(RNS) — The Crystal Cathedral, which has put its iconic campus up for sale to end a bankruptcy crisis, has an interested party that needs a large cathedral: the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, Calif. The diocese — the nation’s…

HARRISBURG, Pa. (RNS) — Two of the most influential forces in conservative lobbying are poised to go head-to-head this fall over an issue that some Pennsylvania lawmakers dread might be one of the most difficult of the session. It’s the…

(RNS/ENInews) — Christian leaders in Hungary are divided over a restrictive new law on religion, with larger denominations welcoming its curbs on church activities and smaller groups voicing fears for their future. “We wanted a new law to make it…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — Three church-state activist groups criticized the Army for allowing an evangelical concert at North Carolina’s Fort Bragg but not making similar provisions for a “Rock Beyond Belief” concert for nonbelievers. The three groups — Americans United for…

(RNS) — On July 10, Presbyterians who support gay rights celebrated the passage of a new church policy that allows gay pastors to serve openly for the first time in the denomination’s history. As the new policy for the Presbyterian…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — House lawmakers voted July 7 to order the Pentagon to uphold the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. In an amendment to a larger Defense Department funding bill,…

In a “Letter to the Church” released Monday, July 18, LCMS President Dr. Matthew C. Harrison announced that, beginning in 2012, the Synod will no longer co-sponsor its training conferences for military chaplains with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America…

By Linda C. Hoops The Missouri Synod’s Praesidium (president and five vice-presidents) at its June 1-2 meeting unanimously endorsed a new document from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) that offers more detailed theological criteria for assessing the…

Concordia College in Selma, Ala., received on June 23 a reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Concordia, Selma — one of 10 LCMS colleges and universities nationwide and…

The 350-some participants in the July 7-10 National Children’s Ministry Conference at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Orange, Calif., definitely took back home with them more than their shiny orange and lime-colored conference tote bags could hold. “Sandals to Sneakers” was…

By Melanie Ave The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod commissioned 34 new career and long-term missionaries and educators into global service with a special “sending service” July 15 at the LCMS International Center chapel in St. Louis. The 2011 career and GEO…

(RNS/ENInews) — Churches in Liechtenstein, one of the world’s smallest countries, could face financial disaster under government plans to withdraw state subsidies under new legislation, according to a Protestant leader. “This will be a drastic change — we depend on…

WASHINGTON (RNS) — The U.S. Supreme Court announced June 27 that it will examine whether the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the right to ban “fleeting expletives” on broadcast TV. The case will review last year’s decision by the 2nd…

(RNS) — With the 10th anniversary of 9/11 looming, attendees at North America’s largest Muslim gathering this past weekend are told that the best way to deal with Islamophobia is not to lay low, but to get involved in politics,…

SALT LAKE CITY (RNS) — Mormon (LDS) officials are telling their top full-time leaders that they and their spouses should not participate in political campaigns, including making donations or endorsing candidates. However, part-time leaders — including local and regional congregational…

(RNS) — For Living Faith Lutheran Church, the name change was as much about the future as the past. On Sunday, June 26, the Rockville, Md., congregation formally bid goodbye to its old name, Crusader Lutheran Church. “We’re not saying…