When Steven D. Martin was in seminary, he read a book titled Theologians Under Hitler. The book examined how seemingly faithful, moral German Christians could have supported the tyrannical, murderous Nazi regime in the 1930s and 1940s. Martin has been…
SBC megachurch fires worship pastor over allegations of sexually abusing a minor and ‘predatory manipulation’ with adults
The Austin Stone Community Church, a prominent megachurch with a popular worship band in Austin, Texas, announced the dismissal of its worship pastor, Aaron Ivey, on the grounds of “predatory manipulation, sexual exploitation and abuse of influence” with multiple men…
Want to write? Write every day, book editor advises in BNG webinar
Writers must be rigorously blunt with themselves about the motivations and goals inspiring them to write and — hopefully — publish books, said Carey Newman, senior editor at Fortress Press and author of a newly published book on the art…
New legislation in Arkansas and Missouri aims to expand statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse
Last week, lawmakers in Arkansas and Missouri presented new legislation aiming to expand and eliminate the statute of limitations in childhood sexual abuse cases. Passed in 2021 in Arkansas, the Justice for Vulnerable Victims of Sexual Abuse Act temporarily changed…
Trump to headline National Religious Broadcasters convention
Donald Trump will headline the National Religious Broadcasters convention in Nashville Feb. 22, NRB announced Feb. 6. “We look forward to hearing President Trump express his vision for the future of our country in distinguished remarks,” said NRB leader Troy…
The saints will come marching in for New Orleans church’s 30th jazz worship this Sunday
In a way, St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans has two congregations, the one that shows up most weeks for worship and the one that attends its annual jazz worship service held the Sunday before Mardi Gras. The…
With three weeks until statewide deadline, school district of ‘chaplain’ bill’s author is set to reject it
The school district that is home to the state senator who got a bill passed last year to allow public schools to hire unlicensed “chaplains” to replace licensed school counselor is poised to reject his plan. Sen. Mayes Middleton lives…
A Catholic NGO details atrocities against priests and religious persons in 2023
Amid the world’s troubles, clergy face extreme risks in some regions, according to a new report by Aid to the Church in Need, a Catholic foundation. “In 2023, many Christians, and especially clergy and religious, paid a heavy price for…
Pro-Trump ‘prophets’ are taking their show on the road
A group of pro-Trump “prophets” who are 2020 election deniers are taking their show on the road with FlashPoint Live, which will visit seven cities before this year’s presidential election. As Religion News Service reported, FlashPoint Live is based on…
Anti-immigrant frenzy creates dangerous situation at U.S. border, advocates warn
Anti-immigrant bigotry is reaching a frenzied pitch as Texas continues to defy a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that grants U.S. border agents permission to remove razor wire Gov. Greg Abbott has erected along portions of the Rio Grande. Abbott has…
Josh Hawley seeks revival of ‘Our Christian Nation,’ condemns ‘atheist left’
Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley’s recent First Things essay, “Our Christian Nation,” may warm the hearts of Christian nationalists and confound historians and theologians who worry about continuing threats to the separation of church and state. Every nation needs a common…
Transitions for the week of 2-9-24
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Jacob Boyd, concluding his tenure as associate pastor of students and discipleship at First Baptist Church, Springfield, Va.,…