News from other sources

Churches expect decisive actions for peace in Syria from Geneva 2 talks

GENEVA (WCC) As the Geneva 2 talks for peace in Syria began here yesterday (Jan. 22), churches from around the world continue..

World Communion of Reformed Churches finds new home

HANOVER, GERMANY (WCC) The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has found a new home. On Sunday, Jan. 12, a service of welcome took..

In Thailand, US evangelicals work to end prostitution

BANGKOK (RNS) A small delicate silver cross hangs around Mint’s neck, a charm she reaches for nervously from time to time as..

Lessons learned by a young priest (commentary)

(RNS) In the perfection of hindsight, I see that I was clueless when I knelt before the Episcopal bishop of Indianapolis on..

Church Realignment and the Search for ‘Greener Grass’ (blog)

This post originally appreared on Juicy Ecumenism, a blog from the Institute on Religion and Democracy. It is reposted here with permission...

NCC installs new officers

CHICAGO – Five nationally known and experienced ecumenical leaders have been installed as officers of the newly reorganized National Council of Churches..

James E. Winkler elected NCC general secretary/president

  CHICAGO – James E. Winkler, general secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society (GBCS), has been elected..

Spiritual experiences in worship tied to increased giving

This article was originally posted on "Beyond the Ordinary" and is reprinted with permission.  Every congregation needs cheerful givers. Yet many religious leaders..

The two Jacks: Contrasting takes on C.S. Lewis and JFK’s public and private faiths

(RNS) In November of 1963, C. S. “Jack” Lewis knew he was dying. The Irish-born literary scholar, children’s author, and Christian apologist..

World Council of Churches Voices Solidarity with Haiyan Victims

First woman and African moderator elected of the WCC Central Committee

Agnes Abuom of the Anglican Church of Kenya, the first woman and first African elected moderator of the WCC Central Committee. —WCC staff..

Blog repost: Church Membership And Affinity In The PC(USA)

  This blog post is reprinted with permission.  It originally appeared on The GA Junkie.   In the spirit of my tag..

WCC 10th Assembly: hopes and aspirations

BUSAN, SOUTH KOREA (WCC) The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) begins at the end of October and promises to be..

Stated Clerk urges Congress: Stop Playing Politics with People’s Wellbeing

  WASHINGTON, DC (PNS) On Friday, the Reverend Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, joined with 33 other leaders of..

Why I Am (Still) a Presbyterian

This piece originally appeared on the author's blog. It is reprinted in full here with the author's permission.   It happened again..

‘Miracle’ of reaching young adults related to openness to change

WCRC Member Churches called to prayer for Syria

GENEVA –  The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) General secretary, Setri Nyomi, calls all member churches to prayer for the devastating..

Link: 25 NGOs: Military Strikes Not the Answer in Syria

 FCNL and 24 other organizations wrote to President Obama to express grave concerns with the Administration's reported plans to intervene militarily in..

Blog reprint – It’s Not About Us (Or Why Declining Church Attendance Is Not Such A Crisis)

This piece originally appeared on the author's personal blog, "A pastor looks at 40," and is reprinted here with his permission. One..

Two ecumenical bodies established for Sudan and South Sudan

GENEVA – Two ecumenical councils in South Sudan and Sudan have now been established. The decision comes after South Sudan’s independence from Sudan..

Richmond: International Conference on Religious Freedom

The International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ICLARS) will hold its third bi-annual conference—Religion, Democracy, and Equality—August 21-23, 2013 in Virginia...

Blog – The wrath of God, the PCUSA, and a new hymnal

This blog originally appeared here on "A Wee Blether" and is reprinted with the author's permission. Back in May, The Christian Century published two..

Reza Aslan defends controversial new book on Jesus

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS)  For the third time, Jesus is about to change Reza Aslan’s life. As a teenager, Aslan turned to Jesus..

Faith leaders promote protection of displaced people

  GENEVA - Along with other faith-based groups, the World Council of Churches (WCC) has helped develop a declaration, launched by the United..

OneTable, many theologies? Fuller Theological Seminary opens its doors to LGBT student group