Leonardo Blair
Credibility of pastors waning as influence of Christianity loses cultural dominance: study
Fewer than half of American adults, including non-Christians, see pastors as "very reliable" when it comes to handling spiritual matters, and the share of pastors who believe the general public sees them that way is even lower, according to newly published data from Barna Research.
Americans increasingly choosing secular over religious wedding ceremonies
Fifty years ago, religious marriage ceremonies were the norm. Most people got married to someone who shared their faith, and just a small fraction of husbands and wives were in relationships where no one practiced a religion.
American church leaders think social media's importance to ministry will decline in the future
A majority of American churches now embrace technology as an important tool in achieving their mission and agree that the digital church is here to stay. But less than half of them believe social media will be as "strategically important" as other online tools in the future, according to a new study.
When it comes to giving, younger evangelicals have a more 'global mindset' - study
The data shows that younger evangelicals are interested in a broader scope of causes than their parents and grandparents.
People uncertain about their relationship with God more likely to suffer mental distress: study
"Anxiety or a lack of certainty about one's relationship with the divine represents a threat to psychological well-being," said researchers.
A fifth of Christians experience loneliness on a daily basis
Loneliness is being experienced by 31% of U.S. adults daily and Christians aren't doing much better, new research from the Barna Group suggests.
3 more missionaries released in Haiti
Three more of the 17 Christian Aid Ministries missionaries kidnapped in Haiti on October 16 were released on Sunday night.
Aid group asks for continued prayer for 17 kidnapped missionaries
The Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries urged continued prayers for their 17 missionaries being held captive by the 400 Mawozo gang in Haiti as families of 26 Americans being held hostage around the world recently pressed the Biden administration to push more aggressively to free their loved ones.
'No credible religious argument' against Covid-19 vaccine, says Robert Jeffress
Pastor Robert Jeffress, leader of the 12,000-member First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, says there "there is no credible religious argument against" Covid-19 vaccines as an increasing number of Americans seek religious exemptions to vaccination mandates.
More college-educated women having babies out of wedlock - study
Facing diminishing returns from their education and overall economic insecurity, women with college degrees are now six times more likely to give birth to their first child out of wedlock than their counterparts just 25 years ago, a new study from Johns Hopkins University shows.
In 2020, white churchgoers favoured Trump, religious 'nones' Biden - study
A majority of white Americans, particularly evangelicals who attend worship services regularly, voted for former President Donald Trump in 2020, while President Joe Biden was the overwhelming favorite among religiously unaffiliated voters, especially among those who identify as atheists and agnostics.
Americans increasingly open to evolution
With increased exposure to college-level education and declining levels of religious belief, a majority of Americans now believe in evolution after nearly two decades of being nearly evenly split on the issue, according to a new study.
Churches will one day be able to host virtual reality services on Facebook, says COO Sheryl Sandberg
Calling faith communities the "best of Facebook," the social media giant's Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg said she's looking forward to the day when churches and other religious groups begin hosting services in virtual reality on the platform as many flocked to the service amid the pandemic to stay connected.
Many black churchgoers favour hybrid approach to church
The Trends in the Black Church study also found that black church pastors were able to innovate during the pandemic.
Jerry Falwell Jr wants Liberty University to drop $40m lawsuit
Disgraced former president and chancellor of Liberty University, Jerry Falwell Jr., wants leaders of the evangelical institution founded by his father to stop apparently trying to ruin his reputation and publicly shame him after resigning in the wake of an explosive sex scandal last summer.
In 2019, more Protestant churches closed in the US than opened
With fewer than 50% of Americans holding formal memberships in churches in 80 years, more Protestant churches are closing than opening nationwide, and further decline appears "inevitable," new data show.