Court Upholds California Ban on Church Services in Pandemic
California Gov. Gavin Newsom had the right to ban church assemblies in the interest of public health during the coronavirus outbreak, a federal judge ruled on May 5.
Oklahoma Church Plans Seniors-Only Worship Gathering
Evergreen Baptist Church in Bixby, Okla., plans to reopen its building May 17 for an in-person worship service – but only for those age 55 and older.
What Would Rachel Held Evans Do? Late Author’s Voice Lives on through Those She Championed
It's been a year since beloved progressive Christian author and speaker Rachel Held Evans died unexpectedly — and in that year, a common refrain sounded again and again online among her many readers and friends.
Swedish Baptists Minister in New Ways Amid Coronavirus
Although some commentators in the U.S. point to Sweden as an alternative example of how to respond to the coronavirus with fewer restrictions, for Baptists in that country, worship and ministry has been impacted in ways similar to U.S. churches.
There’s a New Baptist Sex Abuser Database, but SBC Action Is Still Needed
For more than a decade, abuse survivor advocates have been asking the Southern Baptist Convention to establish a clergy predator database, and they've been confronted with a denomination determined to do nothing. A new Baptist sex abuser database has been launched at BaptistAccountability.org.
The Bible and the Newspaper
Karl Barth is widely regarded as the greatest (Protestant) Christian theologian of the twentieth century. Among a myriad of other things, Barth (1886~1968) is often credited with saying that people should hold the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other.
What Is This Time Doing to You?
Dallas Willard once said, “Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life in our day. You must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from your life.” In addition to the crucial questions about health and safety, it might be even more important to ask these spiritual questions as
Illinois Order Revised to Allow Small, Safe Worship Services
Illinois will allow small, safe worship services during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a modified extension of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order that took effect Friday.
As States Ease Lockdown Restrictions, Churches Must Decide When — and How — to Reopen
The Rev. Jim West was feeling terrified as the state of Tennessee — and the church he pastors there — prepared to reopen after a month under stay-at-home orders. But he was also looking forward to it.
Court Weighs in on Applying Mass Gathering Ban to Ky. Churches
A federal appeals court on Saturday declined to block the Kentucky governor's temporary ban on massing gatherings from applying to in-person religious services.