Peace on earth in a land of unrest
TIBERIAS, Israel — An Israeli, a Serbian, a Canadian and an American walk into a Chinese restaurant on the western shore of the Sea of…
Perspective
Churches embrace hope, change
ABILENE, Texas — ‘The church is in jeopardy, but the kingdom is not in question.” My friend Randy Harris, author and professor emeritus at Abilene…
‘What a Gathering’: Diana Singing returns after three years
CORNERSVILLE, Tenn. — It might have been another victim of the pandemic. For the first time since 1969, the Diana Singing was canceled in 2020…
Editorial: Pray for teachers, and support them
Teachers are quitting. In droves. Who can blame them? They’re paid less, after inflation, than they were a decade ago. They’re paid less, too, than…
Court expands religious freedom
While much of media attention on the 2021-22 Supreme Court term has focused on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which in June overturned Roe…
In Uvalde, writer found purpose
UVALDE, Texas — "You’re not allowed to cry." That’s what I kept telling myself as people fell on their hands and knees, weeping. Never had…
‘Where did the people go?’
One of the most difficult questions to answer when pursuing the story of closed churches is, “Where did the people go?” Finding “Where have all…
Reflecting on the life of Eugene Lawton
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the…
Church closing trend began before COVID-19
MANCHESTER, Tenn. — When the Ragsdale Church of Christ closed its doors on March 6, it joined hundreds of other congregations nationwide that have ceased…
Where have all the churches gone?
Based on records maintained by 21st Century Christian, roughly 200 Churches of Christ in the U.S. closed between 2014 and 2021. These congregations encompassed every…
