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Now, one can criticize megachurches in particular, and one can talk about the challenges of size, but recent research has demonstrated that it's almost impossible to say anything uniformly about "megachurches." A few trends that did emerge from the Hartford Seminary's Hartford Institute for Religion Research study, however, directly contradict Kobia's statements about theological depth and lack of commitment. What's notable about Kobia's statement is how familiar it sounds. Theologically shallow? A religion-is-for-Sunday-only mentality? That's not the megachurch, friend—that's the mainline churches that form the majority of the WCC. And as for being organized on corporate logic, if ever there were churches that look like boardrooms and shareholders' meetings, it's the mainline denominations and their ecumenical bodies. Still, it's safe for Kobia to slam megachurches. After all, most churches he represents don't have anything to worry about when it comes to getting too big.

5. $3,200,000,000 and rising for Katrina relief
Some organizations have raised so much money for Katrina relief that they're not taking any more, says The Chronicle of Philanthropy. Charities have raised about $3.2 billion, according to the publication's survey. Among the top recipients: The Salvation Army ($325M), Catholic Charities USA ($154.5M)

Habitat for Humanity ($95M), The United Methodist Committee on Relief ($62.4M), Samaritan's Purse ($36.9M), Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief ($20.1M), and World Vision ($10.9M).

Quote of the day:
"The faith community must step forward and tell leftist activists that undermining border security is not a religious imperative."

—U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo, R.-Colo., attacking the U.S. Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the United Methodist Church , and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for criticizing H.R. 4437. The bill, The bill, which is in the Senate after passing the House in January, would make it a crime for churches and nonprofit groups to aid someone if they have entered the country illegally.

Among the "radical activists" Tancredo attacked as misrepresenting the beliefs of the faith community is apparently Roman Catholic Archbishop Michael Sheehan of New Mexico, who has led Catholic criticism of the bill. "We don't condone illegal entry, but when someone is here, we try to take care of them," he told Scripps Howard News Service this week. "There is a kind of mean-spiritedness about immigrants, and as a Christian people, we try to show respect and love for all people, regardless of their status." Offended by his use of religious language? Tancredo says he is.

Nigeria riots | Muslim-Christian relations | Sudan | Uganda | Politics | Indiana House prayer fight | Immigration | Israel | Missions &ministry | WCC head criticizes megachurches | Church life | Abuse | New cardinals | ECUSA's second gay bishop | Sexual ethics | South Dakota abortion ban | Abortion | Death penalty | Courts & law | Religious drug use | UK faith schools | Evolution | Education | Art, entertainment, and media | Ala. fires | Other stories of interest

Nigeria riots:

1. Nigerian Christians mob Muslims | Christians in this southern Nigerian city burned Muslim corpses and defaced wrecked mosques Thursday, showing little repentance after days of sectarian violence that has killed more than 120 people across the country (Associated Press)
   
   

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February (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50