EXPORT, Pa. (BP) – Evangelical giving has stabilized after several years of significant decline, but almost no one gives a biblical tithe to the church, a new study from Grey Matter Research and Infinity Concepts found. Ron Sellers, Grey Matter Research president, said he finds it sort of “tragically funny” that Christians debate what the tithe is, whether it’s giving to church alone or church and secular philanthropic concerns. Is it based on the net, or the gross income? “And my … [Read more...]
Lifeway Research finds growing number of churchgoers face doubts
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Resources) — When facing difficult circumstances, most churchgoers still trust in God’s love and provision. Some, however, begin to question God’s character and involvement in their lives, and their number has grown in recent years. Lifeway Research’s State of Discipleship revealed exercising faith as one of eight signposts that measure characteristics evident in believers who are progressing in their spiritual maturity. The average churchgoers scores 71.6 out … [Read more...]
Survey aims to develop overview of Southern Baptist worship
NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptists love the elements of a congregational gathering. A survey onboarding soon will look to get a clearer picture of how churches conduct and experience worship services. The study will be conducted here through SBCWorship.com and the SBC Worship Research Committee, which “exists to serve the church by providing research-driven insights that encourage healthy, biblically-faithful worship,” according to a statement from the group. Southeastern Seminary’s … [Read more...]
Christ’s ascension ‘largely forgotten’ but recoverable this Easter, theologians say
NASHVILLE (BP) – Jesus’ ascension has been celebrated in various ways by different Christian denominations. Some remember the ascension with special prayers and Scripture readings. Many in the high church tradition observe Ascension Day annually 40 days after Easter by extinguishing a candle that symbolizes Jesus’ bodily presence on earth. Less conventionally, believers in previous eras have eaten birds on Ascension Day to mark the occasion Jesus “flew” to heaven. Some Christians climb a … [Read more...]
Israeli Christians serving Jesus amid missile blasts as Passover nears
TEL AVIV (BP) — Passover plans this April 1 are a tossup for Israel, including the nation’s 20,000 to 30,000 Christians. “We’re at war, and we have rockets every day, and missiles falling every day,” Tel Aviv Messianic pastor Avi Mizrachi told Baptist Press. “It’s a real challenge. We make plans, but we don’t own the time, because things can change every day.” Mizrachi, founder of Adonai Roi Congregation and the humanitarian outreach Dugit Ministries, was driving to a desert in … [Read more...]
FIRST-PERSON: Islamic eschatology and the war in Iran
“I’m lost,” the Iranian pilot cried into the microphone. I was a few months into my jet training course at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, in 1971. At that time, the Shah of Iran, a close ally of the United States, sent his pilots for training in the United States. They were a friendly, capable lot, but this one became disoriented over the Southwest Texas terrain, ran out of gas, ejected from the aircraft and parachuted to safety. His cry of desperation still rings in my ears. Twenty years … [Read more...]
Lifeway Research finds churchgoers aim to serve in and out of church
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (Lifeway Research) — Most churchgoers say they’re looking for ways to serve God as well as the people in their churches and communities, but many still struggle to make that a reality. Serving God and others is one of eight key signposts measuring distinct characteristics for believers progressing in their spiritual maturity, according to the Lifeway Research State of Discipleship study. The average U.S. Protestant churchgoer scores 73.1 out of 100 in serving God and … [Read more...]
Religious persecution continues in Venezuela despite Maduro’s capture, CSW reports
CARACAS, Venezuela (BP) – Religious persecution and human rights violations continue in Venezuela under a firmly entrenched authoritarian regime, CSW reported March 9 as captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores await trial in the U.S. The Maduro regime under the Socialist Union of Venezuela Party has persecuted Christians there for more than a decade, religious freedom defenders have said. “With or without Maduro at the helm, the Socialist Union of Venezuela Party … [Read more...]
Pray for ‘freedom in Christ, freedom of religion’ in Iran
Missouri Baptist and Southern Baptist leaders alike have called for prayer amid rising conflicts in the Middle East. God has been moving in Iran for many years, and He is continuing to work for the salvation of men and women in the region. Last year, as tensions with Iran began to rise, I spoke with my friend Ayman Ibrahim, who serves as a professor of Islamic Studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Christianity is expanding in the region, he told me. “I know that … [Read more...]
FIRST-PERSON: Persecution and protection of Iranian Christians
With the present war involving Iran, the United States and surrounding countries, a closer look at the history of Christianity in Iran may help place these events in context and guide believers in how to pray for Christians living there. Throughout Iran’s history with Christianity, there has been sporadic discrimination against and persecution of believers. When outside forces threaten Iran, the relationship between Iranian Christians and the ruling government has often changed. Beginnings … [Read more...]
Protesting: How should churches respond?
EDITOR'S NOTE: Read the latest about the aftermath of the unexpected protest inside a church in St. Paul, Minn., here: "Bills criminalizing protests during worship services proceed through states" The Evangelical world was shocked on Jan. 18, 2026, when a group of roughly 30 protestors invaded Cities Church in St. Paul, Minn., during a worship service. While Christians aren’t surprised when unbelievers sin, we were shocked to see the sacred space of religious worship attacked so blatantly. … [Read more...]
Church of England abandons pursuit of spiritual blessings for same-sex couples
LONDON (BP) – 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. The Anglican denomination continues to reject gay marriage, a decision it affirmed in 2023 while instead voting to pursue blessings. The vote to end the pursuit closed three years of work in the broader Living in Love and Faith (LLF) initiative regarding identity, sexuality, relationships and … [Read more...]
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