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Jeff Sessions cleared in church complaint, perplexing some top Methodists
By Jack Jenkins — August 9, 2018
(RNS) — The dismissal of the case, several bishops and other leaders say, makes an unfounded distinction between personal behavior and political actions.
Willow Creek elders and lead pastor resign in wake of Hybels revelations
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 8, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — ‘We exhort Bill (Hybels) to acknowledge his sin and publicly apologize,’ said elder Missy Rasmussen.
At world’s largest refugee camp, trauma victims seek healing in God
By Tonny Onyulo — August 8, 2018
BIDI BIDI REFUGEE CAMP, Uganda (RNS) – 'The church gives them new hope, which is important to refugees and any person who has experienced trauma,' says a counselor.
As activists rally, hymns of protest rise again
By Adelle M. Banks — August 8, 2018
(RNS) — Just like the music of the civil rights movement, old and new songs are often led by people of faith and sometimes refashioned to appeal to people of a range of backgrounds.
Tlaib wins Conyers’ seat; Congress to get 1st Muslim woman
By Corey Williams — August 8, 2018
DETROIT (AP) — Former Michigan state Rep. Rashida Tlaib won the Democratic nomination to run unopposed for the House seat long held by former Rep. John Conyers, setting her up to become the first Muslim woman elected to Congress.
When Franklin Graham met Putin
By Jack Jenkins — August 7, 2018
(RNS) — For years, American evangelicals have cultivated ties with Russia, highlighted by a 2015 meeting between Franklin Graham, son of the late Billy Graham, and Putin in Russia.
Willow Creek investigates Hybels as pastor quits over new allegations
By Emily McFarlan Miller — August 6, 2018
CHICAGO (RNS) — Steve Carter is the most recent person to distance himself from Willow Creek Community Church as allegations against its founder, Bill Hybels, come to light.
Poll suggests religious freedom push is having an effect
By Yonat Shimron — August 6, 2018
(RNS) — Businesses owned by religious families are refusing to provide services to LGBT couples. Nearly a majority of Americans say that's OK.
Houses of worship mobilize for back-to-school time
By Bobby Ross Jr. — August 6, 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) — For the poor, buying crayons and pencils, much less shoes and jackets, can be a major financial burden, which has inspired many houses of worship nationwide to get involved.
Headed for a larger stage, Nadia Bolz-Weber leaves her ‘house’ in order
By Carina Julig — August 5, 2018
(RNS) — Seen as a tattooed rebel when she founded Denver's House for All Saints and Sinners, Nadia Bolz-Weber leaves her church a decade later as a model for mainline Protestant outreach.
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.
Report: Church leaders pressured victims, cops over abuse
By Mark Scolforo — August 4, 2018
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A grand jury investigating clergy sex abuse in six Pennsylvania Roman Catholic dioceses found that church leaders were more interested in preventing scandal than protecting children.
Photos of the Week
By Kit Doyle — August 4, 2018
(RNS) — This week’s gallery includes images from Bolivia, Russia, India and more.
Retired Pope Benedict accused of anti-Semitism after article on Christians and Jews
By Tom Heneghan — August 3, 2018
PARIS (RNS) Both Jewish and Catholic leaders say that the retired pontiff’s essay on Jewish-Catholic relations in the current issue of Communio suggests he harbors anti-Semitic views.
United Methodists debate, lobby and worry in advance of LGBT decision
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — August 2, 2018
(RNS) — The United Methodist Church's decade-long debate over LGBT clergy and same-sex marriage is heading for a showdown in February that will determine whether the denomination will split up or go forward together.
