White evangelicals outpace other Christian groups in assuming the worst about immigrants and immigration, Pew Research Center found in a new study. The March 4 report also found Christians overall have more negative attitudes about immigration than those who claim…
New book offers help for churches and civic leaders on how to transition church properties
Congregations facing closure or downsizing must think about more than maximizing profits from the sale of facilities and other assets, social entrepreneur and church finance expert Mark Elsdon said. “The principle here is that we have been entrusted as stewards…
Baylor Religion Department expands, diversifies and thrives
Baylor University’s Religion Department is not your grandparents’ or your parents’ religion department. It’s not even the religion department it was just a decade ago. It has changed dramatically in faculty and academic direction, featuring a wide diversity of educators…
Chaplains and religious leaders mount campaign against school chaplain bill in a dozen states
A growing coalition of faith-based and civil rights groups has launched an opposition movement to bills in more than a dozen states that seek to replace school counselors with untrained chaplains. “Putting chaplains in public schools erodes the separation of…
The Department of Justice has closed its investigation of the SBC — maybe?
To add further intrigue to the Southern Baptist Convention’s reckoning with sexual abuse in its churches, the denomination announced March 6 that a federal investigation into the SBC has been closed — but abuse survivors who say they are in…
‘Christian nationalism is more than attitudes; it’s a political dysfunction’
The political-religious movement known as Christian nationalism has taken hold in all 50 states, posing an immediate, dire threat to democracy and religion, says an extensive new study. Public Religion Research Institute President Robert P. Jones said the study, based…
Christian nationalists are misguided Christians, Anthea Butler says
Christian nationalists are still Christians despite their embrace of white supremacy and anti-democratic violence, scholar Anthea Butler said during an episode of the Interfaith Alliance’s “State of Belief” podcast. “They really believe in their Christianity. It’s just that they are…
Suit over use of tithes and real estate investing to get June hearing
A consequential three-year-old lawsuit accusing The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of defrauding members by misusing their tithes to fund a real estate development instead of charity will be decided by a panel of judges in the 9th…
Transitions for the week of 3-8-24
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES David “Zach” Axselle, to Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Mechanicsville, Va., as worship leader. Justin Blankenship, to Gracewood Community…
Liberty University agrees to $14 million settlement, but Save71 is still on watch
When Dustin Wahl enrolled at Liberty University in fall 2014, he never imagined he one day would lead a group to bring reform to Liberty. Nor did he think he would be advocating for future students not to attend his…
As Israel bombards Gaza, travel companies are offering ‘solidarity tours’ to Israel
Spaces are filling up fast for Americans traveling to Israel to learn about its war in Gaza and show “solidarity” with the Israeli Defense Forces. Multiple companies are offering “mission” trips to Israel as the nation bombards neighboring Gaza, while…
Religious leaders decry Louisiana plan to bring back electric chair and gassing for death penalty cases
A cross section of religious leaders gathered on the steps of the Louisiana Capitol recently to offer prayers and protest over the state’s plan to add the electric chair and poison gas to its lineup of execution methods. The representatives…