Essential Worship
Perhaps we shouldn’t applaud being called “essential.” A government with the power to designate us as “essential” also has the power to designate us as not.
Pastors and Churchgoers Differ on Sermon Length Estimates
When pastors begin to welcome back their congregations to in-person services, they may want to consider offering them a shorter sermon.
Death in the Middle of Death: On the Execution of Walter Barton
It’s been over two months (75 days to be exact) since we’ve had an execution. There are only two other times since the turn of the century the state has gone that long without executing someone. But last Tuesday (May 19), that pause came to
Meet Eight Pastors Who Pushed to Keep Their Churches Open
Almost as soon as the COVID-19 pandemic began, a tug of war developed between federal, state and local policymakers and a small group of sometimes angry Christian pastors bent on holding in-person services. Meet the pastors who have refused to close.
Musician Ken Medema Urges Work for Shalom Amid Coronavirus
Musician Ken Medema hopes that Christians will work to build peace and wholeness — or what in Hebrew is called shalom — in their communities and across the nation as coronavirus exposes injustices in our society. He talked about faith and music on the Word&Way
Webside Appeal for Your Church, Part 3: Your Website
The first media column I wrote for Word&Way in 1999 asked the question, “Should my church have a web page?” In that pre-social media world, it was luxury that was slowly becoming a necessity.
Tallahassee Churches to Hold Citywide Virtual VBS
Last year Bradfordville FBC hosted about 300 boys and girls for VBS in Tallahassee, Florida. This year, alongside 20 local partnering congregations spanning multiple denominations, they could reach thousands.
California: 2 Church Services Sources of Virus Outbreaks
As Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares to release plans for how religious institutions can reopen in California during the coronavirus pandemic, health officials announced that two church services that were held without authorization have been sources of outbreaks.
Slowly, Some US Houses of Worship Emerge from Lockdown
For the first time in two months, there was clapping, singing, and fellowship inside Stithton Baptist Church in Radcliff, Kentucky, as members of the congregation returned to the sanctuary for Sunday morning services on May 24. There also were masks, hand sanitizer, and social distancing.
Minn. Gov. Extends Occupancy for Church Services
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Saturday scrapped his 10-person limit on group gatherings and agreed to allow churches to open at 25% occupancy if certain safety guidelines are met. Walz announced the decision on the day when the state reported a record number of COVID-19 cases.