Clergy & Congregations
Historic sermon by Gina Stewart at joint Black Baptist meeting draws cheers, controversy
By Adelle M. Banks — January 30, 2024
(RNS) — After many in the room cheered her on and stood as she preached, the session featuring her sermon temporarily disappeared from the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.’s Facebook page.
Church of England leader says a plan to send migrants to Rwanda undermines the UK’s global standing
By Jill Lawless — January 30, 2024
LONDON (AP) — If approved by Parliament, the law will allow the government to “disapply” sections of U.K. human rights law when it comes to Rwanda-related asylum claims and make it harder to challenge the deportations in court.
Mississippi’s top court says it won’t reconsider sex abuse conviction of former friar
By Associated Press — January 29, 2024
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A judge sentenced him to 30 years on the first count and 15 years on the second count, to be served at the same time.
Steeple of historic Connecticut church collapses, no injuries reported
By Associated Press — January 26, 2024
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — No deaths or injuries were reported in the collapse at the First Congregational Church in downtown New London, which happened around 1:30 p.m., though a search was ongoing afterward, authorities said.
Burned out, exhausted, leaving: A new survey finds clergy are not OK
By Michael Woolf — January 25, 2024
(RNS) — This isn't the time for US congregations to be facing a massive leadership transition.
Support for Israel’s war in Gaza is unraveling among some Jewish groups
By Yonat Shimron — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — J Street, the liberal American Jewish organization dedicated to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, called for an end to the war, the latest American Jewish group to do so.
Agriculture Department, COGIC make plans for funds to add trees to urban centers
By Adelle M. Banks — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said ‘structuring this program so that it's empowering more tree planting and more workforce development gives us the opportunity to partner with the church.’
Religious donors keep giving to houses of worship and beyond amid inflation
By Adelle M. Banks — January 23, 2024
(RNS) — Most religious donors gave the same amount of money (or more) to their congregations in 2023 as in 2022, a new report finds.
How a leaderless Chabad movement led to an illegal tunnel brawl
By Yonat Shimron — January 18, 2024
(RNS) — The tunnel’s discovery was just the latest in a 30-year clash among factions of the Hasidic group led by the late Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who died 30 years ago.
Dozens of Black churches receive total of $4 million for historic preservation
By Adelle M. Banks — January 15, 2024
(RNS) — This year’s grants, which range from $50,000 to $200,000, will allow congregations to address issues such as mold contamination, demolition, water filtration and deferred maintenance.
Bishop T.D. Jakes continues longtime commitment to Md. revival in wake of rumors
By Adelle M. Banks — January 12, 2024
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (RNS) — ‘I love you back,’ he told those who welcomed him back to the revival. ‘I feel your prayers. I’m thankful to God for them.’
Sharon Brous on the power of saying ‘amen’ in a broken world
By Yonat Shimron — January 11, 2024
(RNS) — 'The Amen Effect' is an extended meditation on the importance of showing up — in good times and bad.
Africa’s Catholic hierarchy refuses same-sex blessings, says such unions are contrary to God’s will
By Nicole Winfield — January 11, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — The controversy has deepened a growing chasm between Francis’ progressive, reform-minded papacy and the conservative church in much of the world
US pastors struggle with post-pandemic burnout. Survey shows half considered quitting since 2020
By Peter Smith — January 11, 2024
Median in-person attendance has steadily declined since the start of the century, the report said, and with fewer younger participants, the typical age of congregants is rising.
Wisconsin sexual abuse case against defrocked Cardinal McCarrick suspended
By Associated Press — January 11, 2024
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — McCarrick, who did not appear in person for the hearing but listened in by phone, was charged with sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man more than 45 years ago, court records show
