News & Ideas

Thursday's News & Ideas - 4/9/2020

  • SBA help breaks from past
  • Easter more like Passover
  • Pell’s acquittal tied to abuse
  • LA pastor faces charges
  • Falwell announces warrants
  • Pandemic affects black community

Another break from the past: Government will help churches pay pastor salaries
NPR: In a development that could challenge the Constitution's prohibition of any law "respecting an establishment of religion," the federal government will soon provide money directly to U.S. churches to help them pay pastor salaries and utility bills.

This year Easter will feel more like Passover
Religion News Service: This year the Exodus story will mirror the experience of millions across the globe who are staying inside their homes, praying that death will pass them by and that God will once more provide deliverance.

It is not possible to divorce George Pell's acquittal from the Catholic church's history of child abuse
The Guardian: The bishops should end their obsession with Pell and take up their moral responsibility to victims.

Louisiana pastor: ‘True Christians do not mind dying’ of coronavirus if infected at church
HuffPost: Rev. Tony Spell, who already faces charges for ignoring his state’s ban on public gatherings, bused people in for Palm Sunday services.

Jerry Falwell Jr. says warrants are out for 2 journalists after critical stories on coronavirus decision
Politico: The president of Liberty University accuses a NYT photographer and ProPublica reporter of trespassing.

The Spark

Covid-19 is disproportionately taking black lives
Hundreds of years of racism has delivered poor health and economic outcomes for black people, making them more vulnerable in the pandemic, Vox says.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers

Want to get News & Ideas in your inbox every weekday?
Subscribe to our
News & Ideas newsletter or receive our RSS feed in your RSS reader.



Sign up to receive religion news every weekday in the free News & Ideas newsletter

Signup options

Most recent News & Ideas

Friday's News & Ideas - 1/16/2026

  • Hymn for civil rights
  • Bishop urges clergy to take risks
  • Dallas pastor runs for Congress
  • Buildings and spirituality
  • News reporter becomes minister
  • Is art the last refuge of humanity?

Thursday’s News & Ideas - 1/15/2026

  • Reckoning with Yancey’s fall
  • Violence isn’t greatest force
  • Fractured theological education
  • ‘Testament of Ann Lee’
  • Pastor takes elected office
  • Backcountry rescue squad

Wednesday’s News & Ideas - 1/14/2026

  • MN faith communities
  • Palestinian theology
  • Talarico’s Christianity
  • Christian Reconstructionism
  • ‘Passing’ as Christian in Holocaust
  • ICE recruitment
crg logo 2024

Find curated resources to address your congregation’s needs

The Congregational Resource Guide (CRG) is an online tool designed to help leaders of all congregations find the right resources to address their unique challenges and needs. Funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., the CRG is a program of the Center for Congregations.

Learn more