Evangelical
With a final flourish, United Methodist conference eliminates all anti-LGBTQ policies
By Yonat Shimron — May 3, 2024
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (RNS) — The reversals came in the wake of a schism that saw the departure of a quarter of its US churches — more than 7,600 congregations — over the past five years.
United Methodists redefine marriage, end official condemnation of homosexuality
By Yonat Shimron — May 2, 2024
How a beloved worship song became the theme song of Christian nationalism
By Bob Smietana — May 1, 2024
More Stories
United Methodists strike down ban on ordination of gay clergy
By Yonat Shimron — May 1, 2024
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (RNS) — With a simple vote call and without debate, delegates to the General Conference removed the ban on the ordination of ‘self-avowed practicing homosexuals’ — a prohibition that dates to 1984.
75 Christian leaders urge president, Congress, churches to act on racism, poverty
By Adelle M. Banks — May 1, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Issues related to racism are now being fiercely debated across the country, and many people of color are fearful that racism is getting worse,’ reads their statement.
Understanding America’s overlooked religious middle
By Robert P. Jones — April 30, 2024
(RNS) — The overlooked religious middle is poised to play an outsized role in the 2024 presidential contest.
Christian nationalist activists lead pro-Israel rally at Columbia University
By Fiona André — April 26, 2024
NEW YORK (RNS) — A ‘United for Israel’ march, advertised on social media earlier yesterday, was intended to show support for Israel, Jewish students and faculties.
United Methodists vote to restructure worldwide church
By Yonat Shimron — April 25, 2024
(RNS) — The plan, called ‘regionalization,’ must now go before each region, called an annual conference, for ratification by the end of 2025.
In ‘Rift,’ author Cait West talks breaking free from Christian patriarchy
By Kathryn Post — April 24, 2024
(RNS) — As a stay-at-home daughter, West was told what to wear, whom to court and how to serve her future husband.
Conservative faith leaders praise Johnson for House’s approval of foreign aid
By Adelle M. Banks and Jack Jenkins — April 22, 2024
(RNS) — Passage of the aid packages came in the wake of letters and last-minute lobbying from a spectrum of religious groups.
Hiking, disc golf, flower arranging: UMC initiative connects people around non-church interests
By Yonat Shimron — April 19, 2024
NORWOOD, N.C. (RNS) — 'Fresh Expressions' is a denominational initiative intended to connect people who may not be interested in church but are interested in learning a new skill or making new friends.
‘Flynn’ portrays the Christian nationalist evangelist’s fight with the ‘Deep State’
By Tess Owen — April 19, 2024
(RNS) — A new film hagiography portrays the former Trump adviser as a victim of the 'Deep State,' omitting his current mission to spread the gospel of Christian nationalism.
Nancy French had it all — then along came Trump. Her new book ‘Ghosted’ tells all.
By Bob Smietana — April 18, 2024
(RNS) — Once a go-to ghostwriter for conservative politicians, Nancy French lost friends and many of her clients for criticizing Donald Trump.
After traditionalist churches left, UMC may be more — not less — diverse
By Yonat Shimron — April 16, 2024
(RNS) — Even after the departures, 24% of North Carolina clergy remaining in the denomination disagree with allowing LGBTQ people to get married and ordained within the denomination.
Feud with ex-president leads to lawsuit, alleged threats of violence at Calvin University
By Bob Smietana — April 15, 2024
(RNS) — The prominent evangelical school hired a former business executive as president in hopes of turning around years of decline. But his tenure ended abruptly after the board alleged he'd sent inappropriate messages to a woman he was not married to.
Page 1 of 133
