churches
China’s efforts to mold Christianity in its own image draw resistance
By Matt Moir — March 8, 2016
BEIJING (RNS) The growth of Christianity is a source of alarm for Chinese authorities. But Chinese Christians are nonplussed.
African countries clamp down on churches tied to ‘miracle cures’
By Fredrick Nzwili — February 16, 2016
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Frustrated with tales of clergy fleecing their followers, some African governments are proposing a raft of new measures.
Some heed Pope Francis’ call to succor refugees; others look away
By Reuters — December 22, 2015
Arms have opened wide in some places, but indifference, bureaucracy, fear and xenophobia have reared their heads elsewhere, particularly after the attack by Islamic militants who killed 130 people in Paris last month.
Churches settling refugees against governors’ wishes
By Adelle M. Banks — December 10, 2015
(RNS) More than half of the nation’s governors declared their state’s borders closed to Syrian refugees after the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks in Paris. But some churches and faith-based agencies are defying the orders.
Survey: Women distrust churches for abortion advice
By Timothy C. Morgan — November 25, 2015
(RNS) Fear of gossip and judgmental reactions routinely prevents churchgoing women who are considering an abortion from first seeking the counsel of pastors or others in their church, according to a new survey by an evangelical polling group.
St. Louis police investigate possible racial motive in string of fires at black churches
By Christine Byers — October 21, 2015
ST. LOUIS — Investigators have yet to confirm that race was the motive. If race or religion proves to be the reason, police will seek to have the incidents prosecuted as hate crimes.
Churches step in after feds drop Fugitive Safe Surrender
By Heidi Hall — September 28, 2015
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) Churches in more than 50 cities have hosted Fugitive Safe Surrender events over the past decade, some of them more than once, resulting in thousands of cleared warrants.
‘Hands off my church’ petition plays on French worries about Islam
By Tom Heneghan — July 15, 2015
PARIS (RNS) A casual suggestion by a Muslim leader that unused French churches be turned into mosques has created a national outcry.
Once patrons, now landlords — churches rehab buildings for artist spaces
By Jesse James DeConto — June 30, 2015
(RNS) Churches that own old buildings are embracing the arts as a way of enlivening hallowed spaces, breaking down barriers with neighbors and paying the heating bills.
Do we need unholy guns in holy places? (COMMENTARY)
By David P. Gushee — June 24, 2015
(RNS) Inevitably, after the massacre at Emanuel AME Church, people are beginning to talk about arming congregants for self-defense. It is a sad image: 25 souls sitting around at Wednesday night prayer meeting, some packing heat in case the next church attacker should happen to be among them.
What to make of Southern Baptists’ declining numbers (COMMENTARY)
By Trevin Wax — June 16, 2015
(RNS) The largest Protestant denomination in the United States is meeting this week, but it’s not as large as it was last year, or the year before. What’s going on?
‘Blessing of the bikes’ helps churches make climate change a local issue
By Ron Csillag — June 9, 2015
(RNS) Trinity-St. Paul's United Church in Toronto this week held its sixth annual Blessing of the Bikes -- a type of local event that has become more common as a growing number of churches consider the idea that protecting the environment is not just a scientific or political debate, but a spiritual one.
What might tomorrow’s faith community look like? (COMMENTARY)
By Tom Ehrich — May 26, 2015
(RNS) The big downtown church isn’t empty because church leaders failed or people were unappreciative. It’s empty because people are finding life elsewhere.
5 ways churches inflicted pain on themselves (COMMENTARY)
By Tom Ehrich — May 19, 2015
(RNS) Christianity isn't in trouble at all. Churches are in trouble.
Religious communities can do more to get out the vote (COMMENTARY)
By Tom Ehrich — September 16, 2014
(RNS) They can contribute by working in voter registration drives and get-out-the-vote campaigns on Election Day. That isn't a partisan exercise. It's basic patriotism.
