LifeWay Archives - Page 5 of 6 - Baptist & Reflector

CHRISTIANS FACE INTOLERANCE; COMPLAIN

April 7, 2016

By Bob Smietana
Lifeway News Office

NASHVILLE — A growing number of Americans believe religious liberty is on the decline and that the nation’s Christians face growing intolerance.

They also say American Christians complain too much.

Those are among the findings of a new study of views about religious liberty from LifeWay Research. Researchers surveyed 1,000 Americans in September 2013 and September 2015 and then compared the results.

Two-thirds (63 percent) say Christians face increasing intolerance, up from half (50 percent) in 2013. A similar number (60 percent) say religious liberty is on the decline, up from just over half (54 percent) in 2013.

Forty-three percent of those surveyed say American Christians complain too much about how they are treated, up from 34 percent in 2015. [Read more…]

LIFEWAY HOLDS 125TH ANNIV. & GROUNDBREAKING

April 6, 2016

By Baptist Press

LifeWay’s executive leadership team turned the ceremonial first shovels of dirt for the ministry’s new building. (From left to right) Jerry Rhyne, Eric Geiger, Selma Wilson, Thom Rainer, Brad Waggoner, Ed Stetzer, Tim Hill and Cossy Pachares.

NASHVILLE (BP) — LifeWay Christian Resources celebrated its 125th anniversary, then held a groundbreaking ceremony and prayer service today (April 6) on property in downtown Nashville where it intends to build its new headquarters.

LifeWay announced plans in February to build a nine-story 250,000-square-foot office building in a mixed use development located just blocks from the campus LifeWay sold last November. [Read more…]

CHURCHES CONTINUE TO FACE BUDGET SHORTFALLS

March 21, 2016

By Bob Smietana
LifeWay Research

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — When it comes to finances, the new normal for American churches seems to be “just getting by.”

A third of Protestant senior pastors say their church’s giving was under budget in 2015, according to LifeWay Research.

One in five saw their finances decline.

Overall, about half of pastors say the economy negatively affected their churches this year.

Scott McConnell, associate director of LifeWay Research, says pastors are still uneasy about their church’s finances.

“Wages grew in 2015, and inflation and unemployment remained low,” said McConnell. “Yet the financial picture for many churches did not improve.” [Read more…]

TRUSTEES: NEW LIFEWAY LOCATION AUTHORIZED

February 5, 2016

Baptist Press

Artist’s rendering of LifeWay Christian Resources’ proposed new building near Nashville’s central business district.

NASHVILLE (BP) — Trustees of LifeWay Christian Resources authorized the purchase of land and construction of a new corporate headquarters in Nashville and elected new board officers.

In their semiannual meeting, trustees approved a resolution to authorize LifeWay’s administration to purchase property in downtown Nashville for its future headquarters.

“This property is not just a location — it’s a new community in which we can invest ourselves for the future,” President and CEO Thom S. Rainer told trustees during Feb. 1-2 meetings in Nashville. [Read more…]

SOULS RATHER THAN SCORES

February 3, 2016

By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector

LifeWay Research released a new poll on Feb. 3 asking the question, “Does God care who wins the Super Bowl?

Surprisingly, one in 10 actually thinks God cares whether this year’s Super Bowl will be won by the Denver Broncos or the Carolina Panthers. One in 20 say they don’t know. [Read more…]

DOES GOD DECIDE, CARE WHO WINS THE SUPER BOWL?

February 3, 2016

Baptist Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An old gospel hymn says God’s eye is on the sparrow, but what about panthers and broncos? Not the ones from Carolina and Denver matched up for the National Football League’s Super Bowl 50, according to a new survey from LifeWay Research.

The poll found most Americans are skeptical about divine intervention on the football field. They say God doesn’t determine who wins or loses. And most believe God has bigger things to be concerned about.

“The Bible says God sets up and takes down nations and rulers,” said Scott McConnell, vice president of LifeWay Research. “Either Americans do not agree, or they think God focuses on political leaders rather than cultural sports icons.” [Read more…]

FORMER PASTORS REPORT LACK OF SUPPORT LED TO ABANDONING PASTORATE

February 1, 2016

By Lisa Cannon Green
LifeWay News Office

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No sabbatical. No help with counseling. No clear picture of what’s expected.

Hundreds of former senior pastors say these were the crucial elements missing from the final churches they led before quitting the pastorate.

A recent study by LifeWay Research points to ways churches can encourage pastors to stay in the ministry, said Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of the Nashville-based research organization. [Read more…]

STUDY: AMERICANS SHARE CONFLICTING VIEWS ON SPORTS GAMBLING

January 25, 2016

By Lisa Cannon Green
LifeWay Research

NASHVILLE (BP) — Wagering on sports isn’t morally wrong, most Americans say — but nearly half think it should be illegal anyway, a newly-released study shows.

And as millions nationwide manage their fantasy sports rosters, Americans straddle the fence on whether heavily advertised daily games by companies such as FanDuel Inc. and DraftKings Inc. should be banned.

A study released today (Jan. 22) from LifeWay Research shows widespread belief that sports gambling is morally acceptable. Nearly two-thirds of Americans disagree that it’s morally wrong to bet on sports. The results are from a survey conducted this past September.

Yet 49 percent think sports betting shouldn’t be legalized nationwide, while 40 percent say it should be. Eleven percent of Americans aren’t sure. [Read more…]

GOD RANKS HIGH IN NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS

January 13, 2016

By Lisa Cannon Green
Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — When Americans make New Year’s resolutions, a better relationship with God ranks almost as high as better health, according to a study by LifeWay Research.

And for many groups, faith actually outranks health. Older Americans, African-Americans, Hispanics, and Christians are all more likely to say they’ve made resolutions about God than about health.

Overall, 57 percent of Americans report making health-related New Year’s resolutions in the past while 52 percent say they’ve addressed their relationships with God. Those were the top two responses in a LifeWay Research survey of 1,000 Americans. [Read more…]

MORE CHURCHES SEEING NEED FOR VOLUNTEER SCREENING

January 8, 2016

Graphic by LifeWay

Baptist Press

NASHVILLE — Nearly half of the background checks requested by churches through LifeWay’s program with backgroundchecks.com reveal some type of criminal offense.

Most of those are minor incidents such as speeding tickets, but 21 percent of inquiries discovered misdemeanors or more serious crimes, LifeWay’s Jennie Taylor said.

Since 2008, when LifeWay began its relationship with backgroundchecks.com, more than 11,300 churches and religious organizations have conducted nearly 230,000 background checks using the program. In the past year, more than 2,100 churches have signed up through the LifeWay ONESource program. [Read more…]

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