Delving into the nitty gritty of faith-based community development and restorative justice work is neither a political expression nor a ministry distraction for the church, author and activist Michelle Ferrigno Warren said. They are instead forms of biblically informed Christian…
Opposition to death penalty gaining steam through broad coalition
America’s anti-capital punishment movement is growing in political, religious and racial diversity even as the nation continues to fracture along partisan lines, a leading death penalty abolitionist said. “It does feel hopeful to work on this issue because we work…
‘Public safety ecosystems’ could help replace nation’s broken criminal justice system, evangelical leaders say
American churches are ideally positioned to help replace a broken criminal justice system with one that empowers communities to heal the trauma that fosters violent crime, according to panelists on a Jan. 17 webinar. The online conversation hosted by Equal…
‘Give up desire for control if you want to reach your community’
Church leaders must abandon the desire for control and prestige and cooperate with other ministers if they seek to be effective agents of change in their communities, a New Jersey pastor and street minister believes. “One of our main responsibilities…
Image of the Cross led him to oppose death penalty
Activist and photographer Scott Langley said the direction of his life and ministry changed the moment he spotted and photographed a large Cross atop the state death chamber in Huntsville, Texas, in 1999. Langley was present on an execution day…
Faith leaders call for urgent opposition to Oklahoma plan to execute an inmate a month for two years
The state of Oklahoma has announced an unprecedented plan to execute 25 inmates over a two-year period beginning this month, about one execution per month. This plan will clear out more than half the current population on Oklahoma’s Death Row,…