Baptists mark 400th anniversary, celebrate religious freedom
UTRECHT, Netherlands (RNS/ENI) — Four hundred years after the first Baptist congregation was established, followers have been challenged to continue championing religious liberty.
The Presbyterian Outlook
Creating and curating trustworthy resources for the church, the Presbyterian Outlook connects disciples of Jesus Christ through compelling and committed conversation for the proclamation of the Gospel.
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Riverside Church pastor takes baton, then drops it
NEW YORK — When Brad Braxton was tapped last year as the next senior pastor of Riverside Church, he was billed as an energetic and dynamic preacher with the power to reinvigorate the flagship pulpit of progressive Protestantism.
“Objectionable actions” prompt Beaver-Butler declaration
Beaver-Butler Presbytery, convinced that the 2008 General Assembly had committed a series of “objectionable actions,” has issued a “Theological Declaration” to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), outlining what it sees as the assembly’s failings and inviting other presbyteries and congregations to join in the declaration.
Help the world learn to laugh
Editor’s note: A memorial service was held July 7 in Westfield, N.J., for Bill Forbes, a much-loved church leader who died June 30 after battling pancreatic cancer for several years.
New Testament HMO
Among the new “gospels” being discovered in damp and dusty caves, there is one in which Jesus is approached by a person in need of the restoration of sight, or the healing of a hemorrhage.
Older congregation raises young children
… Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” (Genesis 17:17 NRSV)
Luck or grace?
I’ve recently reconnected with someone who played a critical role in my spiritual formation. For many years, I considered that role to..
God speaks at the clothing store
God speaks in such unexpected ways, and yet the ordinary is always there.
Tips for taking hold of financial distress
I don’t know a perfect formula for managing a church’s finances during a deep recession. Every situation is unique. But here are some tips for taking hold
of the situation:
New world church leader eyes links with other churches, faiths
GENEVA (ENI) -- The World Council of Churches offers a unique network that the Norwegian theologian who will take over the helm of the Christian grouping in 2010 says he will use to forge better relations with the Roman Catholic Church, other Christian groups and Muslims.
New church council leader offers support to indigenous peoples
GENEVA (ENI) -- The newly elected general secretary of the World Council of Churches has said he is concerned about the situation of "First peoples" around the world and has suggested practices from his home country of Norway may be a model for other nations in dealing with their indigenous populations.
US Jewish group blasts WCC leader on Israel as ‘hypocritical’
(ENI) — The American Jewish Committee has denounced the World Council of Churches' General Secretary Samuel Kobia, for his declaration that Israel's "occupation" of Palestinian territories is "a sin against God."
Churches look to 2011 meeting to highlight anti-violence message
GENEVA (ENI) — Organizers of an international churches' peace convocation planned for Jamaica in 2011 say they hope the event will rouse people to commit themselves to finding ways of preventing violence by exploring four areas of life that often trigger conflict.
More about new WCC general secretary.
GENEVA (ENI) — The newly-elected general secretary of the World Council of Churches has said that relations with the Roman Catholic Church and with Islam are two key issues for the Geneva-based church grouping.
Norwegian Lutheran elected to lead World Council of Churches
GENEVA (ENI) — Olav Fykse Tveit, an ordained pastor in the Church of Norway, has been elected general secretary of the World Council of Churches today (August 27.)
Film in review: “Post Grad”
There is nothing unexpected in “Post Grad.” It’s a predictable, cute, reserved, little romantic comedy that breaks no new ground. But what’s wrong with that?
Indian Christians regret government reaction to U.S. criticism
BANGALORE (ENI) — Indian Christian leaders and activists have expressed disappointment over the Indian government's response to the United States placing the country on a "watch list" over the state of religious freedom in some parts of the nation.
Freeing the Lockerbie bomber was the right thing to do
How commendable was Kenneth MacAskill’s freeing of the terminally ill Libyan convicted of the 1988 bombing of Pam-Am Flight 203! The..
Israeli occupation a ‘sin against God’ says global churches’ leader
GENEVA — (ENI) The general secretary of the World Council of Churches has said that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories should be declared a "sin against God."
Lutherans open door to gay clergy, agree to disagree on sexuality
MINNEAPOLIS (ABP) — Delegates to the national assembly of America's largest Lutheran denomination voted by a wide margin Aug. 21 to open the door to allowing clergy in committed same-sex relationships to serve openly.
WCC to elect new leader at Geneva meeting
GENEVA — The main governing body of the World Council of Churches (WCC), its central committee, starts an eight-day meeting tomorrow (Aug. 26) during which it will elect a new general secretary to succeed the Rev. Samuel Kobia, a Methodist from Kenya.
Coastal Kenyan Christians and Muslims in a tangle over schools
(ENI) — Christians and Muslims in Kenya's coastal region are embroiled in a row over the control of schools, stirring tensions that both groups warn could destabilize peaceful co-existence between the two faiths.
Education in Pakistan: They don’t take anything for granted
These American women — free, safe, blessed by a wealth of educational and career opportunities — were hearing stories hard to understand and absorb. But they crowded into a living room in Louisville, eager to learn what life is like for women in Pakistan, a country halfway around the world.
Flipping the presbytery
It wasn’t necessarily that anything was “broken.” In fact, things in the Los Ranchos Presbytery in southern California were going along quite nicely, according to most anyone you’d ask.
Seminaries facing budget balancing act
Presbyterian seminaries face challenging financial realities, searching for ways to balance their budgets.