NEWS STORY
RNS-Hillsong-Docu: A pair of Hillsong docuseries planned, examining the megachurch’s culture, the fall of Carl Lentz
NEW YORK (RNS) — Both docuseries are planned in partnership with separate news organizations and based on their respective coverage of the ongoing scandals plaguing the global megachurch, with a spotlight on Hillsong NYC and its disgraced former pastor. By Roxanne Stone. 653 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Caldwell-Prison: Former megachurch pastor and presidential adviser Kirbyjon Caldwell enters prison
(RNS) — Kirbyjon Caldwell, the former United Methodist megachurch pastor and presidential adviser who was found guilty of being involved in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme, has begun his six-year prison sentence. By Adelle M. Banks. 450 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-USCCB-QA: Catholic bishops publish Q&A clarifying controversial Communion document
(RNS) — The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops followed its vote last week to commission a document on the Eucharist with a new Q&A, aimed at clarifying the rationale for the document, widely seen as a move toward denying Communion to politicians who back abortion rights. The Q&A, published on the USCCB website on Wednesday (June 23), suggested that impetus for the document was “declining belief and understanding of the Eucharist among the Catholic faithful.” By Jack Jenkins. 719 words.
NEWS STORY
RNS-Willimon-Doc: In a new documentary, Will Willimon puts his preaching toolbox to the test
(RNS) — A 30-minute documentary about Will Willimon, one of the most effective preachers in the English-speaking world, according to a Baylor University survey, shows how a master craftsman approaches the task. Filmed before the pandemic but released last month, “A Will to Preach” follows Willimon, 75 and still preaching and teaching at Duke Divinity School, as he goes from Scripture study to sermon. A Q&A. By Yonat Shimron. 1,200 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-Atheists-Mississippi: Atheist and humanist groups sue Mississippi over state’s ‘In God We Trust’ license plate
(RNS) — Atheist and humanist groups are suing Mississippi over the state’s “In God We Trust” license plate, calling it unconstitutional and seeking other alternatives that don’t require additional fees for Mississippi drivers. By Alejandra Molina. 780 words. (category: a)
NEWS STORY
RNS-SBC-Trust: Southern Baptists have a trust problem. Can a tender-hearted president help them solve it?
(RNS) — The nation’s largest Protestant denomination is based on voluntary cooperation between more than 40,000 churches. That cooperation is threatened by growing distrust of national leaders. Can new Southern Baptist Convention president Ed Litton reverse that trend? By Bob Smietana 1,200 words. (category: a)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Reese-Oped: In Central America, Kamala Harris ignored our best hope: Catholic bishops
(RNS) — Vice President Kamala Harris made a huge mistake by not meeting with Catholic bishops during her visit to Central America. The bishops could be the administration’s strongest ally in fighting the corruption, crime and poverty that cause people to flee to the United States. By Thomas Reese. 737 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Raj-Oped: My child learned he was ‘low caste’ from a school textbook: An American Shudra story
(RNS) — Digging a little more into school textbooks and curriculum, I found my child was being told the defining characteristics of Hinduism were “caste system,” “polytheism” and “deities.” No mention of the profound and rich philosophy rooted in a personal quest for truth within oneself. The amount of falsehood and stereotyping being pushed in the name of learning left me with deep anguish and a whole lot of questions. By Smitha Raj. 1,054 words. (category: k)
COMMENTARY
RNS-Pagitt-Oped: Unholy post-Trump trinity: Bannon, Pompeo and Pence
(RNS) — Seven months after the tumultuous 2020 presidential election concluded, Republican hopefuls are already lining up for the 2024 nomination. Beyond former President Donald Trump himself, the ever-growing list of candidates includes a litany of Trump administration stars, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. By Doug Pagitt. 1,234 words. (category: k)