Christianity
ArticleJimmy Swaggart’s rise and fall shaped the landscape of American televangelismThis article is originally published by republished from The Conversation. Jimmy Swaggart, one of the most popular and enduring of the 1980s televangelists, died on July 1, 2025, but his legacy lives. …Topics: Christianity, Media and Technology, Politics
ToolsPreaching Beyond the Walls of the Congregation: How Faith Leaders Can Use MediaCongregations are often on the frontlines of significant social issues, from poverty to immigration to polarization. Clergy’s moral leadership on these issues is grounded in both their spiritual traditions and the lived …Topics: Christianity, Media and Technology, preaching, Religious Leadership
Commentary‘No Kings’: The Rise Of Religious Authoritarianism In AmericaThis commentary was originally published in Religion Unplugged by a participant in the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s Compelling Preaching program. By Michael J. Christensen As fascism threatens to rise …Topics: Christianity, Politics, Religious Leadership
CommentaryWhy The Pope Matters In A World Of RivalriesThis article was originally published on Religion Unplugged. “Cheering for the Cubs is like praying to Allah,” my cousin, a White Sox fanatic and evangelical Christian, once quipped over Christmas dinner. According to …Topics: Catholicism, Christianity, Politics, Religious Leadership
AnnouncementFlourishing in Ministry Program Offers Coaching to SoCal PastorsPastoring a church can be fulfilling work — and it also can be demanding. Faith leaders often feel a divine call to accompany individuals on their spiritual and personal journeys. At the …Topics: Christianity, Religious Leadership, Southern California, Thriving Congregations
CommentaryChurches Come Together for Good Friday in Ocean BeachThe USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture provided seed funding for an ecumenical group of faith leaders serving San Diego’s Ocean Beach neighborhood through its Compelling Preaching Initiative. It seemed odd …Topics: Christianity, preaching, Religious Leadership, Southern California
ReportReimagining Church: A ToolkitEven as religious affiliation declines in the United States, some faith groups across religious traditions continue to thrive. But what does it mean to thrive? How can congregations grow more vital as …Topics: Christianity, Innovation and Change, Thriving Congregations
CommentaryPreaching Into our Post-Election DividesThe following were Richard Flory’s opening remarks at the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s Compelling Preaching Across Divides conference, held on November 20, 2024. Just two weeks ago, we had …Topics: Christianity, Evangelicalism, preaching, Richard Flory
EventCompelling Preaching Across DividesThe 2024 Election may be over, but our country and churches remain strongly divided. CRCC’s Compelling Preaching Initiative came together in Wednesday, November 20, 2024, to process the election, gain insights into …Topics: Christianity, preaching
EventHow Then Shall We Live? A Conversation Series“How Then Shall We Live?” is a series of conversations that examines critical issues shaping how humanity lives together today: the environment, polarization and artificial intelligence. Experts will share their perspectives on …Topics: Christianity, Event, preaching, Religious Leadership