News

Go Figure

Get the numbers on cancer patients, American Idol, and lay leaders.

11.3% Highly religious cancer patients who received mechanical ventilation during the last week of life, in a study of 345 advanced cancer patients.

3.6% Least religious patients who received mechanical ventilation.

(Source: Journal of the American Medical Association)

6 Number of the 11 American Idol finalists who regularly perform at places of worship.

3 Number who have worked as worship leaders at a church.

(Source: Associated Press)

31% Congregations that would accept a member of a cohabiting unmarried couple as a lay leader.

23% Congregations that would accept a member of an openly homosexual couple as a lay leader.

(Source: National Congregations Study)

Copyright © 2009 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

See our earlier Go Figure postings from April 2009, March 2009, February 2009, January 2009, December 2008, November 2008, October 2008, September 2008, August 2008, July 2008, June 2008, May 2008, April 2008, March 2008, February 2008, January 2008, December 2007, November 2007, October 2007, September 2007, and earlier issues.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

News

The Not-for-Profit Surge

John W. Kennedy

Books Uncommon and Offbeat

John Wilson

Keeping Holy Ground Holy

Nathan Bierma

Theology in Wood and Concrete

Gary Wang

Praying 'Deliver Us from Evil'

Compiled by Richard A. Kauffman

Surveying the Wondrous Cross

Review

Science and the Mystic

Abolishing Homelessness in Ten Years

My Top 5 Spiritual Memoirs

Lauren Winner

What Do Prayer Studies Prove?

Gregory Fung and Christopher Fung

News

More Giving, Less Taxing

A Christianity Today Editorial

News

Pressure to Prove Himself

Sarah Pulliam

News

'The Perfect Hybrid'

Sarah Pulliam

Review

What to Do with the Stranger?

Tony Carnes

Augustine's Origin of Species

Alister McGrath

From the Printing Press to the iPhone

Readers Write

Out of Step and Fine with It

Collin Hansen

News

Learning from Widows

Timothy C. Morgan

News

A Simple, Old-Fashioned Fundraiser

John W. Kennedy

CreationWatch

Why We Need Earthquakes

News

Passages

News

Be Careful What You Wish For

Sarah Pulliam

News

News Briefs: May 01, 2009

News

Quotation Marks

News

El Salvador's Values Voters

Deann Alford

Q & A: Carl Moeller

Interview by Timothy C. Morgan

News

Faith on the Frontera

C. L. Lopez

News

A Problematic Peace Accord

Compass Direct News

News

Caring for the Caregivers

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra

News

Church Pink Slips

Bobby Ross Jr.

News

In Over His Pay Grade

View issue

Our Latest

News

Died: John M. Perkins, Who Lived and Preached Racial Reconciliation

The civil rights leader believed in a gospel bigger than race or self-interest.

Review

Decoding the Supreme Court

Three books to read this month on politics and public life.

The Bulletin

Cost of Iran War, Quiet Southern Border, and Anglican Church Split

Mike Cosper, Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

The financial and moral toll of war, immigration slows but ministry continues, and why denominations split.

The Year of the Evangelical

America prepared for a bicentennial, and religious identity dominated the presidential campaign.

Q&A: Eric Mason on Ministering to Men and Witnessing in Politics

Interview by Benjamin Watson

The Philadelphia-based pastor discusses how the church can engage Black men and have a biblical approach to government.

Review

‘The Secret Agent’ Explores Memory and Authoritarianism in Brazil

Mariana Albuquerque

The Oscar-nominated film reminds viewers to learn from the past—and to share our stories with the next generation.

Jan Karon Looks Back on 89 Years of God’s Faithfulness

The author of the Mitford Years series married at 14, protested segregation, and wrote her first book at 57.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Michel Lusakueno: Why the World Can’t Ignore Congo

Exploring the sobering connection between modern convenience and human suffering.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube