Subscribe to the Saturday 7 here
Let's be real. We are in the middle of a pandemic, living in tense times in so many ways. But we are a people of hope, of prayer, and of strategic action. Let's read this week with an eye to the future and the confidence that God has put in our hearts. He is our Redeemer, and he brings restoration. And we are his workmanship, created for good works in a time like this!

CONTENTS

  1. Story: 1 in 3 practicing Christians has stopped attending church
  2. Story: What can the generous do when everyone is lonely?  
  3. Story: Collaboration is great, but it's not simple
  4. Scripture: Isaiah 41:13
  5. Book: 2 Harvard MBAs had it all – then they discovered true riches
  6. Stat: "The new world will have trust at its core."
  7. Parting shot: Encourage your sponsored child with a letter

STORY • 5 MIN

1 in 3 practicing Christians has stopped attending church during the COVID-19 pandemic

By Barna Group

Our friends at Barna commenced a State of the Church study at the beginning of 2020. They had no idea what lay ahead of them and how things would change. In March, when it became apparent we were in the midst of a pandemic, the systems they had put in place to poll church leaders were quickly turned into channels for supporting the church nationwide. They were still able to collect data, and they have continued to do so every week.

This week, they share with us some alarming data about church “attendance” as most churches have been forced to go online. But amid the alarming data, there are also some glimmers of hope. What church looks like may be changing shape right now, but people still want to trust their church communities for support.

In the next few weeks, we’ll follow up with some encouraging news about online engagement and a story about how you can help.

READ MORE

STORY • 5 MIN

By Kelly Maxwell Haer, PhD

STORY • 3 MIN

By Fred Smith

SCRIPTURE

BOOK • 3.5 HOURS

Financial success is never as fulfilling as we think it will be. John Cortines and his friend Greg Baumer learned this early, and set out to determine whether the formula for money management they’d been following since their teens was as biblical as they’d been taught. Shortly after earning their MBAs, earning six-figure salaries and tithing regularly, they had both achieved the picture of what success was supposed to look like. But, despite outward success, they were experiencing a “gnawing, almost invisible sense of unease.” This couldn’t be all there was.

By God’s grace, they realized they were chasing after the wrong picture of success. By letting go of what John describes as “the secret master of my life,” they, along with their wives and a group of friends, discovered more adventure, deeper emotions, and a closer and more-fulfilling fellowship with God than they’d ever known was possible.

LISTEN ON AUDIBLE

STAT

People around the world want companies to do everything they can to protect the well-being and financial security of their employees and suppliers, even if it means substantial financial losses until the pandemic ends.

"The new world will have trust at its core," says Edelman – the world’s largest public relations firm – in a new report about trust. Brands that educate, help others, foster connection, and show compassion and empathy will be the most successful in 2020 and beyond.

Parting Shot

Do you sponsor a child through Compassion International, World Vision, Mission of Hope, or another sponsorship program? Every country is experiencing the pandemic differently, but check to see how you can pray specifically for your sponsored child. And write them to encourage them that God cares for them. Read a story to learn more about writing to a sponsored child here and here.
(Photo: World Vision)

So that's our parting shot for this week. What will yours be? Do you have friends, family, or colleagues who would enjoy an email like this? Forward it to them today.
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
Saturday 7 is brought to you from our team at the National Christian Foundation (NCF). Learn more at ncfgiving.com.
This email was sent by: %%Member_Busname%%
%%Member_Addr%%, %%Member_City%%, %%Member_State%%, %%Member_PostalCode%% %%Member_Country%%

Privacy Policy

Subscribe      |      Unsubscribe
SUBSCRIBE NOW