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America’s rural congregations, thinned by age and a population drain that plagues much of farm country, have gotten too small and too poor to attract pastors. No pastor means no church. Rural pastors are disappearing even faster than the general population, leaving graying congregations helpless in their time of greatest need.Read more of this story.
BEVERLY HILLS, CA (ANS) — The Annual Movieguide® study of what movies do best at the box office shows that moviegoers prefer movies with Christian, Biblical worldviews much more than movies mocking God, Jesus Christ or the Bible.According to the non-profit family guide to movies and entertainment’s 2009 Annual Report to the Entertainment Industry of 2008 movies, movies with very strong Christian, biblical and/or moral worldviews did five to 33 times better at the theatrical box office in America and Canada in 2008 than movies with very strong secular humanist, nihilistic, anti-Christian, and/or anti-biblical worldviews.Read more of this story. Winners…
To say that Jefferson County Judge Randy Koschnick is heading into the state Supreme Court race as an underdog would be an understatement.Koschnick’s religious credentials have yet to be widely reported. But with two months to go before the April 7 election, some evangelical church leaders say Koschnick’s religious convictions could make a difference in how they advise their church members.Read more of this story. CAPITAL CHAPLAINS HELPS STRESSED WORKERS – Wisconsin State JournalPRINCETON CLUB TENDS TO BODY AND SOUL – The Capital Times
Abraham Lincoln stood on the steps of the Capitol more than 144 years ago and said North and South alike must suffer for the sin of slavery. "If God wills that [the war] continue until . . . every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, so it still must be said ‘the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether,’ " Lincoln said in his second inaugural address, quoting the Psalms. Called "Lincoln’s Sermon on the Mount," his 1865 address has been deemed the most religiously sophisticated presidential speech…
For weeks now, Matt McCarron has been unable to muster the strength to go to Sunday Mass. A lifelong Catholic, he’s often found solace in prayer. And though young, he tries to give faithfully for the needs of the church, $20 a week when he was employed full time.McCarron, 19, lost his job as a machinist last month and is back at the pizza joint where he worked in high school. He moved in with his parents to save money. "I just feel let down," said McCarron, who’d prayed that God would spare his job and is embarrassed that he…
Lilada Gee’s deep faith and the support of her Madison church helped her confront the childhood sexual abuse that has haunted her for years and gave her the strength to write about it in her 2006 memoir "I Can’t Live Like This Anymore!"Gee will share her story with Milwaukee-area religious leaders in an upcoming workshop, thought to be the first of its kind in Wisconsin aimed at helping faith leaders address sexual assault and abuse in their communities.Read more of this story.
(UNDATED) Digital podcasts and streaming video might bring Christian audiences inspirational messages in the future, but they aren’t bringing in the cash that broadcast ministries need to weather a painful economy. To make ends meet, religious broadcasters are tightening their belts and going back to basics. That means sticking with time-tested formulas, postponing innovations and counting on loyal (largely senior) audiences to keep donating even when it hurts. Read more of this story. MORE COVERAGE:Thousands Gather for Media Convention – Christian Post
WASHINGTON — Want to be almost certain you’ll have religious neighbors? Move to Mississippi. Prefer to be in the least religious state? Venture to Vermont.A new Gallup Poll, based on more than 350,000 interviews, finds that the Magnolia State is the one where the most people — 85% — say yes when asked "Is religion an important part of your daily life?"Read more of this story.
When President Barack Obama announced his Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, he made one thing clear: He will keep church and state separate and not show any favoritism. Speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, the president said the common ground of his faith-based office will be that all religions teach people to care for one another.Read more of this story. Obama Talks God at National Prayer Breakfast – Jake Tapper, ABC NewsWhite House Faith Office to Expand – New York TimesObama Tries to Renew Faith in a Faith-Based Office – TIMEObama’s Faith List – Washington Times Belief…
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Jerry James took a right to the chops for Jesus the other night.Clad in sweats, boxing gloves and headgear, the former standout amateur boxer stood inside the ropes during the homily Saturday night at New Life Church in Sioux Falls.The church bulletin referred to it as "Saturday Night Slam." But Pastor Alex Klimchuk’s intent in turning his altar into a boxing ring was more enticement than entertainment. "We try to reach out to those who aren’t already going, who think church is boring," says Klimchuk, 30. "The truth is, the church is having problems getting young…