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
Church World Service hosts Ration Challenge around World Refugee Day
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 19, 2019
(RNS) — The global challenge — organized in the United States by Church World Service — asks participants to live for a week on the same food rations refugees receive to raise money and awareness for the challenges they face.
In new book, Muslim doctor encourages Christians to ‘love thy neighbor’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 14, 2019
(RNS) — Facing his rural neighbors who feared the Muslim in their midst, Ayaz Virji spoke to them in a school auditorium. Now his talk is a book titled "Love Thy Neighbor."
Ethiopia tour for gay, lesbian travelers in jeopardy amid backlash from faith groups
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 14, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — A trip to Ethiopia planned by a Chicago-based tour company for gay and lesbian travelers is in jeopardy amid a backlash primarily from religious groups in the African country, where homosexuality is criminalized.
Adam Hamilton on ‘Methodists in the middle’ and what’s next for the denomination
By Emily McFarlan Miller — June 4, 2019
(RNS) — As the United Methodist Church has spent decades wrestling over the inclusion of its LGBTQ members, the Rev. Adam Hamilton, pastor of the largest United Methodist church in the United States, has emerged, as one local radio station put it, as 'the Pied Piper for Methodists in the middle.'
Lutheran student pastor deported amid protests
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 30, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — At Emaus ELCA Church in Racine, Wis., student pastor Betty Rendón was 'very well loved,' and a lot of people are feeling the loss, said the church's pastor.
Survey: 1 in 3 Protestants think more stories of abuse by pastors yet to come
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 21, 2019
(RNS) — There’s both good news and bad news in the numbers in the latest LifeWay survey, which asked Protestant churchgoers wide-ranging questions about sexual misconduct and the church.
‘Who will be our Rachel now?’ Progressives reflect on movement without Held Evans
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 20, 2019
(RNS) — Prominent progressive Christian thinkers like Bass who admire Evans’ work are mulling the answer as they consider Evans’ legacy and what’s next for their movement without one of its most prominent and beloved leaders.
Lutherans gather in prayer for student pastor reportedly arrested by ICE
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 15, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — The Rev. Paul Erickson, bishop of the ELCA’s Greater Milwaukee Synod, said the student pastor’s arrest may be 'legal, but it is immoral.'
Rozella Haydée White on how ‘revolutionary’ relationships can heal the world
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 8, 2019
(RNS) — Rozella Haydée White talked to RNS about the work people need to do before healing is possible and why self-care isn’t selfish.
Moody Bible Institute to stop publishing student paper
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 7, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — The Moody Standard, formerly called the Moody Student, is the historic Christian college's longest-running club.
Rachel Held Evans, Christian writer of honesty and humor, dies at age 37
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2019
(RNS) — Evans repeatedly made the best-seller lists with wise and funny chronicles of her faith, doubt, honest questions and evolving beliefs.
Harvest Bible Chapel apologizes as it installs new elder board
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 3, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — The move comes as the Chicago-area megachurch transitions to a new board of elders this week and prepares to move forward under new leaders.
‘Who’s doing Christianity right?’ At Taylor University, Pence invitation highlights evangelical divide.
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 2, 2019
UPLAND, Ind. (RNS) — Like so much of evangelicalism in the United States, Taylor University has in recent years found itself engaged in a battle for the soul of the movement.
‘Harry Potter and the Sacred Text’ creates spiritual experience for fans of secular series
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 26, 2019
INDIANAPOLIS (RNS) — The chance to discuss 'Harry Potter' from a spiritual standpoint is what brought hundreds of fans to a live taping of 'Harry Potter and the Sacred Text' last week in a sold-out auditorium at the Indianapolis Public Library’s Central Library.
United Methodist court upholds Traditional Plan’s ban on LGBTQ clergy, same sex marriage
By Emily McFarlan Miller — April 26, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — Seven of the 17 petitions that made up the Traditional Plan are unconstitutional and will not be added with the others to the United Methodist Church’s rulebook.
