Remnants of Black Church Uncovered in Colonial Williamsburg
The brick foundation of one of the nation’s oldest Black churches has been unearthed at Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum in Virginia that continues to reckon with its past storytelling about the country’s origins and the role of Black Americans.
Two Spirits
In this edition of A Public Witness, we review the public careers of two well-known Christian figures in the public square — Pat Robertson and Francis Collins — who both announced their retirements in recent days. We will explore the lessons they taught and the spirits with which they led.
‘COVID has been Harder on Us’: Some Black Churches Remain Hesitant to Reopen
While many congregations have been back to worship for weeks and months, often masked and socially distant, some African American clergy continue to hold off on in-person services.
Southern Baptist Executive Committee Votes in 3rd Meeting to Waive Privilege for Abuse Probe
A top committee of the Southern Baptist Convention agreed Tuesday (Oct. 5) to open up legally protected records to investigators who will look into how it handled, or mishandled, cases of sexual abuse within the nation’s largest Protestant denomination over the past two decades.
Has the Christian Flag Become a Lost Cause?
The Christian flag’s co-optation at these events raises a banner of questions about its contemporary meaning to the Church. In this edition of A Public Witness, we unfurl the history of the Christian flag and raise up its usage by White Supremacists today.
Pat Robertson Turned Christian TV into Political Power — & Blew it up with Wacky Prophecy
For many Americans, Pat Robertson, the Christian television pioneer and onetime presidential candidate, will always be remembered for his wacky pronouncements made at inflection points of American history.
Behind the Pulpit: Emanuel Cleaver III
Senior Editor Beau Underwood interviews Emanuel Cleaver III, pastor of St. James United Methodist Church in Kansas City, MO, for the latest installment of our “Behind the Pulpit” series intended to pull back the curtain on the minister’s life.
Pope, Faith Leaders Sign Joint Climate Appeal Before Summit
Pope Francis and dozens of religious leaders on Monday (Oct. 4) signed a joint appeal to governments to commit to ambitious targets at the upcoming U.N. climate conference, while promising to do their own part to lead their faithful into more sustainable behavior.
ERLC Trustee Complains About Leaked Letter — In Leaked Letter
Amid debates within the Southern Baptist Convention over investigating clergy sexual abuse, a trustee of the SBC’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission penned a letter attacking former ERLC President Russell Moore.
National Baptist Convention USA President Questions ‘Hypocritical’ Mandate Views
The president of the National Baptist Convention, USA, closed the annual session of his denomination this week with critiques of cultural conflicts and Christian Nationalism.