Religion Today Summaries - Apr. 9, 2007

Compiled & Edited by Crosswalk Editorial Staff | Published: Apr 08, 2007

Religion Today Summaries - Apr. 9, 2007

Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
 
In today's edition:

  • 18,000 'Jesus vs. Joseph Smith' DVDs Distributed Ahead of Mormon Conference
  • Luis Palau's Monterrey Festival Draws 400,000 Plus
  • Thousands Leave Illinois's Largest Church to Take Ministry to the Streets
  • New Study of U.S. Catholics Cites Young Adults as Problem for Church

18,000 Jesus vs. Joseph Smith DVDs Distributed Ahead of Mormon Conference

According to The Church Report, a Christian group distributed in Arizona 18,000 copies of a film designed to sway members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to quit. About 15,000 DVDs of the film "Jesus Christ/Joseph Smith" were dropped off at homes in the greater Phoenix area said Jim Robertson, executive director of Concerned Christians, an organization largely made up of former Mormons. The film contrasts the teachings of Jesus Christ and LDS founder Joseph Smith. "We've found this works very well. We need to step out in faith to do it," said Robertson, a former Mormon who founded the organization 35 years ago.

Luis Palau's Monterrey Festival Draws 400,000 Plus

Christian NewsWire reports that evangelist Luis Palau brought his "great music and Good News" festival to over 400,000 people in Monterrey, Mexico, March 18-24. The weeklong celebration of faith began with a motorcade and ended with a massive 2-day music fest. Another 40,000 children and families attending a separate children's festival. The campaign was one of the most extensive in the 40+ years of the Palau ministry. Community service was a key component of the several offerings. 10,000 meals were delivered to some of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Monterrey. Palau's presentation of the "Good News" brought 15,741 registered decisions and rededications to Christ.

Thousands Leave Illinois's Largest Church to Take Ministry to the Streets

Driven by the need to shake up the comfortable yet unfulfilling routine of “church” and its uninspiring impact on congregations, Reverend Senator James T. Meeks will close the doors of Salem Baptist Church of Chicago, the largest African American church in the state of Illinois, on April 7 so he and members from his 25,000 congregation can head to the streets of Chicago to provide help in areas of greatest need, says a Religion News Service release. "Vision 2007" will send church members to key communities and institutions across the city to engage in 14 various projects that are all designed to build relationships with total strangers, demonstrate compassion and learn the values of giving without expecting anything in return. From April 7 through the end of September, members will designate Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 12 noon as their day of service.  Instead of weekly Sunday school, members will engage in Service School where church members will apply their knowledge of the Bible’s command to help, give and serve.

New Study of U.S. Catholics Cites Young Adults as Problem for Church

The U.S. Catholic Church's relationship with younger adults is problematic, says a newly published study by four leading sociologists of religion, Catholic News Service reports. In one recent survey "just over half of American Catholics said that young adults' lack of participation in the church is a serious problem," the 205-page book says. That concern was reflected not just by older Catholics, but even by nearly half of the younger adult Catholics surveyed, it says.

Religion Today Summaries - Apr. 9, 2007