Lighthouse Trails Research Journal
23
CURRENT NEWS CLIPS—AFFECTING THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following news clips are from various news
sources. They are posted for informational and research purposes and
not necessarily as an endorsement of the content or source.
“RICK WARREN, CALIF. BISHOP HAIL UNITY AS MODEL FOR EVAN-
GELICALS AND CATHOLICS TO FOLLOW”
BY STOYAN ZAIMOV | THE CHRISTIAN POST
Megachurch pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church and Cali-
fornia Roman Catholic Bishop Kevin Vann recently opened up
about their years-long friendship and cooperation as a model for
evangelicals and Catholics around the world to follow. . . . Vann
explained that his friendship with Warren began five years ago when
they met at his installation. . . . “I discovered the blessing of sharing
the concerns of ministry with Rick, talking about our homilies and
what we were both studying, and praying together. . . . Also, Rick’s
staff at Saddleback and our staff at the Diocese began to get to know
each other through various meetings, sharing not only our common
love for the Lord, but also our love for the Church, fellowship,
and praying together.” . . . A Pew Research Center survey, released
last month during the 500th anniversary year of the Reformation,
showed that Catholics and Protestants today are not as divided on
theological issues as they were centuries ago. (source: https://www.
christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-calif-bishop-hail-unity-as-
model-for-evangelicals-and-catholics-to-follow-199328/)
2-second still shot from YouTube video of Bishop Vann and Rick Warren
– September 2017; used in accordance with the US Fair Use Act.
“NEW MEXICO ‘CHURCH’ BECOMES FIRST IN MENNONITE CHURCH
USA TO APPOINT OPENLY LESBIAN ‘LEAD PASTOR’”
BY HEATHER CLARK | CHRISTIAN NEWS NETWORK
A “church” in New Mexico has become the first in the Mennonite
Church USA to appoint an open lesbian as “lead pastor.” Albuquer-
que Mennonite Church, which affirmed homosexual relationships
a decade ago, made the announcement on Monday that it had
chosen Erica Lea as its new leader. (source: http://christiannews.
net/2017/09/20/new-mexico-church-becomes-first-in-mennonite-
church-usa-to-appoint-openly-lesbian-lead-pastor/)
Volume 5—No. 6
“UK’S BIGGEST CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL TO SHOWCASE ISLAM”
BY CATHERINE PEPINSTER | RELIGION NEWS SERVICE
Greenbelt, the biggest Christian festival in the United Kingdom,
will feature Muslim worship for the first time this year. The de-
cision by organizers of the annual festival—which began more
than 40 years ago as a gathering that drew about 1,500 young
people—has stirred some controversy, according to organizers.
Now Greenbelt draws a much larger crowd of about 20,000 over
the August Bank Holiday weekend, Aug. 25-28, and offers not only
music but also theological discussion and opportunities to work on
social justice issues. While it sprung from evangelical Christians,
in recent years Greenbelt has expanded to include a much wider
range of participants, including an occasional Muslim speaker.
(source: http://religionnews.com/2017/08/18/biggest-christian-
festival-in-the-uk-decides-to-showcase-some-islam-too/)
“WHY MILLENNIALS ARE DITCHING RELIGION FOR WITCHCRAFT
AND ASTROLOGY”
BY KARI PAUL | MARKETWATCH
When Coco Layne, a Brooklyn-based producer, meets someone
new these days, the first question that comes up in conversation
isn’t “Where do you live?” or “What do you do?” but “What’s your
sign?” “So many millennials read their horoscopes every day and
believe them,” Layne, who is involved in a number of nonreligious
spiritual practices, said. “It is a good reference point to identify
and place people in the world.” Interest in spirituality has been
booming in recent years while interest in religion plummets, espe-
cially among millennials. The majority of Americans now believe
it is not necessary to believe in God to have good morals . . . Th