Amid the continued declines, Southern Baptists are celebrating back-to-back years of growth in worship attendance and baptism.Despite years of record-setting declines shrinking the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) to its lowest membership in nearly half a century, Southern Baptists have begun to see some signs of life within their 46,906 churches.Worship attendance, small group attendance, and baptisms were up last year in the SBC’s annual statistical report, released Tuesday, while membership fell below 13 million.2023 marks 17 straight years of decline for the country’s biggest Protestant denomination. It’s down 3.3 million from its peak, with the steepest drops coming during the pandemic. The SBC lost 1.3 million members between 2020 and 2022 alone.Beyond COVID-19 disruptions, Southern Baptists have recently confronted some contentious issues within their convention, responding to sexual abuse and clamping down on female preachers, which have led some congregations to leave the SBC (including prominent megachurch Saddleback Church).But statistics indicate that church departures aren’t a significant driver of membership decline; the SBC was down 292 churches last year, just 0.63 percent of its total.In 2023, membership fell by 241,000, its smallest decrease since 2018. Yet attendance at SBC churches increased 6.5 percent, reaching above 4 million a week for the first time since the pandemic.Attendance at small groups and Bible studies ticked up 4 percent to 2.4 million.With fewer Americans than ever attending church and religious disaffiliation on the rise, leaders see even small increases in engagement and discipleship as worth celebrating.It’s the first time in over a decade that SBC worship attendance has grown two years in a row, though it still lags behind pre-pandemic numbers. Back in ...Continue reading...

"This year, the torches will be lit in groups, not individually," Miri Regev stated on Thursday, emphasizing a focus on collective representation of Israeli heroism.

Israeli team triumphs at international robotics competition amidst war, showcasing STEM education's resilience and inclusivity despite conflict challenges.

Miri Regev, who was charged with organizing the upcoming ceremonies, said that numerous adjustments would be made in light of the ongoing war, with special tributes to hostages and evacuees.

When Zikaron BaSalon, a grassroots initiative in which individual Holocaust survivors address small groups, opened up registration for participants, sign-up was very low.

Yom Hashoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, gains added significance amidst the Israel-Hamas war, commemorating the October 7 attack as "a sample of the Holocaust."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act amid a series of anti-Israel protests springing up on college campuses throughout the country, with the bill's sponsor pushing back on claims that the law will criminalize speech about the New Testament.?

Only 6% of Christians have a biblical worldview as many Americans embrace syncretism, according to a new survey.?

New US-based project features videos of survivors from around the globe reading Holocaust denial posts from different social media platforms amid growing antisemitism worldwide

By Tyler Durden America’s largest and, for some owners, only option for a? home insurer? is pulling back its operations in the state of California, leaving many...California Homeowners: Insured No More Amid Fire Danger

More than a month after announcing he would resign amid escalating gang violence, Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry formally submitted his letter of resignation.

The Arizona House of Representatives passed a bill that would repeal the state's near-total ban on abortion amid a divided government and an upcoming referendum that could establish a right to abortion in the state.?

Youth ministry experts have emphasized the crucial role intergenerational relationships play in keeping young people in the Church and connected to their faith amid a soaring rise in religious nones across the United States.

The United States is set to withdraw its military presence from Niger following the release of a report raising questions about U.S. military operations in the African country and warning that troops are on the verge of running out of basic necessities as they remain “stranded” there amid a military coup.?

United Methodist Church bishops are calling for unity as its General Conference kicks off Tuesday after thousands of churches left the mainline Protestant denomination amid efforts to alter its official stance against homosexuality and ordination of LGBT individuals.

By The Conscious Resistance Documentary film maker Derrick Broze recently crowdfunded to complete his 17-part docu-series, The Pyramid of Power. He used traditional crowdfunding AND...I Funded My Documentary Without Banks or Debt! #CultDAO

Two tribal Christians guarding their village have been killed in attacks that involved gunfire and mortars in the northeast Indian state of Manipur, as per allegations by a local Kuki-Zo tribal organization. The attacks were reportedly carried out by central forces and Hindu Meitei insurgents, who then engaged in acts of dragging, mutilating and stomping on the bodies.

As Easter Sunday approaches and worship leaders are pressured to create meaningful services amid the high expectations of congregations and church leadership, worship duo Shane & Shane are calling for a return to simplicity and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Op-Ed by Emily Thompson Several critical issues today affect the continent of Africa, particularly the severe humanitarian crises that have emerged from conflicts, natural disasters,...Amid Major Crises Africa Needs as Much Help as Possible

Members of the Scottish Parliament have tabled a motion to repeal the new hate crime law that critics view as hostile to free speech.?

Op-Ed by Emily Thompson Several critical issues today affect the continent of Africa, particularly the severe humanitarian crises that have emerged from conflicts, natural disasters,...Amid Major Crises Africa Needs as Much Help as Possible

Marriage is declining in America. According to a 2019 study by the Pew Research Center, the percentage of Americans who have cohabited was larger than that of those who have been married. This is not surprising, considering that “most Americans find it acceptable for unmarried couples to live together, even for those who don't plan to get married.”? ? Since Western societies are becoming more secularized, we should expect the rejection of religiously grounded practices like marriage. People have tried to redefine marriage, wanting to abandon the biblical practice and definition of it. For example, in 2015, the American Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision. This expanded “marriage” to include same-sex couples, granting them legal rights and privileges.? Those who practice consensual non-monogamy (also called ethical non-monogamy) argue that dating or being in a sexual relationship with another person outside of their spouse is not adultery if all individuals involved give their consent. According to an? article? by Psych? Central,? this? arrangement? in which? husband and wife are willing for their spouse? to have? additional partners is seen as a? healthy way to cope with being “attracted to multiple people at once.”? Amid this whirlwind of ideas and changes to the definition of marriage, where should Christians stand? Do we give in to the whims of an ever-changing culture so that we are relevant? Are we supposed to ignore or reinterpret the verses in Scripture that define marriage and discuss sexual relationships just to appease the world?? Even though the culture will continually shift, the Bible does not change. We should follow God's Word and remain steadfast to its truth. This includes being faithful to what Scripture teaches about marriage.? ? Although society increasingly wants to move beyond it, marriage is still important. Here's why:? Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Nadtochiy

A majority of Americans are in favor of constructing a wall at the U.S. southern border amid a surge in immigration, according to a recent Gallup poll.

The world is watching the latest negotiations in the Israel–Hamas war amid ongoing attacks by the Houthis and Hezbollah. In the meantime, we should not miss this headline from the Jerusalem Post: “Iran closer than ever to weaponizing uranium, building nuclear bomb.”

An influential group of black megachurch pastors urged President Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. "For them to call for a ceasefire is Mr. Putin's message," Rep. Nance Pelosi told CNN.