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As Willow Creek turns 50, the onetime 'church of the future' redefines success

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 10h

Willow Creek's legacy remains haunted by Bill Hybels -- the church's founder--who disappeared after being accused on sexual misconduct and has never admitted any wrongdoing
religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...

(RNS) — In the mid-1970s, a group of high schoolers and their former youth pastor started a church in a movie theater and named it Willow Creek. American religion hasn’t been the same since. The churc...

As Willow Creek turns 50, the onetime 'church of the future' redefines success

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 11h

50 years ago, a group of high school kids and their former youth pastors started a church in a movie theater. Churches in America would never be the same
religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...

(RNS) — In the mid-1970s, a group of high schoolers and their former youth pastor started a church in a movie theater and named it Willow Creek. American religion hasn’t been the same since. The churc...

As Willow Creek turns 50, the onetime 'church of the future' redefines success

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 2d

Willow Creek --a Chicagoland megachurch with a worldwide reach - turns 50 this year. Here's why that matters religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...

(RNS) — In the mid-1970s, a group of high schoolers and their former youth pastor started a church in a movie theater and named it Willow Creek. American religion hasn’t been the same since. The churc...

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 3d

the other stuff is fun

What happens when the church of the future gets old?

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 3d

Been working on this story about Willow Creek church for a while -- What happens when the church of the future gets old?

religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...

(RNS) — In the mid-1970s, a group of high schoolers and their former youth pastor started a church in a movie theater and named it Willow Creek. American religion hasn’t been the same since. The churc...

New Nashville museum celebrates Christian music, gospel

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 3d

Want to see Keith Green's guitar, the soundboard that launched Amy Grant's career, or the actual Christmas shoes? The Christian music museum in Nashville has it all

religionnews.com/2025/10/07/f...

(RNS) — The museum, devoted to the history of Christian and gospel music, opened late last week in Nashville. Organizers say it’s a sign Christian music is experiencing a revival.

Finding a faith that is stronger than death — or my family's rejection

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 15d

Remembering the one and only Heidi Hall, gone six years today religionnews.com/2019/09/26/f...

(RNS) — I want an afterlife like my life has been: one like Revelation 7:9, a great multitude of diverse people existing together in love of each other and their Creator. It’s not up to me to say who ...

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 20d

Of course-its the song everyone knows

How a beloved worship song became the theme song of Christian nationalism

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 20d

A look at why How Great is Our God, a hit worship song keeps showing up at MAGA events
religionnews.com/2024/05/01/h...

(RNS) — ‘How Great Is Our God’ has long been one of the most popular worship songs in Christian churches. Since 2020, it’s also become a theme song for Christian nationalist protesters.

Southern Baptist Convention breaks with the Evangelical Immigration Table

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 20d

all the worship hits but no How Great is Our God

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 20d

Holy Guacamole the Patriots are a mess

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 22d

Southern Baptists and other evangelicals have long said they wanted immigration reform that offers security and a path to citizenship. Then along came Trump

religionnews.com/2025/09/18/e...

(RNS)— The split reflects the dilemma immigration poses for evangelical leaders. Most evangelicals want reform that both secures the border and provides a path to citizenship — and want limited deport...

Palestinian Christians at Chicago conference ask fellow believers to stand against Gaza war

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 28d

"Do you know what the biggest problem with Christian Zionism is?” You cannot find Jesus in it.”
Palestinian Christian pastors say the Israel of the Bible is not the same as the modern-day state
religionnews.com/2025/09/12/p...

Glen Ellyn, Ill. (RNS) — The Christ at the Crossroads conference, organizers said, is aimed at moving US Christians from feeling bad about the war in Gaza to taking action to end it.

Palestinian Christians at Chicago conference ask fellow believers to stand against Gaza war

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 28d

Palestinian Christians say their suffering is met with skepticism, sympathy but no action
religionnews.com/2025/09/12/p...

Glen Ellyn, Ill. (RNS) — The Christ at the Crossroads conference, organizers said, is aimed at moving US Christians from feeling bad about the war in Gaza to taking action to end it.

Charlie Kirk, evangelical Trump supporter, dies after shooting at Utah campus event

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Reposted by Bob Smietana

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · Sep 10

Via @bmietana.bsky.social: Charlie Kirk, evangelical Trump supporter, dies after shooting at Utah campus event —> religionnews.com/2025/09/10/c...

(RNS) — Kirk was speaking at a debate hosted by his nonprofit political organization.

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · Aug 31

they have had so many lucky bounces this weekend as well

From addiction to the finish line: Shelter residents take on half-marathon

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · Aug 29

Talked with some guys who are training for a half marathon at at Wayside Cross, a recovery center and shelter outside Chicago
religionnews.com/2025/08/29/r...

(RNS) — Among those coaching the new runners is a former convict turned runner who recently finished the Boston Marathon.

How Johnnie Moore, evangelical PR guru, became the face of Gaza's embattled aid effort

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · Aug 27

How did a Christian PR exec and Jerry Falwell Sr. protégé become the face of a controversial Gaza relief group? @jackjenkins.me @adelle bas @adellembanks.bsky.social and @yonat.bsky.social explain
religionnews.com/2025/08/27/h...

(RNS) — ‘There’s nothing more Christian than feeding people,’ said Moore of the unexpected turn in his career. ‘How could I say no?’

How Johnnie Moore, evangelical PR guru, became the face of Gaza's embattled aid effort

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Reposted by Bob Smietana

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · Aug 27

Shoutout to my colleagues @bmietana.bsky.social, @adellembanks.bsky.social, and @yonat.bsky.social here — 'twas a lengthy team effort.

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · Aug 27

NEW: In June, Johnnie Moore, an evangelical PR expert and Trump adviser, surprised many when he took over the widely criticized Gaza Humanitarian Foundation.

Folks outside the religion world were left wondering: how did he end up there?

So @rns.org investigated: religionnews.com/2025/08/27/j...

(RNS) — ‘There’s nothing more Christian than feeding people,’ said Moore of the unexpected turn in his career. ‘How could I say no?’

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · Aug 23

At the @woosox.bsky.social game lovely park

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · Aug 23

He was great At the game while visiting for a wedding. Campbell had a good game too

How a former schoolteacher became the next Lutheran presiding bishop

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · Aug 14

Had a visit with Bishop Yehiel Curry, a former teacher turned Lutheran church planter-- who was just elected presiding bishop of the ELCA.
religionnews.com/2025/08/13/h...

(RNS) — The Rev. Yehiel Curry, a former lay church planter, will be installed as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in October.

How a former schoolteacher became the next Lutheran presiding bishop

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Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · Aug 14

Had a visit with Bishop Yehiel, a former teacher turned Lutheran church planter-- who was just elected presiding bishop of the ELCA.
religionnews.com/2025/08/13/h...

(RNS) — The Rev. Yehiel Curry, a former lay church planter, will be installed as presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in October.

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · Aug 12

that sounds great -