C.J. Mahaney has announced that he is stepping down as president of Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) with the closure of his office to make way for an executive director during the church group's organizational restructuring.

"As that new polity takes effect, I will be transitioning from the role of President, and the Executive Committee will recommend an individual for confirmation by the Council of Elders to serve in the newly formed role of Executive Director," Mahaney wrote last week in a blog post at SGM's website.

"In October, I informed the Board of Sovereign Grace that I was withdrawing my name from consideration for Executive Director as I don't think my gifts and sense of call are the best fit for certain aspects of this new role," he added, revealing that he made the same announcement to SGM pastors in November at an annual pastors conference. more >>

Episcopalians in South Carolina who remain loyal to The Episcopal Church reaffirmed their ties to the denomination in light of their diocese leadership breaking away over theological differences.

At the Annual Diocesan Convention held Friday and Saturday in Charleston, representatives from The Episcopal Church in South Carolina voted to make their governing documents conform with those of the national denomination.

TEC in SC representatives also elected trustees and ecclesiastical court members. An estimated 250 people representing 10 parishes, 11 missions, eight "continuing parishes and missions," and six worship communities were present. more >>

In a recent interview, former church leader Rob Bell sought to clarify the reason why, in late 2011, he left Mars Hill Bible Church in Grandville, Mich., arguing that he was not driven out by his congregation over his controversial book Love Wins. Rather, he and his wife felt they had a new spiritual calling awaiting them in California.

A November 2012 piece in The New Yorker implied that Bell and his wife, Kristen, had an immense fallout with the Mars Hill Bible congregation after the release of his book, Love Wins: A Book About Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, which questioned the existence of a literal and eternal hell and the evangelical teaching that only those who believe in Jesus Christ go to heaven.

The New Yorker article claims that Bell lost members of his congregation numbering in the thousands as a result of his controversial book. more >>

The Executive Committee of the Baptist World Alliance met this week to discuss several matters, including that of its ongoing dialogue with the Roman Catholic Church.

Eron Henry, associate director of communications for the Baptist World Alliance, told The Christian Post that the report on the dialogue has still not been finalized. "The report of the dialogue between Baptists and Catholics will be available for public consumption after it has been formally accepted and approved by the BWA General Council in July," said Henry.

"Both the BWA and the Vatican are in the process of approving, adopting or ratifying the report. Until that is done it cannot yet be deemed to be an official document." more >>

Nearly six in ten American Catholics believe it would be a good thing for the Catholic Church if the next pope allows priests to get married, according to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center in February.

The study, which examined the attitudes of American Catholics as they look forward to welcoming a new pope, showed overall that Catholics were divided on the direction they would like their new leader to take the church. Just over half, 51 percent, of American Catholics feel that the new pope should maintain the church's current traditions, while 46 percent feel the church should go in a new direction.

Among traditions that Catholics would like to see retired is the required vow of celibacy for priesthood. According to the study, approximately six-in-ten, or 58 percent, of Catholics say it would be a good thing for the Catholic Church if priests are allowed to marry if they wish to do so. Some 35 percent of Catholics say it is a bad idea. The majority of Catholics supporting the idea attend mass less than once a week. more >>

Motivational speaker, author and ministry leader Nick Vujicic is one of several well-known Christian leaders that will be speaking at the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB) 2013 Convention & Exposition in Nashville. The four-day event that begins this Saturday is the largest nationally and internationally recognized gathering dedicated to the field of Christian communications.

"God has used Nick to inspire, motivate, and touch lives around the world," commented NRB President & CEO Dr. Frank Wright. "More importantly, many have found the hope they seek in Jesus Christ through his faithful witness. I'm excited to have him speak at NRB 2013."

Born without arms and legs, Vujicic has devoted his life to telling others about Jesus. As president of the non-profit organization Life Without Limbs, Vujicic travels around the world, speaking to large audiences about overcoming obstacles and finding hope in God. He is delivering the International Keynote session on Tuesday. more >>