ST. PAUL, Minn. (BP) – Leaders of Cities Church released a statement today (Jan. 20) addressing what they called the “shameful, unlawful conduct” of protestors that disrupted their church service Sunday, Jan. 18. The protestors “accosted members of our congregation, frightened children, and created a scene marked by intimidation and threat,” the statement said. “Invading a church service to disrupt the worship of Jesus – or any other act of worship – is protected by neither the … [Read more...]
Lifeway Research finds church closures eclipse openings
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) – The changing religious landscape in the United States includes a decline in the total number of Protestant and Southern Baptist churches. In 2024, Lifeway Research estimates 3,800 new Protestant churches were started in the U.S., while 4,000 churches were closed. This is based on analysis of congregational information provided by 35 denominations or faith groups, representing 58% of all Protestant churches. “Some individual denominations release … [Read more...]
Federal investigation underway into Minnesota church protest
ST. PAUL, Minn., (BP) – U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi says she has spoken to a Minnesota pastor following a disruption by protestors during Cities Church’s morning worship service Jan. 18. “Attacks against law enforcement and the intimidation of Christians are being met with the full force of federal law,” Bondi wrote on X late Sunday night. “If state leaders refuse to act responsibly to prevent lawlessness, this Department of Justice will remain mobilized to prosecute federal … [Read more...]
‘We’re going to save lives’: Sen. Schnelting, MBC’s Fowler discuss 2026 pro-life ballot measure
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sanctity of Life Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 18. JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) Executive Director Wes Fowler sat down with state Senator Adam Schnelting (R-St. Charles) on Jan. 7 for a public dialogue about a Missouri ballot initiative that will aim this fall to restore pro-life protections to the state’s Constitution. The dialogue took place at Concord Baptist Church in Jefferson City. In 2019, Schnelting amended a pro-life bill, adding a … [Read more...]
Baptist leaders urge hope, prayer for Venezuela after Maduro’s removal
NASHVILLE (BP) – As the U.S extraction of now-former President Nicólas Maduro brought widespread celebration among Venezuelans amid pockets of protest inside and outside the country, Baptist leaders are calling on others to keep the country in consistent prayer for peace now and in times ahead. The Venezuelan National Baptist Convention released a statement Jan. 3, the same day as the pre-dawn American military operation, calling for others to “remain in prayer before the throne of … [Read more...]
Godly grief: ‘Blue Christmas’ not inevitable after a loved one’s death
NASHVILLE (BP) – In planning her deceased husband’s funeral, one mother argued with her daughter about who should serve as pallbearers. “They weren’t kind to him when he was sick and dying, and I don’t want them serving as pallbearers,” the mother said. The daughter countered that the people in question were family and ought to be included. Then she stormed out of the room. As the mother sat crying, Stewart said to her, “The greatest example ever set was the one Jesus set when He had … [Read more...]
Christmas means extra giving for churchgoers, according to Lifeway Research
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) — For many churchgoers, Christmastime means giving time. Most say they regularly donate money and items to their churches as well as to local and national ministries and non-profits. Churchgoing adults in the U.S. are likely to make financial and item donations during the Christmas season, according to a Lifeway Research study. More than 4 in 5 U.S. Protestant churchgoers say they typically make an extra monetary donation this time of year, while 3 in … [Read more...]
FIRST-PERSON: America’s real first Thanksgiving
by Charles Jones The feast enjoyed by the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag people in 1621 is what most people think of as the first Thanksgiving. However, the first recorded English day of Thanksgiving in the New World actually took place at “Berkeley 100” in Virginia two years earlier. Recognizing this earlier declaration in no way detracts from the events which took place in Massachusetts in 1621. The Pilgrims’ observance was significant, noble and inspirational. They suffered … [Read more...]
State of the Church: Bible use resurges in U.S. with Millennial, Gen Z men in front
BOULDER, Colo. (BP) – Weekly Bible reading resurged 12 points this year in the U.S. after a 15-year low, with Millennial and Gen Z men leading the way, State of the Church researchers said in their November release. Millennials and Gen Z outpace the 12-point increase, with reading jumping 16 points among Millennials, half of whom now read Scripture weekly. Among Gen Z, the 49 percent who read Scripture at least weekly represents a 19-point climb, researchers said of the study from … [Read more...]
HUD policies to be more friendly to churches in 2026
WASHINGTON (BP) – The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced it will be more open to faith-based organizations as it provides funding aimed at caring for the homeless in 2026. “Our philosophy for addressing the homelessness crisis will now define success not by dollars spent or housing units filled, but by how many people achieve long-term self-sufficiency and recovery,” said HUD Secretary Scott Turner in a press release. In a Nov. 14 press release, the department … [Read more...]
VETERANS DAY: The priceless debt we owe
In 1969, peace negotiations between the U.S. and North Vietnam officials had stalled largely due to the parties’ conflicting demands. During that year, more than 550,000 members of the United States Armed Services were deployed to combat zones throughout Southeast Asia. As many as 300 American troops a week were being killed in action. Hundreds more were being held as prisoners of war in North Vietnam. Today more than 58,000 names of the men and women inscribed on the black granite walls of … [Read more...]
‘If God spare my life’: English Scripture that Tyndale lived, died to translate turning 500 years old
COLOGNE, Germany – Five hundred years ago, English evangelical William Tyndale fled for safety from the city of Cologne, Germany. Catholic authorities were eager to arrest him and stamp out his work. His crime? Translating the Greek New Testament into the English language. It’s a goal he nearly achieved in 1525. Almost 22 chapters of Matthew’s Gospel had already come off the press when Tyndale was discovered by authorities. Chased out of Cologne, he fled to Worms, Germany, carrying with … [Read more...]
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