United Methodists: Bishop Scott Jones moves from “extreme centre” of UMC to new Global Methodist Church
He isn’t the first bishop to leave the United Methodist Church for the fledgling conservative denomination. But his exit has arguably caused the greatest stir reports EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service…
Church schism: After years of loud debate, conservatives quietly split from United Methodist Church
EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, reports that after decades of rancorous debate over the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ United Methodists, a schism finally came “without fanfare, but full of hope, faith, and perseverance”…
Parting ways: Reformed Church in America splits as conservative churches form new denomination
KATHRYN POST, of Religion News Service, reports that as a new denomination is created, some who remain in the RCA are concerned for its survival…
The Reformed Church in America moves toward restructuring, prepares for departures
RNS The Reformed Church in America’s 214th General Synod, taking place in Tucson, Arizona, voted on Saturday to appoint a team to develop a restructuring plan for the nearly 400-year-old denomination as it divides over LGBTQ ordination and same-sex marriage. The convention also adopted regulations for churches that have chosen to leave the RCA to […]
Presbyterian Church in America leaders say those who identify as gay are not qualified for ordination
RNS Pastors and church leaders in the Presbyterian Church in America passed an overture at its General Assembly this week saying those who identify as gay are not qualified for ordination in the conservative Presbyterian denomination. The overture includes any identity Christians may profess “that undermines or contradicts their identity as new creations in Christ,” […]
Essay: How women in the Southern Baptist Convention have fought for decades to be ordained
SUSAN M SHAW, who was ordained as a Southern Baptist minister in 1993, reflects, in an article first published on The Conversation, on the history of women’s ordination within the largest Protestant denomination in the US…
Pope ordains nine priests, saying: Stay humble, compassionate
Vatican CityAP Pope Francis on Sunday gave the Catholic church nine new priests, encouraging them in an ordination ceremony in St Peter’s Basilica to be humble and compassionate and to stay close to the rank-and-file faithful, whose trust in clergy has been sorely tested by decades of sex abuse scandals. Professing obedience to the pontiff […]
US evangelical denomination expels entire congregation over LGBT policy
RNS For the first time in its 134-year history, the Evangelical Covenant Church has voted to remove a congregation from its roster over its position on LGBTQ inclusion. The vote to expel the First Covenant Church, a prominent and historic Minneapolis congregation, for being “out of harmony on human sexuality”, took place at the denomination’s […]
Church of England plans to test aspiring clergy for skills, aptitude — and narcissism
RNS Responding to growing concern about the kinds of priests the Church of England is attracting, Anglican leaders are considering expanding its assessments of clergy candidates to include more rigorous psychological testing. Anxiety about the quality of those who aspire to become clergy is rooted in the series of child sex abuse scandals that have […]