Recent Articles
May 30, 2023
The Epicenter of Anti-Abortion America: States with the Highest Child Poverty Rates; What Christian Nationalism Has Done to My State of Wyoming and My Faith is a Sin; Ancient Toilets Unearthed in Jerusalem Reveal a Debilitating and Sometimes Fatal Disease (and more)
When White Supremacists Come to Town
Patriot Front hosted a rally at the National Memorial in Washington, D.C. on May 14. But this is not the first time that a white supremacist group has paraded itself around in the capital city. In fact, there is a long history that shouldn’t be treated hospitably.
White Evangelical Protestants Are Outliers in Public School Vaccination Views
Support for vaccinations for children attending public schools has declined in recent years, according to a Pew Research Center report. While most U.S. adults continue to affirm vaccination requirements, support has declined significantly since 2019.
Most U.S. Teens, Adults View Jesus Positively
U.S. teens and adults have a positive perception of Jesus, according to a Barna Group report. However, when it comes to adherents of Christianity, levels of positive affirmation drop noticeably.
Preaching Hope to a Weary World
The 2023 Festival of Homiletics theme was “Preaching Hope for a Weary World.” Preachers from around the world descended on Minneapolis, Minnesota, this week to hear inspiring sermons and discuss the craft of preaching.
Correlation Between Religious Freedom Violations and ‘Transnational Repression’
There is a correlation between nations that violate religious freedom and their engagement in “transnational repression,” according to panelists at a hearing conducted by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Look Back | What’s the Debt Ceiling Debate Really About?
We shouldn’t be fooled into thinking the current debate ceiling battle is simply a fiscal debate. So, what is the real issue in the debt ceiling debate?
May 19, 2023
The Importance of Religion in the Lives of Americans is Shrinking; The Faithful See Both Crisis and Opportunity as Churches Close Across the Country; Title 42 Ends – and Oak Lawn United Methodist Church Prepares for a Spike in Migrants (and more)
Biden Administration Issues Updated Guidance on Religious Expression in Public Schools
The Biden administration has issued updated guidance regarding constitutionally protected religious expression in public schools. Addressing a variety of topics related to both students and school employees, the guidance emphasizes public schools should be neutral toward religion and religious expression.
Infant and Maternal Mortality Rates Remain Shockingly High
A pregnant mother or newborn dies every seven seconds, according to new data from the World Health Organization. Tragically, these numbers have not improved over the last eight years.
Emerging Voices | What Is the First Step of Loving Others?
I am in the field of social work, and the more I learn and work in this field, the more I am convinced that “loving your neighbor” requires us to utilize many skills through discipline and practice. Love does not come naturally.
May 18, 2023
Mormon Who Left Wall Street to Work for Charity Blows Whistle on What He Says is His Church’s ‘Clandestine Hedge Fund’; Cyberfraud Cost Florida Baptists More than $700,000; Human DNA is Everywhere. That’s a Boon for Science, and an Ethical Quagmire. (and more)
Hot Fire, Cold Snow and Social Gospel
“Social gospel” names a way of following Jesus which seeks to address systemic injustices and inequities with organized efforts at social change. In truth, it is a redundant adjective. Here is why.
Generous Orthodoxy
The Gospels tell us that God’s mercy is unlimited and unconditional, and that God has no favorites. If that is true, then we need to ask ourselves why we so frequently tend to withhold God’s Spirit from others in our judgments.
White Christian Population in U.S. Stabilizing, Religiously Unaffiliated Increasing
The number of white Christians in the U.S. is showing signs of stabilization after decades of decline, while the number of religiously unaffiliated adults continues to rise, according to a Public Religion Research Institute report.
May 17, 2023
Hilton Head, Beaufort County Officials Clash on Historic Gullah Geechee St. James Baptist Church ; Most U.S. Parents Pass Along Their Religion and Politics to Their Children; The Most Notorious Sci-Fi Movie in Film History Was Funded by a Church (and more)
When Fear Defines Faith
Sitting across from a nervous passenger on flight during a family trip to Norway prompted reflection on how fear influences our emotions and actions – and how finding a way to move beyond fear is essential to human thriving.
The Power of Storytelling
I’ve always been of the opinion that storytelling is the most powerful tool in a preacher’s toolkit. Stories are the vehicles by which we discover who we are – and they help us imagine who we might become.
Texas Lawmakers Ignore Real Needs, Seek to Promote Christian Nationalism
Some politicians in the Texas Legislature are hyper-focused on adopting a far-right agenda while ignoring real issues and real people. Apparently, they think promoting Christian nationalism will result in amazing transformations in the public schools.
May 16, 2023
The Religious Landscape is Undergoing Massive Change. It Could Decide the 2024 Election.; Ron DeSantis’s Campaign Christianity; ‘Good Samaritan’? Ron DeSantis’s Defense of Subway Vigilante Sparks Controversy (and more)
One Year Later: Remembering the Victims of the Buffalo Mass Shooting
It’s been one year since the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, New York, that left 10 dead and three wounded. Fueled by that toxic combination of hate and ignorance, I wonder what we, as a society, are missing.
Why Rural Hospital Closures Should Concern Us All
The State of California is providing $150 million in loans to at-risk hospitals, many of which are in rural areas. Financial struggles of rural hospitals are happening across the U.S., and this trend should concern everyone.
‘Finding Love Later in Life’ Now Available from Nurturing Faith Books
Two couples share brunch and the joy of a surprise wedding at the Crooked Oak Restaurant in Ron Crawford’s new book, ‘Finding Love Later in Life: Brunch at the Crooked Oak Café’ published by Nurturing Faith Books.
May 15, 2023
Editor of Christianity Today talks ‘never’ supporting Trump over sexual assault and slams Pence’s ‘character’; Waves of Anti-Gender Bills in Republican-Led States Divides U.S. Faith Leaders; ‘Politics and Religion’: Why Two Longtime Republican School Board Members Have Had Enough (and more)
Wisdom Wherever You Find It | Nostalgia Really Ain’t What It Used to Be
Change is inevitable in our personal and collective life. Unfortunately, there have been those who have stirred up anger over inevitable loss as they tried to construct the world that they (think they) knew for the next generation’s pleasure.
Acute Food Insecurity Increased by 65m People Worldwide in 2022
High levels of acute food insecurity were experienced by 258 million people in 58 nations and territories in 2022, according to a report compiled by the Food Security Information Network and Global Network Against Food Crises.
Look Back | The Challenge of Gospel Hospitality
Does the world see Christianity as a friendly and hospitable faith? We’d like to think so, but many people perceive Christians primarily as judgmental folk who are focused on the afterlife and care little about others’ present needs.
Tired of Hearing About Gun Violence? Let’s Do Something About It
I’ve written twice about gun violence in the last two months. One thing is clear: putting more guns into circulation and providing easier access for individuals to purchase guns is not working.
Great Commission Religion Versus the Way of Jesus
Wherever Great Commission people have established a foothold in a society and advanced their notion of the religion of Jesus (notice that I said “their notion”), those societies have not become more loving and peaceful.
By the Way | Such Sweet Sorrow
I recently completed three-plus years of off-and-on (mostly on) supply work at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Española, New Mexico. The end came rather suddenly, which led to a reflection on relationships and community.