Daily briefs of the top news stories impacting Christians around the world.
In today's edition:
- Epsicopal Diocese Approves Commission to Support Gays
- Islamic Mlitants Hiding in Philippines' South
- Poll: 1 of 2 Americans Praying for Finances, Jobs
- Schullers Part Ways for TV's 'Hour of Power'
Epsicopal Diocese Approves Commission to Support Gays
The Christian Post reports that the California diocese of San Joaquin has approved a new "equality commission" to support homosexuals following its annual convention, continuing actions that contributed to a conservative breakaway group's reasons for leavingthe diocese in 2007. The new commission was created to "support, engage and affirm marginalized communities within the diocese, according to The Episcopal News Service," which were identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual and trangender persons among others. The commission continues in the vein of the national Episcopal Church, which ordained openly gay bishop Gene Robinson in 2003. The breakaway groups of San Joaquin and Pittsburgh have since left the national church and joined the more conservative Anglican Southern Cone in South America.
Islamic Mlitants Hiding in Philippines' South
Mission News Network reports that the southern of island of Mindanao in the Phillipines harbors nearly 60 Islamic militants fleeing from Indonesia and Malaysia, according to intelligence reports. According to one report, the militants include two key suspects in the 2002 Bali bombings. The radical Muslim group Abu Sayyaf is providing for these radical guests. Church leaders in the Philippines worry that this pocket will increas sectarian violence against Christians, who are already severely persecuted. Many pastors already must overcome poverty and lack of training as they attempt to evangelize, although groups such as Christian Resources International is hosting pastors' conferences in the country to help.
Poll: 1 of 2 Americans Praying for Finances, Jobs
According to an online post by Guideposts.com, one in two Americans is praying for financial relief or a new job, highlighting the impact of a slack economy. The Christian Post reports that 32 percent of respondents answered "financial relief," with 15 percent praying over new jobs as their most pressing prayer concern, the Christian Post reported. "The level of concern that people have for their finances, jobs, retirement accounts, and relief from money problems is starkly evident by how prominent it is in their prayers," observed Anne Simpkinson, online managing editor at Guideposts.
Schullers Part Ways for TV's 'Hour of Power'
Religion News Service reports that on upcoming broadcasts of the "Hour of Power" from the glistening Crystal Cathedral in Southern California, the face that will appear in the pulpit won't always be that of Robert A. Schuller, the son of founder Robert H. Schuller. The elder Schuller, 82, announced Sunday (Oct. 26) that differences between them about the future of the ministry have led to a decision to expand the platform of the broadcast. "It is no secret to any of you that my son, Robert, and I have been struggling as we each have different ideas as to the direction and the vision for this ministry as we move into the future," the elder Schuller wrote in an announcement made at a church meeting Saturday and posted on its Web site the next day. The younger Schuller is still senior pastor of the local church, but will no longer be the only preacher on the "Hour of Power."
