A 2007 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life found that of the 35,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 44 percent had left their childhood religious affiliation. A follow-up survey in 2009 by the Pew Forum shows the percentage has grown over the last two years. The new report estimates that between 47 and 59 percent of U.S. adults have changed affiliation at least once. When asked why, most said ...

Sometimes the uniqueness of the revealed Word of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ is seen most clearly when contrasted with other spiritual beliefs.

Lauding the Dalai Lama as one of the world's 100 most influential leaders, author Deepak Chopra wrote in Time magazine:

The most inspiring thing [the Dalai Lama] ever told me was to ignore all organized faiths and keep to the road of higher consciousness. ...

In the film The Bucket List, Edward (Jack Nicholson) and Carter (Morgan Freeman) are both terminally ill. Doctors have given them about one year to live, so they make a list of things they always wanted to do before they "kicked the bucket"—and go about doing them, one by one. The list includes skydiving, racing vintage Mustangs, and seeing the wonders of the world. In this scene, Edward and ...

Jonathan Edwards, pastor of the prestigious Northampton, Massachusetts, Congregational Church, was a leading figure of the eighteenth century First Great Awakening. Religious leaders, like the famous preacher George Whitefield, traveled great distances to meet with him and discuss theological matters.

Yet even a man of Edwards's credentials wasn't exempt from criticism. When Edwards sought assurance ...

Three days after terrorists crashed hijacked planes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, President George W. Bush designated Friday, September 14, 2001, as a national day of prayer and remembrance.

In Washington D. C., the National Cathedral was filled to capacity with invited guests including political leaders, military brass, and four former presidents and their wives. At President Bush's ...

The man most admired by the American public over the last four decades is evangelist Billy Graham. For forty years, The Gallup Organization has polled American adults to determine the ten men they admire most, and Graham has been named to the list an astounding 32 times. Behind Graham on the 4-year list are Dwight Eisenhower and Winston Churchill.

Creativity is dangerous. When you ask for creative ideas, you never know what you'll get. We asked some of our regular contributors to help us plan this issue, and one of them, John Ortberg, sent us his suggestions under the heading: "Articles you aren't likely to read in LEADERSHIP." Here's his lineup:

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-- Bill Hybels

"I'm Sick and Tired of Ministry, and I'm Not Too Crazy about People Either"

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