A former professor and investigator at Liberty University has filed a federal lawsuit against the school and its leaders for discrimination and retaliation under Title IX, the Uniformed Services Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), and the Virginia Whistleblower Protection Law.
Read MoreSome church planters think the northwestern United States is fertile ground for reaching those people who are searching. And with states like Idaho growing rapidly, church planters see even more opportunity.
Read MoreBeverly Heights Presbyterian Church began its effort to disaffiliate from the EPC in 2023 with a congregational meeting. It held its final vote on Jan. 26, with 88% of members voting in favor of disaffiliation. However, the church had to wait until the February presbytery meeting to see if the EPC would acknowledge its removal.
Read MoreThe domestic mission agency of the Presbyterian Church in America has removed a webpage containing links to advice about how immigrants living in the U.S. illegally can avoid being detained by law enforcement authorities.
Read MoreThe North Carolina Supreme Court’s decision means that cases filled by other child sexual abuse survivors, like Stuart Griffin’s case involving Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church and Charlotte Christian School, during the look back window will continue.
Read MoreThe United States Department of Justice filed a complaint against the city of Brunswick, Georgia, on Dec. 16 because of the city’s actions to close The Well ministry to homeless persons. The Well is a faith-based ministry operated by FaithWorks, an organization of the South Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Read MoreAs part of a comprehensive plan to protect children and other vulnerable populations in their care, churches and other ministries should conduct thorough background screenings. D.J. Paxton, CEO of Compass Abuse Prevention Services, explained the importance of background checks of an overall screening process for volunteers.
Read MoreAn Ohio judge has issued a preliminary injunction against Dad’s Place and its pastor Chris Avell, preventing the church from using its first floor to shelter homeless people, even as temperatures are expected to plummet later this week.
Read MoreTwo historic New Jersey churches won a preliminary injunction in federal court that blocks a policy excluding them from a funding program for historic buildings.
Read MoreLine of Fire radio program host Michael Brown has agreed to a third-party investigation after allegations of sexual impropriety surfaced this week. He acknowledged a “lack of judgment,” but denied any sexual misconduct.
Read MoreThe National Leadership Team of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church has written an encyclical to address frequently asked questions about the state of the EPC, its organization, doctrinal issues, and “direct criticisms” after both MinistryWatch and Christianity Today published articles about concerns and issues within the EPC.
Read MoreA former student who suffered severe injuries at Asbury University in Kentucky last year has filed a lawsuit for negligence, breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Isabella Willingham was found unconscious in her room in November 2023 with cuts, bruises and other injuries.
Read MoreGrand Canyon University, the largest Christian university in the country, has won its case pertaining to its nonprofit status at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The court ruled on Nov. 8 that the U.S. Department of Education had used the wrong standard when it denied the university’s application for nonprofit status in 2019.
Read MoreAfter MinistryWatch published an article about the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, the administrative commission (AC) of the Presbytery of the Alleghenies filed additional charges and an indictment against Pastor Nate Devlin and the Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church session (or board of elders). The trial could result in punishment ranging from admonition to excommunication.
Read MoreNearly 10% of Christian ministry leaders told MinistryWatch their ministry’s revenue has declined more than 10% over the last 12 months. That represents the highest response we have received showing a decrease in revenue since beginning the survey in October 2022.
Read MoreLast October, one present and one former student of Hillsdale College filed a federal lawsuit alleging the institution failed to adequately investigate their claims of rape and misrepresented how safe they would be on campus. Hillsdale prevailed in getting the lawsuit dismissed by U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering last month.
Read MoreNow an issue involving a Pittsburgh church — Beverly Heights Presbyterian Church — is raising more questions about whether the Evangelical Presbyterian Church is going to follow its original vision. Beverly Heights is trying to leave the EPC following the stated process but has clashed repeatedly with the presbytery, culminating in a civil suit.
Read MoreGiving is down among evangelical Christians, according to a new study by Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter Research. The study — called “The Giving Gap: Changes in Evangelical Generosity” — found that 61% of evangelicals say they gave to their church in the last 12 months. That is down 13 percentage points from 2021, when 74% reported giving to their local congregation.
Read MoreIt is widely believed that out of the world’s population of between 150 and 250 million deaf persons, only 2% are professing Christians, making them one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. September is deaf awareness month, and MinistryWatch is highlighting the work of several ministries that are committed to bringing the gospel to the deaf community.
Read MoreAccording to the annual State of the Church Compensation Survey by ChurchSalary, the average church increased its staff salaries and benefits more than they expected in 2024. In 2023, churches predicted they would increase personnel budgets by 4.5%, but the average actual increase turned out to be 4.9%. The greatest increase was seen in the cost of benefits.
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