New Lutheran Group Likely to Rise From Gay Discord

"Leaders of 18 former ELCA churches are expected to be among more than 1,000 Lutherans voting Friday to create a brand new Lutheran denomination that they claim will follow the Scriptures more faithfully: the North American Lutheran Church."

Children Abused, Killed as Witches in Nigeria

"Pastors in southeast Nigeria claim illness and poverty are caused by witches who bring terrible misfortune to those around them. And those denounced as witches must be cleansed through deliverance or cast out."

Doctors' Beliefs Affect End-of-Life Care

"A new study finds that doctors who are not religious are more likely to take steps to help end a very sick patient's life, and to discuss these kinds of decisions, than doctors who are very religious."

Mark Noll Interview - The Future of Evangelicals in Academia

An interview with noted historian Mark Noll on the future of evangelicals in academia.

Americans Uncertain about Obama's Faith

"Nearly one in five Americans incorrectly say President Obama is a Muslim, up from 11% last year, according to a Pew Research Center poll released today. In the survey, about one-third of Americans correctly say Obama is a Christian, down from 48% who said so last year."

Pastor Humor

A pastor places his order at the pet store: "I need at least 50 mice, 2,000 ants and as many of those little silverfish you can get."

The clerk replies, "We can probably do that, but it might take some time. Mind if I ask why you are placing such an unusual order?"

The pastor replies, "I've accepted a call to another church and the pastor's council told me to leave the parsonage the way I found it."

Religious Service Attendance in European Countries

"In which European countries are people least likely to attend religious services?"

Teen Church Group Participation Flat for Over a Decade

"Only about one in four teens now participate in church youth groups, considered the hallmark of involvement; numbers have been flat since 1999."

Thinking About God De-Stresses Believers

"Thinking about God reduce distress, but only in believers, while atheists are more distressed after thinking of God-related ideas, Canadian researchers say."

Protecting Churches from Porn

"Leaders must be aware of how church-owned equipment is used, not only to help protect the moral and spiritual well-being of pastors and staff, but also to minimize the potential for a sexual misconduct claim. Here are five precautions that can help protect church leaders using church-owned equipment."

More Young Adults Heeding Pastoral Call

"For the past 10 years, the estimated median age of candidates for master of divinity degrees has fallen steadily, from 34.14 in 1999 to 32.19 in 2009, according to an analysis by the Center for the Study of Theological Education (CSTE) at Auburn Seminary. That marks a reversal: From 1989 to 1999, the estimated median age had climbed steadily from 31.4 to 34.14."

Young Americans More Loyal to Religion Than Boomers

"Younger Americans, between the ages of 36 to 50, are more likely to be loyal to religion than Baby Boomers, according to new research."

Growing a Child's Faith

Interview with child development expert Scottie May.

Bone Study: Charlemagne was Tall and Thin

"In the journal, Economics & Human Biology, a team led by Frank Ruhli of Switzerland's University of Zurich, looked at the preserved shin bone of the one-time ruler of Europe. "Charlemagne – or Carolus Magnus meaning 'Charles the Big' as well as 'Charles the Great' – is one of the most important historical personalities," begin the study of the Frankish king who died in 814 A.D."

More Americans Say They Attend Church, Mosque, Synagogue

"Slightly more than 43 percent of Americans told Gallup they attend church, synagogue or mosque weekly or almost every week, up from just under 43 percent in 2009, and about 42 percent in 2008."

Five Major Trends for Churches in America

"The trends that follow were not created in a vacuum. Most the information is based on studies we have done at LifeWay Research."