In the weekly Resurgence Roundup, I compile some of the most interesting content I find online, as it pertains to the church and the people God has called us to reach. Rather than excerpts, this week I’ve offered my take on each piece.

The slow death of ‘traditional’ families in America

With the holiday season upon us, and with it the chance to connect with our families, this article in The Atlantic reveals how the “traditional” family—mom, dad, and kids—is slowly dying.

The statistics reveal that, as a general rule, if you are educated and more affluent, you get married and raise your kids in a more “traditional” home. But if you are less educated and less affluent, you are more likely to be a single parent. The same continuum holds true for cohabitation—the poorer and less educated you are, the more likely you are to be living with an unmarried partner. Read the full piece in The Atlantic.

Owner of last abortion facility in Mississippi: ‘I feel like God wants me to do this’

There is only one abortion clinic left in Mississippi. It is owned by a woman who claims to be a Christian working with the approval of Jesus. So we’ve got confessing Christians standing outside praying and protesting, and a confessing Christian inside murdering and defending.

It’s difficult to imagine how you can spend your life killing unborn children in the womb of poor, young, and unmarried women—all in the name of the God who came into human history as the baby Jesus Christ in the womb of a poor, unmarried young woman. It’s insanity. The full news article is on the Christian News Network.

When God isn’t on the guest list

In my book A Call to Resurgence I talk at length about the decline of Christendom and the waning social respect given to faith in the West. One example is the growing number of weddings that make no mention of God whatsoever and do not even pretend to care whether he exists or what he thinks.

While some Christians will be offended by this trend, it is also helpful. If you don’t love God, then it’s dishonest to fake it on your wedding day in a church that you don’t intend to visit again until your funeral. I would rather have honest unbelief so we know who to pray for and evangelize. Ironically, the atheist Ed Buckner hits the nail on the head, saying, “I would argue that if you don’t believe in God and have God blessing the celebration, you’re participating in a sham.” Read the whole article on CNN.

Study: Sexual assaults greatly underreported

I started in college ministry roughly twenty years ago, and I have pastored Mars Hill Church since 1996. Having worked for so many years with so many young adults and college students, I find it hard to overstate the epidemic of sexual assault. Sadly, most pastors and churches are ill-equipped to deal with this horrific trend and would be well served to do better at helping those who are hurting. Christians have made strides in pressing back against the porn tide, but the victims of out-of-control behavior need help and healing. USA Today reports that sexual assault is in fact greatly underreported, with as many as 80% of assaults never reported.

A side note for parents: Please don’t just let your kids have sleepovers or hang out in the homes of people you do not know well. Please don’t let your teen daughter stay over at her friend’s house when her brother has his buddies doing the same or be naïve in trusting just anyone with the well-being of your kids. Read more about the underreporting of sexual assault at USA Today.

WGN & Weinstein Company team for Ten Commandments event series produced by Bruce Cohen

Having recently finished a 10-part sermon series on the 10 Commandments, I was very curious to see Oscar-winning producer Bruce Cohen overseeing a (likely secular) take on the 10 Commandments, set to air on television in the spring. If they are looking for a Christian to give input on the project, my bags are packed. Read about the new project on Deadline Hollywood.