During the last two decades, there were flurries of reports of new converts moving into Eastern Orthodoxy and changing these churches in the process. But an article in the current issue of the journal Nova Religio (November) finds that these new Orthodox converts — often coming from Protestant backgrounds — are discovering as many obstacles as opportunities in their […]
On/File: September 2003
01: The Free Monks, the first Orthodox rock band in Greece, have gained a national following as they mix modern and traditional messages and styles. The group of black-robed monks from the Brothers of St. Augustine is criticized by some traditional elements of the Greek Orthodox Church for its use of rock music, MTV style clips […]
Findings & Footnotes: September 2003
01: RW’s editor has recently edited the book, Lutherans Today: American Lutheran Identity in the 21st Century (Eerdmans Publishing, $20). The paperback examines the sociological and historical dimensions of American Lutheranism and is based on the research of 12 contributors. The first part of the book maps the various movements and changes emerging in American Lutheran churches today: the Lutheran Church-Missouri […]
Conflict, suspicion grows over Christian missionaries in Iraq
Media reports from several Muslim countries continue to express suspicion toward alleged US Christian designs to evangelize the Middle East. For instance, the Egyptian opposition daily Al-Ahrar (Aug. 7) quotes unnamed “prominent sources” in Ankara, claiming that there is an “American plan to Christianize thousands of Iraqis in the North of Iraq.” The editor appears convinced that […]
Secular Quebec, Sweden revise death rituals
A series of articles by Geneviève Otis-Dionne in the daily Le Devoir (Aug. 23-26, ) examines changes taking place in Quebec in the ways of confronting death in recent years. Baby boomers are increasingly looking for new rituals associated with death and fewer celebrate funerals in churches. Since the 1960s, the previously dominant Roman Catholic Church in the […]
Reversing secularization in Europe, France?
Europe is at a “turning point” in showing an increase of religious beliefs, suggesting that it may not be the secular exception in an increasingly religious world, according to a new study. The study, presented by Yves Lambert of the Paris-based Group de Sociologie des Religions et de la Laicite (GSRL) at the mid-August conference […]
Current Research: September 2003
01: Contrary to fears of a collapse in financial support relating to the sex abuse scandals, contributions to the church among American Catholics actually rose last year, the peak period of the crisis. The annual financial statement from the Vatican shows that Americans continue to lead other nations, such as Germany and Italy, in contributions to […]
Church planting regaining favor among mainline
As part of the recent “intentional” thrust in mainline churches (see above article), there is growing interest in planting new congregations. The Christian Century (Aug. 23) reports that “Instead of trying to teach old churches new evangelistic tricks, more and more denominations are starting fresh by creating new churches to meet the special needs of ethnic or racial […]
Prospect of schism in post-establishment Episcopal church
Is the Episcopal Church edging toward a serious schism after the denomination’s recent move to elect a gay bishop and allow same-sex ceremonies? At this point, the answer seems far from clear and often depends on which publications and observers one listens to and reads. But even beyond the question of schism, the controversy over the […]
On/File: August 2003
01: Rev. Rick Warren made a name for himself through his burgeoning megachurch Saddle Back Community Church in California, and his writings and seminars on church growth. But the Southern Baptist pastor is now broadening his appeal to American evangelicals. His latest book, “The Purpose-Driven Life,” is a bestseller, with 4.5 million copies sold so far. By […]
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