Matt Chandler, US megachurch pastor and ACTS 29 leader, placed on leave
United StatesRNS A popular Dallas-area megachurch leader has been placed on indefinite leave for online communication with a woman who is not his wife. Leaders at The Village Church, based in Flower Mound, Texas, announced longtime pastor Matt Chandler’s leave during a service this past weekend, citing inappropriate Instagram messages. Pastor Matt Chandler preaches at […]
Essay: Amid calls to #TaxTheChurches – what and how much do US religious organisations not pay the taxman?
In an article first published on The Conversation, RYAN CRAGUN, a professor of sociology at the University of Tampa, looks at the issue of tax exemptions for churches in the US…
US author Shauna Niequist apologises for her silence following allegations against father, Bill Hybels
RNS Popular Christian author Shauna Niequist has apologised for her silence following the allegations against her father, Bill Hybels, the founding pastor of suburban Chicago megachurch Willow Creek Community Church. Niequist spoke out about the allegations for the first time in a long Instagram caption posted on Monday accompanying a simple image with the words “An apology”. […]
Influential US pastor, Charles Stanley, steps down at First Baptist Church Atlanta after 50 years
RNS Charles Stanley doesn’t believe in retirement, he said. But the influential pastor is stepping down from his role at First Baptist Church Atlanta after more than 50 years. Pastor Charles Stanley preaches. PICTURE: Video screengrab via In Touch Ministries “As much as I love being your pastor, I know in my heart this season […]
In the US, charges dropped against former Village Church children’s minister Matt Tonne
RNS Criminal charges have been dropped against a former associate children’s minister at The Village Church, a Dallas-area evangelical megachurch. Matt Tonne was indicted for indecency with a child involving sexual contact in January, 2019, and has denied the charges against him. The Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas. PICTURE: Courtesy of Google Maps The Dallas County […]
US embattled megachurch pastor John Ortberg resigns from Menlo Church
RNS John Ortberg, popular Christian author and speaker, has resigned as pastor of Menlo Church, a megachurch congregation outside of San Francisco. His resignation is effective from Sunday, 2nd August. “I have considered my seventeen years as pastor here to be the greatest joy I’ve had in ministry,” Ortberg said in a statement. “But […]
Death of US megachurch pastor Darrin Patrick officially ruled a suicide
RNS Megachurch pastor Darrin Patrick’s cause of death has officially been ruled a suicide, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Patrick died on 7th May in Pacific, Missouri, just outside of St Louis. The cause of death was a gunshot wound and the medical examiner ruled it a suicide, Franklin County Sheriff Steve Pelton […]
The Interview: Dave Dummitt, new senior pastor of Willow Creek
EMILY MCFARLAN MILLER, of Religion News Service, speaks with Dave Dummitt, the new senior pastor of Willow Creek, about stepping into his new role amid pandemic and protests, rebuilding trust at Willow Creek and his vision for the church…
US church Willow Creek names Michigan pastor David Dummitt as new leader
RNS Willow Creek Community Church announced today that David Dummitt, a megachurch pastor from Michigan, will be the church’s new senior pastor. The announcement comes just over two years after Willow Creek’s founding pastor resigned after being accused of abusing power and sexual misconduct. Dummitt is the founding pastor of 2|42 Community Church, a Michigan megachurch with seven campuses […]
US megachurch pastor John Ortberg allowed volunteer who was attracted to minors to work with children
RNS John Ortberg, a popular evangelical author and megachurch pastor, betrayed a “bond of trust” by allowing a church volunteer who admitted being attracted to minors to still work with children, according to a statement from the elders at the Bay Area church he leads. “In July of 2018, a person serving in the Menlo […]