Faith Digest: Methodists study healthy churches

Faith Digest

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United Methodists have paid big bucks to find out the key to being a healthy church. The church recently concluded a study of more than 32,000 Methodist congregations across North America, seeking the key factors affecting vital congregations. Working with New York-based Towers Watson consultants, researchers constructed a “vitality index” to measure each church. The report identified four key areas that fuel vitality: small groups and programs; worship services that mix traditional and contemporary styles with an emphasis on relevant sermons; pastors who work hard on mentorship and cultivation of the laity; and an emphasis on effective lay leadership. These four factors “are consistent regardless of church size, predominant ethnicity and jurisdiction,” the study concluded.

Muslims launch survey. Muslim-American organizations have launched what they say will be the most comprehensive survey of mosques in the United States in a decade. The survey will provide figures for the number of U.S. mosques and the number of Muslims associated with those mosques, and attempt to ascertain the status of women in mosques. In addition, new questions will focus on radicalization and whether it is considered a growing problem in Muslim communities. The Council on American-Islamic Relations, the Islamic Society of North America and six other Muslim groups are sponsoring the survey. Researchers counted 1,900 mosques in a preliminary survey two years ago and intend to call leaders of 600 mosques with questions between July and September. Final results are expected next February.

Presbyterian assembly drops ban on gay ministers. At its general assembly in Minneapolis, the Presbyterian Church (USA) voted to lift a ban on partnered gay clergy. The resolution, which passed by a 373-323 vote, strips any mention of sexuality from ordination requirements. For the fourth time in nearly a dozen years, the denomination’s 173 regional presbyteries now must decide whether to ratify the general assembly’s vote to allow partnered gays to serve as elders, deacons and pastors. Although similar measures have failed at the presbytery level each time, in the most recent round of voting that ended last year, gay ordination fell just nine votes short of the simple majority needed for passage.

Vatican in the red again. The Vatican recorded a $5.2 million deficit for 2009 as investment in communication and building upgrades offset revenues from donations, according to new figures from the Holy See. The third consecutive deficit also was attributed to a decline in the property market and the global stock market, where the Vatican has significant investment in bonds and shares. The negative result—$314.7 million in revenue against $319.9 million in expenses—came despite an increase in donations from Catholics worldwide. The statement said the bulk of the Holy See’s costs were spent on Pope Benedict XVI’s activities and security, its telecommunications system, restoring monuments and treasure troves, and media projects such as Vatican Radio.

–Compiled from Religion News Service

 

 


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