In the fall of 1949, a little-known Baptist preacher launched a series of revival meetings at a “canvas cathedral” at the corner of Washington Boulevard and Hill Street in Los Angeles. The meetings were supposed to last three weeks. Instead they continued for eight weeks, drawing more than 300,000 people and making Billy Graham a household name. Nearly 70 years later, the 99-year-old Rev. Graham remains one of the best-known preachers in America, according to a survey from Nashville-based Lifeway Research.
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Young Bible Readers More Likely to be Faithful Adults, Study Finds
The biggest factor predicting the spiritual health of young adults is whether they read the Bible regularly as kids.
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Congress Should End IRS Oversight of Sermons, Say Protestant Pastors
In the 1950s, Congress banned charitable nonprofits—including churches—from endorsing candidates or otherwise intervening in elections. Any nonprofit that violated the ban could run afoul of the IRS. Churches risked losing their tax-exempt status if the preacher endorsed a candidate in a sermon. It’s time for that to change, most Protestant pastors say in a new survey from Nashville-based Lifeway Research.
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Lifeway Research: Suicide Remains a Taboo Topic at Churches
Suicide remains a taboo subject in many Protestant churches, despite the best efforts of pastors, according to a new study from Lifeway Research.
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Pastors’ Spouses Experience Mixed Blessings
Being married to a pastor means a life filled with joy, purpose and a lot of headaches. Most pastors’ spouses feel a call to ministry and enjoy their roles inside and outside their church. Many also have few friends, think they yell at their kids too much, and worry about money.
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When It Comes to Evangelism, the Small Things Really Matter
Research identifies at least 13 effective ways small churches can attract and retain more new converts, including some common practices.
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