Michigan

Rob Bell, pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church in Michigan, stood before his 7,000-member congregation Sunday to discuss his departure from the ministry he founded more than 12 years ago.

Telling Mars Hill Bible Church members that they would "be fine," Bell spent much of his half-hour sermon discussing the new calling he felt had been placed on his life to "share God's love" in new ways, according to ABC 13.

That new calling for his life involves moving his family to Los Angeles within the year to undertake several projects, which include penning more books and undertaking speaking engagements, such as his "Fit to Smash Ice Tour" in Canada and the U.S. more >>

Fans and congregants of Rob Bell and Mars Hill Bible Church caused the ministry's website to crash Thursday night, as news of the Love Wins author's resignation started to spread.

Mars Hill explained on its official Facebook page: "Hey guys, sorry the website has crashed from all the traffic. We are working to get it back up. In the meantime, here is the info that is on our news page..."

The post went on to show the same statement listed on the Grandville, Mich., church's website. more >>

Rob Bell, author of the controversial book Love Wins, has announced that he will no longer be serving as pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, citing a "call from God to pursue a growing number of strategic opportunities."

In a statement published on its website Thursday, the Grandville, Mich., church reveals:

The infamous quote "change is the only constant" certainly holds true at Mars Hill. We have experienced ongoing changes that have improved and transformed – as well as at times unintentionally created tension or heartache within our community. And now, we have another significant change to hold together. more >>

After a “partial-birth abortion” ban passed in the Michigan legislature Wednesday, local Tea Party leader Sharon Snyder shared her feelings about the procedure in question with The Christian Post.

Snyder, a registered nurse who specializes in obstetrics, expressed her deep disapproval of the procedure – also known by its medical term, “dilation and extraction.”

“I see banning the partial-birth abortion as a good thing and a step forward that is going to protect all of us, including the unborn,” she said. more >>

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members, once hesitant to directly challenge the leadership of the first black president, are being goaded by an angry black crowd to go after Barack Obama's failed leadership on jobs.

On Thursday morning, African-American Congressmen took to the media to talk about the things they have been hearing on their "For the People" Jobs Initiative tour after a video of a Tuesday town hall meeting in Detroit revealed that blacks, once a fiercely loyal constituent of Obama, are fed up.

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) told MSNBC from Atlanta, Ga., "I don't think that the people that I've been talking with today ... they're not frustrated with President Obama, they're frustrated with unemployment." more >>

Clarification appended

A Calvin College professor claims that college administrators are being dishonest about the forced resignation of one of his colleagues over issues related to evolution and scriptural interpretation.

In a statement to the Grand Rapids Press, Calvin College, a liberal arts college in Grand Rapids, Mich., said that John Schneider, professor of religion at Calvin College for 25 years, “chose to request retirement on terms that reflected his love and respect for the college, the faculty, and the students, and his desire that his scholarship not cause harm or distraction. The college, with appreciation and respect for Professor Schneider's many contributions and faithful service as a scholar and teacher, agreed to grant such retirement as of June 30, 2011.” more >>