Had things gone according to his father’s wishes, He Qi would be one of China’s leading mathematicians today. But history — and more specifically Mao Tse-tung and his Cultural Revolution — had other ideas. “I was a teenage boy and…
Missouri Baptist Foundation loses appeal, governance to return to state convention
The Missouri Baptist Foundation lost its final appeal Sept. 20 in legal action filed against it by the Missouri Baptist Convention 14 years ago. As a result, current trustees will be required to surrender governance to MBC-elected trustees.
Be substantive, not hip, to attract Millennials, research finds
Congregations considering seeking hip, young pastors to help attract Millennials may want to think twice about that move. A study of 250 American congregations has found that youth and young adults want substance from their ministers and churches more than…
Great pilgrimages of the world converge on university campus
Each year, more than 330 million people around the world journey to sacred places to perform acts of devotion, express faith or seek enlightenment or healing. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, visitors to Baylor University’s Mayborn Museum Complex in…
Teens may not be lazy after all, new study shows
Those lazy kids. It’s a centuries old refrain that’s become popular in recent years as faith leaders look for the causes of church decline. But new research suggests teenagers may not be as much to blame as many think. It…
Missionary, daughter launch clothing line produced by refugees
There are the kinds of missionaries who translate the Bible into exotic languages, who hold revivals on faraway continents and who provide medical care and food for earthquake victims. And then there are the kind who launch and run businesses…
Racial reconciliation tough but essential, say leaders at New Baptist Covenant summit
Achieving racial reconciliation can be hard work and slow, but Christians are called to pursue it relentlessly, said speakers — including former President Jimmy Carter — at a summit of Baptists seeking to bridge a racial divide that continues to bedevil the nation.
Report offers good (and bad) news about the state of American faith
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…