Youth have abandoned Facebook in favor of other social media platforms. Data recently released by the Pew Research Center shows Facebook rates fourth behind YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat among young people. So, should churches with strong Facebook presences follow younger…
Co-habitation up, finger pointing down as church discipline declines
Experience and new research show that churches aren’t punishing morally wayward members like they once did. “There is less discipline overall,” said George Bullard, a veteran church and clergy consultant and director of missions for the Columbia Metro Baptist Association in…
Angry that the religious right has hijacked the word ‘evangelical’? Let it go, experts say
Thinking of ditching the term “evangelical” to identify yourself as Christian? Get in line. Clergy, scholars, congregational coaches and innumerable laypeople are expressing increasing anger and disgust that the once respected term no longer describes their commitment to Christ and church.
Research finds Americans are obsessing over morality — again
The human penchant for worrying about the state of morality is ageless. In the 1950s, the popularity of rolled-up jeans, slicked back hair and rock’n’roll music frightened Americans so much that many feared juvenile delinquency would be the ruin of…
Americans doubt presidents, pastors can lead nation through challenges
Whether or not they voted for him, most Americans likely will not view Donald Trump as the solution to the nation’s problems once in office. And pastors enjoy even less confidence than presidents as the potential solution to the country’s…
Historic opponents of Christmas, Protestants expect big turnout Dec. 25
From papal fallacy to cherished holiday, Christmas has come a long way in the eyes of American Protestants. Earlier this month, LifeWay Research announced that the vast majority of Protestant pastors say their churches will worship on Christmas morning this…
Poll says most Americans want to keep political endorsements out of church
A large majority of Americans don’t want to hear political endorsements from the pulpit, according to a new report by LifeWay Research. Four out of five Americans (79 percent) do not believe it is appropriate for pastors to endorse candidates…
Campbell Divinity to host summit on pastor health
Campbell University Divinity School will address the difficult topic of pastor health in a June 2 gathering at the university’s main campus in Buies Creek, N.C. The purpose of the inaugural Pastor’s Health Summit is to inspire ministers to take…
Churches struggle to serve those behind bars, study finds
Christ’s disciples are called to serve the least of these. But that may not include the least of those in prison and jails, a new study finds. LifeWay Research surveyed 1,000 Protestant senior pastors and found that most of them…
Evangelical Christians staunchest supporters of Israel: LifeWay poll
By Bob Allen Christian Zionism — a theological view that God’s promises to ancient Israel in the Old Testament apply today to modern Israel — holds a strong grip on U.S. evangelicals, according to a recent survey by LifeWay Research. The research…
Nearly one-fourth of American families turn to church food pantries for help
By Bob Allen Nearly one-quarter of Americans say they have received help from a church-run food pantry in the past, according to a survey by LifeWay Research. In an online survey of 1,158 adults in September, 22 percent said they are…
Homeschooling a constitutional right, say some
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Until recently, more than 8 in 10 Americans were at odds with a California appeals court that ruled in February that “parents do not have a constitutional right to homeschool their children,” according to just-released data from…