NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS)—Jake Pulsipher’s first day as a working missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints began at 6:30 a.m. with prayer and exercise, followed by breakfast and study. Then he put on a black suit, white…
More churches turning to high-tech worship
(RNS) No matter where you live, you can go to church, so to speak, with Christ Fellowship in McKinney, Texas, which is on board with almost every high-tech gambit under heaven. Find the church by going online—the 21st-century version of…
Survey finds record 19 percent of religiously unaffiliated Americans
(RNS)—Unbelief is on the uptick. People who check “None” for their religious affiliation are now nearly one in five Americans (19 percent), the highest ever documented, according to the Pew Center for the People and the Press. The rapid rise…
Is a contemporary worship service the quick-fix to energize a church?
It’s a recurring scenario in America’s Christian congregations. As members grapple with their church’s future—eager to increase attendance or renew spiritual energy—one suggestion inevitably emerges. It’s time to start a contemporary worship service. The assumption that guitar- and drum-driven worship…
EDITORIAL: Freeh indeed! Penn State’s sex scandal and implications for the church
The release of the Freeh report the morning of July 12, has focused attention once again to the Penn State/Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. According to the 267-page report authored by former FBI director Louis Freeh, who was hired by…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Blessed are those who make peace in their own congregations, part 2
In the previous issue of the Religious Herald we began a leadership link series on preventing conflict. In that first installment, we considered Christ’s character traits of humility and sacrifice that made peace. In subsequent issues we will look at…
Project Ruth celebrates two decades
BUCHAREST, Romania (ABP)—Project Ruth’s Mihai Ciopasiu is all too glad to talk about the success the organization has enjoyed the past two decades serving the poorest and most shunned children in Romania. The nonprofit began as a day center with…
CELEBRATE RETIREMENT: Congregation helps widow who faces eviction from her home
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.(ABP)—Mary Cate Jones never doubted her congregation would help when it learned she faced a foreclosure crisis last month. But raising $35,000 in the last two weeks of May and finding a donor to match the rest? The 78-year-old…
Ramadan fast poses challenge for Muslim Olympians
(RNS)—Winning an Olympic medal is hard. Surprisingly, winning one when you’re fasting for Ramadan is not that much harder. At least, not for Suleiman Nyambui of Tanzania, who took silver in the 5000 meters at the 1980 Summer Olympics while…
Project Ruth celebrates 2 decades
By Jeff Brumley Project Ruth’s Mihai Ciopasiu is all too glad to talk about the success the organization has enjoyed the past two decades serving the poorest and most shunned children in Romania. The nonprofit began as a day center…
Church expelled after affirming gays
By Bob Allen An American Baptist church in Ohio has been excommunicated from its association and state region after going on record as welcoming and affirming gays. Tommy Faris, pastor of University Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, said the church…
Prof: Kitty Wells wasn’t a feminist
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist seminary professor and country-music devotee is challenging eulogies portraying recently deceased singer/songwriter Kitty Wells as a feminist icon. Russell Moore, dean of the school of theology and vice president for academic administration at Southern…