Christianity
A litany for Ukraine: Pray — and act — for peace
By Bridget Moix — March 1, 2023
(RNS) — One year into the expanded war in Ukraine, it is clear a military approach will not bring peace.
Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors
By Deepa Bharath and Peter Smith — March 1, 2023
(AP) — “I’m serving Jesus under the authority and in alignment with my spiritual leaders,” said Stacie Wood, teaching pastor at Saddleback Church.
How Jimmy Carter integrated his evangelical Christian faith into his political work, despite mockery and misunderstanding
By Lori Amber Roessner — March 1, 2023
(The Conversation) — A media scholar who studied Carter and interviewed him explains how he attempted to translate Jesus’ teachings into action through his life of public service.
Push to require clergy to report abuse stalls in Mormon Utah
By Sam Metz — March 1, 2023
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Behind-the-scenes conversations between legislative leaders and what Senate President Stuart Adams said was “a broad base of religious groups” helped thwart proposals.
The Asbury revival is over. What happens now?
By Fiona Morgan — February 28, 2023
LEXINGTON, Ky. (RNS) — The so-called Asbury outpouring inspired an arena worship service not far from the school, and similar services at other colleges.
Who will pay for the SBC’s abuse reforms over the long term? No one knows.
By Bob Smietana — February 28, 2023
(RNS) — The SBC’s Executive Committee announced it had lost $6 million over the past fiscal year, mainly due to the cost of responding to the sex abuse crisis.
Steven Curtis Chapman first contemporary Christian artist to earn 50th No. 1 song
By Adelle M. Banks — February 28, 2023
(RNS) — Chapman’s ‘Don’t Lose Heart’ was released in 2022 as a part of ‘Still,’ his latest album, and addressed the loss and grief his family has experienced.
Is the consumerist West headed toward killing those with dementia?
By Charles C. Camosy — February 28, 2023
(RNS) — We imagine anyone who needs help to thrive as a ‘burden,’ and thus the compassionate thing to do is end their lives. This is terribly ableist.
Bishop Scott Jones moves from ‘extreme center’ of UMC to new Global Methodist Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 27, 2023
(RNS) — He isn't the first bishop to leave the United Methodist Church for the fledgling conservative denomination. But his exit has arguably caused the greatest stir.
‘Jesus Revolution’ leaves out the tough stuff but gets the music right
By Leah Payne — February 27, 2023
(RNS) — The new film about the origins of the Jesus People is refracted through Greg Laurie’s memory, which is selective.
From Super Bowl ads to Kentucky revivals, stop the Christian cannibalism
By Christian Pinkston — February 27, 2023
(RNS) — This habit of attacking 'our own' on peripheral topics — especially in public — is obstructive to the spread of the gospel.
‘Holy Queer’ author seeks Black church inclusion beyond singing with choir
By Adelle M. Banks — February 27, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I focus on the Black church in my criticism because I love it,’ said the Rev. Karmen Michael Smith, author of ‘Holy Queer.’
A brief history of the Black church’s diversity, and its vital role in American political history
By Jason Oliver Evans — February 27, 2023
(The Conversation) — Millions of enslaved Africans were forcefully converted to the Christian faith. The Black church came about when African Americans began to establish their own congregations.
How did Saddleback get kicked out of the SBC? It’s complicated.
By Bob Smietana — February 24, 2023
(RNS) — Five congregations ousted this week were the first to be expelled from the SBC on a national level for having women pastors since the ban on women pastors was instituted in 2000.
A US rabbi bears witness to the trauma in Ukraine one year after Russian invasion
By Yonat Shimron — February 24, 2023
(RNS) — Rabbi Charles Feinberg joined an interfaith delegation that traveled to Kyiv and its surroundings where they saw leveled buildings, displaced people's centers and evidence of human rights abuses and atrocities.
