By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Americans with evangelical beliefs share a great deal in common. They trust in Jesus alone, evangelize their neighbors, and believe the Bible is the final authority in their lives. But when it comes to voting, race and political affiliation still divide evangelicals, according to a survey from Nashville-based Lifeway Research taken … [Read more...]
Pastors prefer ‘Undecided’ to Clinton or Trump
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Political endorsements by preachers have been few and far between this election season. That may be because the most popular candidate among preachers is “I don’t know.” A new report from Nashville-based Lifeway Research found 4 out of 10 Protestant pastors are undecided about which candidate to vote for. A third (32 percent) plan to … [Read more...]
Skip the endorsements in church, say most Americans
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Since the 1950s, the IRS has banned preachers from endorsing candidates during church services. Most Americans seem to like it that way. Eight in 10 (79 percent) say it is inappropriate for pastors to endorse a candidate in church. Three-quarters say churches should steer clear of endorsements. Yet fewer than half want churches to be … [Read more...]
Pastors: The end of the world is complicated
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tennessee – Most Protestant pastors believe Jesus will return in the future. But few agree about the details of the apocalypse. A third of America’s Protestant pastors expect Christians to be raptured—or taken up in the sky to meet Jesus—as the end times begin. About half think a false messiah known as the Antichrist will appear sometime in the … [Read more...]
Former pastors report lack of support led to abandoning pastorate
By Lisa Cannon Green NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No sabbatical. No help with counseling. No clear picture of what’s expected. Hundreds of former senior pastors say these were the crucial elements missing from the final churches they led before quitting the pastorate. A recent study by Lifeway Research points to ways churches can encourage pastors to stay in the ministry, said … [Read more...]
