News & Ideas

Wednesday's News & Ideas - 3/12/2025

  • SCOTUS on conversion therapy ban
  • Nicene Creed’s anniversary
  • History of FACE act
  • Evangelical aid groups defunded
  • SBC church attendance
  • Martha Stewart & the American dream

Supreme Court takes up challenge to Colorado conversion therapy ban 
NBC News: The case raises questions of whether state bans violate the free speech rights of therapists who counsel people to change their sexual orientations or gender identities.

African theologians look to Nicene Creed’s anniversary year to reshape spiritual future 
Religion News Service: One theologian said Africa’s celebrations of the Christian framework would exhibit the continent’s rich theological heritage and highlight new ways of thinking about faith unbound by colonial legacies.

The FACE Act was enacted to protect reproductive health clinics — here’s why its history matters today 
The Conversation: The FACE Act was signed by Bill Clinton in 1994 to guarantee access to abortion and reproductive health care protected by the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. Now it’s in jeopardy.

Defunded evangelical aid groups are reaping what the religious right sowed 
Religion News Service: Trump wooed them with his promises of the cultural domination they had been seeking since the late 1970s, but the honeymoon may be over.

New data reveals complicated picture of Southern Baptist churches 
Religion Unplugged: Churches are baptizing more people, but most churches remain small and fewer attendees are involved in small groups, according to Lifeway Research analysis.

The Spark

Martha Stewart, my mother the hoarder, and me
For the writer’s immigrant mother, an obsession with the lifestyle guru* hid a darker yearning for the American dream, writes Harper’s Bazaar.

*access is limited for nonsubscribers



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Tim Soerens

Applications now open for Reflective Leadership Grants

“This was a game-changer for us. The chance to climb up from the ‘dance floor’ of our everyday activity and discern a clarified organization future from the ‘balcony’ was the gift we needed even more than we understood at the time.

If possible, please pursue this extraordinary opportunity.”

— Tim Soerens, Parish Collective

Christian leaders from a variety of roles are welcome to apply. The grants provide “balcony time” to reflect on accomplishments, broaden perspectives and discern next steps. The application deadline is May 2, 2025.

Learn more