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The Tulsa Beacon

 

Aaron Earls

Aaron Earls is a writer for LifeWay Christian Resources.

Evangelicals pick Trump over Biden, but divides exist

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Evangelicals seem ready to cast their ballots in the 2020 election. Nine in 10 evangelicals by belief are registered to vote, and few are undecided about their presidential choice. A new survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research conducted Sept. 9-23 finds President Donald Trump with a sizable lead over Democratic nominee Joe Biden…

Few churches met in person for worship services in April

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As federal, state and local governments weigh relaxing stay-at-home guidelines, most churches continued to avoid gathering physically throughout April. Nine in 10 Protestant pastors say their congregations did not meet for an in-person worship service last month, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. A previous study from LifeWay Research…

Few churches met in person for worship services in April

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — As federal, state and local governments weigh relaxing stay-at-home guidelines, most churches continued to avoid gathering physically throughout April. Nine in 10 Protestant pastors say their congregations did not meet for an in-person worship service last month, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. A previous study from LifeWay Research…

Most U.S. churches won’t be meeting on Easter Sunday

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE — The coronavirus outbreak has had ripple effects across the country, including in churches, according to a new study of pastors. Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked Protestant pastors how the pandemic has impacted their congregations and what their plans are for the near future. While nearly all pastors say their church held in-person worship services…

Livestreaming hasn’t been an option for some churches

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for groups during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak recommended no gatherings of more than 50 people for eight weeks. As churches scramble to make decisions on how to move forward, new research finds many congregations are not prepared to shift their services online….

Survey shows 50% of pastors see opioid abuse in church

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Like most U.S. pastors, Robby Gallaty knows someone who has been affected by opioid abuse. But unlike most pastors, Gallaty has personally suffered through addiction. Twenty years ago this month, Gallaty endured a near-fatal car accident. When he left the hospital, the club-bouncer-turned-church-leader took with him several prescriptions for painkillers. “My descent…

Survey: Pastors weren’t overly prepared for retirement

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Most retirement age pastors and missionaries say their current life is close to ideal, but some who have entered retirement say they could’ve been better prepared. In a survey sponsored by Shepherd’s Fold Ministries, Nashville-based LifeWay Research asked 2,451 pastors, ministers and missionaries who were retired or at least 67 years old…

Survey shows pastors have difficulties navigating music

Tulsa Beacon

For most pastors, the so-called “worship wars” over the style of the music used in their church have subsided, if they ever even felt that pressure. A new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research found 15% of Protestant pastors in the U.S. say the biggest challenge they face in the area of music is navigating the…

Study shows pastors find sports betting morally wrong

Tulsa Beacon

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Americans are expected to wager more than $10 billion on the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, but don’t bet on many pastors joining in. A new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research found most pastors believe it is morally wrong to bet on sports, while few agree it should be legalized nationwide. Though if…