Twenty-seven percent of all Christians are Pentecostal and charismatic. In terms of “distinct denomination families,” the Anglican denomination stood at 11 percent, followed by Lutheran at 10 percent and Baptist at 9 percent. An estimated one-third of the world’s 6.9 billion people in 2010 were Christians who lived around the globe, making Christianity a global... Continue Reading

The African delegates were organized as a bloc and were effective legislatively. They gained 25 percent of the legislative committee officer seats, previously typically getting none. They also filled two of four open slots on the church’s top court, the Judicial Council, with a Congolese pastor and a Harvard Law trained Liberian, as well as... Continue Reading

“The plan builds upon the work of the previous Mission Work Plan by continuing a shift away from doing ministry on behalf of the church and toward inspiring, equipping and connecting the church for Christ’s mission.” The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) plans to cut more jobs and reduce budget for the next two years in the... Continue Reading

Protestant pastors with a graduate degree were less likely to select Mother’s day than pastors with at most a bachelor’s degree. Protestant pastors of churches in the South were most likely to select homecoming. Between Easter and Christmas, Mother’s Day may be the most likely day people will attend church, according to a study by... Continue Reading

“C.J. Mahaney, like any strong Christian leader, is able to lead precisely because of who he is and how God uses him,” [SBTS President Albert] Mohler said. “That doesn’t mean that he can lead all people any more than any other leader can lead all people.” He welcomed the start of a Sovereign Grace congregation... Continue Reading

Speakers for the conferences will include Tim Keller, Lead Pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church, NYC, Terry Gyger, Executive Director of Church Planting, Redeemer City to City, and Richard Mouw, President of Fuller Seminary. The following information was provided in an announcement from The Fellowship: Continuing our commitment to nurturing a new way of being church,... Continue Reading

The decision affirms that “the presbytery’s resolution is a proper exercise of the powers that are reserved to presbyteries (F-3.0209). It is the presbytery’s duty to bear witness to error in doctrine and immorality in practice within its bounds (G-3.0301c).” The Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Permanent Judicial Commission heard a complaint on May... Continue Reading

The Tecumseh experience appears to follow advice (“The Louisville Papers”) given by lawyers in the Louisville office of the PCUSA. In that document, denominational officials urged presbyteries to engage in hardball tactics, including removing session members from their governing role, removing the pastor, seizing bank accounts, changing the locks on church buildings, and naming a... Continue Reading

[Mark] Tooley, a longtime critic of the UMC’s liberal drift, said the million member denomination is “likely to have an African membership majority within a decade or so, United Methodism can anticipate a bright future ahead that is more tied to vibrant global Christianity than to dying liberal Protestantism in America.” Members of the nation’s... Continue Reading

A prime example of the countervailing trends is Calvary Chapel in Grand Forks. The Rev. Seth Wetter has led a “church planting” effort nearly five years old, starting as Bible study. About a year ago, a group now numbering about 20 began meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Sundays for services in an office building. What... Continue Reading