(RNS) — The recession continued to affect how much Americans gave to charity last year, and the triple whammy of Superstorm Sandy, a national election and the looming fiscal cliff may cut how much we donate in the crucial final…
Some church leaders increasingly uneasy about ‘missional’ label
DENVER — The bio on the back of Kathy Escobar’s 2011 book describes her as a “nationally recognized voice in missional church development.” And by all accounts the Denver-based pastor and church-start consultant is certainly that. But Escobar insisted she…
Learning communities explore how to minister in new culture
FARMINGTON, Maine — Five years ago, five older women in Farmington, Maine, knew they faced a choice—watch their church die, or participate in a project that might help bring new life to their congregation. They were the only remaining members….
CBF leader issues ‘missional’ challenge
For former Cooperative Baptist Fel-lowship leader Daniel Vestal, understanding what it means to be “missional” begins with two phrases: “Christ is in me. Christ is in us.” “If you really believe that, that will change how you see the church,”…
On his 200th birthday, Charles Dickens remains a global Christmas theme
WILMINGTON (RNS) — ‘Tis the season for “Bah, humbug” and “God bless us every one,” especially as the world caps off a year of celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. As Advent begins, cities across…
K.H. Ting, leader credited with strengthening indigenous Christianity in China, dead at 97
(ABP) — K.H. Ting, an Anglican bishop prior to China’s Cultural Revolution who led a “post-denominational” re-emergence of Chinese Christianity in the 1970s and 1980s, died Nov. 22 after several years of poor health. Ting is credited with opening up…
‘Following the Star,’ Advent devotions developed by Passport, start Sunday, Dec. 2
(ABP) — This year’s Following the Star, daily online Advent devotionals offered free of charge by Passport, Inc., begins Sunday, Dec. 2, with daily meditations accessible at www.d365.org. Passport, a youth camping ministry formed in 1993, launched Following the Star…
K.H. Ting, leader credited with strengthening indigenous Christianity in China, dead at 97
(ABP) — K.H. Ting, an Anglican bishop prior to China’s Cultural Revolution who led a “post-denominational” re-emergence of Chinese Christianity in the 1970s and 1980s, died Nov. 22 after several years of poor health. Ting is credited with opening up…
‘Following the Star,’ Advent devotions developed by Passport, start Sunday, Dec. 2
(ABP) — This year’s Following the Star, daily online Advent devotionals offered free of charge by Passport, Inc., begins Sunday, Dec. 2, with daily meditations accessible at www.d365.org. Passport, a youth camping ministry formed in 1993, launched Following the Star…
K.H. Ting, leader credited with strengthening indigenous Christianity in China, dead at 97
(ABP) — K.H. Ting, an Anglican bishop prior to China’s Cultural Revolution who led a “post-denominational” re-emergence of Chinese Christianity in the 1970s and 1980s, died Nov. 22 after several years of poor health. Ting is credited with opening up…
‘Following the Star,’ Advent devotions developed by Passport, start Sunday, Dec. 2
(ABP) — This year’s Following the Star, daily online Advent devotionals offered free of charge by Passport, Inc., begins Sunday, Dec. 2, with daily meditations accessible at www.d365.org. Passport, a youth camping ministry formed in 1993, launched Following the Star…
As Advent begins, resources for observing the season available to churches
As Advent begins on Sunday, Dec. 2, Passport Inc. continues its Following the Star daily online devotionals and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has made available videos of Advent sermons preached by Jim Somerville, pastor of First Baptist Church in Richmond….