Mainline
Faith leaders urge Biden to sign executive order for reparations study by Juneteenth
By Adelle M. Banks — March 1, 2023
(RNS) — They urged Biden to base an order on the structure of H.R. 40, legislation proposed for decades that has yet to pass on Capitol Hill.
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.
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.
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.
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.
‘We cannot walk with you unless you repent,’ African archbishops tell Church of England
By Fredrick Nzwili — February 16, 2023
(RNS) — Leaders representing more than 35 million Anglicans said the English church’s decision to allow clergy to bless marriages and other unions of same-sex couples would further split the worldwide Anglican Communion.
How much do Americans know about the faiths around them?
By Ryan Burge — February 15, 2023
(RNS) — And what helps us most to understand our neighbors’ faiths?
Trailblazing Episcopal priest Pauli Murray to be featured on US quarters
By Yonat Shimron — February 14, 2023
(RNS) — The civil rights lawyer, activist, writer and priest was also gender nonconforming.
His popular blog debunks Christian myths. With the profits, he does the Christian thing.
By Yonat Shimron — February 10, 2023
(RNS) — Bart Ehrman is known for challenging established Christian teachings. But there’s a part of him that still honors his abandoned Christian faith and what he sees as its moral obligations, such as giving to charity.
What is Black History Month in a white Christian nation?
By Andrew Whitehead — February 9, 2023
(RNS) — A new PRRI/Brookings survey demonstrates the historical repercussions of Christian nationalism.
To be ordained, would-be PCUSA pastors had to interpret the worst story in the Bible
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 8, 2023
(RNS) Some are criticizing the mainline denomination’s choice to base its recent winter exegesis exam on the biblical story known as ‘The Levite’s Concubine.’
As Pennsylvania’s ‘Bible belt’ evolves, clergy look to one another for mutual support
By Elizabeth E. Evans — February 6, 2023
LANCASTER, Pennsylvania (RNS) — The difficulties of the pandemic and the widening gap between people of different political persuasions have put a strain on the clergy of one small town in this historically religious region. They have found mutual support in a 'ministerium' dedicated to community unity.
Lutheran World Federation head Anne Burghardt on historic firsts and helping Ukraine
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 6, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — The secretary general spoke to Religion News Service while in Chicago last week visiting the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran denomination in the country and a member of the Lutheran World Federation.
Church of England submits blessings for same-sex couples to fierce debate in Synod
By Catherine Pepinster — February 3, 2023
LONDON (RNS) — The bishops have displeased both conservatives and progressives in the church with a proposal to bless civil unions between same-sex partners.
Clergy protest legislation targeting transgender children in Missouri
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 2, 2023
(RNS) — Jewish and Christian clergy have taken an active role in protesting what one advocacy group has called the ‘most dangerous’ session of the Missouri Legislature for the LGBTQ community it has seen in years.
