(RNS) — When Kip Banks’ family pulls out its nativity scene each Christmas, the African features of the baby Jesus provide lessons on both the Bible and self-esteem. Banks’ 8-year-old son, Kip Jr., has told his father that the Christ…
Spiritual wisdom in 140 characters or less
(RNS) — The Dalai Lama has 5,702,736 followers on Twitter. How many people does he follow? Zero. Pope Benedict XVI plans to start tweeting on Dec. 12. His Twitter handle is @Pontifex, which means “bridge builder” in Latin. Benedict hasn’t…
The sacred ran through jazz legend Dave Brubeck’s music
(RNS) — “I approached the composition as a prayer,” jazz pianist and composer Dave Brubeck said of his To Hope! A Celebration, a contemporary setting for the Roman Catholic Mass, “concentrating upon the phrases, trying to probe beneath the surface,…
Baptist World Alliance observes Human Rights Day Dec. 9
(ABP) — Timed nearest to the anniversary of the Dec. 10, 1948, adoption of the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights, Human Rights Day has been sponsored for more than 20 years by the Baptist World Alliance. This year the date…
Tiffany’s spiritual side
NEW YORK (RNS) — Louis C. Tiffany is perhaps best known for his intricate glass lamps, but a new exhibit at the Museum of Biblical Art reveals a spiritual side to the master designer and craftsman whose studio single-handedly shaped…
On 200th anniversary, Charles Dickens retains close Christmas association
WILMINGTON (RNS) — ‘Tis the season for “Bah, humbug” and “God bless us every one,” especially as the world caps off a year of celebrations for the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens. As Advent begins, cities across…
Performing the business of ministry
(ABP) — Pastor Tony Lankford had a relaxing-but-productive day planned for himself on Monday. His plan was to prepare the message he would preach the following Sunday on Daniel in the lion’s den. “I was going to go to the…
Seminaries provide help for pastors performing the business of ministry
(ABP) — Pastor Tony Lankford had a relaxing-but-productive day planned for himself on Monday. His plan was to prepare the message he would preach the following Sunday on Daniel in the lion’s den. “I was going to go to the…
The security of the believer — online
(ABP) — All Christians confess that Jesus is Lord, but he’s a poor choice for a computer password, according to an annual listing of passwords on the Internet most prone to hacking. “Jesus” for the first time made the list…
Faithful seek truce in culture war
(ABP) — If Facebook is any measure, Americans are emerging from the 2012 election season convinced the nation’s political and religious divisions are wider and more hostile than ever — and getting worse. But not Duke McCall, 98, the Baptist elder…
Church leaders say returning vets need time, attention
(RNS) — When Staff Sgt. Brandon Hill came home from his third tour in Iraq last year, he expected his wife and young daughters at the welcoming ceremony. What he didn't expect were the pastors, secretaries and members of their…
Looking for an undecided voter? Check the pulpit
(RNS) — Pollsters and politicians hunting for the rare and elusive undecided voter might want to train their sights on the pulpit. A whopping 22 percent of Protestant pastors haven’t settled on a presidential candidate, according to a survey released…