(RNS) — A federal court in Indiana has rejected atheists’ requests to preside at wedding ceremonies, saying only clergy or public officials are licensed to solemnize marriages. A lawsuit filed by the Indiana chapter of the Center for Inquiry (CFI) argued…

(RNS) — A special commission created by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) has called for clearer Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and greater involvement among donors to address “outliers” among congregations and other nonprofits that are not being…

By Kim Plummer Krull As congregations prepared to gather for Advent services on Wednesday, Dec. 5, the Rev. John A. Fale, associate executive director of LCMS Mercy Operations, asked for prayers for people in the Philippines who are mourning loved…

(RNS) — The recession continued to affect how much Americans gave to charity last year, and the triple whammy of Superstorm Sandy, a national election and the looming fiscal cliff may cut how much we donate in the crucial final…

(RNS) — An organization of student nonbelievers is likely to receive $69,000 from the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW), the largest grant from an institute of higher learning ever awarded to a nontheistic, student-led organization. The grant’s size marks a milestone for…

Concordia Historical Institute (CHI) presented “Awards of Commendation” to 22 historians Nov. 8 for exemplary accomplishment in the field of American Lutheran history during 2011. The awards were in the categories of “Journal Articles,” “Major Publications,” “Organizational Histories,” “Congregational Histories”…

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — The former rector of the nation’s largest Episcopal church has become a Roman Catholic. The Rev. Larry Gipson was dean of the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham from 1982-94 and rector at St. Martin’s Episcopal…

LCMS President Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison shares an Advent message to the church in a new video. Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas that began on Dec. 2 this year and ends on Christmas Eve. “Jesus promises in Advent…

The audit for the year ended June 30, 2012, and the program budget summary for fiscal year 2012-13 of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod have been completed and are available upon written request.  Requests for the audited financial statements and program…

(RNS) — Corruption has gone too far. The righteous must break away. Hope now rests with a holy remnant that will honor foundational texts. The message sounds familiar. A church schism? No, mounting calls for secession from the United States. Since President…

ST. LOUIS (RNS) — A federal appeals court Nov. 28 temporarily blocked the enforcement of the Obama administration’s contraception mandate while a Catholic business owner appeals a lower court’s ruling that tossed out his suit. Opponents of the law said it…

CANTERBURY, England (RNS) — The Church of England plans to rush through legislation to consecrate women bishops after last week’s surprising defeat at the church’s General Synod in London. The church’s Archbishops’ Council ended two days of closed-door meetings Nov. 28,…

(RNS) — After November’s presidential vote, Catholics could cite ample evidence for their renewed political relevance while dispirited evangelicals were left wondering if they are destined to be yesterday’s election news. Yet their roles in American spiritual life may be…