Recent Articles
April 1, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: First Baptist Church of Beverly Hills, Florida Certified ‘Dementia Friendly’; Fort Collins Affordable Housing Plan Unveiled for Rockies Christian Church Property; State Department Reverses Trump Policies Discriminating Against Women’s Rights in the Name of Religious Freedom; The Turbulent Ride of Post-Church America; Religious TV Channel Fined for Spreading Conspiracy Theory on Coronavirus; and more
Cave of Horror, or of Wonder?
The discovery of a “new” Dead Sea Scroll was announced recently by the Israeli Antiquities Authority. It was found in a “cave of horror,” along with many other significant finds.
Are Vaccine Mandates Legal, Ethical, Advisable? – Part 1
COVID-19 vaccine distributions are increasing significantly, raising questions about whether vaccine mandates should be implemented. Are such requirements legal, ethical and advisable?
Little Things Offer Big Inspiration at Easter
A cereal box message about ‘finding big inspiration in the little things’ is a timely reminder. Big inspiration is often birthed by unexpected little surprises that cumulatively have the ability to transform our world.
U.S. Confidence in Safe In-Person Worship Increases
A growing number of U.S. adults feel confident that they can safely attend in-person religious services. Yet, less than half of Christian churchgoers in the U.S. plan to attend an in-person Easter service this year, well below the 62% historical average.
March 31, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: How the Christian Nationalist Version of ‘The American Story’ Enabled Georgia’s Anti-Black Voter Restriction Law; ‘Scolded for Being Female’: Pennsylvania Woman Says Baptist Church Fishing Trip Prize Taken Away Because She is a Woman; Dozens of LGBTQ Students at Christian Colleges from Bob Jones to Baylor Sue the U.S. Education Department, Hoping to Pressure Equality Act Negotiations; and more
Good or Bad Applies More to People Than Professions
There are good cops and bad cops. Good pastors and bad pastors. Good teachers and bad teachers. Good judges and bad judges. Most often, people, not roles, determine whether someone is good or bad.
7 Examples of Slower-Impact Humanitarian Crises
Our nation faces clear humanitarian crises that affect the human family in catastrophic ways. Yet other situations may have a slower impact but are still extremely destructive to our well-being as a people. Here are 7 examples.
Under Half of US Adults Affiliate with House of Faith
Fewer than half of U.S. adults now claim membership in a church, mosque or synagogue, a report found. It’s the first time in polling history when a majority has not done so, following a decades-long membership decline.
Why Dr. Seuss Cancellations Are Good News
When news surfaced about the discontinuation of six Dr. Suess’ books because they depicted racial stereotypes, cries of ‘cancel culture’ soon erupted. But while there will be loss in this change and others, it will be worth it.
March 30, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: U.S. Church Membership Falls Below Majority for First Time; United Methodist Leaders Speak Out Against Anti-Asian Racism; QAnon’s Unexpected Roots in New Age Spirituality; and more
Good Faith Media to Host Writers’ Retreat in Georgia Mountains
“Open to anyone who loves words,” Good Faith Media will host its first Writers’ Retreat, Oct. 20-22, 2021, at Amicalola Falls Lodge in the colorful mountains of North Georgia.
3 Habits Help Lonely People Feel Connected
Faith communities at large have been feeling the impact of loneliness and isolation in a new way during the pandemic. We may believe online platforms keep us from feeling alone, but the cries of church members tell another story.
Widespread Support in US for LGBTQ+ Rights
By Zach Dawes Jr – More than three out of four, or 76%, of US adults support the enactment of nondiscrimination laws to protect LGBTQ persons, a report found. The support crossed age, gender, political and religious demographics.
March 29, 2021
In today’s curated news and headlines analysis: Georgia Republicans Made a Mistake When They Attacked the Voting Rights of the Black Community, Black Pastors Say; Jacksonville Florida White Residents Defend Robert E. Lee High: ‘Jesus Himself Never Condemned Slavery’; Mass Shooting Survivor: ‘The Thoughts and Prayers … Mean Nothing’; Africa: Sudan and Rebel Group Sign Agreement on Separation of Religion and State; and more.
People of Good Faith: Ronnie Brewer
Ronnie Brewer is a retired pastor and campus minister living in Miramar Beach, Florida, near Destin. He is currently serving as the chair of the strategic advisory board for the Good Faith Media experiences division.
Psychological Impacts of Pandemic Distancing Likely to Linger
COVID-19 changed the landscape of ministry, requiring every faith leader to quickly adapt. While pandemic mitigation efforts were essential, we must consider what has been lost without in-person gatherings.
Look Back | ‘Caving into Culture’ Is Often Needed
A common refrain from Christians defending the status quo is that they follow the unchanging Bible, while others cave into modern culture. Here’s why such claims are problematic – and why “caving into culture” can be the right decision.
March 26, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: QAnon and Trump Cult: Expert Steven Hassan on Whether They Can be Saved; Designation of Bible as Tennessee’s State Book to Hit House Floor Following Years of Failed Legislative Attempts; Franklin Graham Advised Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine. His Fans Revolted; and more.
Entering the Darkness of Holy Week
Grief due to mass shootings, humanitarian crises, the ongoing global pandemic and more is overwhelming. Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was not all celebration – dark clouds hung over Holy Week then … and now.
Is Health Care a Right?
Is health care a right? Before we can answer that question, we need to be clear about what we mean by “rights.” Here’s a primer on the term and how it relates to health care and human rights.
Racial Reconciliation Must Include Trauma Ministry
How should ministers biblically address racial trauma with Black youth? Part of racial reconciliation is not only educating those who are unaware of police brutality but also ministering to those who live with the effects of it.
March 25, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: White Headmaster of Catholic School Placed on Leave After Telling Student to Kneel and Apologizes ‘the African Way’; Why ‘Islamic’ Trended After a Mass Shooting in Boulder and ‘Christian’ Did Not After One in Atlanta; Americans are Stubbornly Unmoved by Death; Three-Quarters of Black Americans Believe in God of the Bible or Other Holy Scripture; and more.
How Far Is Too Far?
We must be sensitive to how others are negatively impacted by prejudicial stereotypes. Decisions by Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Disney+ regarding content under their purview raises questions about how we engage with historical views that are now problematic.
What Should Cries of ‘Hosanna’ Mean Today?
The cries of ‘Hosanna’ as Jesus entered Jerusalem were pleas for liberation from oppression that echoed those found in Psalm 118. What should such cries mean to us today?
Are U.S. Dollars Supporting Concentration Camps?
Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim people, make up roughly half the population of Xinjiang, the far northwest province of China. One million Uyghurs have been swept into concentration camps and forced labor.
March 24, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Racism, Misogyny, Guns and Religion: Experts Call Atlanta ‘an Unmistakable American Stew’; In Federal Lawsuit, James Huntsman, of Prominent Utah Family, Accuses Mormon Church of Fraud; Will Easter Resurrect Pandemic Church Attendance? Depends on Your Faith Tradition; and more.
Tested by Pluralism, American Christianity Fails
The love of evangelicals extends deep and wide – as long as the people they love on mission trips stay “over there.” Many professing Christians limit their love to protect privileged status and maintain the status quo.
‘Strange Fire’ Fuels Scapegoating of Asian Americans
Scapegoating is a “strange fire,” observed a 13-year-old in his recent Bar Mitzvah Torah sermon. “We need to stand against ‘strange fires,’” he said. “We can no longer afford to be bystanders.”
Christian Patriarchy Is Just Patriarchy
Patriarchy by any other name is still patriarchy. Christian patriarchy models the patriarchy of mainstream society. A new book explores how the church is continuing a long historical tradition of subordinating women.