Crossroads Podcast: Inside Dallas’ Methodist Church Wars

It’s a big news story — at the denominational and local levels — when one of America’s biggest, richest, most powerful and most strategic United Methodist congregations votes to remove the word “United” from its name. Imagine this: What if a dozen members of the Highland Park flock, next to Southern Methodist University, released a manifesto explaining why 90% of the voters in the Dallas pews backed that decision? And what if one prominent Highland Park member — President George W. Bush — agreed to sign? Would that affect coverage?

🗳️ 5 Religion Questions To Watch In The Midterm Election 🔌

Religion will play a role in Tuesday’s midterm election, from mobilizing participation to seeking precinct integrity to influencing voter decisions. Here are five faith-related questions to watch.

Rising Wedding Costs Drive Ugandan Men Away From Marriage

The rising price of weddings are discouraging men in Uganda from marrying, raising significant concern among religious and political leaders. Leaders said they worry the trend may undermine family stability. A Ugandan Demographics and Health Survey report from 2011 found that 38% of men ages 15 to 49 have never been married, compared with 24% of women in the same age group. The report noted that men tend to marry at much older ages than women.

Election Fraud Claims Should Meet The Standard We’d Demand In Court

(OPINION) If our own freedom were at stake, we would insist on a fair weighing of the facts. Our neighbors deserve that same standard. So does the democracy we share.

Not So Holy Ghost: Tour The UK’s Spookiest Churches And Sacred Sites

From ghostly monks and spectral nuns to unexplained footsteps and phantom screams, Britain’s ancient religious sites are steeped in supernatural folklore. Discover how centuries of faith, conflict, burial traditions and architectural grandeur have inspired haunting legends that continue to captivate ghost hunters and Halloween enthusiasts alike.

AI Companions Offer Comfort, But Risk Deepening Loneliness

(ANALYSIS) A 2025 Vantage Point Counseling Services study found that 28% of adults say they have had an intimate AI interaction or relationship. The same study said 54% of Americans mentioned AI friends, colleagues or confidants.

How Religion Collided With Politics In Brazil’s Presidential Election

(ANALYSIS) Lula’s victory this past Sunday is just one more example of how race intersects all facets of Brazilian society, including religion. Experts said these durable divisions will mark Brazil’s political and religious landscape for the foreseeable future.

Confessions And Defenses Of A 17th Century Witch Hunter

In 1647, England’s Witchfinder General published a pamphlet to address criticisms he had received for his methods. He responded to each critique in turn, revealing the secrets of his complicated, misunderstood and undeniably cruel profession. 

Before Posting A Snarky Comment, Pause To Consider The Eighth Commandment

(OPINION) Never damage another person’s reputation simply for sport or to build your own social currency. Don't assume the worst about people; instead, try to assume the best. If you say something harmful that turns out to be untrue, make every effort to set the record straight.

On Many College Campuses, Some Students Are Turning to Catholicism

Over the last few years, young educated adults are finding Catholicism more attractive than other forms of Christianity. Even at secular universities, these young men and women have settled on the Catholic Church, drawn in by its 2000-year-old intellectual tradition and beauty. Data from the prayer app Hallow shows that colleges saw students involved with Catholicism jump 115%.

Ohio Pastor Announces Second Wife, Embraces Polygamy As Biblical

A Cleveland-area pastor publicly introduced a second wife to the world last Sunday, saying the widely held Christian teaching that a man should have only one wife is “unbiblical.” Israel Ford, founder of LifeWorks Church, posted a video of the announcement on Oct. 25. His first wife and fellow pastor, Lydia Ford, introduced Minister Shakayla Talley Ford to congregants who gave the threesome a standing ovation.

What Do Horror Movies Reveal About Gen Z’s Spirituality And Beliefs?

This week, Religion Unplugged’s culture writers Joseph Holmes and Jillian Cheney sat down before Halloween to explore how Gen Z thinking is changing the horror genre.

‘Brotherhood’ Reminds Us Why Faith-Based Movies Shouldn’t Be Preachy

(REVIEW) “Brotherhood” is a new film that seems to agree with the second viewpoint. It’s a Christian musical focused on the American immigration debate. Its constant sermonizing in nearly every line of dialogue and song lyric is a good reminder that preachiness undermines good filmmaking, regardless of the message.

Upending The Box Office: Conservative Christian Movies Coming For Hollywood

(ANALYSIS) Movie studios have struggled through the pandemic and the streaming era, both of which have tanked box office receipts, leaving the field open for movies from offbeat production studios. In addition to The Daily Wire, there has been a whole ream of Christian movies attempting to shift the stereotype of bible movies to something more prestigious — or at least profitable.

‘Christianity At A Crossroads’ Shows Churches Closing (And Growing) At Once

(REVIEW) Filmed on location across the country, it holds grief and vitality side by side: the final service at Belding United Methodist Church in Michigan; a Minnesota farm-country Lutheran congregation; growing Hispanic, Korean-American and historic Black churches; house churches; new church plants; and even worship in virtual reality.

The Math On Orthodox Christian Growth Doesn’t Add Up (Yet)

(ANALYSIS) Let’s actually dig into the widely held belief that American Orthodox Christianity is experiencing a huge surge in converts post-pandemic. The short answer: That’s a really hard claim to test with survey data, for a simple reason. There just aren’t that many Orthodox Christians in the U.S. to begin with.

Japan’s Christians Confront A New Rising Tide Of Nationalism

Christians make up roughly 1% of Japan’s population, and churches are increasingly multicultural, welcoming immigrants from neighboring countries. However, national politics have taken a decidedly nationalistic turn in recent years — worrying Christians that they will once again be ostracized and even face persecution.

Crossroads Podcast: Life And Death In America’s Churches

Within a decade of hitting the religion beat, around 1980, it was obvious to me that the demographic collapse of the “seven sisters” of liberal Protestantism was going to create a giant hole in American life. We are talking about these flocks — American Baptists, the Disciples of Christ, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Episcopal Church, the United Church of Christ and the United Methodist Church.

🤖 Is AI Going To Kill Us?: A Cybermissionary Weighs In 🔌

After reading a recent piece this week at Religion Unplugged — headlined “AI might be conscious. If so, God help us” — I was curious: “Does AI have a soul?”

More Protestant Churches Feeling The Economic Squeeze

As the economy strains the U.S. public, pastors report increasing pressures and giving lagging behind inflation. Lifeway Research’s annual tracking survey reveals most U.S. Protestant pastors (54%) report the economy is negatively impacting their congregation. Slightly more than a third (36%) say it’s having no impact, while 8% see a positive economic effect.

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