-reconciliation efforts, beginning with congregations, that examine historical harm and pursue lasting repair. At a personal level, he encourages sharing a table with people who think or vote differently. These are Thomas’s proposals for a faith-shaped approach to reconciliation.

5 minute read

An 8-Week Plan for Practicing Personal Evangelism

D. Scott Hildreth offers an eight-week training sequence in Lifeway Research that moves from praying for people by name to starting conversations, asking questions, offering prayer and sharing a personal testimony. The final step is explaining the gospel and inviting a response. His aim is to help church members build confidence through small, repeatable actions. Leaders can use the sequence to turn a general call to evangelism into a concrete training plan.

6 minute read

5 Questions to Help Plan Your Church’s Theology Teaching

Drawing on the 2025 State of Theology study, Lifeway Research’s Marissa Postell Sullivan identifies five areas where surveyed evangelicals express uncertainty or conflicting beliefs. They include the Holy Spirit’s personhood, human nature, sin, worship and church attendance. She pairs each question with biblical passages from her evangelical perspective. The article gives pastors and small-group leaders a starting point for planning doctrine lessons and discussions.

8 minute read

4 Ways to Examine What You Watch Online

Brett McCracken offers a practical response to media built around scandal and spectacle. Writing in The Gospel Coalition, he recommends adjusting feeds and screen-time limits, examining why certain content attracts us, switching off exploitative material and choosing more constructive activities. His questions focus on the viewer’s habits and motivations. The suggestions can guide a personal review of what receives our attention and what we choose to stop watching.

7 minute read

Jess Connolly: Feeling Afraid Does Not Disqualify You

In RELEVANT, Jess Connolly reflects on the fear that pastors and other leaders often conceal. She distinguishes an involuntary fear response from choosing to be governed by fear, and reads biblical encouragements to trust God as invitations rather than reasons for shame. Her suggested starting point is to name what feels threatened and consider what faithfulness could look like. She also makes room for asking for help, including counseling or medical care.

5 minute read

Seeking God’s Direction Without Dictating the Answer

Pastor Shane Idleman reflects in The Christian Post on asking for God’s guidance while ruling out answers we dislike. He urges readers to examine their motives, spend time in Scripture and prayer, and resist rushing into decisions. In his account, waiting is active dependence rather than doing nothing. The reflection, excerpted from his forthcoming book, presents his pastoral perspective on surrender and discernment.

7 minute read

How 3 Black Christian Comedians Connect Faith and Humor

Christianity Today profiles Marcus D. Wiley, Whitney Moss and Mike Goodwin, whose audiences range from churches and comedy clubs to social media. They describe different ways of bringing faith into their work and deciding when a joke helps or harms. Moss is cautious about humor becoming mean, while Goodwin wants his performances to serve the people listening. The feature explores the craft and judgment behind comedy shaped by Christian conviction.

Sample selections

A few good reads to start with.

5 minute read

Curated from sources like

News worth knowing

Ideas worth your time

Resources worth keeping

Churchday Newsletter

2 Myanmar Churches Destroyed in Military Attacks

ChatGPT Receives 70 Million Religion Queries Each Week

Bijan Robinson Prays With Rookie After 2 Fumbles

Jim Bakker’s Legacy Raises Questions About Church Accountability

Can Faith Serve Democracy Without Becoming a Political Tool?

Confronting Injustice Without Condemning People

An 8-Week Plan for Practicing Personal Evangelism

5 Questions to Help Plan Your Church’s Theology Teaching

4 Ways to Examine What You Watch Online

Jess Connolly: Feeling Afraid Does Not Disqualify You

Seeking God’s Direction Without Dictating the Answer

How 3 Black Christian Comedians Connect Faith and Humor

A few good reads to start with.

Good church operations make more room for ministry

Free courses for deeper Bible study

When prayer is hard, begin by asking for help

Churchday Newsletter

2 Myanmar Churches Destroyed in Military Attacks

ChatGPT Receives 70 Million Religion Queries Each Week

Bijan Robinson Prays With Rookie After 2 Fumbles

Jim Bakker’s Legacy Raises Questions About Church Accountability

Can Faith Serve Democracy Without Becoming a Political Tool?

Confronting Injustice Without Condemning People

An 8-Week Plan for Practicing Personal Evangelism

5 Questions to Help Plan Your Church’s Theology Teaching

4 Ways to Examine What You Watch Online

Jess Connolly: Feeling Afraid Does Not Disqualify You

Seeking God’s Direction Without Dictating the Answer

How 3 Black Christian Comedians Connect Faith and Humor

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