RNS Morning Report: LA Lakers Chaplain; Willow Creek Leadership Search; Gwen Ifill Remembered

People gather at a memorial near Staples Center after the death of Laker legend Kobe Bryant Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)

Need to know: Friday, January 31, 2020

After Kobe Bryant’s death, Lakers’ chaplain seeks Scripture to help cope with tragic loss

Los Angeles Lakers chaplain Romell Witherspoon said he will pray and reflect as he prepares for Friday night’s game at Staples Center between the Lakers and the Portland Trail Blazers.

Senior pastor candidates, interim pastor out at Willow Creek

Elders have released the final two senior pastor candidates they were considering to replace founding pastor Bill Hybels, who retired early in 2018 amid allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power.

Journalist Gwen Ifill remembered with stamp at her Washington church

Known for moderating election-season debates, Ifill was the daughter of parents who were from the Caribbean and became deeply involved in the AME Church.

A Muslim women’s netball team brings competition — and a sense of inclusion

Two years ago, Muslim students founded a netball club for women in their university’s Islamic society. Since then, the team has grown to an interuniversity club, with Muslims at over a dozen U.K. institutions involved.

Jack Van Impe: Prophet of doom who gave true believers hope

Many Christians will dearly miss Jack Van Impe’s preaching on the apocalypse, but they can be comforted that his death will certainly not mean an end to his message of hope, and warning, writes John E. "Jay" Phelan Jr.

Catholics consider presidential candidates ahead of Iowa caucuses

In Dubuque, a majority of working-class Catholic voters flipped from Democrat to Republican in 2016 — for the first time since Dwight Eisenhower. Will Democrats draw them back in 2020?

 


 

Latest news from RNS

Ebenezer pastor Raphael Warnock enters US Senate race

ATLANTA (AP) — With his influential pulpit at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Warnock immediately brings some Democratic star power to the race — and some powerful friends.

Can a bestselling Christian marriage book about love and respect lead to abuse?

A Christian marriage and sex blogger says a bestselling book called 'Love and Respect' has a toxic message. The book's author rejects that claim and says he's spent decades trying to prevent abuse.

A young woman’s suicide puts focus on church’s counseling for LGBT Catholics

After Colorado barred gay conversion therapy for minors, the death of a once-devout college student has spurred debate about how religious counselors handle homosexuality.

More views from RNS

Can any of the Democratic candidates appeal to evangelicals?

(RNS) — Democratic candidates have been quoting the Bible, but if they are going to ignore evangelical concerns, the political gains will be few.

Giving victims of religious trauma a voice

A recent tweetstorm about how to teach kids about faith was a testament to how little we hear in our national conversation from those who have experienced religious trauma, writes Chrissy Stroop.

The best way to remember Mormon business leader Clayton Christensen? With small moral choices.

What I will take away from Christensen is the insight that the smallest things I do in a day need to reflect the largest ideals about who I am and where I want to go.