Weekend Plug-in: April 3, 2020
A roundup of analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith.
Weekend Plug-in: March 27, 2020
(RNS) — Analysis and insights on this week's top headlines from the world of faith.
Texas church grieves, prays, sings after deadly shooting
WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas (RNS) — 'There is evil in this world, and evil took two of my dear friends yesterday,' minister Britt Farmer told congregants Monday. 'Not a bullet from a gun — evil. Not ideology — evil.'
'Divine collision' shaped the life of Jim Gash, Pepperdine's new president
MALIBU, Calif. (RNS) — Jim Gash, who was recently named president of Pepperdine University, says a friendship he made with a young Ugandan man falsely accused of murder changed the course of his life.
Ebola survivor Dr. Kent Brantly returning to Africa as medical missionary
(The Christian Chronicle) — Five years after contracting Ebola while fighting the epidemic in Liberia, the doctor is heading to Zambia.
At 87, ‘disaster deacon’ opens his heart — and church — to flooding victims
TULSA, Okla. (The Christian Chronicle) — Across the Midwest, 28 Red Cross and community shelters in five states have tended to the victims of flooding, tornados and other natural disasters. Many of those shelters are at houses of worship.
To Botham Jean’s parents, fatal shooting still feels ‘as if it just happened’
DALLAS (RNS) — Almost nine months have passed since an off-duty police officer entered Botham Shem Jean’s apartment and opened fire, killing the church song leader. Bertrum and Allison Jean reflect as a racial unity summit paid tribute to their slain son.
Evangelical financial watchdog faces scrutiny over backing of errant megachurch
(RNS) — Critics say the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability ignored 'glaring improprieties' in Harvest Bible Chapel’s finances for way too long.
Judge vacates former youth minister’s sex abuse convictions
(RNS) — A Pennsylvania judge has overturned the conviction of a former Church of Christ youth minister accused of abusing children at the youth camp he oversaw. The judge said he "reluctantly" ruled that the statute of limitations for reporting the allegations had expired.
Racial concerns prompt Christian university in Oklahoma to rename auditorium
OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) — A Christian university renamed an auditorium on campus due to concerns that the venue's namesake — a famed preacher — had made racist remarks in the past.
Church elders let confessed abuser attend services; now judge has banned him
UNIONTOWN, Pa. (RNS) — Elders at a Pennsylvania Church knew that a former youth minister and camp leader had confessed to abuse. But they still allowed him to come to church services until a judge ordered him to stay away.
Pennsylvania prosecutor fights clergy sex abuse as she maintains Catholic faith
EBENSBURG, Pa. (RNS) — When local district attorney Kelly Callihan referred an abuse claim against her family’s erstwhile pastor to state authorities, she initiated a series of investigations that renewed the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse crisis nationwide.
IRS’ ‘church parking tax’ sparks questions and concerns
(RNS) — An obscure provision of the 2017 tax overhaul may end up costing churches and other houses of worship.
Bible study and skateboards meet at Skatechurch
TULSA, Okla. (RNS) — The Skatechurch ministry at First United Methodist in Tulsa hopes to reach skateboard fans with the Bible.
In border wall fight, Kentucky congressman mixes compassion with concern
(RNS) — U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie balances his faith and his politics when it comes to immigration. The Republican congressman supports building a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.