When a church does not reference its denomination in the church name, unchurched people tend to see that church as less formal, rigid and old-fashioned, but this also makes them feel more uncertain and wonder whether the church is trying to hide its beliefs. Study findings just released by Grey Matter Research (Phoenix, AZ) among […]

By Adelle M. Banks (RNS) Despite the tough economy, many of the nation’s largest churches are thriving, with increased offerings and plans to hire more staff, a new survey shows. Just 3 percent of churches with 2,000 or more attendance surveyed by Leadership Network, a Dallas-based church think tank, said they were affected “very negatively” […]

By G. Jeffrey MacDonald (RNS) When disgruntled congregations have left hierarchical denominations such as the Episcopal Church, they’ve often lost property battles as civil courts ruled buildings and land are not theirs to keep. But outcomes could be different this year, court watchers say, as high-profile cases involving dozens of Episcopal congregations in South Carolina […]

Christian Newswire – Glen Newman, author of “Pastors Move Over: Make Room for the Rest of Us,” challenges the modern traditional form of church government, which recognizes the single pastor as the primary leader of the local Christian church. Why is this significant? He says it’s because this is completely unbiblical and “we’ve been doing […]

By Caleb K. Bell (RNS) The House Wednesday (Feb. 13) overwhelmingly passed a bill to allow places of worship to receive federal aid to repair their buildings damaged during Hurricane Sandy. The bill, which garnered strong bipartisan support, is also expected to pass the Senate, and would address what its sponsors consider a discriminatory practice […]

Christian Newswire – Celebrating its 20th year online, Bible Gateway kicks off 2013 by adding a new voice to its multiplying list of available Bible translations. “The Voice,” the newest Bible translation introduced to the market in late 2011 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. has received hundreds of endorsements from pastors, ministry leaders, Bible readers and […]

Christian Newswire – The concept of hell will be explored at Lifetree Café community forums from coast to coast during the week of February 24, 2013. The program, titled “Hell: Does It Really Exist?” features a screening of the award-winning short film “Admissions,” starring Academy Award nominee James Cromwell. Cromwell has appeared in such noted […]

DALLAS – First Baptist Church of Dallas, led by nationally known pastor Dr. Robert Jeffress, will complete what is believed to be the largest church building campaign in modern history, opening a new state-of-the-art $130-million campus on Easter Sunday, March 31. “At a time when suburban megachurches are the norm and research shows that many […]

By Michael Foust NASHVILLE (BP) — With the U.S. Supreme Court set to take up gay marriage and potentially legalize it this summer, churches that host wedding ceremonies or other events for traditional couples should examine their bylaws and shield themselves from the impact of possible litigation, says an attorney who specializes in religious liberty […]

By Alessandro Speciale VATICAN CITY (RNS) – Pope Benedict XVI will soon become the first pope to resign since 1415, short-circuiting many of the initial stages of electing a new pope. But the Vatican says the transition to a new papacy shouldn’t be all that different from normal. Of course, the traditional rituals associated with […]