In a new documentary, Will Willimon puts his preaching toolbox to the test
(RNS) — Good preaching took a hit during the coronavirus — with many preachers speaking into their computers from their living rooms..
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Lutheran World Federation elects first female general secretary to lead global communion
(RNS) — The Lutheran World Federation has elected the first woman to head its global communion of churches. The Rev. Anne Burghardt,..
‘We still have work to do’: How to understand the new Juneteenth holiday
(RNS) — President Joe Biden signed legislation on Thursday (June 17) recognizing Juneteenth as a federal holiday, marking June 19 as a..
NIH director: We asked God for help with COVID-19, and vaccines are the “answer to that prayer”
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Earlier this month, the White House announced a “month of action” to help ensure 70% of U.S. adults are..
Keep COVID-19 restrictions during in-person worship, ecumenical guide suggests
(RNS) — Some Americans may be behaving like the COVID-19 pandemic no longer hinders them from socializing with friends and family, many..
Pilgrims return to Spain’s ‘El Camino’ paths after pandemic
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA, Spain (AP) — Committing to the pilgrim’s path has for centuries been a source of renewal for those willing..
Hundreds gather at historic Tulsa church’s prayer wall
TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Hundreds gathered Monday for an interfaith service dedicating a prayer wall outside historic Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church..
Study: More churches closing than opening
(RNS) — A new study from Lifeway Research suggests more Protestant churches closed in 2019 than opened — continuing a decades-long congregational..
Is it safe to sing at church yet? Depends who you ask.
(RNS) — On Pentecost Sunday, some members of Southwood Lutheran Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, sang hymns without masks for the first time..
One year after George Floyd’s murder, faith leaders continue the call for racial reckoning
(RNS) — Los Angeles pastor Stephen “Cue” Jn-Marie is quick to point out the movement for Black lives and Black Lives Matter..
Survey: Religion a key topic for many millennial moms during pandemic
(RNS) — Religion was an important topic of conversation between mothers and their children during the pandemic, according to an annual “State..
Poor People’s Campaign, lawmakers unveil sweeping resolution to tackle poverty
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Lawmakers and leaders of the faith-based Poor People’s Campaign unveiled a sweeping new resolution Thursday (May 20) designed to eradicate..
100 years later, Black church leaders seek reparations for Tulsa massacre
(RNS) — On the first Wednesday in May, as the centennial of the Tulsa massacre approached, the Rev. Robert R.A. Turner stood..
Meet the Friendly Neighbor Epidemiologist encouraging her fellow Christians to get vaccinated
(RNS) — Emily Smith didn’t realize there was such a divide between faith and science for many Christians. Smith’s parents led worship..
PBS’ Billy Graham documentary captures preacher’s pull and ambition
(RNS) — How did Billy Graham become the most famous evangelist in America? Does he deserve blame for paving the way for..
Interfaith efforts strained by Israeli-Palestinian violence
(RNS) — The escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is dismaying American Muslims and Jews who’ve been working to build bridges..
Christian higher ed courses in prisons continue, adapt amid COVID-19
(RNS) — At North Park Theological Seminary, an evangelical school in Chicago, faculty opted for pen-and-paper classwork to continue courses for inmates..
For some pastors, the past year was a sign from God it was time to quit
(RNS) — Jeff Weddle, a 46-year-old, wise-cracking, self-deprecating, Bible-loving, self-described “failing pastor” from Wisconsin, was already thinking of leaving the ministry before..
National Day of Prayer to be marked with petitions for racial justice
(RNS) — In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted many observances of the annual National Day of Prayer to go virtual, with a..
CDC director: Masked, fully vaccinated people can safely attend worship indoors
WASHINGTON (RNS) — The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention loosened the agency’s social distancing recommendations on Tuesday (April..
Health care organizations find success with faith-based allies in vaccine distribution
(RNS) — Dr. Basim Khan notices the change in his patients when they appear for an appointment after they’ve received the COVID-19..
Will COVID-19 finally be the end of the church collection plate?
(RNS) — In the 1984 film “Mass Appeal,” Father Tim Farley, played by Jack Lemmon, gives a young, aspiring priest a lesson..
African Americans attend church, Bible study more than others, but Black ‘nones’ increasing
(RNS) — Black adults attend church and participate in Bible studies more than other U.S. adults, but younger Black Americans are less..
Black and Asian Christian leaders discuss role of church in fighting racism
CHICAGO (RNS) — In the summer of 2020, as the death of George Floyd shined a spotlight on racism and violence against..
Gallup: Fewer than half of Americans belong to a church or other house of worship
(RNS) — Ask Americans if they believe in God and most will say yes. But a growing number have lost faith in..