Author: Gordon Govier

COMMENTARY Many of those outside of the Christian faith think Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind – that Christianity in our society is not what it was meant to be. We’re seen as hyper-political, out of touch, pushy in our beliefs, and arrogant. And the biggest perceptions of all are that we are homophobic, hypocritical, and judgmental. Simply put, in the minds of many, modern-day Christianity no longer seems Christian.Read more of this commentary.

TEMECULA, Calif. — Under a heavy blanket of ash-laden air, Daphne Berlin, the Red Cross public information officer for Riverside County, was heading back to the command post assess the latest developments in a series of wildland fires hopscotching Southern California.Although unsure what that day’s fire activity would bring, of one thing Berlin was certain, she could count on the assistance of area churches.Read more of this story.

DALLAS (ANS) — The 35 days of “I-35: Highway of Holiness,” will begin this weekend with pre-kickoff events in Laredo, Texas, and Duluth, Minn., the ends of the interstate. The I-35 initiative is part of Light the Highway, a movement organizers hope will bring spiritual reformation to cities, regions and ultimately nations. Read more of this story.

Across the country, fall is high season for "church shopping," as people in search of a new faith community to call home set about the task of finding one. But that doesn’t mean they’re showing up, singing hymns, shaking hands and sampling doughnuts at a different church each week.Read more of this story.

Last week, GodTube became the first religious website to offer the hot-ticket social media trinity: user-generated video (à la YouTube), social networking (à la MySpace and Facebook) and live webcasting (à la Stickam.com). GodTube’s claim that it has become the most trafficked Christian website on the Internet is trumped only by a second boast: that by the sheer volume of video watched by its users — 1.5 million hours last month — it is now the world’s largest broadcaster of Christian video.Read more of this story.

In Clackamas County, Ore., tucked between the cafes and microbreweries of Portland and the misty peak of Mount Hood, more than 170 churches have banded together in defense of love and marriage. Read more of this story.

A few years ago, members of First United Methodist Church faced a big decision. Their building Downtown was "literally falling down around us, " the Rev. Keith Schroerlucke said.One option was to sell the valuable property and buy land in the suburbs, with plenty of parking. The building committee floated that option, but it was consistently rejected.Read more of this story.

NEWS RELEASEMadison, WI – Pro-life advocates in Madison will mark the middle of the nationwide 40 Days for Life Campaign with a prayer service outside of the East Side Madison Planned Parenthood at 12:00 a.m. Monday, October 22st.40 Days for Life is a nationwide effort based on prayer and fasting in 89 cities and 33 states across America directed at opposing abortion in our society. A prayer vigil has been held outside the Planned Parenthood located at 3706 Orin Road in Madison around the clock since September 26th. The prayer vigil will continue 24 hours a day until November 4th.Bishop…

On Saturday October 13, one week ago today, Madison’s fourth Touched Twice Clinic offered medical help and other assistance to 285 needy local residents. A total of 260 volunteers made the clinic possible."The clinic was a great success with volunteers from approximately 20 Madison Area churches involved and more that 285 people served," said clinic director Elizabeth Fredenberg. "Everyone was blessed! Thank you Lord!"

Warning: this story contains frank languageA tabletop covered with jewelry for sale in the garishly decorated youth room at the Mad City Church offices on East Washington Avenue symbolized freedom for women trapped in prostitution in Thailand, a half world away. Annie Dieselberg, a missionary kid who grew up with a passion for fighting injustice, is fighting the sex for sale trade by offering women dignity and a job. The job is making jewelry.Her ministry, Nightlight, is one of the ministries supported by Mad City Church. Begun in 2005, it currently employs 81 women. That’s a very small number compared…