Police shooting of Jacob Blake prompts calls by faith leaders, governor for reform
(RNS) — A Muslim group called for ‘immediate action’ against the officers involved in the shooting of the man Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers identified as Jacob Blake.
In Iowa, hard-hit churches and faith-based organizations rally to help out in wake of derecho storm
(RNS) — In Iowa, churches are working together and partnering with faith-based organizations from across the country to offer aid after the unusual windstorm, called a derecho, that traveled from South Dakota to Ohio on Aug. 10.
Bishop Mariann Budde appeals to ‘better angels’ in Democratic convention prayer
(RNS) — The Episcopal bishop of Washington, D.C., said her appearance is not partisan, and said she declined a request to film her Democratic convention prayer in front of St. John’s, where President Donald Trump held up a Bible.
Church conflict during COVID-19 growing worry for pastors, says LifeWay Research
(RNS) — ‘My people are in very different places regarding the virus,’ wrote one pastor.
ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton lightens up on social media with viral neon Luther rose
CHICAGO (RNS) — The lighting of Bishop Eaton’s Luther rose was accompanied by the buzz of neon, the trumpet blast of Luther’s hymn ‘A Mighty Fortress’ and enthusiasm from Lutherans on social media.
New York church to devote $200,000 to ‘reparations’ with housing help, anti-racism training
(RNS) — The Rev. Jacqueline Lewis said she is joining other clergy who have taken action on social justice in nontraditional ways.
For white Christians, racial justice starts with telling the truth
(RNS) — Perhaps the biggest obstacle to white Christians’ full participation in the movement for racial equality is an unshakable commitment to our own innocence.
Evangelical, Midwestern, Southern churches most likely to be meeting in person again
(RNS) — But even for those churches that have reopened, services likely don’t look like they did before COVID-19 upended everyday life in the United States.
From changing lives to preaching at iPads: How clergy are coping with the new normal
(RNS) — ‘We moved from snow day mentality to marathon mentality now,’ said pastor and church consultant Rob Dyer.
American Christians need to reinvent their theology and practice of missions
(RNS) — American Christians shy away from social issues — racial reconciliation, immigration reform and economic inequalities — that they associate with progressive politics.
As depression, anxiety, grief spike during pandemic and protest, churches offer hope, mental health resources
CHICAGO (RNS) — As people across the country deal with the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic and the country’s reckoning over racism, many Christian leaders, organizations and churches are providing resources not only to care for their spiritual and physical health, but also their mental health.
Evangelical leaders are speaking up about race — but will this new focus last?
(RNS) — Highlights of a forthcoming study, which looks at racism, biblical interpretation and church cultures, may indicate a long struggle ahead.
In a summer of pandemic, Vacation Bible School programs go online and outside
(RNS) — Across denominations, VBS is one of the biggest outreach ministries of the year for many churches and draws a huge number of volunteers from congregations.