(RNS) — Members of Beaumont Presbyterian Church in Lexington, Kentucky, aren’t exactly keen on reopening their church for in-person worship anytime soon. Given the ongoing pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, the church’s pastor, the Rev. Stephen Fearing, said his congregation is unlikely to gather physically until June or July at the absolute earliest.

But as the congregants mull over whether to worship together again physically, Fearing says he knows exactly who they will speak with first: his insurer.

“We would never, ever consider getting back together without talking to our insurer,” Fearing said. “The liability is just too great.”

Insurance companies are primed to play an increasingly influential role for houses of worship as governors ease social distancing restrictions and many faith groups prepare to reopen their doors, with agents providing guidance and advice to policyholders wary of litigation should one of their worshippers contract or spread the disease. But questions remain as to how — or even if — insurers will cover communities struck by COVID-19, or how best to minimize risk in the midst of a pandemic.

Fearing said the situation has been on the minds of Beaumont and other Kentucky churches ever since Gov. Andy Beshear issued a stay-at-home order that largely barred faith groups from in-person gatherings on March 19, prompting most religious…

For the first time ever, the National Day of Prayer will meet online instead of in-person because of coronavirus shutdowns across the nation.

Marking its 69th year of observance, the National Day of Prayer 2020 has the potential to be the largest prayer “gathering” in American history as millions of people will be praying together in online events, CBN News reports. 

The first Thursday in May was named a National Day of Prayer by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, revising the law that was initially recognized by President Truman in 1962.

Typically, people would gather in over 60,000 local events to pray for America.

A Thursday evening livestream on Pray.com will feature Vice President Mike Pence along with Pastor Jack Graham, Pastor Greg Laurie, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, William Franklin Graham III, and Dr. Tony Evans at 7:00 pm Eastern/4:00 pm Pacific.

“Our nation needs prayer now more than ever, and so it is fitting that we gather on this day to remind us that we should seek the Almighty God every day in prayer,” said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Christian leaders are stressing unity now more than ever amid the current crisis.

“For many years, we’ve come together on the National Day of Prayer to lift up our country in prayer,” Dr. Jack Graham said.

“Although we can’t gather in our nation’s capital this year due to the pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to…

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Italian authorities on Thursday (May 7) gave the go-ahead for public Masses starting May 18, after the government and Catholic bishops struggled to find an accord that would ensure safety measures amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A protocol allowing Catholic faithful to attend Mass was signed Thursday by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte; the president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (Cei), Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti; and the Italian minister of the Interior.

“The protocol is the fruit of a profound collaboration and synergy between the government, the Scientific and Technical Committee and Cei, in which each did his part responsibly,” Bassetti said during a news conference after the signing of the document.

For the first time since March 9, when the Italian government enacted a nationwide lockdown to limit the spread of the pandemic, Catholic faithful will be able to attend Mass with priests in places of worship.

The protocol specifies how churches must be sanitized and the faithful must be socially distanced to prevent contagions. Depending on the size of the place of worship, the number of people in attendance must be limited by volunteers at the entrance. Parishes and dioceses must also inform churchgoers about the safety measures in place.

“The required safety measures in the text present the appropriate methods and modalities to ensure the reopening of…

(RNS) — The National Day of Prayer, like most events amid the coronavirus, will have a different look this year as it is marked on Thursday (May 7).

Now in its 69th year, the observance — often predominated by evangelical Christians gathering in public places — will feature interfaith and even international voices on computer screens and cellphones.

For the first time, Religions for Peace USA has organized a National Interfaith Prayer Service for Healing & Hope via Facebook and Zoom.

“Of course, we do pray separately in our own religious communities but it’s also important for us to come together to pray together and uplift our common humanity and pray for everyone,” said Tarunjit Singh Butalia, executive director of Religions for Peace USA. 

“Some of our own religious communities, ethnic and others who are poorer, have been in fact quite severely hit with the pandemic so we need to come together and pray for everyone because we’re only as secure as the very least among us,” he added.

Butalia said there will be a “prayer for the infected” that will be offered by a faith leader who has recovered from coronavirus and a “prayer for the dead and their families” offered by a faith leader who lost a close family member to the virus.

The online gathering is set to feature Sikh, Muslim, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Hindu, Jain, Unitarian Universalist, Christian…

It’s official! New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers’ novel Redeeming Love will hit movie theaters in 2021. Fans couldn’t be more excited!

Fans around the world are thrilled to discover that faith-based, bestselling novel Redeeming Love is coming to theaters spring 2021. LightWorkers is proud to partner with executive producer Roma Downey, author Francine Rivers and producer Cindy Bond to bring this beloved novel to the big screen. And who better to bring this empowering love story to life than three powerful, faith-filled women? It’s poetic really.

Redeeming Love is “a powerful retelling of the Biblical book of Hosea against the backdrop of the California Gold Rush of 1850,” according to the movie’s website. This love story has captivated and moved the hearts of many since the novel was first published 15 years ago.

The story follows Angel, who was sold into prostitution as a child. She survived through nurturing deep hatred towards herself and the men who used and abused her. When she meets Michael Hosea, she experiences unconditional and sacrificial love for the first time. The story reveals both her intense struggle with unworthiness and fear, as well as the incredible redemptive power of a love that refuses to give up. Through Michael Hosea, Angel discovers there is no brokenness that love can’t heal.

“While many are victims of horrible…

Like most of us, Dr. Tony Evans is adapting to the new normal of social distancing, a result of the spread of COVID-19. He is preaching to a congregation that he deeply loves, but not from the pulpit where he normally stands, instead, he is preaching from his “home pulpit” … the middle of his living room. 

Despite so much change, Dr. Evans is maintaining some familiarity by doing something he does best—going directly to the people and proclaiming God’s word.

In a rare sit-down interview, Dr. Evans graciously allows us access to his other new normal, walking through grief of losing his wife Louis.

This past December, Evans lost the woman he loved and cherished for nearly 50 years of marriage. “I’m taking one day at a time, it’s a roller coaster of uphills and downhills,” he told Christian Headlines.

You can tell in his voice that there is deep grief, yet at the same time, you sense a strength that only comes from having God at the center of his life. “I have to stay on track no matter the hill I’m on,” he asserted.

Having had the privilege of interviewing all four of Dr. Evans’ influential children, one thing they’ve all shared is that their father is a man of faith and resolute in his calling to carry out the Word of God.

Sharing a message during times of difficulty is something he has done consistently. As we find our country in this…