The web is bursting today with lists that highlight the year’s biggest stories, like this one compiled by the Religion Newswriters Association. The group chose the selection of Pope Francis as the top religion news story of 2013, followed by Pope Benedict’s resignation as #2.
Also on the list: The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act (#3), the death of Nelson Mandela (#6), and controversial action taken by the Boy Scouts of America (#9). Rounding out the top 10: Muslims and other people of faith react to the Boston Marathon bombings.
And check out these lists:
NEWS
- The staff of the Illinois Baptist has published our list of the year’s biggest stories, led by the debate over same-sex marriage in Illinois. For the full list, go to ibonline.IBSA.org, click on Archives and search for December 16.
- The Christian Post introduced its list of most-read stories with a sad disclaimer: “A year of heartbreaking personal tragedies suffered by Christian leaders appeared all too often as the main news at The Christian Post and the Church & Ministry section in 2013.” The website’s most read story was about the suicide of Matthew Warren, son of Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren.
MINISTRY
- Blogger and LifeWay vice president Ed Stetzer lists his top five posts about church trends, topped by “The State of the Church in America: Hint: It’s Not Dying.”
- 2013 was a big year for shifting cultural views, reports Religion News Service’s Sarah Pulliam Bailey. Read her compilation of data from Pew Research here.
CULTURE
- Amazon.com’s list of the year’s best-selling books is constantly updating, but devotional book “Jesus Calling” (released in 2004) is currently #5.
- Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, shares the best books he read in 2013.
- Worship artist Chris Tomlin topped Billboard’s list of top Christian songs, with “Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)”. Tomlin’s album Burning Lights was #2 on Billboard’s list of Christian albums, after the Wow Hits 2013 compilation.
What are your favorite year-end lists so far? What stories and trends would you add to these?
iB2 News 