Minnesota

A state representative’s pro-gay argument before a House panel in Minnesota is quickly going viral across the Internet.

Arguing against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Rep. Steve Simon (D-St. Louis Park) had urged members of the Civil Law Committee to vote “no” on Monday.

“We have to be careful about trying to enshrine our beliefs, however religiously valid you may believe them to be, in the Minnesota Constitution,” Simon told lawmakers, in a video uploaded by UpTakeVideo. more >>

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has made public his interest in the Republican presidential nomination by forming an exploratory committee for the 2012 election.

Pawlenty, a former two-term governor, unveiled his exploratory committee in a video posted on his Facebook page on Monday. In the video, he promised that together with Americans “we will restore America again.”

He is now the second Republican candidate, after Georgia businessman Herman Cain, to establish an exploratory committee. The committee will allow Pawlenty to raise more money for a possible run. more >>

In a split decision, a Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) panel on Monday acquitted a partnered homosexual minister, who faced charges of violating the church constitution.

The panel of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area voted 3-3 after a trial at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church. The decision fell short of the two-thirds vote required to convict the Rev. Erwin Barron.

A complaint was filed against Barron, who teaches at Chabot College in Hayward, Calif., after he married his gay partner, Roland Abellano in 2008. The two married in California during the few months that same-sex marriage was legal there. more >>

Bestselling author and pastor Francis Chan boldly declared before a crowd of pastors at the Desiring God conference Tuesday that prayer is what differentiates Christians from the world and other religions, stating, “Our God listens to us.”

During a session on “Prayer as a Way of Walking in Love,” the passionate preacher shared to 1,600 pastors and ministers that his prayer life is so powerful in connecting him with God that it even rivals Scripture in stirring his affections for God.

“There are days I can’t believe that God you love me that much. Are you kidding me? I know Jesus loves me because the Bible tells me so. But at this time in my life, I can know Jesus loves me because my prayer tells me so,” said Chan. more >>

John Piper returned to the pulpit Sunday after an eight month leave to reexamine his soul and work on his family life.

The respected preacher and author delivered a message focused on prayer titled, “Our Deepest Prayer: Hallowed Be Your Name,” based on Matthew 6:5-15. Those attending the service at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn., were asked to reflect on how Piper’s leave influenced the examination of their own heart for pride and on their priorities regarding time, according to the sermon resource posted on the church’s website.

Piper took his first-ever break from 30 years of ministry last year, from May to December, to work on what he described as the “sins of my own soul” and “ongoing character flaws.” more >>

Well-known evangelical theologian and pastor John Piper is scheduled to return to the pulpit in January.

Kenny Stokes, interim pastor for preaching at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, made the announcement this past weekend.

"His first weekend back, God willing, in the Bethlehem pulpit will be January 8 and 9," Stokes said. more >>