Tuesday’s News & Ideas - 6/3/2025
- How SBTS worked through crisis
- Clergy amid decline & division
- Black families leaving NY
- Christian wealth scheme
- Clergy psychedelic study
- 24-hour news cycle
After years of crisis, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary finds its path
Religion News Service: Years of turmoil had left Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary with a tarnished reputation and a financial crisis. David Dockery, a low-key new leader, helped right the ship.
Amid decline and division, clergy reimagine a future through connection
Religion Unplugged: “The rate of pastors departing the pastorate is steady and quite low given the demands of the role,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research.
Black families are leaving New York. Can a pastor’s plan end the exodus?*
The New York Times: In the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn, a pastor is devoting his time to building affordable housing for his congregation.
Why are members of the Super Bowl champion Eagles promoting a right-wing Christian wealth scheme?
The Guardian: Saquon Barkley and other Philadelphia stars lent their names to Life Surge, a controversial faith-based financial seminar.
After a decade of controversy, clergy psychedelic study is published
Religion News Service: “Johns Hopkins and NYU schools of medicine carried out the study, and that in itself speaks to the powerful presence psychedelics have in popular consciousness,” said scholar Gary Laderman.
The Spark
The night the skies over Baghdad were illuminated, the 24-hour news cycle took over
CNN’s live coverage of Operation Desert Storm launched a new era in television news, Poynter says.
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