John Longhurst

John Longhurst is an author at Religion News Service.

All Stories by John Longhurst

‘Hey, isn’t that — ?’ Singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn goes incognito in worship band

By John Longhurst — October 11, 2021

(RNS) — 'They needed a guitar player, so they were foolish enough to ask me,' said the man with 35 folk-rock albums to his name.

Canada’s First Nations await ‘concrete actions’ as bishops apologize for boarding schools

By John Longhurst — September 28, 2021

(RNS) — Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald said that, while she welcomed the bishops' Sept. 24 apology, she will wait to see if the bishops' promises will be kept.

Protesters rally to cause of ‘jailed’ Canadian church as pastor awaits trial

By John Longhurst — April 15, 2021

(RNS) — The pastor is a former student of the Rev. John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, who has resisted COVID-19 restrictions there.

Church of Canada may disappear by 2040, says new report

By John Longhurst — November 18, 2019

A new report from the Anglican Church of Canada projects that the denomination may cease to exist in the next two decades if its current decline continues.

Canada’s Drew Marshall, ‘raw and real’ Christian radio host, ends his 16-year run

By John Longhurst — June 18, 2019

(RNS) — A 'skeptic on an irreverent search for the sacred,' Marshall said he will focus on the renewal of his marriage and possible writing projects.

Study: It’s easier to be a ‘none’ in Canada than in the US

By John Longhurst — May 21, 2019

(RNS) — In Canada, there is 'less of a social stigma' attached to leaving one's religion, says one of the authors of a forthcoming book on the differences between American and Canadian nones.

Asia Bibi happy to be in Canada but ‘very tired’ after blasphemy ordeal, says friend

By John Longhurst — May 9, 2019

(RNS) — Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who was acquitted of blasphemy charges, was reunited this week with her family in Canada. The family's exact location remains secret due to concerns for her safety.

New name, broader mission: Oldest church magazine goes after general readership

By John Longhurst — April 26, 2019

(RNS) — A Canadian denominational publication hopes readers will pick up a magazine about spirituality, social justice, the environment and equality — minus the word 'church' on its cover.

Faith groups seek afterlife for shuttered churches in Canada

By John Longhurst — March 22, 2019

WINNIPEG, Manitoba (RNS) — Faith groups are the second largest landholders in all of Canada, according to the National Trust. As many as a third of its houses of worship may shut down in the next decade, according to a new report.

Canadian evangelical school adapts LGBTQ rules, says donations, enrollment are up

By John Longhurst — February 5, 2019

(RNS) — A Canadian evangelical college made its lifestyle covenant for students — which bars same-sex relationships — voluntary after a high court ruled the school's policies were discriminatory.

Atheist minister Gretta Vosper hopes to stay at Canadian church for the long haul

By John Longhurst — February 1, 2019

(RNS) — Gretta Vosper, a Toronto pastor and self-described atheist, will remain at her church after reaching a settlement with the United Church of Canada. Church officials had claimed belief in God was necessary for a minister. Vosper says she is still qualified to be a pastor.

Canada reverses abortion rights proviso to summer jobs program

By John Longhurst — December 18, 2018

(RNS) — Many faith groups protested a checkbox on a participation form requiring prospective employers to affirm abortion rights.

Canadians, led by millennials, show broad tolerance for religion in public life

By John Longhurst — December 6, 2018

(RNS) — Canada may appear very secular compared with its southern neighbor, but a new poll suggests there is more openness to religion than it appears, especially among younger Canadians.

Trump’s presidency, ‘Christian supremacism’ criticized at Parliament of World Religions

By John Longhurst — November 6, 2018

TORONTO (RNS) — Speakers at a major interfaith gathering raise concerns about America's political climate, claiming Trump promotes 'Christian supremacy.'

Canadian broadcaster offers to sponsor Christian woman spared death in Pakistan