Nearly one-quarter plan to increase church attendance after pandemic
Most churches aren’t back to pre-COVID attendance levels, but 91% of churchgoers say they will go back to worshiping in person as much or more than before, once the virus is no longer an active threat to people’s heath. Not surprisingly, the new survey from Lifeway Research also found churchgoers are far more likely to have watched a livestreamed service rather than attend in person than they were in 2019. And over half of respondents said the events of 2020 brought them closer to God.
Americans less optimistic about getting back to normal
A majority of people—57%—think it will be a year or more before businesses, schools, churches, and other activities operate as they did before the pandemic, according to new research from Pew. A larger share—81%—think it will be a year or more before the U.S. job situation returns to pre-COVID levels.
SBC leaders lament Beth Moore’s departure
“I am still a Baptist, but I can no longer identify with Southern Baptists,” Bible study author and teacher Beth Moore said in a March interview with Religion News Service. Moore is no longer working with Lifeway Christian Resources to publish books and produce live events. The author’s exit spurred lament from some SBC leaders, and sparked national headlines on whether other women will follow her out of Southern Baptist life.
Palau remembered for impact on global Christianity
Evangelist Luis Palau died March 11 at the age of 86. Known by some as “the Latino Billy Graham,” Palau’s evangelistic crusades and festivals reached 30 million people in 75 countries. “He gave an example to all believers, and especially to Latinos, to expand their vision on going beyond what they could ever imagine they could do,” said Julio Arriola of the Southern Baptist Executive Committee. “For Hispanic pastors and missionaries, he was an example to follow in how to share Jesus.”
Zacharias’s former ministry to focus on supporting abuse victims
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) previously announced the organization would be renamed after an investigation into allegations against the late apologist uncovered a pattern of sexual misconduct. Now, the ministry will also have a new purpose. Leaders announced the organization will downsize its staff and transition to a grant-making organization to support evangelism and “the prevention of and caring for victims of sexual abuse.”
Sources: Lifeway Research, Pew Research, Religion News Service, Baptist Press