The Pulpit Truth

Reporting from the Body of Christ

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

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Church & Culture

Pastor-Preneur Reassures Congregation His Coaching Business Is Actually Ministry

The pastor noted that every Kingdom principle he teaches has a direct biblical citation, most of which appear in Proverbs or Deuteronomy 8.

The Pulpit Truth Faith Desk  ·  July 24, 2026 ·  2 min read

Pastor Derek Hollis of Covenant Harvest Church in Murfreesboro has launched a business coaching practice targeting other pastors and Christian entrepreneurs. He has delivered fourteen paid sessions this year. He said last Sunday that the work is 'ministry, plain and simple.'

Congregation at Covenant Harvest Church during a recent Sunday service.

Denominational Affairs

United Methodist Church Reports It Has Banned Heterosexual Clergy; Notes That Several Other Things Also Happened This Decade

The denomination has asked media outlets to please read the full statement, which runs to 47 pages and includes three appendices on connectionalism.

Judson | Denominational Affairs  ·  July 23, 2026 ·  3 min read

The United Methodist Church confirmed this week that it has made an additional change to its ordination standards, asking outlets to note this represents the denomination's 23rd governance update since 2019.

United Methodist Church Reports It Has Banned Heterosexual Clergy; Notes That Several Other Things Also Happened This Decade

Politics & Church

Tennessee Church Holds Second Amendment Sunday; Attendance Up 22 Percent

The service included a weapons blessing station, a sermon titled 'The God Who Fights,' and a potluck featuring a casserole shaped like a bald eagle.

The Pulpit Truth Faith Desk  ·  July 21, 2026 ·  2 min read

Calvary Ridge Church in Cookeville, Tennessee held its second annual Second Amendment Sunday. The morning featured a weapons blessing station, live music, and a potluck. The pastor attributed a 22-percent attendance increase to 'cultural hunger for churches that aren't afraid.'

Congregation at Calvary Ridge Church watches as associate pastor blesses a firearm at the weapons blessing station during Second Amendment Sunday.

Politics & Church

National Prayer Breakfast Renamed 'Prayer Rally'; Televangelists Say America Is Chosen Nation

The breakfast retained its breakfast components.

The Pulpit Truth Faith Desk  ·  July 21, 2026 ·  2 min read

The National Prayer Breakfast was rebranded this year as the National Prayer Rally. Televangelists in attendance said America had been chosen by God to lead the world. A Pew poll released the same week showed 61 percent of white evangelical Protestants support stricter border enforcement. The eggs were scrambled.

Faith leaders and elected officials at the National Prayer Rally in Washington.

Pastoral Prayers

A Brief Prayer Regarding Ezekiel 23:20

It is in there. We did not put it there. We want that on the record.

Judson | The Pulpit Truth  ·  July 18, 2026 ·  1 min read

Lord, it is in there. We did not put it there. We want that on the record.

A Prayer of Discernment Regarding Ezekiel 23:20

Pastoral Prayers

A Prayer of Endurance: It Is the Eleventh Sunday

Lord, we will sing it again. We have accepted this.

Judson | The Pulpit Truth  ·  July 18, 2026 ·  1 min read

Lord, it is the eleventh Sunday. We will sing it again. We have accepted this.

A Prayer of Endurance — It Is the Eleventh Sunday

International Affairs

American Christians Who Demanded Federal Investigation of Bad Bunny Celebrate New Pope Leo XIV, Born in Chicago

The Vatican confirmed this week that Pope Leo XIV met privately with the recording artist in Madrid. The meeting was described as warm and familiar. No photos were released.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  June 13, 2026 ·  3 min read

Representative Dale Prewitt, who submitted a formal request to the Department of Justice in February for a federal investigation into Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime performance, released a statement welcoming the election of Pope Leo XIV as a proud moment for American Catholics.

American Christians Who Demanded Federal Investigation of Bad Bunny Celebrate New Pope Leo XIV, Born in Chicago

Ministry Culture

Area Pastor Confirms Ministry Has Not Been Difficult; Is Author of 'The Reproducible Pastor: A Field Guide to Sustainable Ministry Growth'

Tim Aldridge of Cornerstone Community Church responded to Beth Moore's remarks that his generation made ministry look easy. He said his experience has not been characterized by difficulty.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  June 8, 2026 ·  2 min read

Pastor Tim Aldridge of Cornerstone Community Church confirmed this week that his experience in ministry has not been characterized by difficulty, in response to Beth Moore's statement that her generation did a 'disservice' by making ministry look easy. Aldridge is the author of 'The Reproducible Pastor: A Field Guide to Sustainable Ministry Growth,' published in 2023.

Area Pastor Confirms Ministry Has Not Been Difficult; Is Author of 'The Reproducible Pastor: A Field Guide to Sustainable Ministry Growth'

Publishing

Christian Publisher Announces New Title on Faith and the Public Square; Previous Titles on Same Subject Published in 2017, 2021, and 2023 Also Available

Cornerstone Press will release 'Faithful Citizens: How Christians Can Engage the Public Square Without Losing Their Witness' in August. The author's 2021 title on the same subject is available in paperback.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  June 8, 2026 ·  2 min read

Cornerstone Press announced a new title on Christian engagement in the public square, due August 12. The publisher's 2017, 2021, and 2023 titles on the same subject remain in print. The author of the 2026 title also wrote the 2021 title. He said this one is different because the moment is different.

Christian Publisher Announces New Title on Faith and the Public Square; Previous Titles on Same Subject Published in 2017, 2021, and 2023 Also Available

Church Life

New Church Plant Describes Itself as Apolitical; Founding Pastor Spoke at Three Rallies

Redeemer City Church launched in September with a stated commitment to being 'above the fray of political division.'

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  June 8, 2026 ·  2 min read

Redeemer City Church, which launched in September with a stated commitment to being 'above the fray of political division,' was founded by a pastor who spoke at three campaign rallies in the 14 months prior to the church's launch. The church's website describes it as a place for people who are 'tired of the culture war.'

New Church Plant Describes Itself as Apolitical; Founding Pastor Spoke at Three Rallies

Denominational Affairs

Area Pastor Describes Current Moment as Unlike Anything We Have Seen; Has Described Four Previous Moments Similarly

Rev. Gary Odom of First Baptist Moody said Sunday that the nation is at a 'hinge point in history.' He has used that phrase before.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  June 8, 2026 ·  2 min read

Rev. Gary Odom of First Baptist Moody described the current national moment as 'unlike anything we have seen in our lifetimes' during Sunday's message. A review of his sermon archive found that he made the same characterization in 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2023. Each moment was described as historically distinct.

Area Pastor Describes Current Moment as Unlike Anything We Have Seen; Has Described Four Previous Moments Similarly

Worship Culture

Area Pastor Describes Trump as 'Flawed Vessel'; Congregation Reports Familiarity With the Concept

Rev. Marcus Galley of Calvary Bridge Church used the phrase seven times in Sunday's message. It was Part 3.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  June 8, 2026 ·  2 min read

Rev. Marcus Galley described Donald Trump as a 'flawed vessel' in Sunday's message, the third consecutive Sunday he has used the phrase. Congregation members confirmed familiarity with the concept of vessels. The word 'vessel' appeared fourteen times. The Apostle Paul's name did not.

Area Pastor Describes Trump as 'Flawed Vessel'; Congregation Reports Familiarity With the Concept

Worship Culture

Vestavia Hills Pastor Launches Four-Part Series on Public Indecency; Cites Vulcan Statue as 'The Most Visible Symbol of Birmingham's Moral Compromise'

Rev. Phillip Doring of Calvary Ridge Fellowship says the 56-foot iron deity has faced the wrong direction for 90 years. His congregation agrees it is time to say something.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  May 9, 2026 ·  3 min read

Rev. Phillip Doring of Calvary Ridge Fellowship has begun a four-part sermon series addressing what he calls the ongoing moral crisis represented by the Vulcan statue, which has displayed its unclothed posterior toward the Vestavia Hills community since the 1930s.

Vulcan statue atop Red Mountain looks over Birmingham, Alabama

Denominational Affairs

Church Strategic Planning Committee Reports It Has Met Monthly for Four Years; Has Not Yet Agreed on a Mission Statement

The 11-member committee at Cornerstone Fellowship describes its process as 'deliberate and Spirit-led.'

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  May 2, 2026 ·  2 min read

Cornerstone Fellowship's Strategic Planning Committee confirmed it has completed 48 monthly meetings since its formation in April 2022, with a mission statement described as 'close to finalized.'

Church Strategic Planning Committee Reports It Has Met Monthly for Four Years; Has Not Yet Agreed on a Mission Statement

Worship Culture

Worship Leader Announces New Song That Sounds Exactly Like His Previous 47 Songs

Marcus Webb, 31, describes the work as 'a breakthrough' and 'one of the most honest things I've ever written.'

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  May 1, 2026 ·  2 min read

The Covenant Fellowship worship pastor announced a new original song titled 'Endless,' which opens with a single acoustic guitar, introduces drums at the second verse, and features the phrase 'you alone are worthy' in the bridge.

Worship Leader Announces New Song That Sounds Exactly Like His Previous 47 Songs

Campus Ministry

Youth Pastor's Sermon Illustration Database Reaches 12,000 Entries; None Used Twice

Tyler Goss has maintained the database since 2011, cross-referencing each entry by topic, emotional register, and estimated laugh probability.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  April 25, 2026 ·  2 min read

Tyler Goss, youth pastor at New Life Community Church, confirmed this week that his personal sermon illustration database has reached 12,000 entries, with no illustration appearing in a message more than once.

Youth Pastor's Sermon Illustration Database Reaches 12,000 Entries; None Used Twice

Worship Culture

Southern Gospel Quartet Announces Final Farewell Tour, Fourth Consecutive Year

The Calvary Road Quartet will conclude its ministry in 47 cities across 12 states, with full merchandise available at each stop.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  April 18, 2026 ·  2 min read

The Calvary Road Quartet has announced its Final Farewell Tour for the fourth consecutive year, citing a continued sense of calling.

Southern Gospel Quartet Announces Final Farewell Tour, Fourth Consecutive Year

Denominational Affairs

Calvinist Congregation Reports Air Conditioning Failure Was Predestined; Repair Not Yet Within God's Plan

Grace Reformed Fellowship in Greenville has worshiped without climate control since April 12, with elders describing the situation as consistent with the congregation's doctrinal commitments.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  April 11, 2026 ·  2 min read

Grace Reformed Fellowship confirmed this week that its HVAC system has been nonfunctional since April 12, with church leadership citing the doctrine of divine sovereignty as the appropriate theological frame for the situation.

Calvinist Congregation Reports Air Conditioning Failure Was Predestined; Repair Not Yet Within God's Plan

Campus Ministry

Vacation Bible School Reports 47 Salvation Decisions; Church Cannot Account for 46 Children

Riverside Community Church logged the decisions through a show-of-hands count during the closing program.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  April 4, 2026 ·  2 min read

Riverside Community Church reported 47 salvation decisions at the conclusion of its annual Vacation Bible School program, while noting that attendance records account for one child.

Vacation Bible School Reports 47 Salvation Decisions; Church Cannot Account for 46 Children

Denominational Affairs

Local Bible Church Reports 14 Elders; Notes All 14 Are Named Brad

Grace Bible Fellowship's elder board describes the situation as 'a remarkable providence' and has developed an internal numbering system.

Judson | Faith & Ministry  ·  March 28, 2026 ·  2 min read

Grace Bible Fellowship confirmed this week that all 14 members of its elder board share the first name Brad, a situation the church has addressed through a numerical designation system.

Local Bible Church Reports 14 Elders; Notes All 14 Are Named Brad