What Jesus Teaches Us In The Wake Of Charlie Kirk’s Murder

(OPINION) When I read or listen to the news, I often think: What is God calling us, specifically as Christians, to say and do in response to this moment?It is so effortless for me to take pre-existing political talking points — they are waiting for me like TV dinners, ready to heat up and serve — to sprinkle the salt of a couple of Biblical proof texts on top of them and to call that my response. Maybe you share this facile temptation with me.But I reckon that God expects something more robust of us than that.

New Research Reveals Factors That Cause Pastors To Quit

Lifeway Research found only 1.1 percent of all U.S. Protestant pastors leave pastoral ministry before retirement age each year. Analysis comparing Lifeway Research’s studies of current and former Protestant pastors reveals factors that predict the likelihood of leaving pastoral ministry.

Christianity, News, North AmericaAaron EarlsSeptember 16, 2025Aaron Earls, Christianity, pastors, news, churches, Secondary featureComment

‘Not Your Average Joe’: How A Coffee Shop Became A Ministry Of Belonging

Not Your Average Joe is a nonprofit organization that offers customer-facing, meaningful employment for people with disabilities. Owner Tim Herbel, a member of the Oakcrest Church of Christ, quoted Matthew 25:45, where Jesus speaks about ministering to “the least of these.” That’s how society often views people with disabilities, he said, but after working with them he has come to view them differently.

Christianity, Economy, News, North AmericaKenzie JamesSeptember 16, 2025Kenzie James, Jesus, Christianity, news, coffee, business, Secondary featureComment

Charlie Kirk Visited Colleges To Promote Traditional Educational Values

A large part of Charlie Kirk’s political activism centered on what education should look like. Amy Lieberman, The Conversation’s education editor, spoke with Daniel Ruggles, a scholar of conservative youth activism, to better understand the beliefs about education that influenced Kirk and the connection he tried to make with young people.

Americans Remain Divided As More States Legalize Assisted Suicide

In the most recent Lifeway Research study, the youngest and oldest Americans are among the most likely to support physician-assisted suicide. Those 18-34 (56 percent) and 65 or older (54 percent) are more likely than those 50-64 (45 percent) to see the practice as morally acceptable. Men are also more likely to agree than women (54 percent vs. 49 percent).

Book Excerpt: Paul Marshall’s ‘Called To Be Friends, Called To Serve’

(EXCERPT) In today’s world, we are increasingly segmented by our interests, segregated by our neighborhoods, separated into economic and ethnic groups, polarized by our politics, divided by our demographics, and isolated by our modern lifestyles that focus on individual pursuit rather than the fellowship of community. In that environment, real friendships between people who are unlike each other are increasingly rare.

Christianity, Books, North America, SocietyRick WarrenSeptember 15, 2025Rick Warren, Paul Marshall, Howard Ahmanson, books, book excerpt, ChristianityComment

The First Amendment Trinity And Charlie Kirk’s Murder

(ANALYSIS) What do Joe Rogan, Charlie Sheen and Charlie Kirk have in common? On many levels, the correct answer is, “Not much.” And I never thought that I would be discussing Sheen in the context of someone like Kirk who, whatever you thought of his MAGA messages, was maturing into an increasingly effective public apologist on topics of faith, family and public life.

How Religious Freedom Caselaw is Shaping the Legal Landscape for Ministries

Following the expanded Free Exercise protections under these decisions, ADF continues to litigate cases on behalf of Christian ministries, arguing for the continued expansion of these protections in different contexts.

2024 Election Post-Mortem: Religion And The Gender Gap

(ANALYSIS) When you teach certain classes at the college level, you just know you are going to have to cover certain subjects. Any introductory biology course should touch on photosynthesis, a class on philosophy should cover logical fallacies, and any course on American history has to spend way too much time talking about the constitutional convention.

Analysis, election, News, North America, Politics, Religion, Society, Women, womenRyan BurgeSeptember 13, 2025Ryan Burge, news, election, gender gap, analysis, religion, men, women, Trump, Religion and politicsComment

Majority Of US Catholics View Pope Leo XIV Favorably

A large majority of American Catholics said they have a favorable view of Pope Leo XIV, even as many admit they know little about the new pontiff. A new report found that 84% of U.S. Catholics view Pope Leo positively, just months after he assumed the papacy following the death of Pope Francis in May. Only 4% reported an unfavorable view, while 11% say they have never heard of him.

From Provocateur To Martyr: What Charlie Kirk’s Life And Death Says About Politics

(ANALYSIS) The fatal shooting of Christian conservative activist Charlie Kirk during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University has drawn condemnation and renewed attention to the climate of political violence in the United States. He was one of the most visible leaders of the young conservative movement.

‘Caught Stealing’ Gives Us Tough, Hasidic Drug Lords: is That Good For Jews?

(ANALYSIS) Darren Aronofsky’s most formative encounter with Haredi Jews may have come when he was an 18-year-old in Israel at the Kotel. It was there at the wall, he told film journalist Andrea Chase, he met a group of Hasidim who introduced him to the Jewish mysticism he’d go on to use to award-winning effect in his debut feature, “Pi.”

Analysis, Jewish, Judaism, News, North America, Entertainment, Film & TVPJ GrisarSeptember 11, 2025PJ Grisar, film and TV, Jews, Judaism, Hasidic Jews, analysisComment

Conservative Christian Advocate Charlie Kirk Assassinated At Utah Rally

Conservative advocate Charlie Kirk was killed by a gunman at Utah Valley University on Wednesday. Kirk is the co-founder and president of Turning Point USA, a non-profit aimed at spreading conservative principles on high school and college campuses.

On Religion: What Is Considered ‘Success’ For Pastors In A Stressful World?

(ANALYSIS) Every decade or so, it's common to see news reports about pastors leaving pulpits in search of less stressful work. Consider the 2024 Hartford Institute for Religion Research poll in which more than half said they have considered quitting. According to 2022 polling by the Barna Institute, the main causes for anxiety were strong job stress (56%), followed by feeling isolated (43%).

Most Americans Don’t Believe God Played A Role In The Presidential Election

A majority of Americans do not believe God plays a role in presidential elections — a view that has remained consistent across several cycles, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. The survey found that 49% said God does not get involved in presidential elections, while another 14% say they don’t believe in God at all. About a third said election results are part of God’s overall plan.

These 3 States Are Pushing To Put The Ten Commandments In School

(ANALYSIS) As disputes rage on over religion’s place in public schools, the Ten Commandments have become a focal point. At least a dozen states have considered proposals that would require classrooms to post the biblical laws, while three recently passed laws mandating their display starting this year.

‘Guns & Moses’ Has It All: A Must-See Faith-Based Mystery Masterpiece

(REVIEW) “Guns & Moses” is a rare film that succeeds both as compelling entertainment and as a surprisingly thoughtful exploration of faith. It’s a model that shows how believers can examine all aspects of life through their faith and art — including those they'd prefer to keep in a concealed carry. The film expertly tells a story that is emotionally satisfying from a faith standpoint.

Trump Vows To Defend Religious Liberty Ahead Of Nation’s 250th Birthday

In remarks at the Museum of the Bible during a meeting of his Religious Liberty Commission, President Donald Trump touted his administration’s religious liberty victories, vowed to protect prayer in public schools and announced the donation of his personal Bible to the museum.

The Enduring Value — And Vanishing Presence — Of America’s Newspapers

(ANALYSIS) Despite some major differences, newspapers and religion share notable similarities in their societal roles, including defining norms, creating a sense of a shared community, while maintaining rituals. These parallels are often rooted in the human need to make sense of a complex world. Over the years, Hollywood has immortalized their importance with a series of movies.

After Challenging Wilson, Podcast Confession Shakes Anti-Patriarchy Movement

Days after challenging Pastor Doug Wilson to a public debate, Peter Bell, producer and host of the podcast “Sons of Patriarchy,” made a social media confession that has forced a reckoning within the community he helped build around exposing abuse in patriarchal churches. Bell, whose podcast investigates Wilson’s Idaho church movement, said in a since-deleted Aug. 23 Facebook post that he struggled with pornography addiction for nearly two decades, was fired from multiple jobs for lying and experienced marital separation during his podcast’s first season last year.

Christianity, News, North AmericaTracy SimmonsSeptember 8, 2025Tracy Simmons, news, Christianity, Doug Wilson, Secondary feature, podcast, Sons of Patriarchy, pastorsComment

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