(ANALYSIS) Pope Francis’ recent apostolic journey to Hungary (my home) was at once exciting and disconcerting. A papal visit is always exciting, and like other Christians in Hungary (Catholic and not), I was encouraged by the Holy Father’s presence among us. Conversely it was hard not to be worried about the apparent imprimatur that might be given to the “political Christianity” championed by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz government.
Read MoreWorshippers walked across a beige, barren landscape on a Sunday morning as Bible class began in Monduli Juu, which is “up” (“juu” in Swahili) among the mountains of northern Tanzania. Part of the reason for the good Sunday turnout is the rows of giant, white tanks outside the church building.
Read More(OPINION) If the Anglican Communion did not suffer schism on April 21, it’s the next best thing. A declaration issued that day at the conclusion of an international church assembly in Kigali, Rwanda, means the media and other religion-watchers should gird loins for years of maneuvers, legalities, confusion and acrimony.
Read MoreClashing messages about God and guns came a day after an assailant opened fire at a Dallas-area outlet mall, killing eight people — including three children — and wounding seven.
Read MoreA Texas congregation responds to nation’s latest mass shooting with prayer, tears — and discussion of solutions.
Read More(ANALYSIS) Above all else, the coronation of this King is a worship service, held in Westminster Abbey and presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is an explicitly Christian worship service, though it will have participants from many religions. Rishi Sunak, the U.K. prime minister and a serious Hindu, will read from the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Colossians
Read MoreOver the past eight years, Sravasti Abbey has grown apace, ordaining six nuns, two monks and adding three previously ordained nuns to their community. Most recently, Geshe Dadul Namgyal, an esteemed Buddhist scholar, joined the Abbey as the first male resident teacher.
Read MoreThe Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church has approved the conditional disaffiliation of 55 churches over human sexuality issues, including same-sex marriages and potential ordination of pastors who identify as LGBTQ+.
Read MoreAn investigation into embattled Hillsong Church by the top-rated news outlet in Australia has uncovered new revelations of financial and sexual misconduct, as key sources go on the record for the first time. “Hellsong: Hillsong Church Global Investigation” first aired on Australia’s 7News on April 23 and released Friday on YouTube.
Read MoreWith membership shrinking, churches closing and preachers in short supply, how do churches grow again? It’s not a new question, but Kairos’ answer is one it believes many Christians haven’t considered: Instead of focusing entirely on maintaining or revitalizing existing churches, put efforts into planting new ones.
Read MoreNow the woman, known as Betty, is among the 98 people who fasted to death in the doomsday cult headed by Pastor Paul Mackenzie which has left Kenyans — and the world — shocked. With the Kenya Red Cross reporting more than 100 people still missing, the toll could reach 200 and beyond. From President William Ruto to church leaders and the public, Kenyans are now calling on the government to tighten laws governing the opening and operation of churches.
Read MoreSince the end of the Cold War, four Muslim-majority countries — Kazakhstan, Libya, Iran and Indonesia — have hosted the FIDE World Chess Championship. Despite the fact that hundreds of Muslim players have been ranked by FIDE over the years, the game remains controversial with many mainstream Sunni and Shia scholars disapproving of chess.
Read MoreA partnership between Dallas-based Spoken Worldwide and Seed Company to create 20 Bible translation projects for language groups that are primarily oral, not written, in their communication, is on track as it enters year three.
Read MoreCharles Stanley, the pastor at Atlanta megachurch First Baptist for 51 years and longtime leader of the Southern Baptist Convention, died Tuesday at the age of 90.
Read MoreAfter first pleading not guilty to drunk driving charges, disgraced Hillsong founder Brian Houston has pleaded guilty to the charges and received three years’ probation, $140 in fines, and other penalties.
Read MoreMore Protestant church congregations close than open in a year in America. According to Lifeway Research, in 2019, 4,500 churches closed their doors, while only 3,000 new churches were started. As they face closure, some churches are turning to a strategy found in the 2018 book “Dying to Restart” by Greg Wiens and Dan Turner — not just to survive, but thrive.
Read MorePolice raided the Baptist Church in Karshi during worship on Easter Sunday. They “damaged the door of the prayer house, behaved crudely, and arrested three church members,” Baptists said. Police refused to explain why they raided the church and tortured church members. Meanwhile, Prison No. 49 in Olmalyk banned prisoners from fasting during Ramadan, threatening those that do.
Read MoreThe Christian movie “Jesus Revolution,” which has surpassed the $50 million mark in theaters, premieres today on digital platforms and soon on Blu-ray. Released by Lionsgate, the movie telling the story of the 1970s Jesus People movement earned more than $51 million in box office receipts. That makes it the ninth highest-grossing faith-based film of all time.
Read More(OPINION) Surveys since 2020 show that a "steady share of Americans — about 40% — say they have participated in religious services in the prior month one way or the other," according to a Pew Research Center report. But other details are blurry, since the "share of U.S. adults who ... attend religious services once a month or more has dropped slightly, from 33% in 2019 to 30% in 2022."
Read MoreStudents at a Nashville, Tennessee, Christian school will not complete the academic year in their facility, where seven people died in a March 27 mass shooting. Instead, the 200 students of The Covenant School, plus about 40 staff, will resume classes in the meeting place of the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ.
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