Protestant
YouVersion Bible app hires former Facebook exec to fuel growth
By Bob Smietana — January 19, 2023
(RNS) — Now in its 15th year, the team behind the popular Bible app has big plans for the future.
White Christian nationalism isn’t pro-life. It’s pro-order.
By Andrew Whitehead and Samuel L. Perry — January 19, 2023
(RNS) — In the Christian nationalist vision, abortion is not a choice but a violation of a collective moral fabric.
Church of England refuses to back same-sex marriage
By Sylvia Hui — January 19, 2023
LONDON (AP) — However, same-sex couples would be able to have a church service with prayers of dedication, thanksgiving or for God's blessing.
At Boston-area church, a theology lab tackles complex topics with humility, curiosity
By Bob Smietana — January 19, 2023
(RNS) — In recent years, Highrock Church has held a series of conversations about topics such as Black theology and American evangelicalism — hoping to model conversations where people with differing points of view can listen to one another.
Johnny Hunt, disgraced former SBC pastor, makes defiant return to the pulpit
By Bob Smietana — January 18, 2023
(RNS) — Hunt told a Florida megachurch that false allegations had ruined his life but he still has faith in Jesus.
Kenyan faith leaders fight to preserve ‘Sunday best’ at church
By Fredrick Nzwili — January 18, 2023
(RNS) — While some of the new debate over dress codes in church has to do with morality, one Catholic priest explained a more practical concern: ‘One needs to be properly dressed so that they are not a distraction to other worshippers who want to focus on their creator.’
Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians unite in support for Apache fight to save Oak Flat
By Alejandra Molina — January 18, 2023
(RNS) — Congress approved the transfer of the land to Resolution Copper in 2014 in exchange for 6,000 acres elsewhere, but the Western Apache claim that the site has unique spiritual meaning.
Islamic State claims church bombing in east Congo; 14 dead
By Associated Press — January 18, 2023
KASINDI, Congo (AP) — Islamic extremists claimed responsibility for a bombing of a church in eastern Congo as authorities said Monday that the toll from Sunday's attack had risen to at least 14 dead.
In tornado-ravaged Selma, prayers of thanks
By Kim Chandler — January 18, 2023
SELMA, Ala. (AP) — The Sunday after a tornado devastated much of the historic city of Selma, church congregations raised up prayers of gratitude for lives spared and gave prayers of comfort for lives lost elsewhere to the storm.
Christian persecution higher than ever as Open Doors’ World Watch List marks 30 years
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 17, 2023
(RNS) — North Korea has returned to the top of the World Watch List with its highest-ever persecution score after an increase of arrests of Christians under its ‘anti-reactionary thought’ law.
How New York has answered religiously motivated hate crime
By Tori Luecking — January 17, 2023
NEW YORK (RNS) — A wildly diverse city takes a multifaceted, interagency and interfaith approach to faith-based security efforts.
Christians represented significant faction of capital rioters in Brazil
By Eduardo Campos Lima — January 17, 2023
SÃO PAULO (RNS) — At least four evangelical pastors were among those arrested in the aftermath of the attack.
Trump chides onetime evangelical supporters who haven’t endorsed him
By Jack Jenkins — January 17, 2023
(RNS) — ‘There’s great disloyalty in the world of politics, and that’s a sign of disloyalty,’ Trump said.
35 Black churches to receive total of $4 million for preservation work
By Adelle M. Banks — January 16, 2023
(RNS) — The new grant program honors the history of Black churches ‘while also investing in their physical permanence and financial sustainment into the future,’ an official said.
In honor of Dr. King, demand our elected officials expand voting access
By Nick Bates — January 16, 2023
(RNS) — We must pray, organize and lift our voices to guarantee all votes are counted, all votes are treated equally and all voters have access to the ballot box.
