Unlike other private sector workers whose pensions are insured by the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, church employees have no federal agency poised to rescue their employer-provided pensions in the event of a devastating market crash. Religious denominations have long provided retired clergy and staff with secure pension payments — more secure, in some cases,... Continue Reading

Methodists never really let a Presbyterian congregation negotiate to buy and save a historic Midtown church building, now facing demolition. That’s the version of events provided to The Commercial Appeal by Rev. Jeffrey Lancaster, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church. “We wish we had what we think was a more full-blown effort at negotiating,” he said.... Continue Reading

Change usually happens slowly in the Church. But a review of the past year’s research conducted by the Barna Group provides a time-lapse portrayal of how the religious environment in the U.S. is morphing into something new. Analyzing insights drawn from more than 5,000 non-proprietary interviews conducted over the past 11 months, George Barna indicated... Continue Reading

Erskine College and Seminary has hired Cliff Smith, a veteran communicator, to lead its marketing and public relations efforts. Smith was a consulting partner with Ontario-based Thinkx Intellectual Capital Inc. just before coming to Erskine. Before that, he worked for RBC Insurance as senior communications and marketing manager. A graduate of The Masters College in... Continue Reading

If I had to sum up my church’s approach to culture (the church of my youth), it would be this: the “world” is under the dominion of the Devil, is headed straight for hell, and the sooner it gets there, the sooner the Lord will act and rapture his Bride (the church) out of this... Continue Reading

King’s College students, faculty, staff, and guests stood as Dinesh D’Souza proceeded down the aisle of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church on December 2, 2010. He took his place on the podium, ready to accept his commission as the fifth president of the King’s College. King’s College students, faculty, staff, and guests stood as Dinesh D’Souza... Continue Reading

President Gaylen Byker recently sent an e-mail to employees discussing the reductions, saying the college could not get by if it just continued to freeze salaries and cut nonpersonnel areas. GRAND RAPIDS — Calvin College leaders, anticipating declining enrollment and rising expenses, say they will eliminate the equivalent of 20 full-time jobs by the middle... Continue Reading

Why should you send your pastor to a conference? Here are five reasons: 1. Relationship Building Conferences are a great way for your pastor to either make new friendships or strengthen preexisting ones. Your pastor needs to have friends outside of your church context. Conferences are one way to help your pastor cultivate necessary friendships.... Continue Reading

Concerned parents all over the world are opting out of public education and educating their children at home. While this is often the best choice for a quality, biblical education, homeschoolers often miss out on the energy and confidence that comes from classroom discussion, with Christian instructors who are experts in their field. Belhaven University... Continue Reading

As ethical agents, we rarely have to think long and hard about the ethical decisions we make. Ideally, ethical decisions and actions flow from characters formed by lifelong habits of virtue, these being formed based on God’s revealed Word, carefully interpreted and applied. “Unlike other professionals, pastors relate to their members in a multitude of... Continue Reading