Emily McFarlan Miller
Emily McFarlan Miller is a national reporter for RNS based in Chicago. She covers evangelical and mainline Protestant Christianity.
All Stories by Emily McFarlan Miller
The Friars’ Briar — Canada’s clergy curling tournament — puts faith and fellowship on ice
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 9, 2020
WATERLOO, Ontario (RNS) — The Friars’ Briar is clergy’s answer to the Tim Hortons Brier, the annual Canadian men's curling championship, which ended Sunday.
On Super Tuesday, new book encourages Christian voters ‘Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 3, 2020
(RNS) — Pastor and author Eugene Cho talked to Religion News Service about a better way for Christians to engage politics in a contentious election year and discussed his new book, 'Thou Shalt Not Be A Jerk.'
‘Lent-ish’ gives up traditional practices for Lent
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 2, 2020
(RNS) — 'Some years,' Megan Westra tweeted, 'wandering through the desert needs to look different.'
Wheaton College rescinds title from Gilbert Bilezikian amid new allegations
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 28, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Wheaton College has rescinded the title of professor emeritus from Gilbert Bilezikian after an investigation into the longtime professor of New Testament turned up new allegations of ‘inappropriate and unprofessional conduct.’
What religious left? Few Americans see Democratic presidential field as very religious
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 27, 2020
(RNS) — Americans were most likely to say Biden was 'very’ or 'somewhat’ religious — but that still was just over half (55%) of survey respondents, according to Pew data.
Paczki Day brings Chicagoans together for one last indulgence before Lent
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 25, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — By 7 a.m. Tuesday (Feb. 25), 17 people stood in line at Kolatek’s Bakery, wrapping around the produce section of the store, ready to buy the fried dough stuffed with a myriad of jams and custards. A signal that Lent is a day away — and today is one last chance to feast.
Potawatomi Christian chapel speaker Kaitlin Curtice draws ire of Baylor student group
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 20, 2020
(RNS) — Curtice’s chapel message about the journey of 'decolonizing' her faith drew pushback from a student group, which posted a statement on Twitter disavowing the service as part of 'the liberal agenda.'
How to fund ministry amid mainline decline? Get creative, say campus ministry leaders
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 18, 2020
MADISON, Wis. (RNS) — When it came to the future of the historic Presbyterian campus ministry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, its co-pastors innovated by looking to the past.
Pres House provides spiritual home away from home for Madison students
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 18, 2020
MADISON, Wis. (RNS) — A spirit of innovation has animated Pres House since 1907, when Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison hired its first campus pastor.
What’s on pastors’ minds? It’s not religious liberty
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 10, 2020
(RNS) — Barna Group is preparing to release its State of the Church data for the first time in a decade in what it calls the most in-depth and comprehensive study in its history.
Romney cites faith as inspiring his vote to convict Trump
By Jack Jenkins and Emily McFarlan Miller — February 5, 2020
(RNS) — 'I am profoundly religious. My faith is at the heart of who I am,' he said, taking a long pause to collect himself. 'I take an oath before God as enormously consequential.'
Minnesota Methodists say rebooting churches can be helpful but comes with peril
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 31, 2020
(RNS) — While painful for many longtime church members, advocates say a “restart” can help reverse shrinking numbers and breathe new life into congregations.
Senior pastor candidates, interim pastor out at Willow Creek
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 30, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Elders have released the final two senior pastor candidates they were considering to replace founding pastor Bill Hybels, who retired early in 2018 amid allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power.
Willow Creek confirms abuse allegations against Hybels’ mentor Gilbert Bilezikian
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 28, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Willow Creek Community Church confirmed that a mentor of former pastor Bill Hybels has been accused of sexual misconduct.
Controversial comedy ‘Faith Based’ pokes fun at Christian films — to a point
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 24, 2020
(RNS) — ‘Faith Based’ is a new satirical film about the Christian film industry that premiered this past weekend at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
