(RNS) — At least half of Americans realize that churches feed and clothe the poor but far fewer are aware of other social services that congregations provide, a new study shows. LifeWay Research found that 60 percent of Americans know of churches that have fed the hungry in the last six months. Half knew of instances where they provided clothing to the poor. But scant percentages of the 1,000 Americans surveyed knew that church members teach job skills or help immigrants learn English (13 percent), volunteer to provide foster care (12 percent) or offer tax preparation assistance (8 percent). “Unless you’ve received help from a church — or been involved in serving others — these kinds of programs may fly under the radar,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of the Nashville, Tenn.-based evangelical research firm. About a third of Americans knew of churches’ work to help disaster victims (39 percent) and shelter the homeless (33 percent). But only a quarter were aware of … [Read more...]

LONDON (RNS) — After centuries of wearing flowing robes, cassocks and other vestments, Anglican priests can finally dress down. Under canon law, clergy have to wear traditional robes when holding Communion services, baptisms, weddings or funerals. But following a vote this week at a gathering in York of the General Synod, the Church of England’s ruling body, Anglican priests can now wear lay garments such as a suit instead, so long as their parochial church council agrees. The reasons given for the change included a more informal outlook in British society as a whole, but there is particular concern about young people being alienated by ornate accoutrements. One member of the Archbishop’s Council — the archbishop of Canterbury’s cabinet — also wants the abolition of bishops’ miters. Ian Paul, who writes the blog Psephizo wrote: “To most, and I would suggest especially the young, the sight of bishops in mitres puts them in another world. It is world of the past, a world of … [Read more...]

(RNS) — Residents of Portland and Auburn, Maine, aren’t just living in the far Northeast. They’re in the most “post-Christian” part of the country. So says Barna Group, a California-based firm that conducts research for businesses and Christian institutions. Researchers opted for a different way of measuring the state of belief than asking people to say if they are “Christian.” Those meeting nine or more of 16 criteria were labeled “post-Christian,” or secular. “These factors include whether individuals identify as atheist, have never made a commitment to Jesus, have not attended church in the last year or have not read the Bible in the last week,” Barna said about the study. Barna President David Kinnaman called the research a “more holistic look at the level of secularization of a particular market or city.” In all the top secular-leaning cities, half or more of the respondents met Barna’s secular criteria. After Portland-Auburn, Maine, which ranked first at 57 … [Read more...]

(RNS) The latest in a long line of studies, now numbering in the hundreds, if not thousands, shows that church attendance is good for your health. Published in May by researchers from Vanderbilt University, the study found that middle-aged adults who attended religious services at least once in the past year were half as likely to die prematurely as those who didn’t. Using data from a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the study’s researchers examined 10 biological stress markers among 5,449 men and women aged 46 to 65. They then compared those markers with respondents’ self-reported religious service attendance and found a correlation between religious service attendance, lower stress and longevity. The study adds to mounting scientific findings on the subject. A far larger study, of 74,534 women, published last year found that attending a religious service more than once per week was associated with … [Read more...]

(RNS) When faith and sexuality conflict, which should prevail? Americans are divided on the question, according to a LifeWay Research study released the day after the Supreme Court agreed to hear the case of a baker who cited his religious beliefs in refusing to create a wedding cake for a gay couple. Almost half — 48 percent — say religious freedom is more important in such cases. Almost a quarter (24 percent) vote for sexual freedom and 28 percent aren’t sure, according to the study, released Tuesday (June 27). In addition, 31 percent say religious freedom is “always more important.” “It’s clear Americans value religious liberty,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of the Nashville, Tenn.-based evangelical research firm. “But when it comes to sex, they aren’t sure religion should have the final word. That’s especially true for younger Americans and those who aren’t religious.” Researchers also asked about what people think motivates religious believers who oppose … [Read more...]

(RNS) When he founded the car-care ministry at McEachern Memorial United Methodist Church 15 years ago, David McCoy knew he was filling a need in his community. What he didn’t know was just how big a need that was. Car-care ministries like McCoy’s, where church members repair cars for those in need, transcend state borders and religious groups. But, McCoy said, there still aren’t enough of them. After news outlets including USA Today and Fox News profiled his church’s work in Powder Springs, Ga., he saw calls jump from about 25 per month to over 300. “The cry for help has just been tremendous over the past six weeks,” he said. “ … We feel that here in this area, and in many areas, transportation is as vital as food and clothing and housing. It’s crazy how dependent we are on transportation and how quickly our lives fall apart when we don’t have it.” While each is a bit different, these ministries typically serve single women and the elderly, allowing them to get to work, take … [Read more...]