THE BRIEFING | Meredith Flynn
While 30% of the Millennial generation say going to church isn’t important at all, 30% also say church attendance is very important. And 40% are in the middle. The reasons why vary, as detailed in research by Barna Group. Among all Millennials, the researchers found, 66% say American churchgoers are judgmental, and 44% believe it seems like an exclusive club.
Better news: 65% say church is a place to find answers to live a meaningful life.
A Peoria, Ill., woman committed to wear a traditional Muslim head covering during Lent in order to “remember what it feels like to be an outsider.” “People end up grouping all Muslims with extremists. I want to remember that people are individuals, and so by doing this I’m remembering to welcome and include people no matter what they look like,” Jessey Eagen told The Christian Post.
Phyllis Sortor, a missionary with the American Free Methodist Church who was kidnapped in Nigeria in February, has been released, The Christian Post reports. “It appears she was kidnapped by a criminal gang, and there is no evidence this event is associated with terrorism or religion,” said David W. Kendall in a news release from the denomination’s Board of Bishops.
Sortor’s kidnappers originally demanded $300,000 for her release, the details of which will not be discussed publicly, Kendall said.
Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham and president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, told Fox News on Sunday, “I believe we’re going to see persecution in this country. We’ve already seen many laws that have been passed that restrict our freedom as Christians.”
The Washington florist who came under fire for refusing to provide services for a same-sex wedding said she would hug her accuser if he walked into her shop. “The same faith that tells me that I can’t be a part of Rob’s wedding is the same faith that tells me to love him as Christ does,”
Barronelle Stutzman told Baptist Press. The 70-year-old Southern Baptist church member was found guilty last month of violating her state’s non-discrimination law. She is appealing the verdict.
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