(ChurchLeaders) When Pastor Jason James and his team planted New Hope Church in New York City at the beginning of this year, they had no idea that God would use the upheaval of a global pandemic to shape the kind of church they would become. “People in our community lost jobs, couldn’t afford rent or groceries,” said Pastor Jason James. “Local businesses had to close. We … [Read more...] about How One NY Church Plant Launched March 1 and Did More Than Just Survive
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Top German Catholic Bishop Urges Shift on Women’s Ordination, Homosexuality
by Jack Jenkins (RNS) Bishop Georg Bätzing, the current president of the German national conference of Catholic prelates, called for a more inclusive church on Tuesday (Dec. 29), suggesting that the Catholic hierarchy could shift its positions on women’s ordination and homosexuality. According to the Catholic News Service, Bätzing, who heads the Diocese of Limburg, near … [Read more...] about Top German Catholic Bishop Urges Shift on Women’s Ordination, Homosexuality
Pastor’s Miraculous Recovery From COVID-19 to Be Featured on Netflix
(ChurchLeaders) A Belfast pastor who went viral after sharing an awe-inspiring hospital encounter will have his story told on the big screen, thanks to a Christian film producer. DeVon Franklin, known for movies such as Miracles From Heaven and Breakthrough, contacted Lee McClelland, pastor of The Ark Church in Northern Ireland, about adapting his experiences for a Netflix … [Read more...] about Pastor’s Miraculous Recovery From COVID-19 to Be Featured on Netflix
John MacArthur’s Church Knew of at Least a Dozen Congregants with COVID; No Sign Church Reported
(The Roys Report) A document obtained by The Roys Report shows John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church (GCC) last week knew of at least a dozen people in one of its fellowship groups with COVID-19. However, there’s no evidence these cases were reported to local public health officials. This, despite an order requiring churches to report when at least three coronavirus cases … [Read more...] about John MacArthur’s Church Knew of at Least a Dozen Congregants with COVID; No Sign Church Reported
Indoor Worship Is Now Allowed in la County, but Some Parishes and Dioceses Are Waiting
by Alejandra Molina LOS ANGELES (RNS) Ask the Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin why his church will not be gathering indoors despite an updated county health order that again allows places of worship to hold indoor services, and he’ll tell you about a sermon he gave last May. Cyrus-Franklin, senior pastor at Inglewood First United Methodist Church, said he preached on the 23rd … [Read more...] about Indoor Worship Is Now Allowed in la County, but Some Parishes and Dioceses Are Waiting