The Holy Vote
Is voting a “sacred” ritual, as politicians often describe it? If so, how does that influence the way Christians should participate in democracy and advocate for others to be able to do the same?
Missouri Church Leaders Implore Congregants: Get Vaccinated
Many churches in southwestern Missouri, are hosting vaccination clinics. Meanwhile, more than 200 church leaders have signed onto a statement urging Christians to get vaccinated, and on Wednesday announced a follow-up public service campaign that will include paid advertisements.
Why We Acted in Support of Vaccinations
Editors Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood outline the theological reasons for a COVID-19 vaccination outreach effort centered around clergy. Such an act is not only a matter of public health, it is also a witness to what we believe about the Gospel.
Donuts Are Not the Bread of Life
Columnist Sarah Blackwell examines why some churches who claim to be focused on resurrecting the model of the early church are some of the least likely to regularly participate in communion. She then discusses some ways we can find new life in the important ritual.
Global Interfaith Prayer Service Advocates for Vaccine Equity
Faith leaders from across the globe and from numerous faith traditions gathered together on Tuesday both on Zoom and in person on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to urge President Joe Biden to share COVID-19 vaccine stockpiles and to advocate for equitable global distribution of vaccines.
David Platt’s Dreams for McLean Bible Church Sour as Members File Lawsuit Over Elder Vote
In a complaint filed Thursday, five McLean Bible Church members allege that David Platt and other leaders illegally barred them from voting at a recent congregational meeting and violated the church’s constitution.
Behind the Pulpit: Timothy Peoples
Senior Editor Beau Underwood interviews Timothy Peoples, senior minister of Emerywood Baptist Church in High Point, North Carolina, for the latest installment of our “Behind the Pulpit” series intended to pull back the curtain on the minister’s life.
Mainline Struggles in the Rural Midwest
Ryan Burge writes that there’s been a cultural shift that has gone basically unnoticed in small-town America: mainline Protestant churches have become an increasingly endangered species. This poses a problem for people who would still like to be a Christian but can’t be an evangelical.
Billionaires Gone Wild
We wonder if the new space race between billionaires actually represents progress. In this issue of A Public Witness, we look not toward the stars but back on Earth to consider the moral lessons we can learn from these men so rich they are literally choosing
United Church of Christ Declares Racism a Public Health Crisis
The United Church of Christ kicked off its Special Edition General Synod on Sunday by passing a resolution declaring racism a public health crisis. Delegates to the mainline denomination’s biennial meeting are meeting virtually this year.