New Seminary coming to NY

Redeemer Presbyterian Church and Reformed Theological Seminary are forming a seminary next year in New York City. The partnership "reflects the influence of Reformed theology on evangelical thinking, as well as the impact of megachurches on theological education," according to the Christian Century.

Home for Religion Publishers

Chicago is "home to a number of religion publishers, the result of the migration of certain ethnic and faith groups to the center of the country, but also of Chicago’s historic role as a transportation hub and a center for printing" reports Publishers Weekly. Read more at here.

Harry Potter gets a Christian retelling, minus the magic

what happens if you replace the magic in Harry Potter with Christianity? That's the idea behind some posted fan fiction that's getting some play in the media, But there's also speculation that it's a satirical hoax. Here a video report from Newsy.

Brain Surgery for Pastor

A Tennessee megachurch pastor underwent brain surgery this morning. David Landrith, pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church, is battling an aggressive form of cancer. The surgery seems to have gone well. Read more here.

Poll on American's relationship to God

Seven out of 10 people under the age of 40 say a relationship with God mattered to them. That's the finding of a new poll by Rare, a Cox Media Group. Evangelical Christians, Roman Catholics, and African Americans were the most likely to say so. There's more information at the AJC here.

Billboard Causing Firestorm Of Controversy

A billboard in middle Tennessee billboard is still causing talk four months after it went up. Some call it bullying and others call it God's truth. Read more at WFMY-TV.

Christian student group returns to Cali campus

Cal State University has striped official status from InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. The campus ministry refused to go along with a University requirement that anyone can be leader in the group--even if they aren't a Christian. InterVarsity Christian Fellowship decided to come back to Cal State this fall despite losing official club status. Read more at the Long Beach Press Telegram.

Proposal: Giive out Satanist material in FL schools

The Satanic Temple wants to hand out materials in Florida schools--including The Satanic Children's Big Book of Activities. Orlando's WFTV has a video report.

Church Services are Changing

Churches are becoming informal, open to gay men and lesbian according to a new study out of Duke University. "More and more Americans worship in congregations where drums are played, words or images are projected on screens, and praise is expressed via upstretched hands, reports the New York Times. Read more here.

Radio show host will not be allowed back

John Munro is not returning to the Back to the Bible radio broadcast, despite the fact his megachurch has decided his suspension from the pulpit was unwarrented. That's the report of the Christian Post. Read the full story here.

Chick-Fil-A and Christian Principles

NPR talks about the man who founded Chick-Fil-A and his Christian principles.

Ted Cruz booed at Christian event

Senator Ted Cruz was booed off the stage at an event sponsored by In Defense of Christians in Washington, DC--where most of the people in attendance came from the Middle East. IDC focuses on the plight of Iraqi Christians and others believers in the region. Cruz was initially welcomed, but when he began a defense of Israel, the crowd turned against him--especially when he remarked, "“Let me say this: those who hate Israel hate America. And those who hate Jews hate Christians.” Here's a video from the event.

Church Billboard About Sex Catching Attention

A billboard put up by a church in Pennsylvania is getting some praise and some criticism. WNEP-TV has a video report.

Pastor under investigation

Image from Calvary Church website

A North Carolina megachurch pastor is being investigated by his church. Leaders at Charlotte's Calvary Church haven't revealed specifically what John Munro has done that's in question, other than that there are allegations that he violated part of the employee handbook. He has also been speaker on the radio broadcast Back to the Bible. But the ministry has terminated his contract.

Domestic violence and church

Most Protestant senior pastors say they know victims of domestic violence but seldom address the topic from the pulpit. That's according to a new survey that found only a minority of them have had any training about how to help victims. Read more about the LifeWay Research survey here.

Formal charges filed with elders over Megachurch leader's alledged abuse

A group of former pastors from Seattle's Mars Hill Church have filed formal charges against Senior Pastor Mark Driscoll. KOMO-TV has a video report.

Judge: You are a 'pathetic human being'

During sentencing of convicted child molester, the Maryland judge called the former church youth group leader a ‘cowardly pervert.’ Worse yet, church leaders tried to cover up what Nathaniel Morales did. WJLA-TV has a video report.

Baptists Change Marriage Message

The Southern Baptist Convention is changing its focus from holding off on marrying until they are financially stable to marrying at a younger age. Read more in the Tennessean.

15 biggest megachurches in America

When you talk about churches with the most people in pews on Sundays, you have to start with Pastor Joel Osteen and his Lakewood Church. The non-denominational Christian church in Houston, Texas averages 43,5000 in attendance. Read more at http://national.deseretnews.com/article/2049/15-biggest-megachurches-in-America.html#LpQ0142xCyqs1Qdo.99

Megachurch Pastor Removed from Evangelical Organization

A megachurch pastor is getting kicked out of an organization he founded. Mark Driscoll, who leads Seattle's Mars Hill Church, stated the Acts 29 Network around the turn of the century. But recent controversies led leaders of the group to post this note on the Acts 29 Network site:

It is with deep sorrow that the Acts 29 Network announces its decision to remove Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church from membership in the network. Mark and the Elders of Mars Hill have been informed of the decision, along with the reasons for removal. It is our conviction that the nature of the accusations against Mark, most of which have been confirmed by him, make it untenable and unhelpful to keep Mark and Mars Hill in our network. In taking this action, our prayer is that it will encourage the leadership of Mars Hill to respond in a distinctive and godly manner so that the name of Christ will not continue to be dishonored.

A group of protesters gathered outside the Mars Hill church last weekend. Here's a video report from KING-TV in Seattle: