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Deconstruction Doesn’t Always Lead to Exiting Christianity: New Research From State of the Church Initiative

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Research reveals myths about deconstructing faith along with other key trends about Christian mindsets and beliefs

BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Following the announcement of State of the Church, the largest Church-wide initiative in 2025, Gloo and Barna Group have released the first batch of research focused on Christian beliefs. This release will be followed by monthly releases in the State of the Church Initiative and is aimed at helping church leaders better know and understand Christian mindsets.

The release, titled “What Christians Really Believe,” explores key trends that influence how Christians live out their faith in daily life. Topics include:

Drivers of what is morally right and wrongDoes God hear and answer prayers? Christians and non-Christians disagree.How practicing Christians really feel about evangelismAre churches focused on the right priorities?Myths about deconstruction

“Some of the findings from this research are very surprising,” said Brad Hill, chief solutions officer and head of Initiatives at Gloo. “Pastors, be encouraged.  Many of those in our churches may have more stability than we think, in areas like faith sharing, belief in prayer, and a desire to contribute to the Church’s priorities. As leaders engage with this new research and grow in curiosity, Gloo will be serving them with new tools to let them discover the state of their own church and receive practical recommendations on what to do next.”

Highlights from the research:

While 43% of practicing Christians strongly disagree that morality changes with society, a surprising 21% strongly agree with the statement.Practicing Christians differ from non-practicing Christians on whether God hears prayers.Millennial practicing Christians agree strongly (59%) that they have a personal responsibility to share their faith (compared to 55% of Gen X and 46% of Boomers).Ex-Christians aren’t the only ones deconstructing faith — two of five Christians say they have already undergone the process.A majority of Christians (57%)  want to help the Church change its priorities to be what Jesus intended.

“The cultural landscape is changing so quickly, and modern ministry leaders need ways to stay current on what’s happening,” said David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group. “This first release — focused on understanding what’s on the hearts and minds of Christians — marks a new approach to making research more accessible.  When leaders can see clearly, they can lead more faithfully and confidently through every season.”

In November, Barna and Gloo will release new research focused on key trends in leadership. The full research release is available on Barna Access Plus, Barna’s subscription-based research library. To learn more, visit stateofthechurch.com.

Gloo is the trusted tech platform that releases the collective might of the faith ecosystem. Gloo connects ministry leaders to resources, people, insights, and funding so their people and communities flourish and their organizations thrive. Gloo does this with the highest standards of trust and scalable economic models. Gloo serves over 75,000 churches and more than 1,000 resource partners. 

Barna Group is a leading research organization focused on the intersection of faith and culture. Since 1984, Barna has conducted more than two million interviews over the course of thousands of studies and become a go-to source for insights about religion, leadership, vocation and generations. Barna is an independent, privately-held, nonpartisan organization based in Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas.

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SOURCE Gloo

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Sustainability is now a critical business imperative, with nearly three-quarters of leaders allocating annual revenue or profits to sustainable initiatives

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Nearly three-quarters of business leaders (74%) allocate a portion of their organisation’s annual revenue or profits towards sustainability initiatives, and more than four in five business leaders (27% strongly agree, 59% somewhat agree) and employees (17% strongly agree and 70% somewhat agree) agree that integrating sustainability into the organisation’s business strategy provides competitive advantage in the industry.A shift in responsibility is observed, where 45% of business leaders believe that a dedicated sustainability committee should be the key driver for implementing sustainability initiatives, as compared to 59% believing the strategy team should hold the responsibility as reported in NTUC LearningHub’s Special Report on Sustainability 2022.Advancing sustainability is viewed as a collective effort by both business leaders and employees. Most employees (29% strongly agree, 64% somewhat agree) agree that all employees have a role in contributing to their organisation’s sustainability goals, and majority of business leaders (21% strongly agree, 67% somewhat agree) agree that all employees should receive basic training in sustainability, regardless of their role.Certifications in sustainability are essential, with about 4 in 5 business leaders (13% likely, 66% somewhat likely) inclined to hire talent with an industry-recognised certification, even if they are not in the sustainability field.

SINGAPORE, Oct. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Once considered optional, sustainability has become a critical business imperative and a fundamental element of having a competitive advantage, with more than four in five business leaders (27% strongly agree, 59% somewhat agree) and employees (17% strongly agree and 70% somewhat agree) agreeing that integrating sustainability into the organisation’s business strategy provides a competitive advantage in the industry. Also, nearly three-quarters (74%) of business leaders now allocate a portion of their organisation’s annual revenue or profits towards sustainability initiatives.

A shift in responsibility for implementing sustainability initiatives is observed, with nearly half (45%) of business leaders now believing that this responsibility lies primarily with a dedicated sustainability committee, compared to findings from NTUC LearningHub’s Special Report on Sustainability 2022, where nearly three out of five business leaders (59%) viewed that the strategy team should be responsible for advancing sustainability within their organisation. Additionally, to address evolving sustainability requirements and ensure compliance, business leaders report that they are regularly updating sustainability policies and procedures (39%), appointing dedicated teams to oversee sustainability efforts (37%), and conducting regular internal and external sustainability audits and assessments (34%). This is accompanied by efforts to train workers to meet these evolving sustainability demands (37%) and implement green procurement policies (34%).

These are some of the key findings from NTUC LearningHub’s Sustainability for Business Resilience Report 2024, which explores sustainability as a business imperative, the current state of sustainability efforts in organisations, and the critical role of training and certifications. Based on a survey of over 150 business leaders and 350 full-time working professionals, the report also highlights the in-demand job roles and skills that shape career progression and strengthen business resilience.

Businesses recognise the value of partnerships in addressing emerging sustainability trends. Half of business leaders (51%) cite collaboration with suppliers and stakeholders to share best practices as a key approach, followed by fostering a sustainability culture within the organisation (50%), ensuring transparency with all employees on sustainability plans and efforts (45%), promoting continuous learning and development for the workforce (40%), and adopting new technologies and innovations for sustainability (32%).

Advancing sustainability is also seen as a collective effort by both business leaders and employees. Majority of employees (29% strongly agree, 64% somewhat agree) believe that all employees have a role in contributing to their organisation’s sustainability goals. Similarly, most business leaders (21% strongly agree, 67% somewhat agree) believe that all employees should receive basic training in sustainability, regardless of their role.

In fact, certifications in sustainability are seen as essential, with about four in five business leaders (13% likely, 66% somewhat likely) inclined to hire talent with an industry-recognised certification, even if the candidate is not in the sustainability field. Employees share similar sentiments, with about three in four employees (11% strongly agree, 67% somewhat agree) believing that a certification in sustainability would enhance their career prospects. Furthermore, more than four in five employees (13% strongly agree, 71% somewhat agree) agree that adding sustainability skills to their existing technical abilities would significantly improve their career prospects.

Commenting on the report findings, Tay Ee Learn, Chief Sector Skills Officer, NTUC LearningHub, says, “The report highlights encouraging progress in sustainability adoption, with a growing recognition among business leaders of its importance as a competitive advantage. Many organisations are already investing in sustainability initiatives, but there is an opportunity to unlock even greater long-term value by deepening these commitments. By establishing dedicated sustainability teams and integrating sustainability into core business strategies, companies can drive more impactful outcomes. Setting clear, measurable sustainability goals will ensure organisations stay on track and align with their broader objectives. The report also highlights the pivotal role of training and certifications in equipping workers with the skills needed to achieve sustainability goals, ultimately boosting both individual career growth and the resilience of businesses as they navigate a rapidly evolving landscape.”

To download the Sustainability for Business Resilience  Report 2024, please visit www.ntuclearninghub.com/media/research-reports/2024/sustainability. To find out more about the courses, training, and grants, please contact NTUC LearningHub at www.ntuclearninghub.com.

About NTUC LearningHub

NTUC LearningHub is the leading Continuing Education and Training provider in Singapore which aims to transform the lifelong employability of working people. Since our corporatisation in 2004, we have been working with employers and individual learners to provide learning solutions in areas such as Infocomm Technology, Generative AI & Cloud, Healthcare, Retail & Food Services, Employability & Literacy, Business Excellence, Workplace Safety & Health, Security, Human Resources & Coaching and Foreign Workers Training.

To date, NTUC LearningHub has helped over 29,000 organisations and achieved more than 2.6 million training places across more than 2,900 courses with a pool of about 900 certified trainers. As a Total Learning Solutions provider to organisations, we also forge partnerships to offer a wide range of relevant end-to-end training. Besides in-person training, we also offer instructor-led virtual live classes (VLCs) and asynchronous online learning. The NTUC LearningHub Learning eXperience Platform (LXP) — a one-stop online learning mobile application — offers timely, bite-sized and quality content for learners to upskill anytime and anywhere. Beyond learning, LXP also serves as a platform for jobs and skills development for both workers and companies.

For more information, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com.

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SOURCE NTUC LearningHub

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Toss Securities Announces Appointment of Gyubin Kim as New CEO

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Gyubin Kim steps into new role as CEO of Toss SecuritiesPart of the strategy to strengthen the company’s investment platformDongwan Ko appointed as the new Head of Product… Strengthening product-centric operation

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Toss Securities announced today that Gyubin Kim, the former Head of Product, has been appointed as the new CEO. The decision, made during a general shareholders’ meeting on the 10th, is part of a strategy to bolster Toss Securities’ standing as an investment platform and broaden its range of services.

Kim has been instrumental in driving service innovation since joining Toss Securities as a Product Owner (PO) in January 2022. His accomplishments include launching real-time fractional overseas stock trading and enhancing the investor community. Kim also contributed to the company’s first quarterly profit in 2023. He has laid the groundwork for Toss Securities services, such as launching overseas bonds, diversifying products, and introducing Toss Securities PC (Web Trading System).

Prior to joining Toss Securities, Kim honed his tech-based service planning skills at Toss (Viva Republica) and eBay Korea.

Following the recent executive appointments, Dongwan Ko, former PO, has assumed the position of the new Head of Product. Since joining Toss Securities, Ko has contributed in spearheading the company’s growth in overseas stock services.

Toss Securities, which began as an easy-to-use mobile stock trading service in March 2021, has grown into a brokerage firm with 6.3 million customers as of September 2024. The company has expanded its scope to cater not only to novice investors but also to professional investors. Focused on overseas stock brokerage services, Toss Securities turned a profit last year and is projected to continue its growth trajectory this year.

[Biography] Gyubin Kim, CEO of Toss Securities

Career Details:2022 – Present: Toss Securities2020 – 2022: Viva Republica2015 – 2020: eBay Korea2012 – 2013: Nanojo (Co-founder)Education: Graduated from Carnegie Mellon University / Electrical and Computer Engineering

About Toss Securities

Toss Securities, a subsidiary company of Viva Republica, which operates the financial super app Toss, launched its customer service in March 2021. As a newly licensed securities company after 13 years in South Korea, it provides user-centered services with UX/UI optimized for the mobile environment. In particular, it is the first in the industry to introduce an integrated account service that allows customers to conveniently trade multiple financial instruments from one account without installing a separate app, and as of September 2024, more than 6.3 million customers have used Toss Securities. Monthly Active Users (MAU) reach over 3.3 million to date. In addition to real-time overseas decimal stock trading, the company offers a variety of services such as community and customized content and is evolving into a data-driven investment platform.

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SOURCE Toss Securities

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Kehua Tech Ranked No. 1 in China and No. 3 Worldwide for Energy Storage Inverter Market Share

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XIAMEN, China, Oct. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — According to the report from S&P Global Commodity Insights, based on the 2023 PCS shipment volume statistics, Kehua is ranked as the No.3 energy storage inverter supplier globally and the No.1 energy storage supplier in China. Kehua‘s consistent growth and strong performance in the storage inverter market highlight the leading position in the industry.

Kehua’s rise to the top three global energy storage inverter suppliers is a reflection of the unwavering focus on meeting the evolving needs of customers and industry demands. Kehua’s ongoing technological innovations, especially breakthroughs in liquid cooling technology and grid-forming energy storage solutions, highlight its advanced capabilities and commitment to excellence. As Kehua continues to expand its presence in the global energy storage inverter market, it remains committed to driving innovation and setting new benchmarks for excellence.

In the future, Kehua will strengthen the cooperation with global partners to jointly promote the sustainable development of the energy industry and contribute to build a clean, efficient and sustainable energy ecosystem for the world.

About Kehua
Based on 36 years of experience in power electronic technology, Kehua has diversified solutions and rich project experience in the fields of photovoltaic, energy storage, micro-grids and integrated energy services. By the end of 2023, Kehua´s PV installation has exceeded 46GW and its energy storage installation has exceeded 15.2GW/8.2GWh globally. Presently, Kehua has become the world’s third largest PCS supplier (S&P), a Tier 1 energy storage supplier and a Top 10 solar inverter manufacturer (BloombergNEF). As a reliable PV and ESS expert, Kehua is dedicated to enabling a zero-carbon lifestyle for individuals worldwide.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kehua-tech-ranked-no-1-in-china-and-no-3-worldwide-for-energy-storage-inverter-market-share-302272310.html

SOURCE Kehua Tech

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