Latest Articles
A corner of the city: Caring for one place
When we moved to New York, my husband, Chris, picked a corner of the city to own....
Together on the ark: The witness of intentional community
I once heard a preacher say that it might have been crowded and a little smelly inside Noah’s ark, but the folks inside knew it was better to be on board than not....
Briefly noted
A Michigan-based Christian relief group, International Aid, has closed its doors amid financial struggles, and World Vision, one of the largest evangelical relief agencies, has eliminated ab...
Religious groups resist India ruling on gays: Decision decriminalizing homosexuality
India’s Supreme Court agreed July 9 to hear an appeal of a lower-court decision that decriminalized homosexuality after a yoga guru said the right to privacy does not “include the right to enjoy de...
Obama may attend several churches in Washington: Concern about security procedures for churches
President Obama said he may attend “a number of different churches” in Washington rather than just one and is receiving a daily devotional message from a key staffer....
Churches may be affected by FCC change on wireless microphone frequencies: Following shift to all-digital television signals
When the switch to all-digital television signals was completed nationwide in mid-June amid great fanfare, many churches were unaware that their wireless microphone systems could be affected....
Presbyterian denomination posts first-ever decline: Presbyterian Church in America
The conservative evangelical Presbyterian Church in America has reported a net loss in members for the first time in its three dozen years....
McNamara's conflicts on war, peace, morals, ethics: A polarizing figure
When he died recently at age 93, former U.S. defense secretary Robert S. McNamara was still viewed by many with opprobrium as the chief architect of the Vietnam War....
Abortion top topic as Obama meets with Pope: "New phase of an alliance based on pragmatism"
President Obama met Pope Benedict XVI for the first time in a closed-door meeting at the Vatican that focused on the Catholic Church’s opposition to abortion but covered other topics as well....
Episcopalians open doors for gay bishops: The triennial convention
Only days after Archbishop Rowan Williams of the worldwide Anglican Communion cautioned Episcopalians against making decisions “that could push us further apart,” delegates at their July 8-17 conve...
U.S. delusions: An army man changes his mind
Andrew Bacevich, professor of international relations at Boston University, uses strong words to describe what is going on in the U.S. He speaks of a “crisis of profligacy,” “collective recklessness” and a “dysfunctional country.” He says our political system empowers an “imperial presidency” and possesses “delusions of grandeur.” This is surprising commentary from a onetime military man who was a soldier’s soldier.
Foreclosing on Mabel: A case of predatory lending
All Mabel wanted was a roof over her head. Well, a bit more than that: she wanted the same roof that had been over her head for most of her life....
Undermanaged: The leadership deficit in nonprofit organizations
“Nonprofit organizations tend to be overled and undermanaged.” Thomas Tierney, chair and cofounder of the Bridgespan Group, has published several important studies on “the leadership deficit.” But ...
A second Jerusalem: Lalibela, Ethiopia
Lalibela, in Ethiopia, should be high on anyone’s list of contenders for the title of most astonishing site in the history of Christian art and architecture....
The armor of God: Ephesians 6:10-20
Our armor always loses because our weapons are consistently one step ahead of our protection.
An insistent invitation: John 6:51-58
Which would you rather do, contemplate belief or consume the flesh and blood of Jesus?
The U.S. takes on trafficking: The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act
The International Labor Organization estimates that 12.3 million people worldwide are in forced labor, bonded labor or sexual servitude....
Bound to the sex trade: Bangkok's red-light districts
I arrived at the Bangkok airport at midnight, made my way through customs, and was greeted by an airport information agent who helped me arrange transportation to my hotel. I was astonished when he asked me if I'd be interested in “the company of some ladies” during my stay. I was groggy from traveling and unsure of what I’d heard, so I asked him to repeat himself. Yes, I'd heard him right the first time—he was offering to arrange “something nice” for me.
Global influence
There is a story told about the alleged waning of Christianity that has been popular among secularists since the late 19...