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1. Eight churches, including two of the country's most prominent, vote to leave
The big religion news today is the votes of eight northern Virginia Episcopal churches to leave the diocese of Virginia. The votes at two of the country's most prominent Episcopal parishes—colonial-era Truro Church and The Falls Church—weren't even close, with at least 90 percent voting to align with the Church of Nigeria. It's a significant development in the long story of the upheaval in the Anglican Communion. Those who want to follow it closely would do well to bookmark titusonenine, Stand Firm, Classical Anglican Net News, or any of the many Anglican blogs out there. We're watching, but we're not going to link to every press release, statement, photo, and doodle coming out of this debate. Bottom line: The Episcopal Church is breaking up, and it's about to have a major fight over property ownership.

2. More Haggard fallout
An effort at New Life Church in Colorado Springs to "ensure the leadership … is clean" has resulted in the resignation of an executive staff member, The Denver Post reported today. "Christopher Beard, who headed [twentyfourseven,] a ministry that trained young adults in leadership skills, stepped down Friday after admitting to 'a series of decisions displaying poor judgment, including one incident of sexual misconduct several years ago,'" the Post reported, quoting associate pastor Rob Brendle. Beard is also a former psychotherapist. In other Haggard news, the Post reported that the former National Association of Evangelicals president was due to narrate a video called "What Would Jesus Do?" for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The Post also had news over the weekend about Paul Barnes, another area pastor who recently resigned over sexual misconduct.

3. Church overwhelmingly backs guilty pastor
Nearly two weeks ago, Weblog noted the case of Macedonia Baptist Church pastor John Henry Walker, who pled guilty to tax evasion, bank fraud, and lying to federal authorities—then denied Communion to church members who had criticized him during the scandal. Apparently he has done more than that. "Attorney Mike Todd, a Walker critic at the church, said he and four others were turned away [Sunday] because Walker had apparently revoked their membership," The Charlotte Observer reports today. Those who were allowed in "voted 181-32 to express confidence in Walker's leadership" and to keep him on as senior pastor. (Weblog wonders if it was a secret ballot, and if those 32 will be allowed in next week.) One member explained to the Observer: "A good preacher. … If he done wrong, the Lord will take care of it when he gets up there."

4. A burning question 'solved'
French scientists say supposed remains of Joan of Arc are … um. Well, here's The Guardian (emphasis added):

Catholic saint, national icon and one of the world's most famous military leaders, Joan of Arc has been a subject of fascination for the French for almost six centuries. Now academics believe they are close to proving that controversial relics are actually those of the real-life Maid of Orleans.

Here's The Independent:

One of the most tantalising studies in forensic science appears to have ended in disappointment. The preliminary conclusion by a team of experts trying to determine whether a rib bone and a piece of cloth were the remains of Joan of Arc is that the items are probably not connected to the 15th century French heroine.

Here's the Associated Press:

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December (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50