California Pastor Says Increase In Baptisms Shows A Desire For The Gospel

For a long time, Pastor Shawn Beaty observed people wanting the kingdom without the King, benefits without God’s blessings. Things are changing, though. “When you try to attain that without Him, it creates chaos,” he told Baptist Press. “When there is enough chaos in people’s lives, they look for a remedy.” The desire for that remedy can be seen in the astounding 248 percent increase in baptisms reported by California Southern Baptist Convention (CSBC) churches in 2023 over the previous year.

Christianity, News, North AmericaScott BarkleyJune 8, 2024Scott Barkley, gospel, baptism, Christianity, news, Secondary featureComment

Headscarf Ban At Paris Olympics Reflects A Narrow View Of National Identity

(ANALYSIS) The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have sparked a discussion about whether female Muslim athletes who wear a headscarf should be allowed to compete. While the International Olympic Committee announced that athletes participating in the Paris Games can wear a hijab without any restriction, French athletes will be barred from wearing a hijab.

Pastor Carl Lentz Announces Podcast, Ends Speculation About What’s Next

Carl Lentz tonight posted a video on Instagram, announcing he’s launching a new podcast, ending two days of speculation that he may be returning to ministry. The “new show,” called “Lights On with Carl Lentz,” premieres June 4. But the video claims it’s not a comeback.

News, North AmericaJulie RoysJune 7, 2024Julie Roys, The Roys Report, Carl Lentz, Hillsong, Hillsong Church, Secondary featureComment

Can Church Tech Ultimately Improve Human Connectivity?

As the pandemic receded, churches discovered unexpected benefits to their newly adopted tech. Some even saw the forced change as an opportunity to reimagine church. They brainstormed how to enhance livestream service quality and deepen connections with congregants through online platforms. But others have cautioned against too much tech adoption.

Modi And The Indian Election: The Waning Appeal Of Hindu Nationalism

(ANALYSIS) After a decade in power, Modi and his party seemingly overlooked a fundamental question: If Modi is the face of the party as well as its election campaign, what does that face represent? Did they assume his image alone would signify a “guarantee” to the country’s people? If so, they should have highlighted the “guarantees” that were fulfilled and honored. However, they appeared to lack such examples.

Sexual Abuse Prevention Stronger In Southern Baptist Churches Than Stats Suggest

As a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP), First Baptist Naples at least annually conducts mandatory training for all church employees, requires background checks and screenings for all staff and volunteers – with periodic updates, provides sexual abuse prevention resources and conducts a counseling ministry.

For American Jews, Interfaith Weddings Have Become A New Normal

(ANALYSIS) Approximately 42% of married Jews have a spouse who is not Jewish. Among American Jews who have gotten married since 2010, that percentage rises to 61%. Most spouses come from Christian backgrounds, but others marry Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists or people from any number of other religious traditions. In my research on interfaith families, I’ve seen ceremonies combine traditions in a wide array of ways.

Demand For Food Ministries Rises Along With Grocery Prices

With grocery prices high and pandemic-era benefit programs ended, many churches across the nation report increased demand for food benevolence. Minneapolis Central launched its food ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic — four years later, the number of needy families relying on the ministry has more than doubled, averaging between 325 and 375 per week.

Modi’s Narrow Win: How Indian Voters Saw Through Religious Rhetoric

India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, scored 240 seats in the final tally. It will need the help of its coalition partner, the National Democratic Alliance, to meet the requirement of 272 seats to form the government. Here’s everything you need to know about the election results and what it all means for Indian democracy.

When Student Protests Are University Byproducts

(OPINION) The deepest conflicts of our time pit groups against each other in what has come to be seen as a zero-sum game. Colleges have become forums where agitators refuse to cogently advocate for their beliefs and to seek to persuade those with whom they disagree and, instead, rouse those occupying their echo chambers to drum for the complete eradication of their ideological opponents.

X-Men’s Nightcrawler Reveals Modern-Day Expectations For Christians In A ‘Negative World’

(ANALYSIS) Nightcrawler has always been an explicitly Catholic character in the X-Men comics, and his faith is almost always integral to his portrayal. A lot of that is due to the irony of having a devilish-looking character be so religious. Because he is a largely positive Christian character in a secular brand, you can see what secular people, or religious people who work in mainstream entertainment, think of faith.

South Africa’s Christian And Muslim Political Parties Highlight Voting Irregularities

Over 20 political parties, including Muslim and Christian ones, joined in their objection to the announced results of South Africa’s national elections held last week, citing a myriad of voting irregularities. According to them, the identified irregularities were serious widespread systemic deficiencies and undermined votes cast by millions of South Africans. The parties said they require a recount of votes, while others requested a reelection.

Church Food Pantries Respond To Increased Need Amid Migrant Surge

Venezuelan and Ukrainian immigrants were among 70 families who made a pilgrimage through Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood, past dog walkers and Little Leaguers, to the church’s food pantry. Christians from a nearby high school loaded sacks of fresh vegetables, canned goods and bread into their cars or backpacks as airplanes soared overhead.

South African Scholar Receives Templeton Prize For Her Work On Forgiveness

The John Templeton Foundation announced on Tuesday that Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela was named this year’s recipient of the Templeton Prize in recognition for her work around trauma and forgiveness in post-apartheid South Africa. Gobodo-Madikizela, 69, an author and professor, has created a model for social healing in the aftermath of conflict — one that she calls “the reparative quest.”

For Jews Protesting For Palestinians, Activism Is Rooted In Their Values

(ANALYSIS) Some U.S. Jews’ involvement in Palestinian solidarity movements began years before the current war. In my research, which included in-depth interviews and participant observation work, activists emphasized that they were inspired to act because of their Jewish identity and values, not in spite of them.

An Ancient Manuscript Up For Sale Gives A Glimpse Into The History Of Christianity

(ANALYSIS) An important piece of early Christian history, the Crosby-Schøyen Codex, is up for auction at Christie’s in London. This codex is a mid-fourth century book from Egypt containing a combination of biblical and other early Christian texts.

Keeping The Faith: Is The Rise Of Religious ‘Nones’ Stalling?

(ANALYSIS) In religion, what goes down can always come up again. American religions continue to face persistent skepticism from elite culture, education and entertainment along with long-term internal damage from sexual abuse scandals and disputes over sexual morality and Trumpism that are not disappearing. Also, stated identity in polls does not make up for sagging in-person attendance and donations that erode organized religion.

Claudia Sheinbaum Elected Mexico’s First Female Jewish President

Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, won a landslide victory on Sunday to become Mexico's first female president. Sheinbaum, won the presidency with nearly 60% of the vote, defeating opposition candidate Xochitl Galvez. She is also Jewish in a country that is majority Catholic.

The Need For Olympic Digital Responders: On-The-Ground Evangelism At The Paris Games

Thousands of people from across the globe will descend on the city that’s home to the Eiffel Tower for the Olympics. The IMB has ministered at many Olympics, and volunteers who’ve traveled to the global cities have long been crucial to its ministry strategy. While ministry has been successful, interactions are often fleeting as visitors scatter. That’s where digital engagement strategies come in.

Europe, News, Religion, SportsTessa SanchezJune 3, 2024Tessa Sanchez, news, sports, 2024 Paris Olympics, Summer Olympics, Paris, France, religion, ChristianityComment

Muslim Women Who Are Registered To Vote More Likely To Donate Money

(ANALYSIS) Civic engagement — including volunteering and registering to vote — rather than religiosity was more correlated with giving by Muslim American women, according to research we conducted with our colleagues at the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative. Muslims are required to contribute zakat, a form of giving. To meet this obligation, Muslims are required to give 2.5 percent of their wealth to charities.

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