Happy New Year! As we launch into 2025, we want to briefly look back at the important news, events, and themes that made 2024 a year to remember. First, let us begin with gratitude.
Over the years, we have had much to be thankful for at IFWE. One of the things we have appreciated most is the continued readership and engagement by our followers. The IFWE blog has reached millions of readers from around the world over more than a decade of publishing. Last year, hundreds of thousands of readers discovered our content through organic search results alone. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of blog subscribers were blessed by getting the work of our blog contributors directly to their email inboxes.
What were readers tuning into? Here are a few of the biggest headlines and themes that made our top ten list. One was the news of the passing of IFWE’s co-founder, Hugh Whelchel after his four-year battle with ALS (#2) and the exciting announcement of new leadership under Dr. Rob Pacienza (#7) as IFWE joined the ministries of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. Another was the 2024 election, with two of Pastor John Pletcher’s election-related articles making the list at #3 and #5. Last but not least was our Advent series, which touched the hearts of readers during the holidays. Two of the four articles in the series rounded out our list, even though they were only published in December.
We want to thank our wonderful blog contributors who continue to write and share insightful commentaries on faith, work, economics, and related topics. We also would like to thank you, our friends, readers, and subscribers, who continue to support us year after year in strategic ways. If you would like to contribute to IFWE’s future, you can subscribe to our email list (see below if you haven’t already), share our posts on social media, or make a financial gift here.
We wish you and your loved ones a healthy and blessed 2025. Now, please join us in reviewing the top ten articles from 2024. (If you missed reading any on this list, now is a great time to catch up!)
1. Does God Care About How I Work?
Scot Bellavia
The pandemic ushered in a new era of remote work, which many job-seekers continue to seek today. In God’s eyes, how we work is more important than where. The fact that this article tops the list for 2024 shows how many people are concerned with this pressing question. Read more.
2. Honoring the ‘Amazing Story’ of the Life & Legacy of IFWE’s Founder, Hugh Whelchel
Jacqueline Isaacs
Innovative leader, life-long learner, and faithful servant of Christ, Hugh Calvin Whelchel III entered into glory on Good Friday of this year. We published this article shortly after to let our IFWE family know and to celebrate his life and legacy. Read more.
3. How To Pray After Election Day
Pastor John Pletcher
In the immediate aftermath of the many national, state, and local elections that took place in November, many believers felt weary, anxious, or even disappointed. Here are four strategic ways we can pray during times like this. Read more.
4. A Frequent Mistake: Seeking Meaning From Work
Dr. Renita Reed-Thomson
It is common for most of us to seek meaning from our work. To gain a new perspective, we must first understand God’s greater purpose for us in this area.Read more.
5. What To Do If Your Candidate Loses
Pastor John Pletcher
Regardless of which candidates win or lose, what should Christians’ collective response be following Election Day? Here are three healthy choices we can make. Read more.
6. The Calling & Hard Work of Marriage (Part 1)
Russell Gehrlein
Christian men and women are often led to pursue marriage and should see it as a divine calling. How does God equip, provide for, and sustain us in this? Read part one here and part two here.
7. Announcing a New Chapter for IFWE
Paul Brooks
We are overjoyed to share that God has provided a way to honor Hugh Whelchel’s legacy and ensure IFWE’s growth and flourishing in the years ahead. Read more about this exciting new chapter for IFWE. You can also learn more about IFWE’s new president, Dr. Rob Pacienza, and his vision for IFWE’s future here.
8. Am I Getting Too Old for This? Reflections on Work & Retirement
Russell Gehrlein
All of us will someday reach the end of our work and enter into retirement. How can we transition into this season wisely and help others along the way? Read more.
9. Creation’s Hope of Renewal
Dr. Andrew Spencer
Christ’s first advent highlights the goodness of creation and points to its future restoration. The second verse of a classic hymn paints us a picture of hope. Read more.
10. The Joy of Our Adoption
Jacqueline Isaacs
Adoption pictures when we receive salvation and join God’s family. As Advent begins, let’s reflect on a familiar hymn that helps us celebrate our adoption. Read more.
While the first two articles of the Advent series made the top ten list, the last two were published during the second half of December and didn’t have much time to be included. Read part three of the series by John Pletcher here part four by Russ Gehrlein here.
Honorable Mention: A Bigger Vision of Stewardship
Jason Myhre
Just missing the top ten is this article which was originally published by the Eventide Center for Faith & Investing. We wanted to give it some recognition as it is a great example of the application of faith and work principles in the area of investing. Read more.
