News
Bavarian leader puts crosses in state offices amid anti-immigrant backlash
The national heads of Germany's Roman Catholic and Protestant churches have condemned Markus Söder's cross edict.
Employees quit American Bible Society over new sex and marriage rules
The statement of faith is the latest sign that the organization has shifted away from its ecumenical roots toward a more narrow evangelical identity.
Justices hand down narrow ruling for Christian baker in wedding cake case
The Supreme Court majority opinion focused on how a Colorado commission handled the case—leaving open several larger questions.
Fuller seminary to sell Pasadena campus and move
While still one of the largest seminaries in the U.S., Fuller has faced declining enrollment.
Ireland's vote on abortion reveals deep divides
The referendum removing a restrictive consitutional clause was seen a gain for women’s empowerment—and another step toward social liberalization in Catholic Ireland.
Gazans and Israelis strive to keep connections, hope across the border
Dozens of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers along the border. Ordinary people are trying to stay connected to friends on the other side.
Southern Baptists call Paige Patterson to account
Firing him as seminary president is the most dramatic example of the #MeToo movement pervading the top reaches of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Australian archbishop convicted of covering up child sexual abuse
The test case was another step toward holding the church to account for a global abuse crisis.
White House initiative aims to increase faith groups' presence in government
The White House said agencies and executive departments that do not have a faith-based office will have a designated liaison to the new initiative.
U.S. embassy move to Jerusalem fulfills prophecy for some, causes mourning for others
The day after the embassy move was the anniversary of Israel's founding—a day Palestinians call the catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were expelled from their homes.
Poor People's Campaign engages in 40 days of demonstrations
William Barber II and Liz Theoharis are leading the re-launched national movement, started in 1968.
Interfaith efforts move from mere tolerance to deeper partnerships
A coalition of Muslim students highlighting the Jewish roots in Moroccan culture, and an evangelical pastor and imam creating a nationwide grassroots network are among those partnering against extremism.
Interfaith clergy group in Montana counters neo-Nazi hate
A clergy group formed supporting a rabbi in the ski resort town of Whitefish, where white supremacist groups targeted her and other local Jewish people.
Loren Mead, founder of the Alban Institute, dies at age 88
The author of The Once and Future Church was part of the shift to looking at congregations in their contexts—not just the church in general.
Ugandan faith leaders weigh idea of accepting Israel's African refugees
Israel's government has offered financial incentives for thousands of asylum seekers to leave the country voluntarily—threatening to detain or deport them if they didn't.
In historic votes, Lutherans elect two African American women bishops
Patricia A. Davenport and Viviane Thomas-Breitfeld will each lead a regional body in the predominantly white mainline Protestant denomination.
Black Church Food Security Network brings fresh food to Baltimore
A group of Baltimore congregations is connecting with black farmers to promote healthy eating and economic empowerment.
United Methodist bishops encourage local option for same-sex marriage
The bishops recommended removing prohibitions on same-sex marriage and LGBT clergy in the global denomination's Book of Discipline—while allowing new regional rules.
Church acts as mediator in Nicaragua unrest, addresses corruption in Honduran government
Nicaraguan church leaders are among those decrying a violent response to protests. And in Honduras, a Jesuit-run radio station has charged the government with becoming a dictatorship.
Baylor seminary names 12 leading preachers among English speakers
The seminary's Lake Center for Effective Preaching surveyed homiletics professors and chose from more than 800 nominees.