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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Aaron Earls

Aaron Earls is a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources.

Protestant pastors bring attention to global Christian persecution

Tulsa Beacon

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — As pastors speak and pray with their congregations, they say they’re also keeping persecuted Christians around the world in mind. More than 9 in 10 U.S. Protestant pastors (93%) say their church has engaged in at least one of six ways to bring attention to Christians suffering persecution within the past year,…

Many Americans are more consumers than contented

Tulsa Beacon

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Heading into the busiest shopping season of the year, many Americans may find meaning and purpose while they’re picking up gifts for others and themselves. A Lifeway Research study asked 1,200 U.S. adults their level of agreement with 10 statements related to issues of consumerism and contentment. Most Americans find themselves with…

Pastors opposed, more Americans open to political endorsements in churches

Tulsa Beacon

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Few pastors endorse political candidates outside their role at church. Even fewer endorse during a church service. Most Americans like it that way, but they’re growing more supportive of churches jumping into the political fray. Lifeway Research studies of U.S. Protestant pastors and Americans found little practice or support for political endorsements…

Churchgoers may be overconfident in Old Testament knowledge

Tulsa Beacon

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — If you ask someone at church to name their favorite story from the Old Testament, they may mention Moses or Noah, but they might also talk about Jesus or Paul. Some may even begin describing a story from outside the Bible. When asked about their favorite story from the Old Testament, around…

Some churchgoers feel churches have chronological confusion

Tulsa Beacon

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — Pews? Where we’re going, we don’t need pews. Some churchgoers say walking into their church feels like time travel, with ministry that would be at home in the past. Around 3 in 10 (29%) U.S. Protestant churchgoers say their church’s ministry activities and methods would fit best in a time period before…

Not all pro-life Americans are considered to be religious

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Not all pro-life Americans are religious, but religious Americans are more likely to be pro-life. Americans’ views on the morality of abortion remain mixed in the days leading up to a Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade, but a majority favor restrictions that go beyond those currently allowed, according…

Churches are still recovering from Chinese coronavirus

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Compared to the beginning of 2021, more U.S. Protestant churches are gathering in person and more churchgoers are filling the pews. The return to pre-pandemic attendance levels has stalled, however, in recent months. The Latest Lifeway Research study found, despite a new variant wave of COVID-19, 97% of U.S. Protestant churches met…

Men play a large role during unplanned pregnancies

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While much of the discussion surrounding abortion focuses on women, unplanned pregnancies involve both a man and a woman. And the men involved have complicated feelings on the subject. A new Care Net study conducted by Nashville-based Lifeway Research surveyed 1,000 American men whose partners had an abortion after he made her…

Most Americans believe Christmas is a genuine event

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christmas is a celebration of a real event, according to most Americans. Just don’t expect them to know exactly why Jesus was born and came to earth. A new study from Lifeway Research finds close to 3 in 4 Americans believe Jesus was born in Bethlehem more than 2,000 years ago. Even…

Americans unsure if they could tell biblical Christmas story

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Most people in America may hang Christmas decorations and exchange gifts on December 25, but few say they could give all the details about the biblical Christmas story. A Lifeway Research study finds 9 in 10 U.S. adults say they celebrate Christmas, including many non-Christians. Overall, 91% of Americans celebrate the Christmas…