A new survey of Christian beliefs and practices opens with what many in the church world would consider very good news: nearly three-quarters of Americans claim to be Christian. Meanwhile, a fifth claim no religious belief or affiliation at all,…
Ministry involvement a key need for many aging Christians, ministers say
Thanks to medical advancements — along with some other factors — people are living longer. This means the number of older Americans will continue to grow in the coming years. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2050, the number…
Transitions for the week of 09.16.16
Staff moves, church news and more, updated weekly.
Baptist schools make list of seminaries known for combining faith, service
Three Baptist seminaries are among more than 30 ranked by a think tank for making significant impacts on the world. The Center for Faith and Service cooperates with divinity schools, churches, denominations and other organizations to create programs integrating faith…
Preaching tops in choosing new church, survey finds
It doesn’t take an academic or congregational consultant to see that a lot has changed in the church since the end of World War II. Fewer people attend and fewer people give than ever before. Worship styles have proliferated and…
Pastor quoted as saying people who don’t stand for national anthem should be shot steps down as football announcer
A small-town Southern Baptist pastor in Alabama has resigned from his long-time volunteer job as public-address announcer at local high school football games after controversy over comments he claims were misquoted about fans who choose not to stand during the…
Progressive Christians counter agenda of the Religious Right
Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Jews and Presbyterians were among nearly 100 people gathering Monday, Sept. 12, in Frankfort, Ky., as part of a national march in more than 30 state capital cities across the United States countering the political voice of…
Baylor professor’s quest to preserve golden age of black gospel lands in Smithsonian
A Baylor University professor’s quest to preserve historic black gospel music has gotten the attention of the Smithsonian Institution. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture opens Sept. 24 in Washington, D.C., with an exhibit featuring African-American musical…
Grocery chain scion-turned-evangelist Howard Butt Jr. dead at 89
Howard E. Butt Jr., one-time heir apparent to run the 380-store H‑E‑B grocery chain before turning lay evangelist during the “youth revival movement” that spread from Baylor University to campuses across the country in the 1940s and 1950s, has died….
CBF coordinator says battling hunger a matter of Christian stewardship
One of the factors dividing U.S. communities is access to food, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leader Suzii Paynter says in a series of videos featuring Christian leaders produced by the anti-hunger ministry Bread for the World. Paynter, executive coordinator of the…
U.S. churches face big ministry challenge in aging Baby Boomers
As a large group of Americans, the so-called Baby Boomers, have impacted U.S. society, culture, politics and religion for decades. With the oldest members of that famed generation now turning 70, the Baby Boom generation is poised to leave another…
Baptist pastor shows solidarity with Colin Kaepernick
An African-American Baptist leader joined NFL players across the country in a symbolic “kneel-in” Sunday, Sept. 11, to show solidarity with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, whose refusal to stand during the national anthem at a preseason NFL game…