by Eboo Patel and Robert P. Jones (RNS) Science, supply chains and good government policy have brought us to a remarkable point in the battle against the virus: Any adult who wants a vaccine can now get one. The principal challenge from here is not scientific or logistical but cultural — addressing hesitancy among the large number of Americans who remain skeptical about … [Read more...] about The Path to Herd Immunity Runs Through America’s Faith Communities
Church
Evangelical Christianity Is Seen As ‘an Absolute Joke,’ Warns Francis Chan
(ChurchLeaders) As the church heads into what he calls “a new season,” pastor and author Francis Chan is urging leaders in evangelical Christianity to encounter God and to make worship sacred and reverent again. In a message last week at the Exponential Reset Summit, Chan addressed the recent wave of high-profile Christians who have “deconstructed,” or left the faith. He also … [Read more...] about Evangelical Christianity Is Seen As ‘an Absolute Joke,’ Warns Francis Chan
Wisconsin Catholic Pastor Who Preached Against COVID-19 Vaccine Ordered to Step Down
(NBC News) The pastor of a Roman Catholic parish in Wisconsin who told his congregation to shun the Covid-19 vaccine and preached right-wing politics from the pulpit has been asked to step down by his bishop. The Rev. James Altman, of the St. James the Less Roman Catholic Church in La Crosse, made the announcement during his sermon at Sunday Mass, calling himself a victim of … [Read more...] about Wisconsin Catholic Pastor Who Preached Against COVID-19 Vaccine Ordered to Step Down
Southern Baptist Decline Continues, Denomination Has Lost More Than 2 Million Members Since 2006
by Bob Smietana NASHVILLE (RNS) The nation’s largest Protestant denomination continues to get smaller. There were 14 million Southern Baptists in 2020, according to a new report released Thursday (May 20) by Lifeway Christian Resources, which compiles official denominational statistics. That number is down 435,632 members since 2019 and 2.3 million from 2006, … [Read more...] about Southern Baptist Decline Continues, Denomination Has Lost More Than 2 Million Members Since 2006
The Ageless Worship Song ‘Because He Lives’ Turns 50-Year-Old This Year
Bill and Gloria Gaither have been singing Christian music together since the early 1960’s and have composed over 800 songs. One of those songs, the ageless “Because He Lives,” was written 50 years ago in 1971. The Gaithers were preparing for the birth of their third child, Benjy, when they penned the song that has impacted churches throughout the world. The … [Read more...] about The Ageless Worship Song ‘Because He Lives’ Turns 50-Year-Old This Year