Category: News affecting the Church

INTERNATIONAL: Russian Orthodox Leader Criticizes Nuclear Rhetoric Amid Growing Tensions

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Patriarch Kirill, the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church and an ally of President Vladimir Putin, has spoken out against recent nuclear rhetoric directed at the West. During a congress in Moscow on Thursday, Kirill criticized discussions about nuclear weapons and apocalyptic scenarios, calling them unproductive and spiritually harmful. While he failed to name specific individuals about whom he was speaking, his remarks highlighted concerns over the tone of the ongoing geopolitical discourse.

Kirill’s comments come as some Russian officials have escalated their threats involving nuclear weapons. This increase in aggressive language followed Washington’s decision to permit Ukraine to use U.S.-supplied long-range missiles against targets within Russia’s recognized borders where attacks against Ukraine are launched. In response to the changing dynamics of the conflict, President Putin recently approved a military policy that expands conditions for the potential use of nuclear weapons.

At the Moscow event, Kirill emphasized the importance of moral action in the face of current events, stating that Christians should actively oppose wrongdoing. He expressed hope for future reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine, despite the “ongoing war.”

The war began on February 24, 2022 when Putin ordered his troops to invade Ukraine.

INTERNATIONAL: Church Break-In Thwarted by Martial Arts-Trained Pastor

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In a dramatic turn of events Thursday morning, a church burglary attempt at a U.S. church was stopped by the pastor after the man used an ax to gain entry.

Pastor Nick Neves responded to a security alarm and discovered a broken window at the First Family Church in Antioch, California. Upon investigating, he encountered an intruder attempting to steal items from the building.

Drawing on his martial arts training, Neves confronted the suspect who chose to fight rather than surrender. The pastor successfully subdued the individual and held him until local law enforcement arrived.

Photo: Antioch Police Department

Antioch Police officers quickly responded to the scene. They arrested the suspect and charged him with multiple offenses, including burglary, robbery, and battery.

Preliminary assessments indicate property damage to the church building at approximately $3,000. The incident highlights the unexpected challenges faced by community institutions.

Antioch Police shared details about the incident on the department’s Facebook page, emphasizing the quick thinking and physical preparedness of the pastor in protecting church property.

INTERNATIONAL: Rise in Anti-Christian Hate Crimes in Turkey Raises Concerns

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Reports show a significant rise in hate crimes targeting Christians in Turkey. Data from the Freedom of Belief Initiative (FOBI) highlights that such incidents have more than doubled over the past two years. In 2021, ten incidents were recorded, while in 2023, the number rose to 22.

Christians remain the primary victims of religious hate crimes in Turkey, with a total of 52 cases documented since 2020. These crimes range from harassment and property damage to acts of violence. The true scale of the issue may be higher, as many victims reportedly do not come forward due to fear of social exclusion.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has also noted several hate crime incidents against Christians in Turkey. These include not only physical violence but also broader patterns of intimidation. In addition, the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) reported in 2023 that Turkish authorities have increasingly targeted Christian pastors, missionaries, and their families with deportation orders and permanent re-entry bans.

Turkey’s treatment of its Christian minority is part of a broader historical and modern trend. Christians, who made up about 25% of the region’s population before 1914, now represent less than 0.5%. This dramatic decline follows decades of persecution, including the Armenian genocide from 1915 to 1916. During this period, approximately 1 million Armenian Christians were killed through mass executions, starvation, and other atrocities orchestrated by Ottoman authorities.

January 2024, Two gunmen burst into Church of St. Mary Draperis in Istanbul. ISIS claimed responsibility.

Turkey is ranked 50th on Open Doors’ World Watch List, which assesses global persecution of Christians. Factors like Islamic oppression and authoritarian governance contribute to the challenges faced by Christians in the country today.

The rise in anti-Christian hate crimes in Turkey occurs amidst a broader increase in such incidents globally. For example, the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) recently reported a 226% jump in hate crimes against Christians in Europe within a single year.

While the challenges faced by Christians in Turkey are not new, the growing frequency of targeted crimes underscores the ongoing risks for this minority group in a nation with a long history of religious conflict.

INTERNATIONAL: UK Congregation targeted by vandals for second time in a month

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St Margaret’s Church in Bowers Gifford, United Kingdom, was vandalized for the second time in one month. The incident occurred on Sunday, 24 November, shortly after the morning service.

The damage to the historic church includes a broken stained glass window, smashed vases, and a broken lectern. The church’s organ suffered extensive harm, with pipes removed and stonework thrown at it. The missing pipes have not yet been found. The estimated cost to repair the destruction is £15,000.

Two boys, aged 15 and 16, were arrested on suspicion of burglary and criminal damage. According to Essex Police, stolen items were recovered during the investigation. The suspects were later released on bail while inquiries continue.

The congregation shared an update on its Facebook page, stating, “Our worst fears have happened again. This time the culprits were caught and arrested. We thank the community for their support and help tidying up this mess.” The post also announced that the church would remain closed for the foreseeable future. Services will instead be held at St Margaret’s Academy Community Room.

Police investigations are ongoing.

Hal Lindsey, Influential Christian Author, Passes Away at 95 according to website

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(Photo above is a screenshot of hallindsey.com)

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Hal Lindsey, a prominent writer and television host known for his apocalyptic Christian literature, died on Tuesday according to his website. His death was announced just two days after he celebrated his 95th birthday.

Lindsey gained widespread recognition for his book “The Late Great Planet Earth,” published in 1970 by Zondervan. The publication quickly became a bestseller, arriving shortly after the Six-Day War and significantly contributing to discussions about dispensationalist theology and support for ethnic Jews.

A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary with a Master of Theology degree, Lindsey specialized in New Testament and early Greek literature. He pursued ministry work with Campus Crusade for Christ until 1969 and later supported a Southern California mission until 1976. During this period, he also served as a speaker and Sunday School teacher at Melodyland Christian Center in Anaheim, California.

Lindsey’s media career included hosting the “International Intelligence Briefing” on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). In 2005, the network temporarily removed his program, with Lindsey suggesting the decision related to his pro-Israel messaging. TBN’s owner, Paul Crouch, countered that the show was simply pre-empted for Christmas programming.

After resigning from TBN in January 2006, Lindsey launched “The Hal Lindsey Report,” a program focusing on biblical prophecy and current events. By January 2007, he had returned to the TBN network, financing the program independently.

In 1994, Lindsey earned a Doctorate of Theology from the California Graduate School of Theology. He continued writing throughout his career, with many of his subsequent works building upon themes introduced in his first book.

The specific cause of Lindsey’s death was not disclosed in the initial announcement.