Drive-in church: One-time trend sees resurgence amid pandemic
As several state governments tried to stop the spread of Coronavirus with stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders, churches went online and, in some cases, back to a 1950s trend. Drive-in worship was promoted as the church of the future, Christianity Today reports. The trend didn’t really take hold back then, but the Coronavirus pandemic is causing many church leaders to consider it again.
In Illinois, First Baptist Church in Grayville held a drive-in service March 22. Pastor David Smith preached from the bed of a pick-up truck while worshipers listened on their car radios—with the windows rolled up.
Related: IBSA churches go online, new ideas for families worshiping at home
Related: IBSA’s Church Helps page offers ministry innovation for uncertain times
Related: WMU Executive Director (and Illinois native) Sandy Wisdom-Martin on 5 ways you can impact your community amid COVID-19
Supreme Court delays arguments, including religious liberty issue
The U.S. Supreme Court has postponed oral arguments scheduled for March, including a case that could determine whether businesses can make employment decisions based on their religious beliefs. The Court is also scheduled to hear oral arguments April 29 on the mandate that requires employers to provide insurance coverage for contraceptives, including some that could induce abortions.
Iran releases prisoners, including Christians, to curb virus spread
Christianity Today reports seven Christians are among the 85,000 prisoners temporarily released in Iran as the country tries to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The release did not include four Christians recently granted a retrial, CT said.
Christmas lights reappear to spark hope
A LifeWay editor is among those turning back on holiday light displays amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Bekah Stoneking was inspired by displays of unity around the world to switch on the lights on her Christmas tree, and invite others to do the same. “It brings humanity into a situation that feels especially cruel and inhumane,” she told Religion News Service.
Who is the best known evangelical?
According to a study by Pew, 21% of people say the late evangelist Billy Graham comes to mind first when they think of evangelical Protestantism, while Jesus is the top answer for Judaism. Pew also asked respondents about Buddhism, Catholicism, Islam, and atheism.
Sources: Christianity Today, Facebook, Illinois Baptist, Baptist Press, Religion News Service, Pew Forum