Christianity
Choosing the irrational sanity of Ash Wednesday
By Jacob Lupfer — February 21, 2023
(RNS) — Ash Wednesday is almost universally underrated in its power to redeem.
Loyola’s Sister Jean captured hearts during March Madness. Now she’s written a book.
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 21, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — At 103, Chicago’s beloved Catholic sister, best known simply as ‘Sister Jean,’ has added publishing a memoir to her list of achievements.
Southern Baptists oust Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church for naming a female pastor
By Adelle M. Banks — February 21, 2023
(RNS) — Stacie Wood, wife of Andy Wood, who replaced Warren as lead pastor last summer, has the title of ‘teaching pastor.’
The long strange trip of Lonnie Frisbee
By Greg Laurie — February 21, 2023
(RNS) — Lonnie was the face and a catalyzing force of the Jesus movement that rippled through the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Southern Baptists plan to hire Guidepost Solutions to run abuser tracking database
By Bob Smietana — February 21, 2023
(RNS) — The ‘Ministry Check’ database will be the first step toward putting in place a series of reforms meant to address the issue of sexual abuse after years of delay.
Suspect arrested in shooting of Los Angeles bishop is housekeeper’s husband
By Alejandra Molina — February 20, 2023
HACIENDA HEIGHTS, Calif. (RNS) — Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David G. O’Connell was committed to 'the ordinary person, not the rich Catholic,' said Linda Dakin-Grimm, an immigration attorney who worked with the bishop. His death is being investigated as a homicide.
Citing disruptions to school and town, Asbury authorities move to end 13 days of revival
By Fiona Morgan — February 20, 2023
WILMORE, Kentucky (RNS) — An estimated 50,000 have flocked to the rolling revival meeting in this tiny Central Kentucky town.
Professor Joeckel on why his contract, teachings on racial justice are ‘under review’
By Jemar Tisby — February 20, 2023
(RNS) — An incident at Palm Beach Atlantic University is the latest salvo in an increasingly high-stakes conflict over teaching about race in higher education.
Some Anglican bishops reject leader Welby over gay marriage
By Jill Lawless — February 20, 2023
LONDON (AP) — The synod’s decision was a compromise measure that came after years of wrangling about the church’s stance on homosexuality.
Beth Moore tries to untangle her ‘all knotted-up life’ in new memoir
By Bob Smietana — February 20, 2023
(RNS) — In a tender, gracious and at times heartbreaking new book, the beloved Bible teacher and former Southern Baptist recalls the people and the God who saved her from the chaos of her childhood.
What does it mean to be holy?
By Thomas Reese — February 20, 2023
(RNS) — It is not easy to be a follower of Jesus. Anyone who thinks it is, is simply not listening to him.
Harvard, National Council of Churches, Reform Jews seeking reparations blueprint
By Adelle M. Banks — February 20, 2023
(RNS) — ‘This is not a mere research paper,’ said the Rev. Cornell William Brooks, a Kennedy School professor and former president of the NAACP.
Los Angeles Bishop David O’Connell dies in shooting
By Alejandra Molina — February 19, 2023
Los Angeles (RNS) — Bishop David O’Connell, 69, is known to have ministered to those affected by gang violence and poverty, and he was regarded as a “peacemaker” between rival gangs.
Todd Benkert leaves SBC abuse task force after conflict over pastor’s restoration
By Bob Smietana — February 17, 2023
(RNS) — An Indiana Baptist pastor, Benkert played a key role in setting up an investigation into how SBC leaders have responded to the issue of abuse. He also reported a church that had platformed former SBC President Johnny Hunt, who has been credibly accused of sexual assault.
In corruption trial, Vatican Bank chief says his office refused to bail out real estate deal
By Junno Arocho Esteves — February 17, 2023
ROME (RNS) — Jean-Baptiste De Franssu testified that the bank denied a loan for a luxury London property due to concerns about the involvement of two men whose names appeared on a database of individuals involved in financial malfeasance.
