Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
How You Can Transcend Trauma of Clergy Sexual Abuse
We who were abused by leaders in the church continue to live. Our hearts still beat a tattered pulse. The horror of abuse is followed by a lifetime of adapting, but you can transcend the trauma.
Young People Around Globe Protest Against Climate Change
Children and teenagers around the globe have been holding strikes to protest the lack of effort by leaders and governments to deal with climate change. What else can they do as they see their future disappear?
February 28, 2019
Methodist Church Votes to Ban Gay Clergy and Same Sex Marriage, Evoking Debate Among Members (CBS) United Methodist Church Divided Over Stronger LGBTQ Policy (HOIABC) Southern Baptist Leaders Quickly Clear 7 Churches,...
Profiles in Goodwill: Lone Moller-Hansen
Lone Møller-Hansen is general secretary of the Baptist Union of Denmark.
Global Peace Conference Features Stories of Nonviolence
People all over the world confront evil effectively without turning to violence, and most often we are looking elsewhere. You can hear those stories at the Global Baptist Peace Conference in July in Colombia.
Emerging Voices | Racial Reconciliation: Why You Must Talk About It
We can blame social media for the flames of racial tension, however, these platforms only fuel what is already lit in each of us. Racial reconciliation can only be truly addressed when we address ourselves.
February 27, 2019
Methodists Reject Proposal to Allow Openly Gay Clergy and Same-Sex Marriage (CNN) Supreme Court to Decide Fate of WWI Memorial Cross in Church and State Dispute (CNN) This Denver Evangelical Lutheran Pastor is Calling...
When Being First Means Being Last
By: Ginger Hughes I’ve had the opportunity to observe a lot of people recently as our family enjoyed some fun-filled days at Disney World. Standing in lines for elevators, restaurants, rides, ice cream vendors, and...
Where have I heard that before?
By John D. Pierce “I’m a believer that the church has to transform the culture, not the culture transforming the church,” said Pastor Jeff Kersey of Mt. Horeb United Methodist Church in Lexington, S.C., speaking in...
From The Pews | The Powerful Way Religion Hurts People
The staggering level of sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention reminds us of this truth: Not until we realize the powerful way religion can hurt people can we understand the powerful way it can heal people.
Why Black History is Our History
Even if we live in integrated neighborhoods, we often live within the segregated silos of our memories and histories apart from the memories and histories of our neighbors of color. That’s why Black History Month is for all of us.
How You Can Learn to Be the Church in a New World
We all enjoy the glory days, but we don’t have to live in them or their shadows. Instead, we can learn to be the church in our new world, asking God to make us wise so we can rightly do what God has called us to do.
February 26, 2019
United Methodist on Edge of Breakup Over LGBT Stand (Sentinel-Tribune) Vatican Treasurer Cardinal George Pell Found Guilty of Child Sex Charges (CNN) In Fight Over Protestant-Only Foster Agency, Lawsuit Asks: ‘Who is a...
Against Permitless Carry? ‘I Hope You Die,’ Church Member Says
Just as a person has the right to carry a gun, a person has the right not to and still be safe. What is it about guns in the U.S. that has turned faithful followers of Jesus Christ into those wishing for violent death?
Finding Goodness in Others: The Mark of True Peacemakers
What’s needed to be a true peacemaker? You must be willing to seek to find goodness and beauty even from those of another faith, who are unlike you or may disagree with you. And you must be openly and humbly self-reflective.
Christians Not Perceived as Ideal Faith Conversation Partners
Practicing Christians are not seen as ideal conversation partners on matters of faith, a report says. Few listen without judgment or forcing a conclusion and let others draw their own conclusions.
February 25, 2019
Southern Baptist Convention Grapples with Sexual Abuse Report (The Guardian) US Prosecutors Say Roman Catholic Church Can’t Be Trusted to Police Itself (CNN) Cardinal Says Catholic Church ‘Destroyed’ Documentation of...
What Gun Would Jesus Pack?
The U.S. has more civilian-owned firearms than people: 326 million people vs. 393 million civilian-owned firearms. Here’s the stark reality: A segment of our society is obsessed with guns to the detriment of the common good.
How Our World’s Religions View Poverty and the Poor
One might expect that religions adequately address or provide ameliorative strategies to reduce or eliminate poverty, but that’s not always the case. Here’s an overview of how several great religions view poverty.
Look Back | SNAP Seeks ‘Transparent’ Study of Clergy Sex Abuse
A victims’ advocacy and support group has been urging Southern Baptist leaders to develop a denomination-wide “open and transparent” response to sexual abuse by clergy. That was in 2007.
February 22, 2019
Alexa Responds to Minister’s Call, Orders 60 Rolls of Toilet Paper (Christian Chronicle) Pastors: Stop Illegal Immigration and Offer a Path to Citizenship (Baptist Standard) Missouri Bid to Enforce Bible Classes in...