by Bob Smietana (RNS) The senior pastor of an influential Chicagoland megachurch has tested positive for COVID-19. Dave Dummitt was supposed to preach this weekend at Willow Creek Community Church but had to bow out after receiving a positive COVID test Saturday (Aug. 7). "Just so you know, he is feeling fine, just mild symptoms," Shawn Williams, pastor of Willow … [Read more...] about Willow Creek Pastor Dave Dummitt Tests Positive for COVID-19 on Heels of Global Leadership Summit
Church
Houses of Worship Have Been Left Out of the Construction Boom
(AXIOS) Construction spending in the U.S. has risen steadily since the financial crisis, and as of June sat at a near-record annualized rate of $1.55 trillion. Delving into the data, the dollars spent in most categories of construction grew along with the overall economic expansion. The intrigue: One segment bucks the trend most noticeably. Construction of religious … [Read more...] about Houses of Worship Have Been Left Out of the Construction Boom
Former Bethlehem Baptist Pastors Say Church’s Culture Breeds Fear, Tolerates Abuse
(The Roys Report) The church where John Piper pastored for 33 years is arguably facing one of its greatest crises in 150 years. Elders and ministers at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota have resigned over what Piper’s successor, Jason Meyer, calls an embrace of “neo-fundamentalism” and a “unity” culture that breeds fear and seeks to protect the institution. … [Read more...] about Former Bethlehem Baptist Pastors Say Church’s Culture Breeds Fear, Tolerates Abuse
Police Charge Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston for Allegedly Concealing Child Sex Offenses
Brian Houston, global senior pastor and co-founder of worldwide evangelical megachurch Hillsong, has been charged by New South Wales (NSW) Police Force for allegedly concealing child sex offenses. Houston’s lawyers were served on Thursday August 5, 2021. The charge comes after a two-year investigation that concluded Houston failed to report his father Frank … [Read more...] about Police Charge Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston for Allegedly Concealing Child Sex Offenses
Falls Creek Camp Guest Evangelist Wade Morris Dies After COVID-19 Complications
Wade Morris was a graduate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a well-known speaker who traveled widely and evangelized at youth camps, conferences and events throughout the year. Morris, just 51, died August 3, 2021, following complications from the COVID-19 virus. Morris was the guest preacher at Falls Creek … [Read more...] about Falls Creek Camp Guest Evangelist Wade Morris Dies After COVID-19 Complications