News

Carl Lentz, in first staff position since Hillsong, joins Transformation Church in Tulsa
By Roxanne Stone — March 28, 2023
(RNS) — ‘We gladly welcome Carl Lentz to our Transformation Church staff, helping TC with strategy as we continue to move forward in our vast vision,’ said one pastor of the predominantly Black megachurch.

Nashville shooter who killed 6 drew maps, surveilled school
By Jonathan Mattise, Holly Meyer, and Travis Loller — March 27, 2023
(RNS) — The suspect, who was killed by police, is believed to be a former student at The Covenant School in Nashville, where the shooting took place.

Faith-based volunteers show up to help after Mississippi tornadoes
By Bob Smietana — March 27, 2023
(RNS)— Faith-based groups often play a key role in cleaning up after disasters and with long-term rebuilding.

‘Purple church’ pastors mull leadership strategies in polarizing times
By Yonat Shimron — March 27, 2023
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (RNS) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of North Carolina held a leadership forum to help pastors figure out how to speak out without alienating half of their members.

Judge rules immigration officials violated pastor’s religious freedom rights
By Jack Jenkins — March 27, 2023
(RNS) — 'The government’s approach — stalling, gaslighting, even lying — was entirely unconvincing to the court, and I am thrilled for the vindication,' said the Rev. Kaji Douša.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft campaigns against antisemitism
By Deepa Bharath — March 27, 2023
(AP) — A $25 million “Stand Up to Jewish Hate” campaign launched Monday by the 81-year-old billionaire through his Foundation to Combat Antisemitism aims to raise awareness nationwide about soaring incidents of antisemitism online and in person.

German bishop resigns, cites responsibility in abuse scandal
By Kirsten Grieshaber — March 27, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — Franz-Josef Bode had been the bishop of Osnabrueck, Germany, since 1995.

NY’s power to regulate religious schools trimmed by judge
By Michael Hill — March 27, 2023
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought by ultra-Orthodox Jewish schools, called yeshivas.

Jehovah’s Witnesses mourn victims of Hamburg shooting
By Kirsten Grieshaber — March 27, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — “We are speechless in the face of the violence and brutality. There’s no word for this,” said Dirk Ciupek, a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Tensions on the rise at revered Kyiv monastery complex
By Hanna Arhirova — March 27, 2023
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The dispute is part of a wider religious conflict playing out in parallel with the war.

Photos of the Week: Ramadan begins; Day of Silence
By Kit Doyle — March 24, 2023
(RNS) — This week’s photo gallery includes the start of Ramadan, the Balinese Day of Silence and more.

Amid rise in antisemitism, Yeshiva University focuses on Holocaust education
By Kathryn Post — March 24, 2023
(RNS) — The Holocaust 'is being inadvertently or consciously de-Judaized,' according to Yeshiva University's Shay Pilnik.

Public theologian Yolanda Pierce named next dean of Vanderbilt Divinity School
By Adelle M. Banks — March 24, 2023
(RNS) — ‘I look forward to building on the strong foundation that Emilie Townes and others have established to form this treasured community,’ Pierce said.

Amid crisis and political feuds, hope abounds in East Palestine
By Kathryn Post — March 24, 2023
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (RNS) — ‘We have this chance to build something new,’ said the Rev. Fritz Nelson, pastor of First United Presbyterian Church in East Palestine.

Report: LGBTQ Americans tend to be younger and have no religion
By Bob Smietana — March 23, 2023
(RNS) — The new report from PRRI also found that many religious Americans support LGBTQ nondiscrimination rights, even those who oppose same sex-marriage.