Elevation Church, located in Matthews, North Carolina, posted on social media celebrating the baptisms of 589 people on Sunday, August 8, 2021. The megachurch has over 20 campuses and sees an estimated weekly attendance of around 25,000 people. Elevation Church, pastored by Steven and Holly Furtick, wrote: “What a day. 589 people stepped forward in … [Read more...] about Elevation Church Sees Nearly 600 Baptisms in One Weekend
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Back-to-School Time Influences Congregations’ Decisions on Masking and Meeting
by Adelle M. Banks (RNS) At Hopwood Christian Church near Elizabethton, in eastern Tennessee, many in the congregation hoped the worst of the pandemic might be over by mid-summer. But on Aug. 8, with cases rising again in their area, the church went back to worshipping in its parking lot. While most adult members are vaccinated, the decision was driven by concern for … [Read more...] about Back-to-School Time Influences Congregations’ Decisions on Masking and Meeting
CA Church Offers COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Religious Exemption’ Letters; Online, Out-of-State Viewers Queue Up
Megachurch lead pastor Greg Fairrington of Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin, California, released a video last Thursday announcing that the church will hand out “religious exemption” letters pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccination at their worship service over the weekend. People have been calling the church asking for a religious exemption … [Read more...] about CA Church Offers COVID-19 Vaccine ‘Religious Exemption’ Letters; Online, Out-of-State Viewers Queue Up
Christian School Drops ‘Freedom Matters’ Event With COVID-Denier Greg Locke
by Bob Smietana (RNS) A Tennessee Baptist school has canceled a contract to host an anti-masking, anti-critical race theory event featuring controversial pastor Greg Locke. Union University in Jackson, Tennessee, was scheduled to host the final event on the “Freedom Matters” tour, which features Locke, anti-critical race theory activist and hoaxer James Lindsay, … [Read more...] about Christian School Drops ‘Freedom Matters’ Event With COVID-Denier Greg Locke
After ‘Valid Criticism,’ Josh Harris Takes Down His Deconstruction Course
(ChurchLeaders) After receiving widespread criticism, Joshua Harris has decided to pull his five-week “Reframe Your Story” course, which included a “Deconstruction Starter Pack.” Harris had marketed the course for $275, although he offered it for free to anyone “anyone harmed by purity culture” or his books. “One of the benefits of the internet is that you get rapid … [Read more...] about After ‘Valid Criticism,’ Josh Harris Takes Down His Deconstruction Course