PCUSA Pension Board insists dissenting pastor must stay in denomination pension plan
Dissenting congregations begin to file their opposition
"The session of FPCH objects in the strongest possible terms to the Board of Pensions providing benefits to same-sex partners. This is contrary to both Scripture and the confessions. We sent our first objections to this policy in a letter to the BOP after the [2010 General Assembly], and we continue to maintain these objections. The only possible recourse we see is a relief of conscience, but even then only if there is a clear demarcation of funds.”
‘A woman’s idea’ planted seed for First Presbyterian, Greenville, SC
Bailey’s Crossroads…was a far way to go to hear Calvinist doctrine.
In 1893 (they) began a college for young women. Their motivation for beginning Chicora College for Young Ladies may have been the establishment of Presbyterian College for men in 1890. While they were negotiating for land on River Street, Chicora classes began on McBee Avenue. After 1896, the school was controlled by Presbyteries of South Carolina and Georgia… After Chicora was established, it supported Second Presbyterian to minister to the students.
Few Americans use social media to connect with their faith communities
Evangelicals more likely than other religious groups to use social media for religious purposes
Ten percent of Americans report that they have used a cell phone to take pictures or record video during worship, and 7 percent say they have sent or read email during services.
The Christian Dilemma In Syria
Christians need to develop allies and push to ensure that their rights are respected and that they can live with dignity and respect
Given the perilous state of the Syrian economy, foreign investment will be critical to supporting and sustaining many businesses and key sectors. Again, this gives Christian groups and leaders and opportunity to reach out to their counterparts in the west and elsewhere by advocating for future foreign aid and investment to be linked to the protection of minority rights, including Christian rights in a post-Assad Syria.
Gabby Douglas vs. secular journalism
What do reporters know and when do they report it?
When I did a Nexis computerized search of “Gabby Douglas” and “Christian” in publications yesterday and today, only Agence France Presse came up: “Douglas, a devout Christian.” No major publication apparently quoted her “glory to God” remarks
Presbyterian churches smaller, older, research shows
Survey also finds PC(USA) members, pastors better educated than average
In two-thirds of all congregations and nine in ten PC(USA) congregations, the key pastoral leader has earned a master’s degree. Women lead one-quarter of PC(USA) congregations, as well as one-quarter of mainline Protestant congregations, but only 12 percent of all congregations.
Happy Birthday, Francis Scott Key
The whole Chick-fil-A kerfuffle underscores a very serious problem in our culture
Thus, a Christian businessman who works for a company that espouses Christian principles answered a question from a Christian news agency with a response that has been the Christian viewpoint for over two thousand years (I did the math).
Did Southern Baptists’ Golden Era Trigger Today’s Malaise?
We minister in a post-denominational age that is quickly taking on the appearance of a post-Christian age.
Would I, if given the opportunity, want to go back to the '50s and '60s and live in that golden era of Southern Baptist life? Not in a heartbeat, and here is why: While I sometimes envy those pastors who lived and worked during that time of growth and prosperity, hindsight tells me their approach to theology and polity was somewhat one-dimensional, and their mission orientation was simplistic and lacking.
Christianity Today turns critical eye to contraception
A trend against birth control among Evangelicals has been accelerating during the last half-decade.
“In Romans 3:8, Paul establishes a standard that we ought not do evil in order to bring about good. ... The fellow who buys a condom or the woman who takes the pill does so for a specific reason: they do not trust themselves to remain chaste when presented with the opportunity,”
What same-sex “marriage” has done to Massachusetts
It's far worse than most people realize
Every year more state money goes to deal with the high incidence of homosexual domestic violence. Since "gay marriage" began, Massachusetts has one of the highest proportions of homosexuals living as couples in the country. Given the extremely dysfunctional nature of homosexual relationships, the Massachusetts Legislature has felt the need to spend more and more money to deal with that problem.