World Series Crew Chief Embraces Mission Field
BOSTON (BP)-- Ted Barrett had made a deal with God, or so he thought, when he was a young umpire in the minor leagues. He promised God that if baseball didn't work out, and that if he never got a job in the big leagues, then he'd pursue a ministry calling.
As the umpire crew chief for this year's World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has reached the pinnacle of his profession.
Legal Battle Continues Over Religious Leader Housing Tax Break
(RNS) — A federal court heard oral arguments this week on whether a longstanding housing tax break for clergy called a “parsonage allowance exclusion” is constitutional, setting the stage for a clash over competing claims of religious privilege and religious discrimination.
Friendliness More Than Simple ‘Hello’
“Hi, I’m Joe. Welcome to First Baptist Church!” Long-time church member Joe beams at the visiting couple, while he pumps their hands. “So glad you came!”
Joe spies friends and moves on. The couple looks around, wondering where to sit and what to do next. No one else approaches them. By the time they return to their car, they’ve decided not to return next Sunday.
Museum of the Bible Pulls Dead Sea Scroll Fragments Found to Be Forged
(RNS) — Since its grand opening nearly a year ago, the Museum of the Bible has exhibited five fragments from the storied Dead Sea Scrolls, the ancient parchment fragments discovered 70 years ago in a desert cave.
On Monday (Oct. 22) the museum acknowledged that the five fragments it had on display were forgeries.
Eugene Peterson, Author of ‘the Message’ and Pastor to Other Pastors, Dies at Age 85
(RNS) — Eugene Peterson, the best-selling author of “The Message” and longtime pastor praised as a “shepherd’s shepherd,” passed away Monday morning (Oct. 22) at age 85.
Among Peterson's last words were, "Let's go," according to a statement from his family.
Christian Post Publisher Is Indicted For Fraud
(RNS) — A New York City grand jury has indicted Christian Media Corp., the publisher of evangelical news website The Christian Post, and William Anderson, its former chief executive, on financial fraud charges, along with Etienne Uzac, who ran Newsweek magazine's parent company.
Biblical Wax Museum Rewards Seekers of Kitsch and True Conviction
MANSFIELD, Ohio (RNS) — At the BibleWalk wax museum in Mansfield, Ohio, visitors will find Jesus, Moses, Paul and other biblical figures.
They also may find Tom Cruise.
Churches in Hurricane Florence’s Path Look to FEMA for a Helping Hand
(R
NS) — How is Hurricane Florence different from past storms along the Eastern Seaboard?
For some houses of worship, it may have brought the potential of government help.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Changing Its Name but Not Its Tune
(RNS) — The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a singing phenomenon for more than 150 years, is changing its name at the request of its sponsor, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Thus, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will now be called “The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.”
A Preacher Plumbs the Art of the Sermon by Yielding the Pulpit to Passers-By
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (RNS) — A pulpit is often regarded as a sacred and in many ways exclusive space. Most religions allow only the ordained to speak to congregants from this place. Ordinary voices seldom have access to the power of the pulpit.
Steve Norman wants to change that.