Christian beliefs and values are disappearing from American life and the culture is filling the void with an individualism and moral relativism that even many Christians adhere to, new research shows. The study by The Barna Group, “The End of…
For some imams, Ramadan is a month-long revival, Muslim style
Imad Enchassi likens the Muslim holy month of Ramadan to what some Christians described as getting some of that old-time religion. “I call it a revival camp” for Muslims, said Enchassi, imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City….
Is music a religion — and should the church be worried if it is?
If the fans of Star Wars and Dr. Who can have religions based on those franchises, then why can’t music be a faith tradition? That’s what country singer Maren Morris explores in her top-10 hit “My Church,” in which she…
Getting back to gospel basics is the systemic cure for Baylor’s woes, pastors say
The sexual assault scandal that exploded at Baylor University last week has generated waves of heartbreak, disbelief and outrage. And now add theological reflection to the litany of responses. “For me this underscores the depth of human sin and that…
Social media buzzing with Baylor fallout
From the New York Times to ESPN, Baylor University is major news since an investigation found it failed to properly handle sexual assault allegations against football players. The planned firing of head football coach Art Briles and the demotion of…
Family comes through flood with damaged home, stronger faith
The Blanco River was only supposed to rise to 17 feet the night of May 23, 2015, but Theresa Graves felt uneasiness. She opted to stay awake while her family slept peacefully in their riverside house in Wimberley. Graves was…
Campbell Divinity to host summit on pastor health
Campbell University Divinity School will address the difficult topic of pastor health in a June 2 gathering at the university’s main campus in Buies Creek, N.C. The purpose of the inaugural Pastor’s Health Summit is to inspire ministers to take…
Baptists join diverse faith groups to support mosque-building effort
Religious freedom has become synonymous with division in the United States thanks to a rash of controversial state laws creating tension between conservative religious groups and LGBT rights. Corporations and gay rights groups have squared off against states and cities…
Churches struggle to serve those behind bars, study finds
Christ’s disciples are called to serve the least of these. But that may not include the least of those in prison and jails, a new study finds. LifeWay Research surveyed 1,000 Protestant senior pastors and found that most of them…
Church planting may lead to marriage woes, food stamp eligibility, reports study
Financial stress is overtaking many church planters, leading some to even consider quitting the calling altogether, new research shows. An April study by The Barna Group found that only 41 percent of church planters feel personally secure in their finances,…
Growing movement seeks ‘freedom from stuff’
The spiritual connection between a 58-inch flat screen TV and the human soul may seem tenuous to many Americans. It may be even harder to believe how that elegantly simple IKEA coffee table makes life more complicated. But rest assured,…
Social media a source of ministry amid disaster, pastor says
Mitch Randall’s Facebook posts read much like those of any other minister, complete with links to audio sermons and youth group videos, kudos to family and church members and steady reminders of ministry needs and volunteer opportunities. But Randall, pastor…