The interim leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has decided to reconsider regulatory rules for short-term, high-interest borrowing commonly known as payday lending. The federal agency, which was created in response to the financial crisis of 2007-2008 and the…
Criticized for recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, White House cuts funding for Palestinian refugees
The United States is withholding more than half of its planned funding of a United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, renewing debate over the Trump administration’s controversial decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Transitions for the week of 01.19.18
A listing of staff changes, anniversaries, retirements and other announcements from across the country.
These pastors see rural America — and its churches — as a growing mission field
Relatively few ministerial candidates want to lead small country congregations. It’s understandable. Those settings require pastors to provide all the functions usually divvied up by larger church staffs: pastoral care, preaching, teaching youth and children, paying the bills and preparing budgets. But there are unexpected rewards in rural churches, say some pastors.
Evangelical supporter sees nothing racist about Trump immigration stance
There is nothing racist about basing immigration quotas on race, according to Trump evangelical adviser Robert Jeffress. Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist in Dallas, told Washington Post writer Sarah Pulliam Bailey that while he would not have used the vulgar language…
White House says no one should have to choose between faith and law
In a presidential proclamation Jan. 16, President Donald Trump claimed America’s “cherished legacy of religious liberty” is undermined by threatening tax consequences for churches that endorse political candidates and by requiring persons or organizations to obey laws that violate their conscience.
Son of Francis Schaeffer calls out Trump’s evangelical enablers on Twitter
The son of the late theologian and author Francis Schaeffer challenged evangelical supporters of Donald Trump to try to defend the president’s reported foul-mouthed description of Haiti and African nations which he made during a White House meeting with a bipartisan group of senators Jan. 11.
Megachurches must ‘come out of the closet’ on LGBTQ issues, say observers
LGBTQ individuals and movements have become increasingly transparent about their identity and causes. Now, it may be time for the nation’s biggest Christian congregations to follow suit. New data shows that none of America’s 100 largest megachurches report having LGBTQ-affirming policies.
Baptist church fighting deportation of member with dire health concerns
A North Carolina Baptist church claims immigration officials entrapped a long-time church member held for deportation after applying for permission to stay in the United States due to a life-threatening medical condition.
Transitions for the week of 01.12.18
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES John Eklund to Chepachet (R.I.) Union Church, as full-time settled pastor. Katie Kuhl, concluding her tenure as children’s…
#MeToo spotlight turns on Southern Baptist megachurch
A Southern Baptist megachurch in Memphis, Tenn., is standing by a teaching pastor caught in the spotlight of the #MeToo movement exposing histories of sexual abuse by powerful males.
American pastor in Canada doesn’t miss culture wars, church growth pressures
When U.S. pastor Justin Joplin accepted a call to a Baptist church in Canada, he found a Baptist identity free from anxiety over a decline from majority cultural status. That is liberating, he says.