‘Beyond the Walls’ Church Missions Increasingly Start Within
(RNS) — When First Congregational Church of Bellingham built a new sanctuary in the mid-2000s, it wanted to be sure the facility would be used all week long and not just on Sunday.
LifeWay Research Looks for New Faces in the Pews
NASHVILLE (BP) -- Many churches are not seeing new faces in the pews, according to a new study from Exponential conducted by LifeWay Research.Six in 10 Protestant churches are plateaued or declining in attendance, according to data released March 6. More than half saw fewer
Compassion International’s Roadshow Tour Combines Music and Ministry
(RNS) — For many of Compassion International's one million US child sponsors, there’s another person in the sponsor-child relationship: the musician — usually a Christian artist — who introduced them to Compassion at a concert.
Protestant Pastors Affirm Ministry to Immigrants; Few Churches Engage
A disconnect exists in U.S. Protestant congregations between leaders affirming responsibility for ministry to immigrants regardless of documentation and churches actually doing so, according to a LifeWay Research report published Feb. 20.
United Methodists Pass Traditional Plan, Keep Ban on LGBTQ Clergy, Same-Sex Marriage
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — A special session of the United Methodist Church decided Tuesday (Feb. 26) to strengthen the denomination’s ban on the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ people, by a delegate vote of 438-384.
United Methodist Committee Rejects One Church Plan, Which Would Allow LGBT Clergy
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — In a surprise, the plan recommended by the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops was rejected Monday (Feb. 25) by the denomination’s decision-making body.
United Methodists Vote Pensions, ‘Traditional Plan’ as Top Priorities
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — Delegates to a special session of the United Methodist Church decided Sunday (Feb. 24) to start deliberations over the denomination’s future by talking about money. Then they will talk about sex.
Religion or Remembrance? Supreme Court to Mull Cross-Shaped War Memorial
Erected just outside Washington, D.C., by the American Legion more than 90 years ago, the cross — also known as the "Bladensburg Cross" — is the center of a lawsuit the association filed in 2012, arguing the cross' location is unconstitutional. On Wednesday (Feb. 27),
Immigration & Pastor’s Views Spotlighted in Study
NASHVILLE (BP) -- As U.S. lawmakers continue to debate the best approach to illegal immigration, most Protestant pastors say the solution should be multifaceted, according to a study released Wednesday (Feb. 20).
Why Mormons Are Leaving the Church: 4 Myths
With more people leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than in past generations, it seems everyone has an explanation for why this is happening. But many of these explanations don’t hold water statistically,