The church cites the PCUSA’s May adoption of Amendment 10A as one factor in its decision. The measure deletes the chastity/fidelity ordination clause from the Book of Order, and will allow presbyteries to ordain gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered candidates as ministers, elders and deacons. A Georgia church’s attempt to be dismissed from the Presbyterian... Continue Reading

“This sanctuary should remain a place of worship and remembrance, nothing less,” said Orange Bishop Tod D. Brown. “Further, the diocese itself would have access to a much-needed cathedral complex in a shorter time, and at significantly lower cost, than original construction would demand.” The Diocese of Orange has upped its bid to buy the... Continue Reading

A small fraction eventually qualifies to become cardinals, from whose ranks popes are drawn. While all players may vote in papal elections (a major departure from real-world conditions), cardinals’ superior stature gives them a disproportionate say in the result. Italians have an expression, “every death of a pope,” to describe rare events. And with Pope... Continue Reading

Crystal Cathedral’s bankruptcy woes have increased as the creditors committee tasked with recovering $50 million in debt from the ministry is threatening to sue the ministry’s founders if they impede the sale of the California megachurch. Robert H. Schuller is the founder of Crystal Cathedral and his family members maintain prominent leadership roles in the... Continue Reading

The Gathering [August 25-26-2011 in Minneapolis] will not be a gripe session nor will it be a pep rally. We won’t be lobbying one agenda or voting anything up or down — yet. We will be presenting a carefully-designed range of options, all covered by a large “umbrella” of shared commitment to Jesus Christ, to... Continue Reading

Southern Baptist delegates passed a resolution criticizing the 2011 update and asked LifeWay stores not to sell the Bible translation. Southern Baptists have asked their denomination-owned retail chain to stop selling a best-selling Bible translation, saying it contains errors when it comes to language about gender. Church delegates—known as messengers—passed a resolution at their June... Continue Reading

The findings are similar to what pastors said in January 2011 but more negative than their opinions in March 2010, when only 62 percent said the economy was affecting their congregations negatively. Although the offerings in most American churches have met or exceeded budget requirements in 2011, the economy is still having a negative impact... Continue Reading

(Editor’s Note: If reading blasphemy offends you, do not open this story) Professor Hijme Stoeffels of the Free University in Amsterdam says it is in such concepts as love that people base their diffuse ideas of religion. “In our society it’s called ‘somethingism’,” he says. “There must be ‘something’ between heaven and earth, but to... Continue Reading

Christian-based arts and crafts retailer Hobby Lobby has put a $47.5-million cash offer on the table for Crystal Cathedral in its second bid in less than two years to relieve the bankrupt megachurch of costly property. Hobby Lobby joins a list of about five other organizations that have made purchase proposals for Crystal Cathedral’s 40-acre... Continue Reading

Summer break is almost over and a new school year is about to begin. As thousands of children return to their classrooms, some will require additional support to help them through the academic challenges of the school year. For the past three years Grace Presbyterian Church in Stone Mountain, has provided additional support by giving... Continue Reading