Church

US pastor defrocked over son's same-sex wedding faces Methodist council
Rev Frank Schaefer made an appeal to hang onto his ordination before a Methodist judicial council.

Driscoll returns: Ex-Mars Hill pastor addresses Dallas conference
Mark Driscoll has given his first address since he resigned from Mars Hill last week.

Abusive priest 'avoided prosecution because of failure to act on allegations'
A senior Church of England priest who sexually abused young boys escaped prosecution when he was alive, possibly because of a failure to act against him when the first complaints were made, according to a report today.

Nearly 900 English churches in danger of falling into ruin
Nearly 900 listed churches are in peril, says English Heritage â but they can be a rich community resource.

Exclusive: 'Mars Hill is shell-shocked and in crisis, but we may still see revival break out' says former deacon
A former deacon of Mars Hill has told Christian Today he believes there is still hope that the church will recover, but only if the leadership "rise up and be broken" for past mistakes.

Court bars cocaine-using pastor who had sex on church premises
Juan D McFarland of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Montgomery is ordered to hand back church keys and Mercedes.

'What would Jesus do? Tend to their wounds' says former elder on the way forward for Mars Hill
A former elder of Mars Hill has urged those who have left or been removed from the church to return and help "rebuild the crumbling walls".

Pope to visit Turkey as region's Christians flee Islamic State persecution
Pope Francis will travel to Turkey next month, the Vatican said today, his first visit to the predominantly Muslim country which has become a refuge for Christians fleeing persecution by Islamic State militants in neighboring Syria and in Iraq.

Idaho pastors file lawsuit, fear they could be forced to perform gay marriages
Two pastors in Idaho, who fear they could be penalized for refusing to perform newly legal gay marriages at their private wedding chapel, have filed a lawsuit.

Rev Richard Coles on sex, celibacy and, more importantly, faith
Ruth Gledhill meets the pop star turned priest Rev Richard Coles.

'The time of singing has come': House of Commons approves women bishops
The House of Commons yesterday approved women bishops without a vote following the passing of legislation in the House of Lords last week.

Brian Houston clears up rumours, says he holds 'traditional' view on gay marriage
Hillsong senior pastor Brian Houston says he holds a "traditional" view on same-sex marriage, insisting: "I believe the writings of Paul are clear on this subject".

Catholic Synod closes without any major shift on homosexuality or divorcees
The Pope hit out at "traditionalists" yesterday after his attempt to make the Catholic Church less hostile to the homosexual community failed.

Further signs of change in the Catholic Church as conservative US archbishop reveals impending transfer
Change to Catholic pastoral practice on issues such as marriage and divorce inched closer as a leading conservative confessed he is to be ousted from his position as one of the most powerful prelates in the Church.

Bigger Sunday schools aren't the way to keep more children in church... so what is?
Outsourcing the discipleship of children isn't working, says children's ministry expert.

Unchurched America: They pray, own Bibles and are 'spiritual' but nearly half still see no value in attending church
New research by the Barna group paints an interesting picture of those who are aware of the church and even think positively of the Christian faith, but who, for whatever reason, feel that actively being a part of church is not for them.