(ChurchLeaders) An attendee of Bethel Church in Redding, California has been arrested for concocting a “ponzi scheme” which swindled investors out of $35 million. Some of the investors were also members of Bethel Church. Matthew Piercey set up the investment companies Family Wealth Legacy and Zolla to allegedly entice investors to give him and his business partner, Kenneth … [Read more...] about Members of Bethel Church Taken in $35 Million ‘Ponzi Scheme’
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California Megachurch Associate Pastor Dies of COVID-19
(The Christian Post) An associate pastor with a California-based megachurch died days after testing positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement from church leadership. Bob Bryant, who served as associate pastor of benevolence at the multisite Water of Life Community Church, died on Monday after suffering complications from COVID-19. In a statement posted to … [Read more...] about California Megachurch Associate Pastor Dies of COVID-19
Police Block Churches in CA Province With 40% COVID Positivity Rate From Meeting
(ChurchLeaders) Despite an alarming 40 percent COVID-19 test-positivity rate in parts of southern Manitoba, some churches in that Canadian province are still gathering in defiance of public orders. In Steinbach, 45 miles from Winnipeg, law enforcement officials are issuing fines, and a ministerial group is urging churches to suspend worship. Yet several large congregations … [Read more...] about Police Block Churches in CA Province With 40% COVID Positivity Rate From Meeting
Progressive United Methodists Announce New Denomination: Liberation Methodist Connexion
by Emily McFarlan Miller (RNS) A group of progressive United Methodists announced Sunday (Nov. 29) they are forming a new Methodist denomination, the Liberation Methodist Connexion, or LMX. For half a century, the United Methodist Church has debated the full inclusion of its LGBTQ members. It pushed any discussion of sexuality from its quadrennial General Conference … [Read more...] about Progressive United Methodists Announce New Denomination: Liberation Methodist Connexion
Research: Racial Minorities Were More Likely to Contract COVID-19 at Churches
(Christianity Today) New research suggests that, at the beginning of the pandemic, Americans from lower-income or majority-minority neighborhoods were more likely to be infected with COVID-19 through religious gatherings such as churches than those living in higher-income or predominantly white neighborhoods. Cell phone data was an early indicator that Sunday morning … [Read more...] about Research: Racial Minorities Were More Likely to Contract COVID-19 at Churches