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Good afternoon! It's Tuesday, May 31, and today's headlines include how some Christians are ministering in the metaverse, a stampede in Nigeria that left at least 31 people dead, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's presiding bishop's call for the denomination's first trans-identified bishop to resign.
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The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated an already growing problem within the Church: the loss of young people who choose to walk away from their faith or the Church when they become young adults. In the wake of research demonstrating shifts in approaches toward faith, spiritual living, and maintaining a biblical worldview, some churches are shifting to the metaverse in a bid to reach younger audiences with the Gospel. Facebook's Che’von Lewis describes the metaverse as "a set of virtual spaces where you can create and explore with other people who aren’t in the same physical space as you."
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For example, earlier this month, nearly 500 people gathered online for the Metaverse Church Summit, which featured a host of Christians involved with ministry in the metaverse. Among those in attendance was Bill Willenbrock, a hospital chaplain who has been leading a Christian fellowship on VRChat for about three years. VRChat is a growing collection of more than 25,000 virtual reality worlds where some 30,000 users are online at any one time. Using avatars, Christians like Willenbrock can find ways to minister to others and discuss their faith in God. Willenbrock asserts, "The opportunity before us is just staggering. VR chat, metaverse in general is really like the Netflix of evangelism." |
Will the metaverse eventually replace the megachurch model of worship? Read more. |
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Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton has called for the resignation of the denomination's first trans-identified bishop amid allegations of racism and other issues. In a statement released Friday, Eaton concluded that she will not file official charges against The Rev. Megan Rohrer, who was installed last year as the leader of the California-based ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod. However, Eaton still believes that Rohrer should resign. Read more. |
Also of Interest...
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At least 31 people were killed in a stampede at an annual "Shop for Free" charity event organized by Kings Assembly Pentecostal church in Rivers state. A pregnant woman and children were among those killed. The annual fair, which was meant to offer hope, was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. local time on Saturday but many arrived as early as 5 a.m. to secure their place in line, The Associated Press said, quoting Grace Iringe-Koko, a
police spokeswoman. Read more. |
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The newly released Viewpoint Diversity Score from Alliance Defending Freedom and Inspire Insight "gauges U.S. corporations’ respect for religious and ideological diversity in the market, workplace, and public square." Per evaluations in those three key areas, most businesses received an "F," with computer software and internet services and retailing scoring especially low. Jarrett Stepman, The Daily Signal contributor and co-host of The Right Side of History podcast, discusses how woke companies are threatening the future of freedom in the U.S. and why it is essential people hold big business accountable to keep the free market free. Read more. |
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In the face of society's moral decline, Isaiah answered God's call during a leadership crisis—and today, God is calling believers to do the same. "If you let him, God will touch your life with fire from heaven. It’s up to you to say, 'It may not seem like the right time, and I may not feel like the right person, but here I am. Send me anyway,'" Oral Roberts University President Dr. William Wilson writes. Read
more. |
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Don’t Miss This! Volume 2 of The Christian Post Magazine
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Each issue includes 10+ feature stories along with graphics and designs by CP’s design studio.
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A branch of Ukraine's Orthodox Church announced Friday that it's breaking from Russia over President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, declaring its "full independence" against Russia's spiritual authorities. Church leaders released a statement condemning Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine and Patriarch Kirill, the head of Russia's church, for supporting the "special military operation" in Ukraine. Kirill has voiced support for the war in a series of sermons, calling on Russians to "rally around" the authorities, while accusing "enemies" of attempting to destroy the unity between the two nations. Read more. |
Also of Interest...
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Celebrity Master P, born Percy Robert Miller, has revealed he is mourning following the death of his 29-year-old daughter, Tytyana Miller. The dad, who discussed the importance of talking about mental illness and substance abuse, declared, "With God, we will get through this." Read more. |
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The matriarch of the famous Baldwin family, Carol Baldwin, died at 92 earlier this month. Her son, Stephen Baldwin, said he will see her again, explaining he had the honor of baptizing her. The Baldwin son took to Instagram to share, "August 4th, 2014, this was the day I knew for sure I would never have to worry about my mom again," alongside a photo of his mother emerging from the water in Skaneateles Lake after asking Baldwin and his wife to baptize her. The son thanked God for the women in his life, saying he baptized his mother the day after she asked at the encouragement of his wife. Read more. |
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Thank you for spending part of your day with us. We look forward to seeing you again tomorrow! -- CP Editors
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