Church Politics

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, Queen Elizabeth II participated in a ceremony held at England’s famed Westminster Abbey.

Dr. Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury, highlighted the importance of the King James Version to every future translator attempting to keep the Bible modern and relevant.

“The temptation is always there for the modern translator to look for strategies that make the text more accessible and when that temptation comes, it doesn't hurt to turn for a moment… to this extraordinary text,'' said Williams, according to The Associated Press. more >>

Up to 150 conservative and evangelical ministers are reportedly threatening to resign in Scotland, where the Church of Scotland is about to become the first Presbyterian church in the world to allow the ordination of openly gay ministers.

The 450 year-old Christian establishment and cradle of Presbyterianism famously voted for allowing gay ministers in May, causing mass protests of current ministers.

Presently, as many as 150 serving ministers are considering resignation, The Guardian reported Monday. In addition, at least six ministers have left the church since May. One minister and his entire congregation, a church at Gilcomston South in Aberdeen, even reportedly threatened to leave as a group. more >>

Christian health care providers were given the opportunity to express their concerns to Congress on Wednesday regarding a mandate that forces them to provide their insurers with contraception coverage.

The rule was passed last year as part of President Obama’s controversial health care overhaul. It is scheduled to go into effect next August. The overhaul package includes numerous components designed to improve women’s health. However, religious health care providers say that by mandating they provide contraception coverage, Congress is infringing on their religious rights.

“I think some members (of Congress) were generally receptive to our message. However, others were very opposed to it. The opposition believes that government should provide contraceptives and sterilization methods to citizens. This violates our religious beliefs,” William Cox, CEO of Alliance of Catholic Health Care, told The Christian Post. more >>

The ban on gay ceremonies in religious institutions in England is set to be lifted. According to reports, liberal MP Lynne Featherstone will make the announcement later today. However, the removal of the ban will not be official until Dec. 5.

Members of the Church of England have already voiced opposition to the idea of having gay ceremonies in their house of worship. The Church of England has stated that it has “no intention” of hosting civil ceremonies within their churches.

However, British Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone stated that "no religious group will be forced to host a civil partnership registration, but for those who wish to do so this is an important step forward.” more >>

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles is warning the American people that they are slowly beginning to lose one of their fundamental rights as citizens of the United States: freedom of religion.

In a recent article written for First Things, Gomez listed examples of how the federal government has been both interfering with and imposing its beliefs on private employers who conduct business according to religious doctrine, primarily within Catholicism.

"Just last week, the federal government declined a grant request from the U.S. bishops' Migration and Refugee Services agency," wrote Gomez. "We are not really sure why. No reason was given. Our agency has been working well with the government since 2006 to help thousands of women and children who are victims of human trafficking." more >>

A pair of churches each bearing the name "Mars Hill" have made amends after nearly beginning a legal battle over who possessed rights to the name.

Seattle's Mars Hill Church issued a cease and desist letter to Sacramento's Mars Hill Community Church last week, presenting the possibility of legal action over the moniker both ministries share. Social media backlash brought both parties to the bargaining table, and the two have since reached an agreement where Mars Hill Community Church will change its logo.

"I want to thank the Mars Hill Seattle staff for demonstrating a genuine brotherhood and passion for the kingdom of God," said Scott Hagan, Mars Hill Community Church's senior pastor, in a Sunday blog post titled "A Response from Pastor Scott Hagan, Mars Hill Community (Sacramento) to the 'Cease and Desist' Issued by Mars Hill (Seattle).” more >>