More churches, organizations, and individuals are responding to the call, and after record growth in the past year, the tally of dues-paying individual members recently topped 23,000. The total is a signal of the group’s influence to government officials and societal leaders, allowing the EA to represent evangelicals more effectively in the wider culture. (Thompson, Christianity Today)
Read MoreHindu nationalism, once a fringe ideology in India, is now mainstream. Nobody has done more to advance this cause than Prime Minister Narendra Modi, one of India’s most beloved and polarizing political leaders. And no entity has had more influence on his political philosophy and ambitions than a paramilitary, right-wing group founded nearly a century ago and known as the RSS. (Pathis & Saaliq, AP News)
Read MoreThe 4-point increase in Gen Z members who’ve seen Bible-driven personal transformation outpaces the increase among the general adult population, 58 percent of whom said the same, up from 57 percent last year. While Gen Z is expanding its use of Scripture, it remains the least engaged group of American adults with just 11 percent of Gen Z considered Scripture Engaged. (Chandler, Baptist Press)
Read MoreFor Catholics hoping for change in their church’s teaching on gender, sexuality and reproductive issues, a new Vatican document on human dignity issued last week was more than a disappointment. It left many questioning whether Pope Francis has ever intended his famed personal gestures of welcome toward LGBTQ believers to translate into doctrinal changes. (Giangravé, Religion News Service)
Read MoreConflict often provokes pastors to leave their churches or at least consider leaving, researchers at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research found. Yet, conflict experts also say, that doesn’t have to be the result of conflict. Rather than provoking departures, conflict should be viewed as an opportunity for personal and congregational growth. (Roach, Christianity Today)
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