News
Vatican Dispatch | Pope Leo XIV: Preliminary Answers to Pre-Conclave Questions
My last contribution to Good Faith Media before the conclave opened on Wednesday addressed the question, “Who Might Become Pope?” We now have the answer to that question.
Vatican Dispatch | White Smoke! Cardinals Select North American Pope
Editor's Note: The following are live updates from Dr. Steve Harmon who is reporting on the papal conclave from the Vatican for Good Faith Media. At 6:08 p.m. in Rome (11:08 a.m. CST) today (Thursday, May 8), I was sitting in the Holy See Press Office briefing room...
Dispatch from the Vatican | Conclave Day One, and a Visit with Ecumenical Friends
Reporting from the Vatican, Steve Harmon reports on the first day of the papal conclave.
The Majority of American Catholics Want a ‘More Inclusive’ Church, New Survey Finds
When asked if the Catholic Church should “stick to its traditional teachings, even if it means the church gets smaller” or “be more inclusive, even if it means changing some of its teachings,” a majority of U.S. Catholics polled chose the latter (60% vs. 37%), according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.
Most ‘White’ Evangelicals Support the Trump Administration’s Anti-DEI, Pro- Federal Cuts and Tariffs Agenda, Study Shows
Most “White” evangelicals remain committed to President Donald Trump and his administration, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey. They overwhelmingly support his anti-DEI (75%) but pro- federal government cuts (75%) and tariffs agenda (67%).
Dispatch from the Vatican | Conclave Process, Issues and Questions
Monday was my first full day in Rome, where I am covering the papal conclave that convenes this Wednesday afternoon. It began with the requisite caffeinated fuel for the day from the best place in Rome to get it: Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè. In God’s providence, this is...
Some Call it Treason; I Call it Saving My Soul
The greatest act of patriotism is holding the state accountable to the rhetoric of freedom and democracy it expounds.
Dispatch from the Vatican | Steve Harmon Arrives in Rome for Papal Conclave
Steve Harmon has arrived in Rome to cover the papal conclave for Good Faith Media. He shares some preliminary thoughts before the week begins.
Trump Establishes Religious Liberty Commission, Some Advocates Express Skepticism
On Thursday, President Trump filed an executive order establishing the “Religious Liberty Commission,” designed to address what the administration claims are threats to “America’s unique and beautiful tradition of religious liberty.”
Good Faith Media, Steve Harmon to Provide Papal Conclave Coverage from the Vatican
The papal conclave tasked with selecting a new pope will begin next week, and Good Faith Media (GFM) will be on the ground in the Vatican to provide up-to-date news and analysis. GFM is partnering with Dr. Steve Harmon, professor of historical theology at Gardner-Webb...
Maston Foundation Awards Graduate Scholarships to Anderson and Whitaker
Two doctoral students researching how to apply Christian ethics to congregational life have been awarded scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year by the T.B. Maston Foundation.
Pew Study Finds Declining U.S. Attitudes Toward Israel
A new Pew Research Center survey finds unfavorable attitudes toward Israel have risen more than 10% among Americans since the beginning of the war sparked by the October 7, 2023, attacks from Hamas.
Free Mom Hugs Conference Dismantles Harmful Theology
Last weekend in Grapevine, Texas, Free Mom Hugs held its second “Love Revolution” national conference, which inspired and educated around 250 attendees on becoming better allies to the queer community.
Post-Pandemic Church Growth and Decline ‘Almost Evenly Split,” New Report Says
A new Exponential study conducted by Lifeway reports that church growth and decline after the pandemic are “almost evenly split.”
March Harvard Harris Poll Shows Slight Decline in Support for Trump
According to the March Harvard-Harris poll, President Trump’s approval rating for all key issues in the 2024 election has fallen slightly. The survey was administered between March 26 and 27, a week before Trump’s announced tariffs prompted world markets to freefall.
Chet Edwards, Jackie Baugh Moore Among Baylor Line Hall of Fame Honorees
The Baylor Line Foundation recently awarded its 2025 Hall of Fame honorees at a luncheon held at the Baylor Club in Waco, Texas. The event recognized the contributions of distinguished alumni, outstanding young alumni and retired faculty.
Global Departure from the Religion of One’s Youth, New Study Finds
A new Pew Research Center report finds that across numerous nations, one-fifth of adults surveyed have left the religion of their youth. Both Christianity and Buddhism shared the largest losses due to “religious switching.”
High Percentage of U.S. Adults Closely Following Trump News
For those following the Trump administration closely, two-thirds (66%) say they are doing so because they are concerned about what the administration is doing. This is true for 88% of Democrats and 45% of Republicans.
Good Faith Media Announces New Contributing Correspondents
We are thrilled to announce the addition of three new contributing correspondents to the Good Faith Media cadre of writers. These thought leaders bring new voices to the table and will invigorate our efforts to tell faith stories that amplify freedom, inclusivity and justice.
White Supremacists Are Working Over-Time and African Americans Are Resting
Without a meeting, the African American community woke up and collectively chose to go back to sleep. A switch flipped, a light switch. Choosing rest as resistance over flooding America’s streets in protest, African Americans have overwhelmingly decided after the November election results to drink our water and mind our business.
Faith, Justice, and Inclusion in Sports Ministry: Good Faith Media and Christian Athlete Circles Announce Partnership
Good Faith Media and Christian Athlete Circles are excited to announce a partnership to highlight and amplify the stories of athletes living out a faith that uplifts justice, mercy and inclusion.
Moving My Ass Horizontally Across The South: A Tribute to Civil Rights Activist Rev. Kenneth Dean
I’m sitting in my new house in the greater Nashville area, asking myself, “If a mentor is a ‘wise and trusted counselor,’ and you found Kenneth Dean to be your wise and trusted counselor, why haven’t you followed his advice? In fact, you just moved 1/120th of a degree...
Support for TikTok Ban Declining as Latest Deadline Approaches
In March 2023, half (50%) of all those surveyed said they supported the removal of TikTok from devices operating in the country. In the most recent survey, taken between February 24 and March 2, 2025, support for the ban fell to 33%.
College Students Continue to Protest Despite Presidential Threats
Earlier this month, the U.S. president announced a ban on “illegal” protests on college and university campuses, threatening to cut funding to any university that allows them. Despite the threat, college students nationwide are engaging in protests.
Alabama Coalition Calls for Ending Statewide Grocery Tax
A coalition of faith-based, community, non-profit, and other civic organizations met at the Alabama state capitol in Montgomery last week to call for reducing the state tax on groceries. The Alabama Arise Action group is pushing for a sustainable plan to eliminate the grocery tax altogether.
‘Faithful Witness Wednesdays’ Highlight Executive Overreach and Implores Congress to Show Moral Courage
During March, Sojourners and the Washington Interfaith Staff Community have hosted “Faithful Witness Wednesdays” to speak against the Trump administration’s executive overreach and call on Congress to exercise moral courage.
Interfaith Group of Texas Clergywomen Express Support for ‘Life of the Mother Act’
A group of clergywomen and women representing various faith traditions held a press conference in the Texas Capitol on Monday, March 18, to express their support for “The Life of the Mother Act.”
Evangelical Accountability Group Concludes ‘Behavioral Misconduct’ by Tim Whitaker and The New Evangelicals
An organization dedicated to accountability for various forms of abuse in churches and other Christian organizations recently released a report detailing behavioral misconduct by Tim Whitaker, the creator and facilitator of The New Evangelicals. The report followed an investigation by Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment into allegations that Whitaker created an unsafe working situation for a contract employee.
Pew Study Examines Gaps and Similarities in Teenage Experiences of Girls and Boys
Although teen boys and girls share several experiences, a new Pew Research study found significant differences in their perceived expectations around appearance and strength.
Good Faith Media Announces “Faithful Pride Initiative”
Good Faith Media (GFM) is excited to announce its “Faithful Pride Initiative” (FPI), which will highlight and amplify the stories of LGBTQ+ people of faith doing inspiring work worldwide. Rev. Kali Cawthon-Freels, a longtime GFM contributing correspondent, will lead the initiative.