LONDON (RNS) — A proposed “Covenant” aimed at ensuring unity across the worldwide Anglican Communion appears to have failed, leaving the world’s third-largest Christian body facing an uncertain and likely fragmented future. The covenant, born of an idea in 2004 to…
Lapsed Catholics explain why they leave church
TRENTON, N.J. (RNS) — As part of a survey to understand why they have stopped attending Mass, a few hundred Catholics were asked what issues they would raise if they could speak to the bishop for five minutes. The bishop would…
Church's mock raid leaves teen traumatized
MIDDLETOWN, Pa. (RNS) — The men burst into the church classroom and ordered the 15 teens in the youth group to the floor. They covered the teens’ heads with pillowcases and bound their hands. One man waved an unloaded gun, and…
Film traces real-life story of abortion 'survivor'
(RNS) — A new movie confronts a controversial topic by highlighting two words that don’t typically go together: “abortion” and “survivor.” “We didn’t know there was such a thing,” said Jon Erwin, who wrote and co-directed “October Baby” with his brother,…
Tim Tebow brings a little goodness to Gotham
NEWARK, N.J. (RNS) — Tim Tebow is Howdy Doody in a helmet. No, he is Opie Taylor running for touchdowns — while reciting Bible verses, stopping to find a lost dog, visiting sick children in a hospital and helping a…
Free 'Higher Things' magazine focuses on apologetics
The spring 2012 issue of Higher Things magazine is a first in two respects. For the first time, its online version at http://higherthings.org is cost-free and its focus on apologetics marks the first completely topical edition of the quarterly magazine…
Churches lost $1.2 billion in 2010 contributions
By Annalisa Musarra WASHINGTON (RNS) — Even as membership remains relatively stable in U.S. churches, the effects of the recession have caused contributions to drop by $1.2 billion. According to the 2012 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches, the almost $29…
Texas twisters latest in string of disasters prompting LCMS response
By Kim Plummer Krull “People are anxious to help.” Although the Rev. Larry Courson, pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, Ann Arbor, Mich., was talking about response to the March 15 tornado that damaged more than 200 homes in the suburb of Dexter,…
Asperger’s awareness tour includes cities nationwide
By Paula Schlueter Ross Aaron Likens has come a long way since he was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome some nine years ago, at age 20. Since then, he’s started a blog, written a book and become a spokesman for TouchPoint…
Synod rolls out 'refreshed' look
The modification of the LCMS cross logo from burgundy to blue is one of the most notable changes in the Synod’s refreshed branding that is being introduced in April, according to Vicki Biggs, director of Integrated Communications for the Synod. “Our…
Franklin Graham meets with black church leaders
(RNS) — Religious leaders from the NAACP met with evangelist Franklin Graham March 20, less than a month after they accused him of “bearing false witness” when he questioned President Obama’s Christian faith. “All parties were in agreement that it is…
Man behind 'Rapture pets' rescue admits it's a hoax
(RNS) — The owner of a business who claimed he would provide atheist rescuers for Christians’ pets left behind in the Rapture now says his service was an elaborate hoax and never had any clients. Bart Centre, who lives in New…
'Convention Corner' provides updates
Following is the first in a series of Reporter columns that will provide information about the next LCMS national convention. Convention Corner with Barbara A. Below As the 65th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod approaches, this Reporter column…
Grant to help with critical needs after Mexico quake
By Kim Plummer Krull An initial grant of $2,500 has been sent by the LCMS to the Lutheran Synod of Mexico to help Mexico City congregations respond to survivors’ most critical needs for food, water, medical care and shelter since a…
Turkey, key U.S. ally, cited for religious freedom woes
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Turkey stands as a new and controversial addition to an annual list of the worst offenders of religious freedom released March 20 by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). Four of nine commissioners objected to adding…
Report says anti-Semitism on the rise in Europe
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Days after a lone gunman murdered a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse, France, a new study reports widespread anti-Semitism in France and across Europe. The survey, completed in January and released March 20…
