Society & Culture Stories

Pastors report growing attendance, but fewer unchurched newcomers, according to Lifeway Research

Slightly more than half of U.S. Protestant pastors (54%) report the average worship service attendance at their church has increased by at least 4% since 2023, according to a Lifeway Research study sponsored by the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center.

Resource charts least-evangelical states, counties, metro areas

Many church calendars tend to mirror the local school system’s. That means this time of year, there may be a new blend of faces in Sunday school, small groups and worship as people get back into a routine. But what about faces in the neighborhood that are missing? A resource that first appeared in March can be helpful for churches wanting more information on the evangelical makeup of their state or even county.

MBTS, Spurgeon College faculty release several new books

This year, multiple faculty members from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Spurgeon College have published new books exploring a range of themes—including pastoral mentorship, the classical virtues, ancient Christian approaches to reading Scripture, Charles Spurgeon’s teaching on prayer, and much more.

Surrogacy’s ‘ethical quagmire’ seen in high profile custody battle, SBC ethics head says

A custody battle between a surrogate and the genetic parents who wanted her to abort the baby highlights the “ethical quagmire” of surrogacy, Ethics & Religious Liberty President Evan Lenow told Baptist Press.

Meta agrees to huge settlement in California court case

Meta has agreed to pay upwards of $17 billion as part of a settlement involving 47 states that includes upgraded protections for younger users of its social media platforms.

Nick Freitas to Speak at Hannibal-LaGrange University for Constitution Day

Hannibal-LaGrange University will welcome nationally recognized speaker, former Green Beret, and former Virginia House of Delegates member Nick Freitas as the featured speaker for its annual Constitution Day program on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7:00 p.m. in the Roland Fine Arts Center. 

ERLC presents religious liberty award to daughter of freed pastor Ezra Jin

When Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) trustees named Grace Jin Drexel the recipient of the John Leland Religious Liberty Award, her father, Pastor Ezra Jin Mingra, was imprisoned in China for his faith.

Adults Account for Most Baptisms in SBC Congregations

As baptisms in Southern Baptist congregations increase, a growing percentage of those entering the baptismal pools are adults.

New book shows missionaries’ ministry, martyrdom in Haiti

You may remember reading about Davy and Natalie Lloyd. Missionaries to Haiti who were murdered by gangs in the neighborhood where they served the Lord, their story of faithfulness and sacrifice goes far beyond the headlines.

Only a quarter of Americans attend church weekly, State of the Bible reports

Only a quarter of Americans attend church weekly, the same percentage as a year ago, the American Bible Society (ABS) said Aug. 13 in its latest release.

FIRST-PERSON: Cultural insanity invades the WNBA

Sometimes the easiest way to expose a bad idea is simply to take it seriously. For years, the transgender movement has promoted a false distinction between biological sex and gender identity that has become commonplace in society. Consequently, the intrusion of men into female spaces, whether it be bathrooms, athletic competitions, or beauty contests, is left to the whims of individuals and their chosen identities. All of this is perfectly normal, or so we are told. The absurdity of such thinking is obvious, yet many are afraid to speak out.

‘Songs for the Thirsty Soul’: Young sisters share faith through musical album

Music has been a way for people to connect with their faith for thousands of years. For sisters, Iris and Rhian “Mae” Longenecker, singing comes from a desire to share the gospel with those who don’t know Jesus. This comes to light through their musical group: Iris ‘n Mae.

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