‘Godspell’ in 2020: Masks, Partitions, & a Contactless Crucifixion
The first professional musical staged in the United States since theater shut down is also a de facto public health experiment. Read full piece
America, These are Self-Inflicted Wounds
Wendell Griffen, a Baptist pastor and circuit court judge in Arkansas, reflects on the fact that the U.S. has now lost 150,000 people — almost three times the number of people we lost during the Vietnam War – due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read full piece
Canadian Pastor Guilty of Defying Myanmar’s Coronavirus Law
A court in Myanmar on Thursday sentenced the Canadian pastor of an evangelical church to three months imprisonment after finding him guilty of violating a law intended to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
I Just Don’t Know What Will Happen
Editor Brian Kaylor reflects on the sudden ending of the Gospel of Mark and what it means to have faith during a time of uncertainty like the coronavirus pandemic.
Baptists in Lebanon Request Prayers After Explosion
After a massive explosion rocked the Lebanese capital of Beirut Tuesday (August 4), Baptists in the country quickly requested prayers. The blast killed at least 73 people and injured more than 3,000 others.
Churches See Success with Online Giving
As churches adjusted to not meeting in person during coronavirus, online giving has increased. And some pastors see this not only helping right now but also as a positive shift for future giving and ministry as more people give online regularly.
Trend Toward Online Learning Gives Seminaries an Advantage Amid COVID
CBF-partner theology schools are making significant shifts as they prepare for a fall semester to commence in the middle of the global pandemic. Read full piece
South Korea Arrests Leader of Church with Big COVID-19 Cluster
South Korean prosecutors arrested the elderly leader of a secretive religious sect Saturday as part of an investigation into allegations that the church hampered the government’s anti-virus response after thousands of worshipers were infected in February and March.
Coronavirus Complicates Hurricane Relief Efforts by Churches
Faith-based disaster response officials describe nightmarish challenges imposed by the coronavirus on communities that have endured hurricanes and tornadoes since the pandemic began. Read full piece
COVID Outbreak of more than 40 Cases Tied to Revival at Rural Church
In June, Warrior Creek Baptist was back to some normal gatherings. Last week, an annual weeklong revival started as usual, but this year the Alabama church only made it to Thursday.