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September 18, 2025

This edition is sponsored by Church Growth Engine

Today’s Briefing

The pro-life movement needs men’s voices. Activists are working to get them to speak up.

Two lawsuits accuse evangelist Greg Laurie of failing to prevent sexual abuse at Romanian orphanages.

In Louisville, Kentucky, Mike Cosper hears from young Christians about Charlie Kirk’s legacy.

The White House’s new prayer initiative goes beyond America’s historical calls to prayer.

A Bible scholar reviews the final book released by the late Richard Hays.

This week on The Bulletin, grappling with the loneliness epidemic and remembering 9/11.

Behind the Story

From CT copy editor Elise Brandon: A few weeks ago, I sighed when I noticed social-media hyphenated in a book. In context it passed the grammar test, but I could practically see the copy editor adding the hyphen on the other side of the page.

I try not to be noticed. My job is to stay in the background and fix clunky wording, typos, and inconsistencies before they get published. If I’m spotted, I know I’m doing something wrong, whether intruding on a writer’s style (overediting) or neglecting readers (underediting).

The best copy editors have empathy for both writers and readers, sticking to the rules that matter while allowing for creative freedom. Alas, that balance is so hard people have written books about it.

When I copyedited a book during an internship, the project manager emailed me a gentle reminder that it freaks writers out to see digital red ink all over a page, and we only have so much time for editing. Basically, chill out.

I’m forever shutting down my internal grammar nerd and ignoring Microsoft Word’s suggestions—and that’s a good thing.

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In Other News

Apologist Frank Turek speaks out for the first time since witnessing Charlie Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University and riding with him to the hospital after the shooting.
An Indonesian province suspended two church building projects due to pushback from the Muslim majority.
The box office draw of religious movies seems to be growing: The new film The Conjuring made $194 million on opening weekend.

Today in Christian History

September 19, 821: Theodulf, poet, scholar, secretary of education, and bishop of Orleans during Charlemagne’s reign is buried. He wrote hymns, among which his best remembered is “Gloria Laus et Honor” or “All Glory, Laud and Honor / To thee Redeemer King.

Why Charlie Kirk Landed with Young Men Like Me

When Charlie Kirk was assassinated, the images spread quickly: candlelight vigils across the country. Young men in polos and cross necklaces stood shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed. People carried signs…

Oldest Missionary Hospital in Kenya Forced to Close Its Gates

Jennipher Nanjala’s third pregnancy turned dangerous this spring when her water broke, spilling out in a greenish color, but she didn’t feel labor pains. The 42-year-old traveled more than 20…

Stepping In for Struggling Parents at Safe Families

Brenda Todd needs size 3T and 4T clothes for a little boy who is going to stay temporarily with a host family. He’s bringing nothing with him. Todd knows who…

Showing Love to Fearful Migrants at Restoration Outreach Programs

On a Monday evening, Ashley Leopold walked down the streets of Aurora, Colorado, calling young people to join the children’s ministry of Restoration Outreach Programs (ROP). “Are you coming?” she…

in the magazine

The Christian story shows us that grace often comes from where we least expect. In this issue, we look at the corners of God’s kingdom and chronicle in often-overlooked people, places, and things the possibility of God’s redemptive work. We introduce the Compassion Awards, which report on seven nonprofits doing good work in their communities. We look at the spirituality underneath gambling, the ways contemporary Christian music was instrumental in one historian’s conversion, and the steady witness of what may be Wendell Berry’s last novel. All these pieces remind us that there is no person or place too small for God’s gracious and cataclysmic reversal.

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