church

Strongly Rooted Faith Can Discern Truth in Trying Times

Strongly Rooted Faith Can Discern Truth in Trying Times

A leaked Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) training video instructs staff to confirm that men can get pregnant and encourages them to refer to a pre-born baby as an “embryo” or “fetus,” to a “fetal heartbeat” as “embryonic or fetal cardiac activity,” and to a “mother” as a “veteran” or “person.”

When I saw the story, I then checked some other taxpayer-funded agencies for similar language. I found this statement on the National Institutes of Health website: “The term chestfeeding or bodyfeeding can be used alongside breastfeeding to be more inclusive” for “nonbinary or trans people.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website similarly includes COVID-19-related information for “pregnant and recently pregnant people” (not “women”). The website later refers to “people who are pregnant,” presumably in deference to pregnant biological women who do not identify as women.

The VA training video correctly states, “Language has a profound impact on what people hear and learn.” Therein lies my point today.

The Late Great Planet Church

The Late Great Planet Church
It’s not exactly news, but there are fewer people attending church now than before the pandemic. What we’re finding out now is just how big of a drop it was. According to a survey by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, the percentage of people ages 39 to 57 who attended a worship service during the week, either in person or online, fell to 28% in 2023. That is down from 41% in 2020.

Tauren Wells to Balance Singing Career with New Church Plant: 'I'd Die if I Didn't Do the Music'

Tauren Wells to Balance Singing Career with New Church Plant: 'I'd Die if I Didn't Do the Music'

Multiple-time Grammy nominee artist Tauren Wells says he will continue to write, sing and tour even after he launches a new church in 2024 with his wife Lorna, saying that singing is part of who he is.

Former Navy SEALs, Tech Experts Work to Develop AI to Protect Churches Against Mass Shooters

Former Navy SEALs, Tech Experts Work to Develop AI to Protect Churches Against Mass Shooters

A group of former Navy SEALs and technology experts are working to develop artificial intelligence that would protect people from mass shootings, especially in churches.

Pastor Jack Hibbs Blames the 'Silent' Church for America's 'Post-Christian' Beliefs

Pastor Jack Hibbs Blames the 'Silent' Church for America's 'Post-Christian' Beliefs

California-based Pastor Jack Hibbs said the "silent" Church is at fault for America's "post-Christian" beliefs.

Andy Stanley's Church to Host LGBT-Affirming Conference

Andy Stanley's Church to Host LGBT-Affirming Conference

An upcoming conference hosted by Andy Stanley’s church for ministry leaders and parents of LGBTQ children is being called a “clear and tragic departure from Biblical Christianity” by a prominent evangelical leader, who says the lineup of speakers reveals the event’s theological position.

3 Reasons I Know I Am in the Right Church for Me

3 Reasons I Know I Am in the Right Church for Me

Recently, I was in a church environment that triggered many of my wounds from past spiritual abuse. The sermon was guilt-driven, and I felt a sense of stuck-ness that I hadn't felt since leaving my past church. But a beautiful thing happened, too, because those from my current church were also there. And I was able to look around the room and feel a sense of peace and awe that God had me right where I needed to be.

As I reflect on this moment, three things come to mind that led me to feel confident that I'm in the right church for me:

Pastor Kevin Smith Is Unanimously Elected as the ERLC's First Black Chairperson

Pastor Kevin Smith Is Unanimously Elected as the ERLC's First Black Chairperson

Pastor Kevin Smith has been unanimously elected as the chairperson for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) of the Southern Baptist Convention.