(RNS) — A Virginia pastor who prayed that God would re-elect President Bush says the Internal Revenue Service threatened him with charges of improper “electioneering,” but the IRS maintains it has made no decision in the case. The controversy erupted…
OPINION: A Christian film critic’s conundrum
I was once reprimanded by a reader for suggesting Casablanca as a video alternative because the Humphrey Bogart character owned a bar. I remember my consternation over the fact that this man had dismissed this classic romantic adventure that salutes…
Army takes action against Boykin over speeches
(RNS) — The U.S. Army has taken “appropriate action” against an undersecretary who said the war on terrorism was a religious battle. Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody told Reuters that the action against Lt. Gen. William G….
Mexican churches jam cell phones during worship
(ABP) — They sound off during formal dinners, in restaurants, at the movies and even in churches. They’ve become the bane of every public speaker. The dreaded cell phones. As technology has given us the ability to reach out and…
BJC receives $100,000 for lecture series
(ABP) — A Baptist historian and his wife have given the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty a large gift to establish a lectureship on church-state issues. The Washington-based BJC announced the $100,000 gift from Walter and Kay Shurden of…
County clears church’s housing project
A $38-million proposal by First Baptist Church of Clarendon in Arlington to develop an affordable housing complex was approved Oct. 23 by the Arlington County board. The Views of Clarendon, a unique mixed-use church and residential development project, will create…
Speakers predict sermons will change in the next wave of postmodern worship
Maybe the pulpit is a safe-house in the worship wars. In the past half century, evangelical worship has seen a lot of changes. Music styles have morphed, orders of service have flip-flopped, chalk talks gave way to PowerPoint presentations and…
Ministers are not able to leap tall buildings or stop bullets
Charles Chandler can joke about preachers suffering from “Superman syndrome” since he portrayed the “Man of Steel” when Metropolis, Ill., claimed the status as the superhero’s hometown. The first “Superman” for the city’s annual celebration, Chandler, now director of the…
Five suggestions for pastoral self-care
Charles Chandler, founder of the Ministering to Ministers Foundation, gives five suggestions of pastoral self-care. • Develop an informal feedback group within the congregation. Pastors should choose just a few that they can trust and whom other members talk to….