Recent Articles
One Way to End Immigration Reform Impasse
Politicians and pundits on both sides of the political aisle agree that immigration reform is needed. Yet, an unwillingness to compromise has hindered negotiations. Both parties need to stop letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.
Fewer Protestant Churches Meeting in Person
The number of Protestant churches in the U.S. meeting in person declined in early 2021. Around three-quarter were doing so in January 2021, down from 87% in September 2020.
March 2, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: I, Too, Was Once a Soldier of the Apocalypse: Why White Evangelicals Must Choose Between Reform and American Extremism; Panel of Former Members of QAnoners Talk About the White Supremacist Conspiracy Movement, and Warn of More Violence; Major Evangelical Adoption Agency Will Now Serve Gay Parents Nationwide; U.S. Forest Service Temporarily Halts Transfer of Native American Sacred Site Oak Flat; and more
Pandemic Accelerated New Reformation in Churches
The pandemic accelerated a reformation already at work in congregations. Such times remind us that the “raison d’être” of the body of Christ is found in planting the transformative power of the reign of God outside the church walls.
Is the U.S. Health Care System Making Us Sick?
Despite health care expenses that are higher than any nation, the U.S. is not the healthiest country in the world. Is the current system making people sick? What are some possible solutions at both the individual and collective level?
Majority of Black Americans Attend Predominantly Black Congregations
A majority of Black Americans who attend religious services do so at predominantly Black houses of faith, a report found. Nearly two-thirds of all churchgoers in the U.S. believe congregations should be more diverse.
March 1, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: GOP Congressman Headlines Republican Conference Where Organizers Push White Nationalist Rhetoric; White Evangelicals’ Dominance of the GOP Has Turned it Into the Party of Resistance; Woman Named First Black Female Pastor for Indianapolis Area Baptist Church; Catholics in Quebec are Leaving the Church in Droves. Can Reinventing Parish Life Save it?; and more
Harder to Vote; Easier to Kill. A New Arkansas Motto?
Long known as “The Natural State,” Arkansas appears to be replacing that moniker with a new one: “Harder to vote; easier to kill.” Two bills now on the governor’s desk would eliminate an option to vote without a photo ID and would enact controversial “stand your ground” provisions.
Vaccinating the Vulnerable Requires Proactive Congregations
Houses of faith can play a significant role in getting people vaccinated against COVID-19. Here is how one Temple in North Carolina is being both a house of worship and house of service.
Look Back | The Real Choice That Causes Poverty, Homelessness
Poverty and homelessness are choices society makes, that you and I make, every day. We have the resources to end poverty and homelessness, but we lack the political, social, economic and religious will to act.
February 26, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: More Than 500 Evangelicals, Other Faith Leaders Condemn Religion at Insurrection as ‘Heretical’; Vanderbilt Political Scientists Examine Social, Psychological, Legal Foundation of January 6 Riots; Bill Would Let Child Welfare Agencies Reject Some Kentucky Families Citing Sincere Religious Beliefs; At William & Mary, a School for Free and Enslaved Black Children is Rediscovered; and more.
Returning to the Baptismal Waters
The baptismal act, regardless of mode, remains one of the most significant moments in a Jesus-follower’s pilgrimage. Returning to these waters mentally, emotionally and spiritually offers both renewal and refreshment.
Why I’m Giving Up the Hustle for Lent
Our culture demands that we constantly do more, produce more, engage more, be more. It’s a hustle economy that will run us ragged if we let it. This year for Lent, I’m saying every day, “I’m enough.”
The Insurrection, the Big Lie and the Constitution: Part Two
The “Big Lie” – another manifestation of white supremacy – emerged again during 2020. False claims of widespread voter fraud continue to be spread in order to legitimatize efforts to disenfranchise people of color.
People of Faith Must Engage Mental Health Crisis
The link between public health crises and mental health has been known for decades, but the full impact of COVID-19 on the nation is still unknown. People of faith need to step up and reach out to those who are hurting.
February 25, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Evangelical Leaders Condemn ‘Radicalized Christian Nationalism’; How the Council for National Policy, an Evangelical and Republican Powerhouse, Helped Spawned Trumpism and the Capitol Insurrection; Bill to Regulate Missouri Religious Boarding Schools Advance; and more
Smarter and Nicer – This Is Your Brain on Books
A 1980s PSA presented an egg frying in a pan as an illustration of “your brain on drugs.” Recent studies have found that reading can make you both smarter and nicer. This is “your brain on books.”
Why You Should Enter the Shadow of Lent
Lent is a guardrail against spiritual bypassing, requiring pilgrims to do the hard, but necessary, work of entering into aspects of the human experience we’d rather not endure. These rhythms keep us pain-avoidant human beings honest.
The Insurrection, the Big Lie and the Constitution: Part One
The January 6 insurrection was horrific and disturbing. We now face more furtive efforts to undermine U.S. democracy, with some elected officials seeking to restrict voting rights under the false pretense of “election security.”
Millions Suffered Polar Vortex Impacts, Particularly the Unhoused
The polar vortex brought unprecedented weather events and challenging times for everyone, particularly for the unhoused. That hundreds of thousands are homeless in a wealthy nation like the U.S. is a tragedy and travesty.
February 24, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Life Amid the Ruin of QAnon: “I Wanted My Family Back”; Debate Rages Over Whether Race Had Role in Police Response to Capitol Riot; 160 Confederate Symbols Toppled in 2020, Hundreds Remain; Fort Worth Loses Fight for Church Properties as US Supreme Court Declines to Hear Diocese’s Case; and more
Meet-and-Greet with a Convenient Savior
Adored in song and sermon, his teachings are often ignored by the most fervent singers and sermonizers. Step right up and meet the popular, conveniently contrived Christ of Americanized Christianity.
Stephen Reeves to Lead Fellowship Southwest
Native Texan Stephen Reeves will become the executive director of Fellowship Southwest in mid-March. He comes to the organization from CBF global, where he served as associate coordinator for advocacy and partnerships.
Systemic Racism, Caste and the Global Pandemic: Part Two
What does the caste system of systemic racism have to do with the global pandemic? Such systems create disparities in the health status of individuals that is the result of unequal treatment based on caste.
February 23, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: America’s Churches are Now Polarized, Too; A Civil Rights Lawyer-Turned-Rabbi Cites Jewish Law in Montana State Legislature; Display of 15,000 Flags at Atlanta-Area Church Memorializes Covid Victims; Christians, Muslims and Jews to Share Faith Centre in Berlin; and more.
Systemic Racism, Caste and the Global Pandemic: Part One
Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste describes systemic racism as a caste system. This choice of language fits well with my experience, and her argument is compelling that the impact of caste remains in play today.
Name-Calling Derives from Lack of Love, Truth and Justice
Two Baptist pastors used the term “Jezebel” in reference to Vice President Kamala Harris. Such name-calling has a long, tragic history in the U.S. that is deployed when the speaker doesn’t have love, truth or justice on their side.
Our Words Hold the Power to Bring Life or Death
Words have power – to build up or to tear down, to bring life or destruction. The Jan. 6 insurrection reveals the true potency of our speech. Let’s use them wisely.
February 22, 2021
In today’s curated news and analysis headlines: Disinformation Fuels a White Evangelical Movement. It Led 1 Virginia Pastor to Quit; His Pastors Tried to Steer Him Away From Social Media Rage. He Stormed the Capitol Anyway; How 90s Christian Radio Enabled Rush Limbaugh’s Toxic Views; In Pandemic, Clergy Risk Illness, Even Death to Minister to the Sick and Their Loved Ones; As 2 New York Churches Merger, Working Class Congregation Praises Gay, Young Pastor; and more.
People of Good Faith: Cynthia Holmes
Cynthia Holmes is an attorney in St. Louis, Missouri. She is an active leader in several faith-based organizations, including Good Faith Media where she serves on the governing board.