How to Turn Around the Incredible Shrinking Church

Diana Butler Bass was the keynote speaker at an annual preaching consultation at St. Simons Island, Georgia, at the end of September. She is one of, it not the most, respected observers of religious life today. Her books have captured the attention of this generation....

How Long Do You Think Your Church Will Survive?

A friend recently shared with me an interesting story. When his church decided to replace the sign out front, it meant that the old one had to come down before the new one went up. For about a week, there was no sign in front of the church. During those days, no fewer...

Nearly 1,000 Anglicans Converting to Catholicism

LONDON (RNS/ENInews) More than 900 Anglicans formally expressed a desire to convert to Catholicism at special services held at Westminster Cathedral—including the first Anglicans to join a new branch of the Catholic Church. The annual ceremonies held last weekend...

Catholics Try to Lure Lapsed Sheep Back into the Fold

MADISON, N.J. (RNS) A small bucket filled with bottles of cold beer sat on the floor, down the hall from the chapel, as about a dozen young adults lounged around on comfortable couches. They weren’t there to pray or preach—just to enjoy one another’s company at St....