ATLANTA (RNS) — Christian recording artist TobyMac’s blend of rap, hip-hop, rock and soul raced up the charts last year and shattered many stereotypes along the way. “Toby blows everybody’s perception of what Christian or gospel music is because Toby…
OPINION: All clergy abuse cover-ups not the same
From one religious body to another, there’s a horrible sameness about the sexual abuse of children by those charged with their moral and spiritual development. The differences come in the institutions and communities, and how they deal with the abusers…
OPINION: A focus on ‘followship’?
People emphasize “leadership” so much, it has become a buzzword. Isn’t it past time we focus on “followship”? I recently read Colin Powell’s book, It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership. Most of Powell’s observations are better suited to…
Bus ads in American cities aim to reclaim meaning of ‘jihad’
(brNS) — An ad campaign on San Francisco buses is aimed at trying to change public perception of the word “jihad,” which the program’s founder says has been distorted by extremists — Muslim and anti-Muslim alike. Ahmed Rehab, a 36-year-old…
HeraldBeat: Tracking Baptists across the Mid-Atlantic
Transitions ON THE MOVE C. Allen Mahan, to Kentuck Baptist Church, Ringgold, Va., as pastor, in January. Mandy England Cole, to Ginter Park Baptist Church, Richmond, Va., as pastor. John T. Fulcher Jr., now serving as pastor of First Baptist…
Fasting like an Old Testament prophet gains followers during Lent
(RNS) — Amy Lester has followed Jesus for decades, but her keen appreciation for his sacrifice on the cross came only recently when she started eating like the prophet Daniel. During Lent, which starts Feb. 13, the 40-year-old mother of…
Baptist church sign draws attention of Manhattan pedestrians, media
(ABP) — “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.” Thus read the sign recently in front of Madison Avenue Baptist Church, a New York City congregation whose pastor is all about convincing folks not…
PBS program explores religious motivation of American abolitionists
(RNS) — As the nation marks the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, PBS is airing “The Abolitionists,” a three-part series that began Jan. 8. Documentarian Rob Rapley, the writer and director of the series, talked with Religion News Service…
Baptism ages are dropping in churches which practice believer’s baptism, say observers
(ABP) — Something just clicked for Charity Roberson when she knew it was time for her to be baptized. Roberson, now pastor at Sharon Baptist Church in Smithfield, N.C., was 9 at the time. Some of the memories are vivid….