church Archives

Do You Want to Unlock the Secrets to Lifelong Love?

As Valentine’s Day approaches, we’re excited here at Focus on the Family because we’re working with congregations worldwide to exalt marriage this Sunday in an event we’re calling the Honoring Marriage Event.

It’s a time for churches to talk about God’s design for marriage – something we’re doing with special emphasis throughout the month of February here at Focus.

In fact, we think marriage is so important to the health and stability of the culture that we have an entire division of our ministry dedicated to helping husbands and wives strengthen their relationships.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: church, marriage, promos, relationships February 11, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

How The Church Can Help Children with Special Needs

I started my blog a few days ago with this comment: “Every life is precious. Young and old, weak or strong, planned or unplanned.”

It’s true, and I believe every word of it.

But to be perfectly candid, I worry that statements like that get tossed about too easily.

Yes, all life is precious, and we should proclaim that boldly from the rooftops. But the flip side of that boldness is the humility that compels us to roll up our sleeves and come alongside the weak, the elderly, and special needs children and the families who care for them.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: church, kids January 21, 2016 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

To Honor Officer Swasey & Other Victims of Violence, We Must Pursue a Culture of Life

Our hearts have been heavy this past week with the tragic news of shootings in both California and Colorado. As I write, details of the rampage in San Bernardino are still coming in. We’ll be processing and evaluating the news in the coming days.

Garrett Swasey, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police officer who was murdered last week outside a local Planned Parenthood clinic, will be memorialized on Friday afternoon, just up the road from our ministry’s headquarters.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, news, pro-life December 3, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Common Sense Wins in Houston

Election night 2015 brought victories for religious freedom and common sense.

Last night we saw many encouraging signs from around the country that voters are concerned with issues ranging from religious freedom to the expansion of recreational drug use to the safety and privacy concerns of women and children.

Here are some of the highlights:

First, Houston voters overwhelmingly rejected a controversial city ordinance that would have allowed men suffering from gender confusion to use women’s bathrooms and locker rooms around the city.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, family, news, policy, religious liberty November 4, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Halloween and The Reformation: Thoughts for Today

Many Americans, especially children, eagerly await the arrival of Halloween this Saturday. I understand and respect that some of my readers choose not to participate in the tradition of the day. If that is you, I appreciate your convictions. However, I think equally devoted Christians can respond differently. My wife and I have opted to allow our sons to trick-or-treat over the years.

We do, though, impose one important caveat: We’ve chosen to stay away from any of the gore and horror of the holiday.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, faith, pop culture October 28, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why Kevin Palau is Conservative in His Theology and Liberal in His Fellowship

Yesterday and today’s broadcast features an interview with Kevin Palau, president of the Luis Palau Association, and Sam Adams, the mayor of Portland from 2008 to 2012. As some of you may be aware, Sam was one of the first openly gay mayors in the United States.

Kevin and Sam’s unusual friendship began when the Palau organization went to city hall and said, “How can we help you address critical needs in the community that are going unaddressed right now?”

Sam and his administration were wary.

Topics: Focus Events Tags: broadcast, church, faith, friendship October 1, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

One of the Toughest Jobs in America

Let’s imagine you’re looking for a job online and come across a posting that describes the position as follows:

WANTED: Gregarious, dynamic and charismatic leader; excellent teaching and speaking skills required; must be empathetic and a good listener; proficient in conflict resolution, capable of juggling numerous priorities and managing unrealistic expectations. Must be available seven days per week, 24 hours per day. Compensation is not commensurate with experience.

Are you ready to apply?

I can probably guess what you’re thinking – “I’m not crazy, Jim!

Topics: Focus Events Tags: church, events, pastors September 29, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Five Ways You Can Help the Persecuted Church

“Conscience is the most sacred of all property.” – James Madison

Have you heard about “Deflategate”? That’s the ongoing story involving NFL quarterback Tom Brady and whether he ordered air to be let out of footballs last season. Not long ago, it was the lead story on the evening news almost every night, and it’s still regularly covered in the news cycle.

The fact that the number of pounds of air per square inch in a football is so newsworthy is shameful in my opinion based on what the national media hasn’t considered worthy of airtime.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, church, religious liberty September 1, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Three Practical Ways the Church Can Help Inner Cities

The movie “Straight Outta Compton” has been at the top of the box office since its release two weeks ago. Our media discernment ministry, Plugged In, gave the film a half “plug” (out of five) for family friendliness in its review.

It’s no wonder. Life in Compton, California is anything but family-friendly. I should know – I lived in Compton for part of my childhood. When I was only 8 years old, I was in my bedroom when a murder took place just 10 feet from the window.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, church, faith August 27, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Does American Christianity Have a Future?

On today’s program I ask Dr. Ed Stetzer, the executive director of LifeWay Research, a very straight-forward question: Is Christianity in America dying?

Based on some of the headlines in the media, you might believe that it’s on the brink of extinction.

Most of the news reports in recent months were based on a study by the Pew Research Center, which asserted that American Christianity is in decline. Not surprisingly, the secular media latched on to the story and offered dozens of interpretations and theories about Pew’s findings – most of them negative.

Topics: Current Events Tags: broadcast, church August 14, 2015 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura