by Yonat Shimron (RNS) A pastor pursuing a doctorate at Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, announced in an editorial Wednesday (Dec. 16) that he was withdrawing from his degree program and severing his megachurch's affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention over a recent statement by its seminary presidents on critical race theory. The … [Read more...] about Ralph D. West, Houston Pastor, Cuts Ties to Southern Baptists Over Critical Race Theory Rejection
Church
Appeals Court Rules Against Nevada Cap on Church Attendance
By SCOTT SONNER Associated Press RENO, Nev. (AP) A U.S. appeals court agreed Tuesday with two Nevada churches that have argued for months that the state’s COVID-19 restrictions are unconstitutional because they place harsher attendance limits on religious gatherings than casinos and other secular businesses. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed earlier federal … [Read more...] about Appeals Court Rules Against Nevada Cap on Church Attendance
DC Mayor Bowser Loosens Coronavirus Restrictions on Churches to Resolve Catholic Church Lawsuit
(Fox News) D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday loosened coronavirus restrictions on houses of worship in Washington, D.C., following a lawsuit from the Archdiocese of Washington represented by the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. The new order allows houses of worship to allow 25% of their capacity or 250 people, whichever number is fewer. Houses of worship were … [Read more...] about DC Mayor Bowser Loosens Coronavirus Restrictions on Churches to Resolve Catholic Church Lawsuit
SCOTUS Sends Clear Message: Public Health Orders Don’t Negate Right to Worship
(ChurchLeaders) With its new conservative majority, the U.S. Supreme Court continues to side with churches in cases concerning pandemic-related restrictions. On Tuesday, SCOTUS erased lower court rulings in Colorado and New Jersey that favored state public health orders over houses of worship. Since its November 25 ruling for a Roman Catholic diocese that sued the state of … [Read more...] about SCOTUS Sends Clear Message: Public Health Orders Don’t Negate Right to Worship
4,400 Volunteers Are Helping Saddleback Bring ‘Light of the World’ to Life
(ChurchLeaders) Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, has created a socially distanced drive-through experience called “Light of the World” in the hope of bringing Christmas cheer to people at the end of a difficult year. The event is a massive project requiring 4,400 volunteers and 500,000 lights, and as of this past weekend nearly 50,000 people have … [Read more...] about 4,400 Volunteers Are Helping Saddleback Bring ‘Light of the World’ to Life