Current Events

Churches Removed for LGBT Inclusion

The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) has removed a Minnesota church over “policies and practices that are inconsistent with the denomination’s human sexuality guidelines.” The church allowed for same-sex marriage and the full participation of LGBT members in church life. Weeks before, a Seattle church decided to voluntarily remove itself from the ECC over LGBT inclusion rather than face a removal vote. In its letter announcing its withdrawal, the pastor said ECC “has become a space that prioritizes doctrinal uniformity on a singular issue over relational unity in areas that are non-essentials of faith.” ECC does not ask its pastors to subscribe to extensive statements of faith other than six essential doctrines, but since 2015, it has also asked ECC pastors to refrain from participating in same-sex weddings. This has become a sticking point for some who have changed their position on LGBT inclusion. “We agree on 99.9 percent of things. This one matter…I would contend is a nonessential,” said one such pastor. This is not a new fight for the ECC; in 2018 similar actions took place. Some hoped that decisive action would settle the issue.

—ChristianityToday.com

Ohio Abortion Fight

Abortion rights advocates in Ohio beat back a measure that would have made their push to put abortion rights in the state’s constitution more difficult. It was projected that voters in the state rejected a proposal known as Issue 1. This would have raised the threshold to pass constitutional amendments from a majority to a 60% vote. It was widely seen as a proxy battle over the proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights that will be on Ohio’s ballots in November. If the abortion measure is approved by voters later this year, the amendment would override Ohio’s 2019 law that bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy without exceptions.

—CNN.com

Kidnappings in Haiti

After another kidnapping, many Haitian Christians cannot travel, work, or worship safely. The threat of gang violence around Port-au-Prince continues to disrupt ministry. On July 27 an American nurse and her daughter were kidnapped and remain missing. Those in the Western Region of the Baptist church (including Port-au-Prince) worship under tremendous safety risks while those in rural communities can worship more freely. Church attendance has dropped where many members have lost their jobs or simply cannot travel to work amid the violence. Churches have reduced the frequency of worship services and Bible study and have cancelled evening events. Community outreach continues with the risk of pastors being kidnapped or shot. Numerous kidnappings occur daily in the capital city. Gangs who control the city typically kidnap residents for ransom while pressuring families to remain silent. Yet pastors—and the Haitian people in general—remain hopeful, as the country cannot go any lower than the way it is now. Plans are now being made for worship and mission work once the violence subsides.

—ChristianityToday.com

Prayer Outside Abortion Clinic a Crime

A United Kingdom military veteran has been criminally charged for silently praying in a “buffer zone” outside an abortion clinic. He said his silent praying is indistinguishable from someone looking down at their cell phone or waiting for a taxi. However, because of local “buffer zone” laws, local authorities issued him a penalty notice. The criminal charges carry steep monetary fines. “It is unfathomable that in an apparently free society I am being criminally charged on the basis of what I expressed silently in the privacy of my own mind,” he said. The “buffer zone” covers roughly six streets around the British Pregnancy Advice Service clinic and is enforced 12 hours a day. The zones were made when officials deemed it necessary to stop people from praying and handing out informational leaflets about abortion outside the clinics.

—FoxNews.com

Dangers Growing for Christians in Sudan

As the conflict in Sudan continues, the danger for Christians is growing; field partners are reporting that the situation is devastating. It is reported the fighting has claimed at least 3,000 lives with fears Sudan is close to a full-scale civil war, and more than 3.3 million people have been displaced. There is growing concern among international and African humanitarian agencies that there is not enough aid to assist the millions of displaced people. Sudan is No. 10 on the 2023 World Watch List, making it an incredibly difficult place to live for Christians, even in peaceful times. Reports show that more than 165 churches have closed during the conflict, and at least 15 have been destroyed. Churches are also reporting daily human rights violations. So far, the cease-fire agreements do not hold long, there is no improvement on human rights handling and no willingness to cease hostilities. One field partner said, “Christians in Sudan are especially vulnerable and on the receiving end…there are many terrible things happening around the world, but do not forget about your brothers and sisters in Sudan…There are many Christians still present in the war zones today who do not have any means to flee.” Yet there are glimmers of God at work amidst the chaos. There are many vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly, and people who are disabled and sick and are unable to flee. Seven Catholic nuns have welcomed these people into their church home, giving them a safe place to hide, food to eat, and medicine.

—OpenDoorsUS.org

Christians’ Concern after Niger Coup

Wary of war and sanctions, Niger’s Christian minority nervously prays for peace. The military coup in Niger has now entered its third week. Leaders of other West African states threatened military action and have imposed sanctions. Niger had been the last bastion of Western military cooperation against jihadist militants. Niger ranks No. 28 on the World Watch List. A Nigerian who is a senior analyst for freedom of religion and belief in sub-Saharan Africa said, “[The coup] plunged Niger into a new era of uncertainty…but compared to our neighbors, we had been in a much better situation. For the first time in our history, we had a president complete two terms in office before ceding power in democratic elections…I can’t remember the last time we suffered a terrorist attack. Despite its poverty, Niger is home to 300,000 refugees from other nations—because it has been safe. All this shows there was no justification for the coup, which is a major political setback. Active militants will take advantage of the resulting instability. Military intervention [from neighbors] would create chaos, providing safe haven for terrorists…Nigerian Christians have no political opinion, but they do oppose the imposition of economic sanctions against their nation. These will affect everyone, as would war. For the most part, Christians are concerned, afraid that if chaos continues, they will be among the first to pay the price.”

—ChristianityToday.com

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