Michigan

With a growing number of authors and theologians releasing books about doomsday and rapture predictions, one title that stands out is by the Rev. Gerald Haug, who insists the world is not ending any time soon and that religious leaders teaching otherwise are doing damage to the church. 

Haug's book, Ortho-Millennialism: Bringing Order to End-Time Chaos, focuses on analyzing the books of the Bible that might offer clues on the timing of the Rapture, when followers of Jesus will be caught up to meet him in the air – and the reverend says his work dispels all speculation and proves with absolute certainty that Jesus will not be returning to Earth for at least another 100 years.

Haug, a member of the Assemblies of God convention, the largest collection of Pentecostal denominations with some 62 million members worldwide, shared in an interview with The Christian Post that he has spoken about his book to thousands at his assembly and has convinced them of the validity of his work. more >>

The Sixth Circuit ruled Friday in favor of Christian graduate student Julea Ward, who nearly three years ago was expelled from Eastern Michigan University's counseling program for trying to have a homosexual client reassigned to someone else because of her religious beliefs.

The court decision was hailed by the Alliance Defense Fund and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty – groups representing Ward – as a major victory for the constitutional rights of individuals with religious beliefs.

The Sixth Circuit opinion was strongly worded, reversing a district court decision in favor of the university and sending the case back for trial, ADF explained in a statement released by the Christian lawyers group shortly after the ruling. The appeals court said, "A reasonable jury could conclude that Ward's professors ejected her from the counseling program because of hostility toward her speech and faith…." more >>

N.T. Wright stormed the gates of Calvin College in Michigan to deliver the message that the Gospels have been taken too lightly.

The renowned theologian was the final speaker of Calvin College's annual January Series on Tuesday, and drew an overflowing crowd of 1,400 people.

"The upshot of the talk was to say that for too long Jesus' life has been skipped. In terms of faith, we treat the Gospel stories too lightly," Scott Hoezee, the director of the Center for Excellence in Preaching at Calvin College, told The Christian Post on Wednesday. "We cannot understand the Gospels overall arch and its details unless we understand that it's a continuation of Israel's story." more >>

Rob Bell held his last service as lead pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church Sunday, in an emotional farewell that also affirmed that Shane Hipps, who has preached alongside Bell, will continue teaching the congregation. But who is Hipps, and will he work to prolong Bell's vision for the Grandville, Mich., church?

Hipps joined Mars Hill as a teaching pastor in 2010, and has quickly established his presence at the church, founded by Bell 12 years ago. Hipp's official biography on Mars Hill's website reveals that he formerly worked as a strategic planner at Porsche Cars North America, but left because he wanted to pursue his interest in spirituality and theology. After earning a Master of Divinity degree at Fuller Theological Seminary, he moved with his wife and two daughters to serve as a pastor at an urban congregation in Phoenix, Ariz.

Mars Hill's covenant members are yet to decide whether there is a need for appointing Bell’s replacement. In the meantime, Hipps will continue teaching and guest speakers will occassionally be invited to speak. more >>

In a surprise decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, justices ruled in favor of church authority Wednesday, overturning a lower court ruling and concluding that the federal government should not intervene in the hiring and firing practices of churches.

In one of the most important religious cases disputed in years, also having separation of church and state implications, the high court accepted what is known as a "ministerial exception" to the employment discrimination laws.

The ministerial exception allows religious entities to give preference in employment to individuals of a particular religion or require that employees confirm the organization's religious tenants. It also bars the federal government from examining employment decisions by religious groups for employees with religious duties, such as pastors or ministry leaders. more >>

A Michigan church has a very unusual ministry outreach – a tattoo parlor housed in its church building.

The Bridge, a non-denominational church in Flint Twp., Mich., opened a tattoo parlor within its building last month. Titled Serenity Tattoo, church members say it's showing people living an alternative lifestyles an avenue toward the Gospel. It's just one of many unusual ministry efforts that The Bridge's eclectic congregation believes is helping to evolve evangelism in the area.

"There's a huge misunderstanding in the American church today that the church is a building," said Steve Bentley, The Bridge's lead pastor. "It's not a physical location. The church is us. We use our space for whatever we can to serve the Lord and our community." more >>