clergy
Pastor surveilled after ministering to migrants sues US government
By Aysha Khan — July 9, 2019
(RNS) — A New York pastor, the Rev. Kaji Douša, has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that U.S officials violated her religious freedom when she was put on a watchlist over her ministry to migrants at the border.
AP-NORC Poll: Americans rarely seek guidance from clergy
By Paul O'Donnell — July 8, 2019
DETROIT (AP) — A new poll from the Associated Press and the National Opinion and Research Center found that while a majority of Americans still identify with a specific faith, about half say they want religious leaders to have little influence in their lives.
When clergy ask themselves: does it really matter?
By Jeffrey Salkin — June 3, 2019
How important is our work? Whatever work we do?
God knows.
Congregations share, sacrifice during government shutdown
By Adelle M. Banks — January 25, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Houses of worship have begun using their own financial resources to help those with dwindling ones.
For ICE detainees, access to clergy is infrequent or absent altogether, rights groups say
By Tom Verde — October 25, 2018
(RNS) — For detainees, comfort from clergy and faith in God are often the only glimmers of hope in a climate of deep despair.
What ever happened to clergy performing weddings?
By Jeffrey Salkin — October 23, 2018
What I learned from reading the Sunday New York Times "Styles" section. It's not pretty.
Clergywomen numbers increased significantly in two decades, sometimes equaling men
By Adelle M. Banks — October 18, 2018
(RNS) — The two traditions with the highest percentages of women clergy, according to the ‘State of Clergywomen in the U.S.,’ were the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ.
Survey shows more pastors preach about abuse in #MeToo age
By Adelle M. Banks — September 18, 2018
COLUMBUS, Ohio (RNS) — The survey by LifeWay Research offers a detailed look at Protestant pastors’ attitudes and actions related to abuse and harassment.
Arizona clergy call activists to support migrants on border
By Anita Snow — August 4, 2018
The activists will set out shortly after sunrise Sunday to leave one-gallon (3.79 liters) jugs of water along trails frequented by migrants in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge near Ajo, Arizona.
Church of England plans to test aspiring clergy for skills, aptitude — and narcissism
By Catherine Pepinster — July 20, 2018
LONDON (RNS) — Better psychological profiling of clergy, experts say, can help to spot pathologies such as narcissism and Machiavellianism that can turn pastors into rivals of the God they purport to serve.
After shuttering 700 churches, Rwanda proposes stricter clergy guidelines
By Fredrick Nzwili — July 11, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — After closing more than 700 churches and some mosques in March, Rwandan government officials have moved to institute guidelines for how faith groups operate in the majority-Christian East African country.
Episcopal Church needs to look for #MeToo in the details
By Sean W. Rowe — July 3, 2018
(RNS) — The Episcopal Church’s General Convention, which begins this week (July 5) in Austin, Texas, will consider more than 20 resolutions put forward by an all-female special committee on sexual abuse, harassment and exploitation. If we pass these resolutions, however, it is essential that we not sit back and say we’ve done what the moment — and the gospel — demands.
Fewer couples are marrying in churches. Does it matter?
By Jacob Lupfer — June 7, 2018
(RNS) — The main reason church weddings are dropping is that more people are raised without religion.
Minister ‘Still Wrestling’ with his faith after murder of his wife and son
By Bobby Ross Jr. — May 30, 2018
JACKSON, Miss. (RNS) — Les Ferguson Jr., a Church of Christ minister, knew his wife and son's killer: He had attended Ferguson’s church until being charged three months earlier with sexually assaulting the 21-year-old son. Seven years later Ferguson has published a book about his path back to trusting God, and the pulpit.
Rhode Island Council of Churches director takes leave for gender transition
By Mark A. Kellner — May 15, 2018
(RNS) — The Rev. Donald Anderson, 70, executive minister of the Rhode Island State Council of Churches, will take a three-month leave beginning June 1 to complete a transition from male to female.
