Evangelical
James MacDonald, former Harvest Bible pastor, charged with felony assault and battery
By Bob Smietana — April 13, 2023
(RNS)— MacDonald, a once popular radio preacher who helped found what was one of Chicago’s largest churches, was fired in 2019 and deemed unfit for ministry. He has continued to guest preach at churches and run an online ministry.
Survey: US-born Latinos now more likely to be ‘nones’ than Catholic
By Alejandra Molina — April 13, 2023
(RNS) — Among the 65% who said they were raised Catholic, 23% said they no longer identified as such.
We know Americans have become less religious. Surprising new data shows us where.
By Ryan Burge — April 12, 2023
(RNS) — North and South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Michigan saw drops in total religious adherents of at least 10%.
Mark Rivera pleads guilty to felony sexual assault, sentenced to 6 more years
By Kathryn Post — April 12, 2023
(RNS) — The former Anglican lay pastor has already been sentenced to 15 years for separate child sexual abuse crimes.
There’s a reason every hit worship song sounds the same
By Bob Smietana — April 11, 2023
(RNS) — A new study found that the most popular worship songs come from a handful of megachurches with a knack for writing pop songs about what God will do for you.
After biblical protestations, expelled Tennessee lawmakers find support among clergy
By Bob Smietana and Jack Jenkins — April 7, 2023
(RNS) — On Friday, the Poor People's Campaign announced a clergy-led protest to be held in Nashville later this month.
Judge denies most claims against Seattle Pacific University board
By Yonat Shimron — April 7, 2023
(RNS) — Twelve students and faculty sued four members of the university’s board of trustees for refusing to scrap an employment policy that bars the hiring of people in same-sex relationships.
Bob Jones president resigns, accuses board chair of thwarting Title IX complaint
By Bob Smietana — April 6, 2023
(RNS) — President since 2014, Pettit had helped soften some of the school’s rules while maintaining its conservative beliefs. That did not sit well with some board members.
Thai police say Chinese church members to be deported soon
By Jintamas Saksornchai — April 5, 2023
BANGKOK (AP) — More than 60 self-exiled members of a Chinese Christian church who were detained in Thailand after receiving U.N. refugee status will be deported by next week, probably to a third country, officials said Wednesday.
Southern Baptist task force may split with Guidepost over LGBTQ views
By Bob Smietana — April 4, 2023
(RNS) — Guidepost has been criticized by SBC leaders for its support of LGBT rights.
This North Carolina church used to be multiracial. Then came Jan. 6.
By Yonat Shimron — April 4, 2023
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (RNS) — Chapel Hill Bible Church seemed perfectly positioned to attract a diverse membership. And for many years it did — boasting that 20% of people attending were nonwhite.
Joe Rigney, Bethlehem Seminary president, resigns due to support of Christian nationalism and infant baptism
By Bob Smietana — April 3, 2023
(RNS) — Rigney has long been considered controversial for his views on empathy and for his relationship with Idaho pastor Doug Wilson.
In pro-life, pro-gun Tennessee, children are safer in the womb than in school
By Shane Claiborne — March 31, 2023
(RNS) — Guns are now the leading cause of death among children and teens throughout the country.
After shooting, Tennessee’s God and guns culture under fire as protests mount in Capitol
By Bob Smietana — March 30, 2023
(RNS) — Hundreds of protesters rallied at the Tennessee Capitol on Thursday, calling for red flag laws and other reforms in the wake of the state's deadliest school shooting.
Can DeSantis break Trump’s hold on the religious right?
By Jacob Lupfer — March 30, 2023
(RNS) — It’s a time for choosing.
