Pastors

Words used well

Your words have power.

In May 1940, the British looked to be finished in the war with Germany. With almost no hope left, the nation turned to Winston Churchill, the one man who had spoken the truth for years, saying nasty things about Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, even though it cost him in terms of political success and personal reputation.

“If you’re going through hell, keep going.”—Winston Churchill

Newly elected Prime Minister Churchill used language to rouse the fighting spirit he believed was still alive in the British people, saying, “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” And the line that summed up his personal career and the spirit that led the British people to victory: “Never, never, never give up.”

He said, “All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.”

—From a Forbes.com column by Geoff Loftus, exhorting business leaders to step it up after the recession.

Watch Your Mouth

Of 198 countries in the world:

32 forbid blasphemy

20 prohibit apostasy (abandoning your religion)

87 outlaw defamation of religion or hate speech.

Muslim countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific have the most laws governing religion and speech.—Pew Research Center

What Congress Believes

56% of the incoming U.S. Congress identifies as Protestant (299 of 530 members who identified their faith) compared to 48% of the total U.S. population.

30% identify as Catholic (121 members), compared to 22% of the general population.

The 113th Congress also has its first Buddhist senator, first Hindu in either chamber, and first member who identifies as “unaffiliated” with any religion. That one member, at 0.2% of the legislative body, compares to 20% of the total U.S. population.—Pew Research Center

Copyright © 2013 by the author or Christianity Today/Leadership Journal.Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.

Also in this issue

The Leadership Journal archives contain over 35 years of issues. These archives contain a trove of pastoral wisdom, leadership skills, and encouragement for your calling.

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The biblical account of the Flood resonates with a persecuted church born near Mount Ararat.

Review

The Virgin Birth Is More Than an Incredible Occurrence

We’re eager to ask whether it could have happened. We shouldn’t forget to ask what it means.

The Nine Days of Filipino Christmas

Some Protestants observe the Catholic tradition of Simbang Gabi, predawn services in the days leading up to Christmas.

The Bulletin

Neighborhood Threat

The Bulletin talks about Christians in Syria, Bible education, and the “bad guys” of NYC.

Join CT for a Live Book Awards Event

A conversation with Russell Moore, Book of the Year winner Gavin Ortlund, and Award of Merit winner Brad East.

Excerpt

There’s No Such Thing as a ‘Proper’ Christmas Carol

As we learn from the surprising journeys of several holiday classics, the term defies easy definition.

Advent Calls Us Out of Our Despair

Sitting in the dark helps us truly appreciate the light.

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