Mainline
Poll: Most Americans say religion’s influence is waning, and half think that’s bad
By Jack Jenkins — March 15, 2024
(RNS) — There is also growing concern among an array of religious Americans that their beliefs are in conflict with mainstream American culture.
Full-time ministry drains too many clergy and church budgets. Part-time pastors can help.
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — March 14, 2024
(RNS) — The happier, healthier future of ministry is in part-time clergy.
Americans accept people of other faiths, but there’s room to grow
By Chris Walsh and William McKenzie — March 6, 2024
(RNS) — We are called as members of a pluralistic society to meet, discuss and even disagree about faith.
‘How Great Thou Art’ gets new ending on 75th anniversary of famed English translation
By Adelle M. Banks — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘When we approached all the people to be part of it, we had a lot of green lights very quickly,’ singer Matt Redman said of participating recording artists.
Bishop Curry to receive pacemaker to treat irregular heart rhythm
By Kathryn Post — February 29, 2024
(RNS) — Since May 2023, Curry has been receiving medical treatment for internal bleeding and heart conditions.
The Alabama ruling on embryos claimed to be Christian. Christians aren’t so sure.
By Jack Jenkins — February 27, 2024
(RNS) — Theological opinions on IVF, let alone political ones, are difficult to ascertain and are far from universal across denominations.
The Episcopal Church takes steps to improve protocols for bishop misconduct
By Kathryn Post — February 22, 2024
(RNS) — The changes follow a string of public misconduct allegations against Episcopal bishops.
For Iranian converts claiming religious persecution, European courts require proof of faith
By Hanna Vioque — February 20, 2024
LONDON (RNS) — Judges across Europe are having a tough time deciding whether asylum-seekers claiming religious persecution are ‘genuine’ Christians.
African Methodist Episcopal Church leaders call for halt to all US funding of Israel
By Adelle M. Banks — February 16, 2024
(RNS) — The statement comes in a week of continuing calls for cease-fire and humanitarian aid for the victims of the war that began on Oct. 7.
Can American congregations learn to embrace the uncoupled?
By Elizabeth E. Evans — February 15, 2024
(RNS) — Many American congregations tend to focus on traditional families, recollecting a mid-20th-century model for church growth or else simply as a model of what a Christian life should be.
Lenten cease-fire campaign includes Ash Wednesday Mass outside White House
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — February 14, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘As there’s ashes on our head, there’s also blood on our hands because we cannot exempt ourselves from what this country is doing,’ said the Rev. Graylan Hagler, pastor emeritus of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ.
A Jane Austen Lent: Archdeacon explores the novelist’s spiritual lessons
By Kathryn Post — February 14, 2024
(RNS) — Rachel Mann’s latest book, ‘A Truth Universally Acknowledged: 40 Days With Jane Austen,’ pairs excerpts from Austen’s novels with reflections on virtues and vices.
Faith-based organizations concerned about immigration policy landscape
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — February 8, 2024
(RNS) — ‘You’re not going to solve anything at the border when you start from the premise that migration is a threat to our country or that migrants are people to be feared,’ said Dylan Corbett, executive director of Hope Border Institute.
In search of peace in the Holy Land
By Bridget Moix — February 7, 2024
(RNS) — Gaza is the epicenter, but a broader war was unfolding all around us.
Legislation aims to ‘decolonize’ United Methodists, give parity to non-US conferences
By Yonat Shimron — February 6, 2024
(RNS) — A proposed regionalization plan would undo the dominance and control of the US church and make it on par with United Methodist conferences abroad.
