CANTERBURY, England — For five years, conservative Episcopalians eager to escape their liberal American church have been building ties with African Anglicans half a world away. But they have few connections with black Americans in their own back yard, say…
Muslims copy megachurch multi-site models
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Mosques across the country are beginning to use a model similar to the one used by some suburban and downtown megachurches, operating multiple sites to serve a large and dispersed congregation. Many of these “mosque chains” brand…
Maybe Indiana Jones should have looked in Ethiopia
AXUM, Ethiopia (RNS) — The fabled Ark of the Covenant has become not only an icon of modern culture, thanks mainly to Indiana Jones, but also the most revered religious relic of all time. In Ethiopia, people believe it rests…
Rising gas costs fuel creativity as churches help offset prices
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (RNS) — At St. Stephen Baptist Church in Louisville, the 14,000-member congregation billed itself as a “seven-day-a-week” hub of activity, with choir practices, ministry meetings or small groups scheduled every night. But Pastor Kevin Cosby noticed a drop-off….
Vatican reports growth in Africa
VATICAN CITY (RNS)—Africa is the Catholic Church's region of biggest growth, with rising numbers of faithful, clergy and religious orders, according to Vatican statistics. IMB Photo Christian Fulanis in Nigeria meet at a local home for a Sunday morning Bible…
Churches breaking sacred silence in a hookup culture
CLEVELAND (RNS)—Some of Antonio James' classmates laugh when they learn the 15-year-old has pledged not to have sex until he marries. It's not just male bravado that puts pressure on the 6-foot-1, 219-pound football player to be sexually active. “There's…
Survey finds U.S. faith is more nuanced than most might think
WASHINGTON (RNS)—Think you know what Americans believe about religion? Think again. Seven in 10 Americans who follow one particular faith believe many “religions” can lead to eternal life. Despite the intense attention paid to evangelical and Catholic voters in a…
Pastor challenges parents and offers incentive to tie the knot
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Daneisha Dunbar was never so happy to see her children cry. But there they were: 13-year-old Jheran, 10-year-old Aryn and 5-year-old Taryn, shedding tears and squealing with joy at the news that their mommy and daddy are…
Sex & Sects: Why does sex play such a large role within fringe religions?
WASHINGTON (RNS) — What is it with sects and sex? The recent probe into alleged child abuse at a polygamous compound in West Texas started with an anonymous phone call about underage girls having sex with adult men. The imprisoned…