(RNS) — Amy Lester has followed Jesus for decades, but her keen appreciation for his sacrifice on the cross came only recently when she started eating like the prophet Daniel. During Lent, which starts Feb. 13, the 40-year-old mother of…
Bus ads in American cities aim to reclaim meaning of ‘jihad’
(brNS) — An ad campaign on San Francisco buses is aimed at trying to change public perception of the word “jihad,” which the program’s founder says has been distorted by extremists — Muslim and anti-Muslim alike. Ahmed Rehab, a 36-year-old…
On Grammy weekend, Christian music industry bounces back, thanks to strong sales
ATLANTA (RNS) — Christian recording artist TobyMac’s blend of rap, hip-hop, rock and soul raced up the charts last year and shattered many stereotypes along the way. “Toby blows everybody’s perception of what Christian or gospel music is because Toby…
Churches seek to help ease stress on caregivers — sometimes a challenging task
The New Testament commands Christ’s followers to “bear one another’s burdens.” But applying that principle to caregivers — people who shoulder the around-the-clock responsibility for meeting the needs of someone who cannot live independently because of advanced age, illness or…
Did I care enough? Caregiver recalls struggle with anger and guilt
During the five years she served as his caregiver, Sue Strother and her husband, Joe, understood the roles each filled. “He bore the pain. I bore the strain,” Mrs. Strother said. Her husband, pastor of North Riverside Baptist Church in…
Ravens or Niners? Christians face a ‘Super’ dilemma on Sunday
(RNS) — Who should Christians root for in Sunday’s Super Bowl: the Baltimore Ravens or the San Francisco 49ers? It may be a silly question to some, though not to millions of American believers who invest a lot of faith…
Broader view of evangelism could inspire more Christians to share their faith
By some estimates, more than 85 percent of Christian congregations in the United States include the word “evangelism” in their mission statements. But some Christian leaders claim surface commitment to what they call the church’s essential task isn’t reflected in…
Do pre-Christians need to feel they belong before they can believe and become?
It’s emblazoned on the sign outside Gayton Baptist Church in Richmond. Belong. Believe. Become. Those three verbs — in various word orders — crop up frequently in discussions on evangelism and a congregation’s role in it. For some, it’s a…
‘So help me God’ isn’t in official oath, but it’s been used by all presidents since 1881
(RNS) — When President Obama rests his hand on two historic Bibles to take his second-term oath of office today, he’ll add a phrase not mentioned in the Constitution: “So help me God.” But the Almighty’s role on the Capitol…