Society & Culture Stories

Faith

Church of England abandons pursuit of spiritual blessings for same-sex couples

The Church of England has abandoned a three-year effort to establish church blessings for same-sex couples after voting in early 2023 to pursue such ceremonies, the church reported.
Faith

Most churchgoers regularly confess sin, according to Lifeway Research

Most churchgoers try to avoid sin before it happens and seek to confess it afterward. For many, confession is a regular part of their faith.
Faith

A tale of two Ruths: Hollywood offers different takes on biblical romance

It’s February, the month of over-priced flowers, candies shaped like hearts, and sentimental love stories. Christians know the Bible is ultimately a love story about God and His people, but there’s also a standout couple with a romance suitable for the big screen: Ruth and Boaz.
Faith

Lifeway Research finds fewer than 1 in 3 churchgoers read the Bible daily

Most churchgoers place a high value on the Bible, but only about a third commit to reading it every day.
Missouri

HLGU legal settlement secures right of Christians to establish schools that reflect faith

Hannibal-LaGrange University (HLGU) announced, Feb. 6, the resolution of its federal lawsuit against the Department of Education. This landmark settlement protects the constitutional right of Baptists to establish and maintain schools that reflect their faith, doctrine and values, without being forced to abandon their commitments to provide affordable education.
Ethics

International adoptions resume on case-by-case approval basis under new exception

International adoptions that were halted for about 300 U.S. families can resume on a case-by-case approval basis after the U.S. State Department granted a National Interest Exception impacting immigrant adoptees from more than 70 countries.
Faith

MercyMe’s hit ‘Even If’ inspires sequel ‘I Can Only Imagine 2,’ opening Feb. 20

In "I Can Imagine 2," John Michael Finley—the son of a longtime Missouri Baptist minister—returns in the lead role as Bart Millard, lead singer for the Christian band, MercyMe.
Society & Culture

Pastor discovers unexpected connection to the Holocaust

Exploring the unusual circumstances surrounding his birth, retired Southern Baptist pastor Steve Simpson discovered an unexpected connection to the Holocaust.
Faith

Arrests announced in Minneapolis church protest

At least three arrests have been made among those who disrupted a Southern Baptist church service Sunday, Jan. 18, to protest ICE activities in Minneapolis, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Thursday morning (Jan. 22).
National

Cities Church leaders address Sunday’s worship disruption

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.
Faith

Lifeway Research finds church closures eclipse openings

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.
Ethics

Trump, pro-life leaders at odds in recent developments

The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission released a letter today (Jan. 16) calling for President Trump’s action on recent issues that have brought friction between the pro-life movement and an administration historically supportive of it.

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