VENTURA, Calif. — Nearly four of every 10 "unchurched" Americans avoid worship because of negative past experiences in churches or with church people, according to new research by The Barna Group.
Payday loan outlets have grown like kudzu in recent years. Texas has more payday lender outlets—about 3,000—than it has McDonald’s and Whataburger restaurants combined.
The number of churches that reported a drop in giving due to the sour economy rose nearly 10 percent last year, according to new survey.
HONG KONG (RNS/ENI) -- The Chinese government’s new head of religious affairs has downplayed the role of house churches during his first official visit to Hong Kong, saying they must be registered with the government for their own protection.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (ABP) -- During his installation March 18 as president of the Center for Congregational Health, Bill Wilson said churches and ministers are "in crisis." That's a breath-sucking observation from the head of an organization that has dealt with struggling congregations for nearly 20
Several churches in Tipton joined members of First Baptist Church to pray for every home, business, school and church in town on March 6.
Phil Rodgerson, retired from the Virginia Baptist Mission Board, has identified classic options churches often consider when facing their own demise. Unfortunately, 58 percent of the time, the church chooses to remain and do nothing—an approach that almost guarantees an inglorious end.
As Sedalia’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” parade wound its way a
 Theo Asbury of Sedalia watches as Dona Smith, also of Sedalia, fills in Christmas
Debt keeps families, churches from reaching potentialIf Americans had followed biblical financial principles, they could have lessened—or completely avoided—the worst recession in decades, two prominent Christian money management specialists said. Blessing Schools: Initiative seeks to link local churches, schoolsRICHMOND, Va. (ABP) -- Scarce funding for public education may offer churches an opportunity to work more closely with public schools in their neighborhoods. |