Even Quakers are experiencing the cultural challenges besetting many Christian groups. But that doesn’t worry them too much, said Quaker pastor, writer and speaker Philip Gulley. “I don’t think the goal of Christianity should be its ongoingness,” said Gulley, author…
Baptist leaders wonder: Can congregational polity weather cultural challenges?
The way Jay Kieve sees it, the congregational form of church governance is ideally suited to enable congregations to who they really are, where they are. “It’s genius,” Kieve said, “is that its spirit works … so each church is…
Faith coalition cites survey condemning payday lending practices
Religious opponents of payday lending got a boost Wednesday from the release of a new research confirming widespread Christian condemnation of the practice. Faith for Just Lending, a diverse coalition of faith groups, released a report titled The Collateral Consequences…
Attendance bullying: it contributes to church decline, author says
Michelle Van Loon has seen several sides of Christianity as a child of the Jesus movement who ended up, for a time, in a fundamentalist church. So she can spot the difference between concern and control in a congregation. She…
What’s the most effective weapon in the battle against malaria? Nets, say Baptists in Virginia.
The statistics surrounding malaria are mind blogging — and terrifying. Close to 200 million cases occur every year and half a million people die from the disease annually — including one child every two minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control…
Community, dignity and no prices on its menu: One diner’s answer to food insecurity
The fact that Cameron McCown is a Millennial and a Christian may explain, for some, why he opened a restaurant dependent on donations and volunteerism from its customers to serve other customers. Millennials are, after all, said to be especially…
Film, director challenge churches to re-examine purpose in life
Church consultants have been saying it so long they almost sound like a broken record: congregations are closing at appalling rates and most are too afraid to face it. That’s certainly nothing new to congregational coaches like Eddie Hammett, president…
Bodybuilding Baylor prof lifts baby into national spotlight
Darryn Willoughby is a world-class, professional bodybuilder who benches 500 pounds. So why did media outlets and social media make such a big deal that he recently lifted a 15-pound baby? It’s because he held the adorable and squirming infant…
What’s driving religious freedom debate in the U.S.? Fear, say some.
It was just about a year ago when Baptist writer and minister Corey Fields wrote a column critiquing a spate of “religious freedom” bills pushed through statehouses around the country. Indiana’s version was one of the more high-profile measures. It…