In 2010 a choir for boys ages 14 to 19 was formed in Wales. This year the choir, dubbed Only Boys Aloud, placed third in Britain’s Got Talent television show. The choir has about 133 boys and their perfect voices…
OPINION: Giving up and giving in
Recently, I had one of those perfectly-timed experiences where the radio just happened to play what I needed to hear when I needed to hear it. It was a segment called “Aha Moments” on the show Studio 360. I felt…
TRENDING: The future of creativity, part 1: Q
My friend Jim Baucom gave me a copy of best-selling author Jonah Lehrer’s Imagine: How Creativity Works. The sleeve of the book promises “a sparkling and revelatory look at the new science of creativity.” Shattering the myth of muses, higher…
OPINION: Prayers at meetings of lawmakers: What would Jesus think?
On July 12, the Henrico County Board of Supervisors decided to stop having public prayers at its meetings. As one might expect, the decision has generated controversy. The editors of the Richmond Times-Dispatch expressed approval of the decision; a few…
LEADERSHIP LINK: Evangelical group proposes code of ethics for pastors
The National Association of Evangelicals is urging pastors to seek a common moral ground by uniting under a consistent code of ethics. NAE leaders said the new code will provide uniform guidance to church leaders. About 40 denominations comprise the…
Baptist injured in theater shooting chooses forgiveness
AURORA, Colo.—From his hospital bed, one of the 58 people injured in a July 20 shooting rampage in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater that claimed 12 lives became a spokesman for Christian forgiveness. Pierce O’Farrill, a member of the The…
LEADERSHIP LINK: The National Association of Evangelicals’ code of ethics for pastors
We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. (2 Corinthians 6:3) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. (Philippians 1:27) All who are called by God…
OUT LOUD
“Much of the world refers to America as a Christian nation, but most of our Christian leaders don’t think so. The Bible only uses the word ‘Christian’ to describe people and not countries.” Leith Anderson The president of the National…
Religion at the Olympics, from ancient Greece to London
NEW YORK (RNS)—A 600-foot footrace was the only athletic event at the first Olympics, a festival held in 776 B.C. and dedicated to Zeus, the chief Greek god. For the next millennium, Greeks gathered every four years in Olympia to…
Chick-fil-A to draw crowds—and not for its food
(RNS)—It could get pretty crowded at Chick-fil-A’s across the Mid-Atlantic and the nation this week—and not because of the fast-food restaurant’s famous waffle fries. Supporters and opponents of gay marriage plan to appear at Chick-fil-A locations nationwide after the company’s…
Bible museum closes $50 million deal for D.C. spot
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Planners of a Bible museum in Washington closed a $50 million deal July 26 on a building two blocks from the National Mall. The new Bible museum in Washington will be in a building two blocks from the National…
VITAL SIGNS: Search committee ethics
A recent column about some of the positive experiences of clergy who have recently moved motivated some responses around the theme of “things that have not gone well.” Here are some common ethical issues search committees must deal with. Bill…