By BRIAN MELLEY Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) The state of California has agreed not to impose greater coronavirus restrictions on church gatherings than it does on retail establishments in a pair of settlements that provide more than $2 million in fees to lawyers who challenged the rules as a violation of religious freedom. A deal approved Tuesday by a federal judge … [Read more...] about California To Pay $2m Church Legal Fees Over Virus Closures
Church
Leaked Russell Moore Letter Blasts SBC Conservatives, Sheds Light on His Resignation
by Paul O'Donnell and Bob Smietana (RNS) For years before his resignation last month as president of the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, the Rev. Russell Moore was considered the denomination's most outspoken "Never Trumper," and when he departed for a job at Christianity Today magazine, it was considered a victory for pro-Trump SBC … [Read more...] about Leaked Russell Moore Letter Blasts SBC Conservatives, Sheds Light on His Resignation
Sex Abuse Allegations by Carl Lentz’s Former Nanny Put Spotlight on Hillsong Culture
by Roxanne Stone NEW YORK (RNS) A former Hillsong NYC staff member has come forward with allegations that the megachurch's former pastor Carl Lentz subjected her to “bullying, abuse of power and sexual abuse” over the course of seven years as she worked as a nanny in Lentz's home. “I felt trapped and silenced. I also felt so ashamed and I had been told not to say anything … [Read more...] about Sex Abuse Allegations by Carl Lentz’s Former Nanny Put Spotlight on Hillsong Culture
Life.Church Campus Pastor Danny Duran Dies Unexpectedly
Overland Park, Kansas’ Life.Church campus pastor Danny Duran, 41, died unexpectedly on Tuesday June 1, 2021, after collapsing in his home. Medical teams are still working to determine the cause. Duran leaves behind a wife and three children. The campus said in a statement, “As we all begin to grieve, we can find comfort in … [Read more...] about Life.Church Campus Pastor Danny Duran Dies Unexpectedly
Controversial Christian Diet Guru Gwen Shamblin Lara Dies in Plane Crash
Controversial Remnant Fellowship Church founder, diet guru, and best-selling author Gwen Shamblin Lara (66) was killed over the weekend when her private plane crashed into Percy Priest Lake in Tennessee shortly after take off Saturday, May 29, 2021. Those also on board the Cessna 501 when it crashed were Lara’s husband and Tarzan actor Joe … [Read more...] about Controversial Christian Diet Guru Gwen Shamblin Lara Dies in Plane Crash