It’s no secret that organized religion is in trouble. Over the past few decades, the American church has seen a freefall in membership, attendance and reputation. Current data suggest the steep decline has stabilized for now. But the long-term trajectory…
Concerning diversity, equity and inclusion
“Love casts out fear,” says 1 John 4:18, concerning which the late John Claypool once observed, “As surely as love casts out fear, fear casts out love.” Fear casting out love may help explain the current national obsession with dismantling…
Most Republicans are fine with ICE arrests in churches, Pew finds
Most Americans oppose immigration raids in sensitive locations such as churches, schools and hospitals, according to a new Pew Research Center study. But Republicans are exceptions to this view. Majorities of all Americans say arrests should not be allowed in…
Faith lessons from two ‘stranded’ astronauts
This week, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to earth after an unexpectedly long mission. The two arrived at the International Space Station in June 2024 aboard a new Boeing spacecraft; they expected to stay at the station…
CBF and coalition win temporary order against ICE raids in churches
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and others who filed suit to block the Trump administration from sending ICE agents into houses of worship won a temporary restraining order Feb. 24. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang issued an order blocking the administration’s…
No safe spaces, no sacred places
Executive orders now say immigration officers can arrest migrants at schools and churches. The violation of the church or a school as a sanctuary is an anti-Christian act. If this administration claims Christianity, then why is everything it does opposed to…
Churches called to be bold and flexible in immigration ministries
Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown on immigration is pushing faith-based groups to be more bold, flexible and creative in their ministries to immigrants, a panel of experts said during a webinar hosted by the American Baptist Home Mission Societies. The session…
Pastors, now what?
If you are like me, the pastor of a small church in a small town, you might be thinking to yourself, “Now what?” I mean, we have a big year ahead. If your church still does vacation Bible school, it’s…
ICE raids in churches violate conservative principles
The recent lawsuit filed by Quaker groups against the federal government highlights an issue on which conservatives seem increasingly prone to waffle: the sanctity of religious freedom and the protection of churches from government overreach. Conservatives often advocate for robust…
Quakers file suit to stop ICE raids at churches like what happened Sunday
One day after federal immigration agents arrested a man at a church in Georgia, a coalition of Quaker meetings filed suit in federal court to block the Department of Homeland Security raids at houses of worship. The new policy of…
‘My church may not be entered by federal agents, but it is not only my church that concerns me’
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement Jan. 21 that attempts to build the framework for federal immigration enforcement agencies to have the right to enter schools and churches to make arrests. This statement overturns previous ICE precedent…
‘Laken Riley Act’ sets the stage for Trump campaign against immigrants
Amid a flurry of executive orders from the White House immediately after Donald Trump’s inauguration Jan. 20, immigrant and refugee advocates were on the lookout for signs of the campaign promises they fear most. Some of those things came true…