Gladd, a graduate of Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Hamilton, Mass. calls himself “theologically conservative and socially liberal,” the latter informed by an internship at a poor urban mission in Tulsa, Okla A church congregation that can trace its roots back to the late 17th century has just called to the pulpit a 27-year-old pastor... Continue Reading

Some say the UUA is held back by members’ reluctance to proclaim religious tenets—a tricky task for an association that includes Christians, Buddhists, Jews, pagans, humanists and spiritual refugees from a host of more dogmatic faiths. A recent Sunday service at the First Unitarian Church of Baltimore ended with an apology. Laurel Mendes explained that... Continue Reading

Gross won’t disclose the names of those who pledged to disobey church law if couples come forward seeking ceremonies. He has encouraged pastors to co-officiate holy unions so they don’t suffer the consequences alone. “Our power is in our collective power,” Gross said. “What speaks is there are 208 of us who have said this.... Continue Reading

This means the number of Psalms one is able to sing is multiplied greatly without having to learn many new tunes. The Index of Biblical Topics will also be useful to the pastor as he attempts to choose Psalms which will help the congregation focus on the message he will bring to them during the... Continue Reading

The 320-member Lighthouse Community Church (formerly named First Reformed of Allendale) has laid the groundwork to terminate its 90-year affiliation with the Reformed Church in America, in part because of a “counterfeit unity not founded upon truth,” said Steve Demers, senior pastor. (Editor’s note: Demers is a graduate of Covenant Seminary and for our PCA... Continue Reading

Many congregations, North and South, chose this route and most became a part of the PCA. However, the overwhelming majority of congregations opted to remain a part of the newly formed Presbyterian Church, USA. The existence of the much smaller and very conservative PCA need not be viewed as an indication of the failure of... Continue Reading

Nearly 40 percent of ministerial students enrolled at 14 theological schools identified as ministry partners with CBF were women, higher than the national average of members of the Association of Theological Schools. Women are making slow but steady progress into ministry positions in Baptist churches, according to a report released June 22 by Baptist Women... Continue Reading

“Albert Mohler was right about homosexuality not just being a choice,” Friedeman said. “He was right about homosexuality requiring a Savior. He was right about the church being homophobic towards homosexuals. And he was also right about homosexuality being a sin. A prominent conservative social activist has accused the Southern Baptist Convention of pandering to... Continue Reading

The Kirk Session of Gilcomston yesterday accused the Church of Scotland of “showing contempt” for members of the Kirk who upheld traditional Christian values. The congregation said in a statement: “The Kirk prefers to align itself with a handful of western European and North American denominations, which have torn themselves apart by taking the same... Continue Reading

Pastors and deacons from Chinese churches across the United States and Canada discussed a goal of planting 800 Chinese churches by 2020 during a SBC meeting in Phoenix. The Chinese Baptist Fellowship, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, has 260 member churches, said Peter Leong, president and interim executive director of the fellowship. “If every... Continue Reading