By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Many Americans are more worried about their reputation than their conscience. They worry less about guilt and fear and more about avoiding shame, according to a new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research. Shame has become particularly powerful in American culture in the internet age, said Scott McConnell, executive director of … [Read more...]
Most churches hold Sunday services, Super Bowl or not
By Aaron Earls For churches that have Sunday night activities, most pastors say it’s still “game on” despite the big game next weekend. According to a new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research, 68 percent of Protestant pastors say their church typically has some activity on Sunday night. And among those pastors, almost 6 in 10 (59 percent) say they will continue as … [Read more...]
Most churches open for business on Christmas, New Year’s Day, say pastors
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn.—More than half of Americans plan to go to church at Christmastime. And most Protestant pastors will keep the doors open for them. Nearly 9 out of 10 Protestant senior pastors say their churches plan to hold services on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, as both fall on a Sunday, according to a recent survey from Nashville-based Lifeway … [Read more...]
Most Americans say assisted suicide is morally acceptable
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The American Medical Association has described physician-assisted suicide as a serious risk to society and “fundamentally incompatible with a physician’s role as healer.” Millions of Americans disagree. Two-thirds say it is morally acceptable for terminally ill patients to ask their doctors for help in ending their lives, according to … [Read more...]
Research: Few pastors asked to perform same-sex weddings, less than half allow LGBT to serve in church
By Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tennessee — More than 100,000 same-sex couples have tied the knot since the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriages nationwide last year. But for preachers, being asked to do a same-sex wedding remains rare. A new survey by Nashville-based Lifeway Research found 11 percent of Protestant senior pastors have been asked to perform a same-sex … [Read more...]
