June 12 The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) wrapped up its annual meeting in Dallas with no major reforms enacted. Proposals to abolish the ERLC, amend the constitution to bar churches with women pastors, and adopt new requirements for financial transparency all failed to pass. The SBC did, however, pass resolutions denouncing sports betting, pornography, abortion, and same-sex marriage, and reelected Clint Pressley as president, all by wide margins. (Christianity Today)
June 11 The Dead Sea Scrolls are being exhibited in the U.S. for the first time in nearly a decade at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, CA, through September 2, 2025. This exhibit features two dozen scrolls, including the Great Psalms Scroll, alongside over 200 artifacts from the Second Temple period, such as the Magdala Stone and a reconstructed Sea of Galilee Boat, providing a rare glimpse into Jewish life at the time of Jesus. (Biblical Archaeology Society)
June 11 Among evangelical pastors, 20% take the Bible completely literally, while 70% believe it is inspired and without errors but includes symbolic elements. Similarly, 67% of Black Protestant clergy favor the inspired-but-symbolic interpretation. In contrast, 70% of mainline pastors say the Bible is inspired but contains culturally bound or historically inaccurate material. Catholic priests are evenly split between these two perspectives. Virtually no mainline or Catholic clergy take a literalist view. (Christianity Daily)
June 11 A recent analysis of the National Survey of Religious Leaders reveals varying levels of certainty in faith among clergy. While 98% of Black Protestant and 89% of evangelical pastors express unwavering belief in God, 26% of mainline and 15% of Catholic clergy said they believe in God but experience occasional doubt. Virtually none expressed being agnostic or atheist, though. These findings suggest varying levels of comfort with doubt in various traditions. (Religion Unplugged)
June 11 China’s state-sanctioned churches are now required to sing Chinese Communist Party anthems before worshiping Jesus, as part of the government’s “2025 Church Music Ministry Blueprint.” Churches must also use government-approved worship songs via a designated app. Yet despite these restrictions, underground efforts like radio broadcasts continue to provide access to traditional hymns and the Gospel, offering hope to Chinese Christians. (Christian Daily)
June 10 The Asian Evangelical Leadership Forum (AELF), themed “Disciple or Die 2.0,” has opened in South Korea, uniting leaders to accelerate discipleship across Asia. Organized by the Asia Evangelical Alliance, the forum focuses on a ten-year plan to double Asia’s mission force by 2035. Priorities include family discipleship, youth empowerment, mission mobilization, and leveraging AI for evangelism. (Christian Daily)
June 9 Gen Z is driving a surge in Bible sales, which were up 22% in the U.S. in 2024 and nearly doubled in the UK since 2019, as young people turn to the Bible for answers amid global instability and mental health struggles. Social media influencers and hashtags like #Bible amplify the trend. But while curiosity is high, only 4% of Gen Z holds a traditional biblical worldview, highlighting a gap between curiosity and commitment. (RELEVANT)
June 9 A new Pew Research report shows Islam as the fastest-growing religion globally, driven by high fertility rates and younger populations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Christianity, though still the largest religion, experienced the sharpest decline due to lower fertility rates and religious switching. The religiously unaffiliated, or “nones,” have grown to 24% of the global population, predominantly in China. (RNS and Religion Unplugged)
June 9 A Church of England survey found that the Lord’s Prayer is slightly more recognizable than the iconic Star Wars phrase, “May the Force be with you.” The survey asked 2,000 people if they could match famous lines from film, literature, and history with their source. Among that group, 80.3% identified lines from the Lord’s Prayer, compared to 79.9% for the Star Wars quote. (Christian Today)
June 9 The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is holding its annual meeting in Dallas this week to address several challenges. Delegates will vote on proposals allocating $3 million for abuse-related legal fees, requiring additional financial disclosures, and defunding the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). The SBC will also vote once again on whether to require affiliated churches to appoint only male pastors, in line with its doctrinal stance. (Christianity Today)
June 7 CURE International and Biblica have partnered to distribute over 87,000 Bibles in 22 languages to families of children receiving surgical care at CURE’s hospitals across Africa and the Philippines. These hospitals integrate spiritual ministry with treatment for complex disabilities, helping children and families experience healing and embrace faith. Funded by donors, the initiative also connects patients to Bible studies and local pastors post-treatment. (Christianity Daily)
June 7 The Free Church tradition, once a persecuted minority and now the largest Protestant stream globally, celebrated its 500th anniversary in Amsterdam. Originating in 1525 in Switzerland with an emphasis on believer’s baptisms and the separation of church and state, the movement faced severe persecution but spread rapidly across Europe. Today, encompassing Baptists, Mennonites, Pentecostals, and others, it counts nearly a billion adherents worldwide. (Christian Daily)
June 7 Over 10 million pilgrims have visited Rome since the start of the Jubilee Year on December 24, 2024, with numbers expected to exceed 30 million by its conclusion on January 6, 2026. Upcoming events include the Jubilee of Movements, Associations, and New Communities (June 7–8), the Jubilee of Priests (June 25–27), and the Jubilee of Youth, (July 28 to August 3), which could bring in over a million young people. (Aleteia)
June 6 Brazil’s 2022 census reveals a significant religious shift, with Catholics now comprising 56.7% of the population, down from 82.9% three decades ago. Evangelicals have surged from 9% to 26.9% in the same period, especially among women and racial minorities, though growth now appears to be slowing. The census also shows a rise in the religiously unaffiliated, now at 9.3%, and growth in Afro-Brazilian religions. (Christianity Today)
June 5 Influential biblical scholar and theologian Walter Brueggemann died age 92. Known for his work on the Hebrew Bible, particularly the prophets, Brueggemann authored over 100 books, including the seminal “The Prophetic Imagination.” A revered preacher and mentor, especially among mainline Protestants, Brueggemann resisted dominant scholarship trends that distanced the reader from the Bible, seeking instead to help pastors hear God’s voice within it. (RNS)
June 5 In Japan’s remote Nagasaki islands, the unique traditions of Hidden Christians, who preserved their faith in secrecy during centuries of persecution as portrayed in the book and movie Silence, are nearing extinction. With most practitioners now elderly, younger generations moving away, and persecution no longer a concern, the rituals and communal bonds that sustained this faith are fading. But efforts to document and preserve its heritage are underway. (RNS)
June 5 In Nigeria’s Benue state, Fulani herdsmen have killed at least 86 Christians in recent weeks, prompting calls for a military emergency. The attacks have left villages devastated, with homes burned and residents displaced. Local leaders accuse security forces of inaction, despite military checkpoints near attack sites. Nigeria remains extremely dangerous for Christians, with thousands killed annually, as highlighted by the 2025 World Watch List. (Christian Daily)
June 4 Cambridge University Press is celebrating 100 years of its iconic KJV Cameo Bible with a Centenary Edition featuring luxurious golden brown calfskin leather, which will develop a unique patina over time. Known for its elegant design and practical reference tools, the Cameo Bible was first released in 1925 for the casual sum of £2,297 (roughly £130,000 or $175,000 today). The Centenary Edition will debut at a rather more modest £235 / $350. (Christian Today)
June 4 Together with other religious minorities, Christians in India are rallying against rising violence and discrimination under the Hindu-nationalist BJP government. The Christian Rohingya community in Delhi, for example, has been facing a severe crackdown, with refugees detained and deported under harsh conditions. The “show of unity,” which has received support from Muslim and other tribe and caste groups, will be held nationwide June 9. (Christian Today and Christianity Today)
June 4 With up to 100,000 U.S. houses of worship at risk of closure in the next decade, some suggest social enterprise as a solution. By generating revenue and reducing costs, faith institutions can repurpose underused spaces like sanctuaries, halls, and kitchens for community services or rentals such as preschools, pickleball courts, or food businesses. Larger projects, like mixed-use developments, are also gaining traction. (Religion Unplugged)
June 3 Get ready for a new kind of Bible influencer. AI “filmmaker” PJ Accetturo has ignited controversy with viral AI-generated videos reimagining Bible characters as modern influencers, such as Jonah vlogging (video blogging) from inside a whale. While some praise the creative attempt to engage with younger audiences, others criticize it as “cringey” and sacrilegious. Either way, this is surely just the beginning of AI’s influence on faith-based storytelling. (RELEVANT)
June 3 A report by the Evangelical Alliance, based on 280 UK adults who became Christians in the last five years, found that a welcoming church (59%) and Bible reading (47%) were the key factors in helping them explore Christianity. Other influences included spiritual experiences (39%), small groups (42%), and the actions of Christians (38%). Many began exploring faith due to dissatisfaction with life (37%) or seeking meaning (34%). (Christian Today)
June 3 In other pastor research news, a Lifeway Research study found that only 1.2% of evangelical and Black Protestant pastors leave ministry annually, a rate unchanged over the past decade. Most departures are due to a change in calling (37%), but burnout (22%) and church conflict (23%) also play a part. Despite often feeling overwhelmed (57%) or isolated (34%), 91% of pastors believe they can stay in their current roles as long as they wish. (Christianity Today)
June 3 Recent studies of U.S. churches reveal a paradox: While 70% of U.S. congregations have 100 or fewer attendees, the largest 9% of churches account for half of all churchgoers. Similarly, while the average church has 70 active members, the average churchgoer worships in a congregation of 360. Despite higher per capita giving and volunteerism, small churches face financial instability and aging memberships. Many expect to close within 10 years. (Lifeway Research)
June 2 American football team the New York Jets’ head coach introduced Bible study sessions as part of the team’s training program. The initiative was revealed through one player’s Instagram post sharing his 5-question worksheet on 1 Timothy 1:12-20. The post generated mixed reactions online, with some fans and players praising the spiritual focus, while others raised concerns about its appropriateness in a professional sports setting. (RELEVANT)
June 2 A recent study led by Dr. Will Gervais of Brunel University London suggests that even in secular societies, atheists may intuitively favor religion over atheism. The research, which involved placing 3,800 participants from eight low-religiosity countries into moral judgment scenarios, found participants were 40% more likely to view actions leading to atheism as intentional harm compared to those promoting religion. This bias persisted even among atheists. (Christian Today)
June 2 Churches across the UK are gearing up for a 36-hour prayer marathon over Pentecost weekend (June 6-8), as part of the Shine Your Light 2025 evangelism initiative. Organized by the National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW), the event aims to unite believers in prayer and outreach amidst national division. The prayer session will include both online gatherings and activities hosted by local churches. (Christian Today)
June 1 A new pope was elected, old graves were exhumed, and old controversies are new again in the World Evangelical Alliance. It was the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and there were gatherings and conferences of the African church, Chinese church in diaspora, Evangelical Press, and more. All that, plus the world’s largest Bible page — catch up on the biggest, strangest, and most inspiring Bible and church news stories of May!
