LOUISVILLE, Ky. (ABP) — Singer-songwriter Don McLean’s 1970s hit record “American Pie” mourned the 1959 plane crash that killed rock-and-roll pioneers Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper as “the day the music died.” For a generation of humor-loving…
Laughter is the best medicine … except when it’s a bitter pill to swallow
Something that strikes one person as funny—even something heard at church — may seem inappropriate to another. How can believers strike a balance as they use h — mor and laughter in ministry? Individuals need to understand the human experiences…
Grieving comic says humor, like hope, springs eternal
SHREVEPORT, La. (ABP) — Jinny Henson, a native of Houston, began doing stand-up comedy when she was a student at Baylor University. While working on a master’s degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, she began touring nationwide. Against the advice…
A time to laugh: What’s the role of humor for Christians?
“For every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh,” according to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. What is the role of laughter and…
FAITH DIGEST
Who is responsible for tackling poverty? A phone survey of 1,002 adults revealed 66 percent of Americans believe the United States has an obligation to assist poverty-stricken children around the world. The survey asked respondents whose responsibility it is to…
Secular Jew writes about two years spent undercover in conservative church
LYNCHBURG, Va. (RNS) — Evangelical Christians were a mystery to Gina Welch. All she really knew about conservative evangelicals was that they were trying to change the country in ways she didn’t like. When she found herself living among them…
After condemning greed, what should Christians do about the economy?
NEW YORK (RNS) — Ever since the Great Recession began in the fall of 2008, Christians and other faith leaders have criticized the specuative excess and greed that led to the crisis. A consensus on what to do about it,…
Once more, Georgia Baptists poised to cut ties to church with woman pastor
ATLANTA (ABP) — For the second straight year, the Georgia Baptist Convention is poised to cut ties with a church over the issue of women in ministry. Graham Walker, co-pastor of Druid Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta, said March 18…
Most church websites ineffective, British technology firm’s study finds
DIDCOT, England (ABP) — Churches, by and large, still haven’t entered the digital age when it comes to evangelism — but those who have are reaping huge rewards, according to a new survey. A poll conducted by Christian technology company…