Evangelical
Southern Baptists lost nearly half a million members in 2022
By Bob Smietana — May 9, 2023
(RNS) —The Southern Baptist Convention has lost 3 million members since 2006, about half of that in the last five years.
Why Habitat for Humanity’s theology of the hammer offers hope in polarized times
By Bob Smietana — May 9, 2023
(RNS) — For nearly five decades, Habitat for Humanity has inspired people from different backgrounds — who often can’t agree on anything — to work together for their neighbors’ benefit.
Kansas City prophet calls for 21-day fast and prayer for ‘salvation of Israel’
By Yonat Shimron — May 8, 2023
(RNS) — Mike Bickle of the International House of Prayer Kansas City has launched a 21-day fast and prayer intended to hasten Jesus' return.
UMC bishops request 2026 General Conference as hundreds more churches disaffiliate
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 8, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — To date, at least 2,804 churches have left the United Methodist Church since 2019, according to United Methodist News Service.
Scott Sauls, author and Nashville pastor, placed on indefinite leave of absence
By Bob Smietana — May 7, 2023
(RNS) — Sauls is one of a growing number of high-profile pastors whose leadership style has come under scrutiny in recent years.
Latino faith leaders continue pressure against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ immigration bill
By Alejandra Molina — May 5, 2023
(RNS) — 'This legislation, if adopted, would incite fear and create barriers of needed care that our church immigrant and refugee ministries engage,' reads a letter signed by more than 1,000 Latino pastors, faith leaders and congregants.
What ‘The Starling Girl’ gets right about church abuse and fundamentalism
By Kathryn Post — May 5, 2023
(RNS) — ‘When abuse is framed as just black and white, it can be harder for people going through it to reckon with it and realize it,’ said writer/director Laurel Parmet.
Their church is leaving the UMC fold. They found refuge in a nearby ‘Lighthouse.’
By Yonat Shimron and Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church is turning its attention to taking care of those who want to remain and rebuilding and fortifying its ranks.
New books spotlight women’s leadership in New Testament
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 4, 2023
(RNS) — ‘It’s not that we’re trying to rewrite history. It’s simply that women have been obscured,’ said Beth Allison Barr.
Joshua Butler, author of controversial book on sex, resigns as pastor of Arizona church
By Bob Smietana — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — The book had been criticized for its comparisons of spiritual experiences to sex and male pleasure.
‘The Chosen’: Coming soon to a US prison near you
By Kathryn Post — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — The wildly popular show is the first multiseason drama to hit Floodlight, a free streaming platform launched by Prison Fellowship in March 2020.
Taylor professor Julie Moore cited Jemar Tisby on her syllabus. Then she lost her job.
By Bob Smietana — May 3, 2023
(RNS) — A well-respected professor and published poet, Moore said her provost named Tisby in explaining why her contract was not renewed.
SBC Executive Committee rejects nominee Jared Wellman and restarts search for CEO
By Bob Smietana — May 2, 2023
(RNS) — Critics of the Texas pastor questioned his role in the search process as former Executive Committee chair and wondered why interim President Willie McLaurin, who is Black, had been passed over.
Can evangelicalism survive its white, straight, conservative victory?
By Jonathan Merritt — May 2, 2023
(RNS) — A new history of evangelicalism recounts the damage of the movement’s repeated purges.
United Methodist bishops meet, look to pivot after 2,400+ churches disaffiliate
By Emily McFarlan Miller — May 1, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — United Methodist bishops from across the globe are meeting this week for the first time in person since the COVID-19 pandemic.
