by McFarlan Miller (RNS) The largest United Methodist church in the Atlanta metropolitan region announced it is leaving the denomination over the reassignment of its lead pastor. Earlier this month, Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson reassigned the Rev. Jody Ray, pastor of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, Georgia, to a newly created position related to racial … [Read more...] about Prominent Georgia Church Leaves United Methodist Church Over Pastor’s Reassignment
Church
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb Signs Law Designating Churches as Essential Services, Banning Gov’t Mistreatment
(The Christian Post) Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed a new law that prohibits the state government and its agencies from treating a religious body worse during a public health emergency than secular entities. Known as Senate Enrolled Act 263 and signed Thursday, the legislation designates houses of worship as essential services and thus prohibits them … [Read more...] about Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb Signs Law Designating Churches as Essential Services, Banning Gov’t Mistreatment
John Ortberg’s Former Megachurch Terminates Worship Leader for Soliciting Nude Photos
(The Roys Report) The California megachurch recently rocked by revelations its former pastor, John Ortberg, had allowed a volunteer with an attraction to children to work with minors is dealing with yet another scandal. Ortberg resigned from Menlo Church in July, after it was revealed that Ortberg had allowed his son, John “Johnny” Ortbreg III, to volunteer with children. … [Read more...] about John Ortberg’s Former Megachurch Terminates Worship Leader for Soliciting Nude Photos
Will COVID-19 Finally Be the End of the Church Collection Plate?
by Bob Smietana (RNS) In the 1984 film "Mass Appeal," Father Tim Farley, played by Jack Lemmon, gives a young, aspiring priest a lesson in church finances. Give a good sermon, and church coffers will fill up. But a bad sermon comes with a cost. ''It is no accident that the collection comes after the sermon,” Farley warns. “It's like a Nielsen rating.'' These … [Read more...] about Will COVID-19 Finally Be the End of the Church Collection Plate?
Mennonite Church USA Releases Radical ‘Defund the Police? An Abolition Curriculum’
The Mennonite Church USA (MC USA), an Anabaptist Christian denomination in the United States that has an estimated 530 congregations and 62,000 members, released a curriculum this week entitled “Defund the Police? An Abolition Curriculum” that addresses issues of systemic police brutality. The church’s curriculum ironically launched the day before … [Read more...] about Mennonite Church USA Releases Radical ‘Defund the Police? An Abolition Curriculum’