Mags Dropped

The Navigators has decided to stop publication of its two magazines, Discipleship Journal and Pray! will be dropped in favor of developing a greater web presence.

Last year, Ignite Your Faith and CCM Magazine ceased publication. At the same time, Rick Warren has launched a magazine called the Purpose Driven Connection.

Is it Episcopal or Episcopalian?

You may have heard reporters refer to Episcopalian bishops and the Episcopalian Church. But here's how it should work. Episcopal is an adjective (She is an Episcopal priest). Episcopalian is a noun referring to a member of the Episcopal Church (She is an Episcopalian). An Episcopalian can be a minister, in the sense of ministering to others, and this can be either a lay or an ordained ministry. Priests are usually referred to as the Reverend So-and-So, not Reverend So-and-So. (And they're generally addressed as Father So-and-So, not Reverend that's like addressing a judge as Honorable.) Bishops are usually the Right Reverend So-and-So, and addressed as Bishop So-and-So. Bishops can be identified because they wear purple. Bishops are important in the Episcopal Church.

Disgraced Pastor Wants to Lead Again

Henry Lyons wants to lead the National Baptist Convention, USA again – despite the fact he was given more than five years in state prison for racketeering and grand theft. Lyon’s says he’s no longer the man he was a decade ago. The election for president of the denomination takes place in September. Current president William Shaw can’t run again. The only other declared candidate is Julius Scruggs who serves as pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Rick Warren Switch on Gay Marriage?

Some gay rights websites are suggesting that Rick Warren has switched his position on gay marriage after Warren appeared on CNN’s Larry King Live this week. The megachurch pastor told viewers, "I am not an anti-gay marriage activist. Never have been, never will be.."

10 Years Behind Bars for Praying

An Italian court hsa sentenced a pilot to 10 years in prison for praying instead of taking emergency steps to avoid a crash off the coast of Sicily that killed 16 people four years ago. 23 people survived. Chafik Gharby was flying the Tunisian bound airline when it developed problems. Investigators say it had a wrong part installed and Chafik could have glided the plane for a landing. Prosecutors claim he panicked and crashed the plane, praying when he should have been taking emergency measures. His voice on a recording can be heard asking from help from "Allah and Muhammad his prophet".

Focus Employee Indicted

A man who works in the Spanish broadcasting department of Focus on the Family is facing charges that he used the internet to arrange sex with a teenage girl. Juan Alberto Ovalle also narrates the Bible in Spanish on CDs for Trans World Radio. Police arrested him after he drove to meet the girl. She turned out to be an undercover officer.

Disgraced Leader Wants Comeback

Henry Lyons wants to lead the National Baptist Convention, USA again – despite the fact he was given more than five years in state prison for racketeering and grand theft. Lyon’s says he’s no longer the man he was a decade ago. The election for president of the denomination takes place in September. Current president William Shaw can’t run again. The only other declared candidate is Julius Scruggs who serves as pastor of the First Missionary Baptist Church, in Huntsville, Alabama.

No war with Islam

"Let me say this as clearly as I can. The United States is not, and never will be, at war with Islam. In fact, our partnership with the Muslim world is critical."

A remark made by President Obama today in Turkey during his first visit to a Muslim-majority nation.

Mosques Point in Wrong Direction

About 200 mosques older in Islam's holiest city of Mecca point pilgrims in the wrong direct for prayers, according to the BBC. Mosques are supposed to indicate the direction of the most sacred Islamic site of an ancient cube-like building in Mecca's Grand Mosque called the Kaaba. The misleading Mosques in Mecca were spotted by people in high-rises.

One Year Ago.. Texas Polygamist Compound

More than 180 women and children were taken from The Yearn for Zion Ranch near Eldorado, Texas by Texas Child Protective Services one year ago. Jailed polygamous religious leader Warren Jeffs leads the breakaway Mormon sect. Reports from local media suggested the group had first refused to allow authorities on the compound. Police began a roadblock around the secluded retreat.

The End of Christian America

Newsweek offers this article on the fall of the number of self-identifying Christians in the US.

Jesus Sightings

A video of local newscasts about supposed sightings of Jesus and his mother in everyday objects.

Marriage Law Struck Down

Iowa’s high court says the state's same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. That makes Iowa the third state where marriage is legal. The Iowa Supreme Court ruling was unanimous. It upholds a lower court ruling that strikes the language limiting marriage to only between a man a woman. It will be at least several weeks before gay and lesbian couples can seek marriage licenses in Iowa because a request for a rehearing could be filed.

Housing Bubble

An economist for the International Monetary Fund found that during the last two housing booms, regions with high concentrations of evangelicals saw lower gains in home prices and less volatility than similar regions with fewer evangelical residents. Here's a charge showing the difference produced by the New York Times. Read the full story here.

A Survey of Pastors

More people from outside your church are asking for help.
Yes - 62%

You have more requests for help from church members.
Yes – 31%

Are some of your church members out of work?
Yes – 40%

Has your church has increased spending to help the needy.
Yes – 37%

You have recently given personally to people in need?
Yes – 27%

Source: LifeWay Research

Gingrich Becomes Catholic

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will be received into the Catholic Church at St. Joseph's Church in Washington this weekend.

Flood Victims' Faith

CNN offers this report on how faith is sustaining flood victims.

Judge: Under God OK

A Texas judge has dismissed a lawsuit asking that the words "under God" be taken out of the Texas pledge of allegiance recited each morning by public schoolchildren. David Croft claims it’s a violation of separation of church and state. He has three children who are enrolled at the Carrollton-Farmers School District.

The Robe

The Robe is out on DVD after a major restoration effort. The 1953 Biblical film was a critical and box office success. It chronicled what happened after Jesus’ crucifixion from the Roman point of view. It was the first film released CinemaScope. Based on a 1942 novel by Lloyd C. Douglas, the film featured Richard Burton as the Roman army officer charged with carrying out the crucifixion. He went on a search for the robe of Jesus and in the process became a devoteed Christian.

Paulk Dies

Earl Paulk has died in Atlanta. The megachurch pastor was in his 80's and had battled cancer for years. His Cathedral at Chapel Hill rose to a membership of 10,000 in the '90s but was later rocked by sex scandals. His son, D.E. Paulk is now leader of the church. For years the younger Paulk believed the elder was his uncle. But the biological connection beame public in 2007 after several women alleged they had affairs with Paulk. He was also accused of sexually abusing several children but denied the allegations.