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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Aaron Earls

Aaron Earls is a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources.

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…

Pandemic spurs online worship

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, online worship services were a novel concept for many churches. In the almost two years since, however, churches have adapted and reached new people with the adoption of digital streaming. According to a new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, 45% of Americans say they have watched a…

Survey shows most pastors oppose pot use, legalization

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As more Americans have access to legal marijuana, most U.S. Protestant pastors remain opposed to its use and legalization. In November 2020, five states approved marijuana legalization measures, including Mississippi, which became the first Southern state to approve medical marijuana. Now, 36 states have legalized it for medicinal purposes, including 15 states…