Diocese of Camden’s Post

🇺🇸 5 Misconceptions About Dechurching in America ⛪ The article discusses a significant religious shift in the United States, with 40 million adults attending church less frequently than before, marking the largest and fastest religious shift in U.S. history. ➡ The authors conducted a comprehensive study of dechurching, challenging misconceptions about why people leave the church. https://lnkd.in/duBVAjFU

What is the work of a Board Certified Chaplain and how may I personally assist you? Here is some possibly helpful information. A chaplain is a spiritual leader who provides religious and emotional support to individuals in various settings, such as hospitals, military units, universities, prisons, and workplaces. Chaplains offer confidential counseling to individuals seeking guidance, comfort, or spiritual direction. They provide a listening ear and offer support in times of crisis, grief, or personal struggles. Chaplains conduct religious ceremonies, rituals, and services tailored to the beliefs and needs of their community. This may include leading prayers, delivering sermons, and administering sacraments or rites. Chaplains offer emotional support to individuals and their families facing illness, injury, death, or other life challenges. They provide companionship, empathy, and encouragement to help people cope with difficult circumstances. Chaplains assist individuals in navigating moral and ethical dilemmas by providing spiritual guidance and ethical frameworks rooted in religious teachings and principles. Chaplains foster a sense of community and belonging by organizing religious gatherings, study groups, and social activities that promote fellowship and mutual support among members. Chaplains are often called upon to provide crisis intervention during emergencies, disasters, or traumatic events. They offer emotional and spiritual care to those affected and assist in coordinating resources for recovery and support. Chaplains are typically ordained clergy members or religious leaders within their respective faith traditions. They receive formal training and certification from religious institutions or denominational bodies. Many chaplains hold advanced degrees in theology, religious studies, counseling, or pastoral care. Some may also have specialised training in chaplaincy through accredited programs or professional associations. Interfaith Sensitivity: Chaplains must demonstrate respect and understanding for diverse religious beliefs and practices. They strive to provide inclusive and non-judgmental support to individuals from various faith backgrounds or no religious affiliation. Chaplains play a vital role in providing spiritual care and support to individuals and communities in diverse settings. Through counseling, religious services, and emotional guidance, they offer solace, strength, and hope to those in need, contributing to the holistic well-being of individuals and fostering a sense of unity and compassion within society. #chaplain #reverend #Rabbi #spiritualjourney #pastoralcare #counselling.

Improvement is still possible! Years ago, Helmut Schmidt was quoted as saying, “The largest room in the world is the room for improvement.” Schmidt’s quote is timeless, as valid today as it was when it was first offered by him. Over the years, Dr. Anthony Hodge has been motivated by Schmidt’s quote and has sought to embrace its message. As a result of embracing this message, Hodge has written a book he feels can be of some help to anyone personally seeking to improve themselves or could be used as a resource for persons who desire to see changes in the lives of those in their sphere of influence. Titled “A Better You: Christian Life Beyond Negative Thinking,” the book was released on Sept. 3, 2022 and is still available through Amazon. Specifically, the book is a good resource for anyone who has been or continues to be challenged by exposure to negative behavior. Additionally, parents/guardians, local church pastors, Christian counselors, Christian therapists, 12-step group facilitators, family violence intervention group facilitators, military chaplains and prison chaplains can all benefit from having this book at their disposal. The book is designed to assist persons who acknowledge they are operating their lives from a negative perspective but see a need to make changes to a more positive perspective. A number of processes are offered in the book designed to assist persons seeking to have their lives transformed. The processes consist of having or resourcing persons in participating in a 12-Step program or process, interactive use of God’s word, engaging in biblical messages or sermons and by engaging case studies shared in the book with discussion questions. If a person thoroughly works through the book, he or she will definitely be living a transformed life that is reflective in how he or she engages with others. When asked what led to the writing of this book, Hodge said that after having his life transformed as a result of everything shared in the book, he wanted to share opportunities for others as well. He said he has personally benefitted from participating in Christian counseling and spiritual direction. He also had the privilege of being in a spiritual mentoring relationship with someone for more than 20 years. As a local church pastor and military chaplain, he has assisted countless persons over the years and felt led to offer a comprehensive resource to help individuals interested in addressing aspects of negative behavior in one’s life. “The longer I am blessed by God to live in this life, the more I realize that there are still areas I can improve upon,” Hodge said. “Therefore, I am excited about having an opportunity to share a resource that can aid anyone seeking to embrace the concept that improvement is still possible for anyone." Hodge added that he fully embraces what is written in Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG).

"Forty million Americans have stopped attending church in the past 25 years. That’s something like 12 percent of the population, and it represents the largest concentrated change in church attendance in American history." But the question is "Why?" Check out this news story and leave me your thoughts. #GenerisTeam #pastors #administrators #churchbusinessadministrators #parish #parishadministrators #parishleaders #parishes #churches #churchattendance https://lnkd.in/epwugk4B

Just a few answers to the question, "Why a church?" from a man who no longer attends. "My upbringing makes me particularly inclined to see a church-sized hole in American life. But as a middle-aged American in the middle of the country, I don’t think that hole is just in my imagination. Kids need places to learn values like forgiveness, while schools focus on math and reading. Young adults need places to meet a potential spouse. Adults with children need places to meet with other parents and some free babysitting on weekends. Retirees need places to build new relationships, as their friends and spouses pass away. "Our society needs places that integrate people across class and racial lines. Newly woke Americans need places to get practical, weekly advice about how to live out the inclusive, anti-racist values that they committed to during the Trump years. The anti-Trump majority in the United States needs institutions that are separate from the official Democratic Party, which is unsurprisingly more focused on winning elections than in creating a sense of community for left-leaning people. "There are lots of organizations trying to address those needs. But strong churches could address them all. That isn’t some fantasy or nostalgia. Many Americans, including me, were once part of churches that were essential parts of our lives. It’s strange to me that America, particularly its left-leaning cohort, is abandoning this institution, as opposed to reinventing to align with our 2023 values." #religion #faith #church #community

We often hear about the biggest blessings and challenges from our parishes as they strive to celebrate God’s goodness and thrive amidst obstacles. Common issues like declining Mass attendance, reduced participation in sacraments, and decreased offertory are clear, but deeper personal challenges in faith journeys often remain hidden. To tackle these, ACST Catholic developed the Discipleship Indicator—a powerful tool offering invaluable insights through an anonymous survey. It explores parishioners' personal faith journeys and how the parish supports them, helping parishes address key concerns and enhance support where it's needed most. This new blog post outlines four strategies for parishes based on test studies of the Discipleship Indicator conducted at various parishes in the US. What areas of improvement could the Discipleship Indicator uncover at your parish? And how would you work to address the needs that might be revealed? #discipleshipindicator #parishlife #acstcatholic #missionarydisciple Read the post >> https://bit.ly/4c1fHPI

The Decline of Catholic Priests in Ireland: Exploring the Fading Presence and Lack of Replacements Mass attendance in Ireland, a historically religious country, has significantly declined. Irish priests are working beyond retirement age, and there is a shortage of young individuals willing to become priests. According to a survey by the Association of Catholic Priests, 15% of priests in Ireland are over 75 and still working, while only 2.5% are ... -a title="Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Plan to Relocate to Los Angeles" class="read-more" href="https://lnkd.in/druvMtWX" aria-label="More on Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Plan to Relocate to Los Angeles"-Read more-/a- https://lnkd.in/dJX5iCFq

NEW POST: So, why should a church “do” Intergenerational Ministry? Let's be honest - for most churches, incorporating all ages into a worship community with times and spaces to learn, worship, and grow together doesn't come naturally. And even when you do events where all ages can attend, everyone ends up clumping into age-specific groups and hanging out with people they already know. Why put in the effort to go against the tide and people's natural inclinations? You may have asked these questions. You may have been asked these questions. And there is much to say, more than a blog can fit, but here are seven important reasons for us to make the effort to connect generations in meaningful relationships for lifelong discipleship. https://lnkd.in/enS63hrq

Why a Clerical Collar? In the last month, I’ve received several questions about my clerical collar. So, I thought it might be helpful to answer a few questions and conclude with a personal reflection. 1. Aren’t those for Roman Catholic Clergy? No. Clerical collars were likely designed by a Scottish Presbyterian minister in the mid-1800s and are used by clergy in various Christian traditions including Lutherans and Anglicans. 2. Why does a Deacon wear a clerical collar? Aren’t those just for Pastors? While Deacons are not Pastors, they are ordained clergy. This means that Deacons are formally recognized, set apart, and empowered for lifelong service within the ordered ministry of the church, under the oversight of the Bishop. Thus, Deacons may wear clerical collars. 3. Why wear a collar? A clerical collar (especially with a black shirt) is a kind of uniform for clergy. It represents one’s sacred duty and commitment to to a life of service. Like any uniform, it is a helpful means of identification and a reminder to those wearing it that they are representing something bigger than themselves. In the NALC, it will be typical for ordained Deacons to wear a clerical collar. 4. A personal reflection When I prostrated myself during my ordination, I felt two things. First, a massive weight lifted off my shoulders as all the preparation work was complete. However, I felt another, heavier weight replace that one. It was not a bad thing, but something very serious and solemn connected to my call to service. When I told my spiritual director about this new weight, he said that my collar represents that weight. And I’ll be honest; on one hand, I’m very excited to be a member of the clergy - specifically a Deacon. Nevertheless, there is a strong sense of imposter syndrome that comes with donning this new “uniform.” So, I ask God to help me represent this order of service and, most importantly, Christ well when I wear the collar and when I don’t.