A Word to the Wise: 4 Guiding Beliefs of Today’s Culture
 
1. Secular
It won’t surprise church leaders to hear American culture described as secular…While there are narrow spaces where religion exists, it’s not integrated into other subjects and isn’t expected to be there.
2. Tribal
The tribes of today are voluntary associations rather than familial or demographic. But Americans have a limited circle of people who influence them.
3. Isolated
Most adults today have very few close friends. We are likely connected very loosely with more people than previous generations through social media and sources of information, but we don’t know each other.
4. Content (noun)
Americans are flooded with content today. Except for the tiny number of Americans who aren’t connected to the internet, our mental processors are bombarded with more ideas, offenses, causes, ads, and images than we can sort through.
 
Active participation in discipleship is the best way to address the guiding beliefs of our culture.
Scott McConnell, 9.25.26, Lifeway Research, https://research.lifeway.com/2026/09/23/4-guiding-beliefs-of-todays-culture/?omhide=true

A Word to the Wise 
 
Here are five observations from the 2020 US Religion Census data:
1. A large number of churches does not mean a community has been reached.
2. The number of unreached people is staggering.
3. Many churches may be reaching the same people.
4. The mission field is not limited to traditionally secular regions.
5. Churches must measure more than their own attendance.

Thom Rainer, 9.21.16, The Counties With the Most Churches – And Millions Still Unreached

A Word to the Wise 
 
“What we believe about life after death directly affects what we believe about life before death.”
​N.T. Wright, quoted by David Bahnsen, Dividend Café, 9.11.26

A Word to the Wise 
 
Pick one room where you spend a lot of time. What is one item in this room that you no longer use or do not benefit from? Keep what serves you or inspires you. Remove what distracts you.

James Clear, 3-2-1 Thursday, 8.27.26

A Word to the Wise 
 
"The quality of Associational leaders has continued to increase over the past decade, and I give SBCAL a lot of credit for that.” Jonathan Howe, Vice President of Convention Administration, SBC Executive Committee, in Indianapolis last week

A Word to the Wise 
 
Unbeknownst to many leaders, showing appreciation is its own unique form of recognition.
Often confused with praise or compliments, appreciation acknowledges effort and character, not outcomes or performance.
Praise says, “You hit the number.” Appreciation says, “I know what it cost you to get there.” That distinction matters more than many leaders realize.
A team member can miss a target and still deserve appreciation for the persistence, integrity, or sacrifice they brought to the attempt.
​
Admired Leadership Field Notes, 8.4.26, Closing the Gratitude Gap