Formerly Imprisoned Iranian Pastor Saeed Abedini Announces Divorce

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Formerly Imprisoned Iranian Pastor Saeed Abedini Announces Divorce

Iranian American pastor Saeed Abedini has announced that he has filed for a divorce from his wife, Naghmeh.

Abedini came to national prominence after he was arrested and imprisoned while building an orphanage in Iran.

According to ChristianNews.net, Pastor Saeed moved to America with his wife in 2005. During a trip back to Iran to visit family and engage in ministry, Abedini was arrested and sentenced to eight years in prison for allegedly posing a security threat to the Iranian government.

Abedini was released this past January as part of an American-Iranian prisoner swap.

During his nearly four-year imprisonment, Naghmeh tirelessly lobbied for his release. She asked for prayer from the Christian community and she petitioned political and religious leaders such as the Pope and President Obama to secure Saeed’s release. She also engaged in times of fasting and prayer.

Not long before Saeed’s release, however, Naghmeh revealed that they had marital problems. She said she had suffered “physical, emotional, psychological, and sexual abuse” in her marriage.

Saeed denied Naghmeh’s claims and instead stated, “It’s clear to me that Satan is behind this.”

The couple had begun pursuing counseling upon Saeed’s return to the U.S., but ultimately Saeed ended up filing for divorce, which Naghmeh states was his decision, not hers:

“It is with a heavy and broken heart that I inform all of you who have prayed and wept with our family the last few years that Saeed has rejected counseling for anger and abuse and has filed for a divorce,” she wrote. “There will be a time to share more fully, but for now, we appreciate your prayers.”  … read more

Six expert strategies on how to invest your money

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Six expert strategies on how to invest your money

Over the years many of the world’s best-known investors have offered nuggets of wisdom in a bid to try and help individuals become smarter investors. We look at some of their quotes and what we can learn from them.

The playwright and poet Oscar Wilde once quipped: “When I was young I thought that money was the most important thing in life; now that I am old I know that it is.”

No doubt many who have perhaps neglected to save or invest adequately throughout their life will probably relate to such a sentiment. But what is the key to becoming a successful investor? The basic theory when it comes to stock markets is of course, to try to buy-low, and sell-high. However taking the decision to snap-up shares when markets are suffering significant periods of uncertainty, like the volatility shares endured when it was announced that the UK had voted to leave the European Union, is not an easy undertaking. But many experts will argue that such periods can potentially present some unique investment opportunities.

Here are some of their quotes that could potentially help guide you on your investment journey.

Always remember that the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you could get back less than you invest. If you’re not sure about investing, seek independent advice.

1. Warren Buffett

“I will tell you how to become rich. Close the doors. Be fearful when others are greedy. Be greedy when others are fearful.” Warren Buffett

The world’s most famous investor and boss of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett is renowned for delivering strong long-term returns. According to the so-called ‘Sage of Omaha’, much of this success has been down to not following the herd when it comes to making investment decisions. As such if markets are rocketing, you may want to think about banking some profits but equally it’s vital not to automatically rush to cash in your investments if shares take a downturn. If you do, you could risk not only crystallising your losses, but you could potentially miss out on valuable investment opportunities.

2. John Bogle

“If you have trouble imagining a 20% loss in the stock market, you shouldn’t be in stocks.” John Bogle

John Bogle, the founder and former CEO of US investment firm The Vanguard Group, believes that investors need to be prepared for the ups and downs that come with the territory of investing. At times the stock market can be like a rollercoaster, but the hope is that if you can stomach this volatility, your investments may rise over the long-term, although of course there are no guarantees and you could get back less than you put in. If you cannot afford to lose money, and being invested is causing you sleepless nights, then investing is probably not for you and you are may be more comfortable sticking with cash savings accounts.

3. Paul Samuelson

“Investing should be more like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas.” Paul Samuelson

When it comes to long-term investing, Paul Samuelson, the late US economist and Nobel Prize winner succinctly illustrates his own approach, which is never to treat investing like gambling, as taking short-term bets is highly unlikely to pay-off in the long, or even short-term. Generally it is recommended that individuals invest sensibly and regularly – and ultimately play the long game – as investing should be about ‘time in the market, not timing the market’. You should therefore only considering investing over a minimum time frame of five years but preferably much longer, as this way you give your money the time and space to grow. Investing over the long term will also reduce the risk that you might be forced to sell when prices are low, and boost your chances of benefiting from the tendency for share prices to increase over time.

4. Robert G. Allen

“How many millionaires do you know who have become wealthy by investing in savings accounts? I rest my case.” Robert G. Allen

Investing means taking on risk as the value of investments can fall as well as rise and you could get back less than you invest. But US politician and businessman Robert G. Allen believed this was a risk worth taking. While it is highly recommended that all investors have a cash savings buffer, in a low interest rate environment, you are unlikely to earn a great deal from having your cash on deposit, particularly following the Bank of England’s decision to cut the base rate to a record low of 0.25%. Some people are ‘risk- averse’ meaning they’d rather put their money into safer investments, even if that means less chance of making big returns. Others are comfortable accepting a greater level of risk for the chance of higher potential rewards.

5. Robert Kiyosaki

“It’s not how much money you make, but how much money you keep, how hard it works for you and how many generations you keep it for.” Robert Kiyosaki

Being able to pass down wealth to loved ones is a lifetime goal for many people. But as American businessman and investor Robert Toru Kiyosaki explains above, making money in the stockmarket is just half the battle – the real challenge is being able to keep and protect it, while allowing it to continue to grow. This means always maintaining a clear investment strategy and ensuring on a regular basis that your portfolio is suitably diversified. Remember that all investments carry risk and there’s always the possibility that you could lose money or get back less than you invest.

6. Peter Lynch

“Know what you own and know why you own it.” Peter Lynch

Here US investment guru Peter Lynch cuts right to one of the core principles of investing – never invest in something you don’t understand. While you may often hear market speculators talk up some hot new prospect, be very wary of such hearsay if you do not understand a business, what it does and indeed what its prospects are. Always understand what you are investing in, because to paraphrase Warren Buffet, risk fundamentally comes on the back of not knowing what you are doing.

Please bear in mind that this article is for general information purposes only. If you are not sure which investments to choose or how to manage your investments, seek professional independent advice.

5 Things a Wife Really Needs (But Doesn’t Know How to Ask For)

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5 Things a Wife Really Needs (But Doesn’t Know How to Ask For)
 In many marriages today, one of the key issues is communication.

Communication in Marriage

In many marriages today, one of the key issues is communication. And stereotypically speaking, it is often the husband that is credited with the communication problem.

But men are not the only ones with communication problems. There are numerous things wives need from their husbands, but they don’t know how to articulate them, or they hesitate to ask because of the tension they fear the question will bring.

More than 200 women were recently asked: What is something you need from your husband, but you don’t know how to ask him for it? There were several answers. Here are the top five responses:

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New Discovery Confirms Jews Have a Claim to Jerusalem

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New Discovery Confirms Jews Have a Claim to Jerusalem
New Discovery Confirms Jews Have a Claim to Jerusalem

The new archaeological discovery consists of a site where the Roman army fought against Jewish forces guarding the outer wall of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

The account of this battle can be found in ancient historian Josephus Flavius’s book The Wars of the Jews.

Historians had previously doubted Josephus’s account and the Palestinian Authority even denies the existence of a Second Temple, but the new discovery dispels these doubts.

Flatow writes that no evidence of Palestinian forces was found at the site where the Romans and Jews fought.

Flatow also lists other noteworthy examples of archaeological discoveries that confirm the Jewish presence in ancient Jerusalem.

Earlier this year, archaeologists discovered two ancient document seals in Jerusalem, bearing Hebrew scripts. Hebrew names are written on the seals.

Also this year, archaeologists discovered the oldest known glass kilns at the foot of Mount Carmel near Haifa.

Ian Freestone, professor at London’s University College, stated that the glass kilns prove that “Israel constituted a production center on an international scale—hence its glassware was widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean and Europe.”

An edict by the Roman emperor Diocletian from the period of the glass kilns (around 400 C.E.) set the prices for what is called “Judean glass.”

Flatow notes that, despite all these discoveries which prove that the Jews have a claim to Jerusalem because they have been living there for centuries, just recently UNESCO and the Palestinian Authority have declared that Jews have no ties to Jerusalem.

 

Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons | Christian Headlines

Survey: Two-Thirds of U.S. Pastors Encourage Church Members to Use Halloween as Outreach Opportunity

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Survey: Two-Thirds of U.S. Pastors Encourage Church Members to Use Halloween as Outreach Opportunity

This Halloween, millions of Americans will carve pumpkins, dress up in costumes, decorate their yards, and gobble down the candy they get while trick-or-treating.

America’s preachers also hope they’ll consider coming to church, according to a new phone survey of 1,000 Protestant senior pastors from Nashville-based LifeWay Research.

Two-thirds of Protestant pastors say they encourage church members to ask their neighbors to a church-related event like a fall fair or trunk-or-treat.

Half tell their church members to befriend those who trick-or-treat at their doors. Nearly one in 10 tell church members to skip Halloween altogether.

Most pastors see Halloween as an opportunity to reach out, says Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research.

“This is a time when your neighbors literally come to your doorstep,” he says. “Pastors don’t want their church members to waste that chance to make a connection or invite someone to church.”

A major holiday

Halloween has become a major social and retail event in American culture. Seven out of 10 Americans (69 percent) plan to celebrate Halloween this year, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). The average American consumer will spend about $83 on candy, decorations and other goodies. That’s up from $74 in 2015.

LifeWay Research found most pastors want church members to take part in the season’s activities as well.

Two-thirds (67 percent) encourage church members to invite friends and neighbors to a fall festival, trunk-or-treat, or judgment house. Pastors at bigger churches (those with 250 or more in attendance) are most likely to ask church members to invite their neighbors (86 percent) to an event at the church. Those from small churches (50 or less in attendance) are least likely (48 percent).

Holiness (82 percent), Baptist (77 percent), Pentecostal (75 percent) and Methodist (73 percent) pastors are more likely to ask their members to invite friends to an event. Lutheran (56 percent) and Presbyterian/Reformed pastors (55 percent) are less likely.

Little enthusiasm for gospel tracts instead of candy

Only about a quarter of pastors encourage church members to hand out gospel tracts at Halloween, according to LifeWay Research.

In fact, pastors are twice as likely to encourage members to befriend neighbors who trick-or-treat (52 percent) than to tell members to hand out gospel tracts (26 percent). Pastors at larger churches (63 percent) are more likely to want their members to build relationships with trick-or-treaters. Pastors at smaller churches (42 percent) are less likely. Mainline pastors (15 percent) are less likely to ask church members to hand out tracts than evangelical pastors (32 percent). Baptist pastors (47 percent) are most likely to want church members to hand out gospel tracts.

Few pastors (8 percent) want church members to skip Halloween completely. Older pastors (those 65 and over) are more skeptical of Halloween (13 percent) than pastors under 45 (4 percent). African-American pastors (23 percent) are most likely to want church members to avoid Halloween. White pastors (7 percent) are least likely.

Few Americans spooked by Halloween

A 2015 LifeWay Research study found about 6 in 10 Americans say Halloween “is all in good fun.” But about a third say they either skip Halloween altogether (21 percent) or avoid its pagan elements (14 percent).

Self-identified evangelicals are mostly likely to either skip Halloween (28 percent) or skip its pagan elements (23 percent). Nones—those who claim no religious affiliation—are mostly likely to say Halloween is all in good fun (75 percent). Few Nones skip Halloween (11 percent.)

The more people go to church, the more skeptical they are of Halloween. Less than half (44 percent) of those who attend religious services at least once a week say Halloween is all in good fun. Most Americans who only go to church on religious holidays say Halloween is all in good fun (82 percent.)

Most Christians tend to embrace the fun side of Halloween—dressing up in costumes, handing out candy or carving pumpkins—while avoiding its darker elements. So it’s not surprising some churches have turned it into a chance to invite people to church, McConnell says.

With so many people celebrating Halloween, this one day has more interaction among neighbors across America than any other day,” says McConnell. “People actually want to see each other at their doors. So it’s only natural that pastors encourage their congregations to invest in these relationships.”

 

Methodology:

The phone survey of Protestant pastors was conducted Aug. 22 to Sept. 16, 2016. The calling list was a stratified random sample, drawn from a list of all Protestant churches. Quotas were used for church size. Each interview was conducted with the senior pastor, minister or priest of the church called. Responses were weighted by region to more accurately reflect the population. The completed sample is 1,000 surveys. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.2 percent. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups.

Bob Smietana is senior writer for Facts & Trends magazine.

Courtesy: LIfeWay Research News  | Christian Headlines

Should Your Spouse Love God More Than They Love You?

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Should Your Spouse Love God More Than They Love You?
Christian Post Report – In a marriage there should be three people in the relationship, and both husband and wife should be more in love with the third party than they are with each other. That third party is God. That’s the concept shared by licensed professional counselor and author Debra Fileta in an op-ed published Thursday for Relevant magazine.

Fileta says loving Christ more than your spouse should be the goal of every couple, and can result in a stronger marriage.

With 40 to 50 percent of marriages in the United States ending in divorce, according to research by the American Psychological Association, that might be a welcome concept for many couples.

A right relationship with Christ is the foundation for a good relationship with your spouse, according to the counselor.

“The more we love God, the better we are at loving people,” Fileta explained in an email to The Christian Post Friday.

Fileta, who has been counseling couples and singles for 10 years and specializes in dating, marriage and relationship issues, devotes a significant portion of her book on dating and relationships, True Love Dates, to this concept.

In her recent op-ed, the author talks about the relationship with her husband of nine years. “Our individual relationships with God trump our relationship with one another. And in my sincere opinion, that is the very truth that keeps our marriage alive, strong and complete.”

Every marriage has its up and downs and Fileta explains that during times “when each of us don’t feel like loving or giving or forgiving” is when a love for God helps to sustain them. “Our relationship with God is the supernatural relationship that pours into us so we can pour into each other.”

You may wonder: How do you know if your spouse loves God more than they love you?

“The truth is, only God truly knows the heart of a person and the extent of their relationship with Him,” the counselor told CP. “But I think a good indicator of a person’s connection with God is when someone displays the characteristics of His spirit. According to Galatians 5, when our hearts are connected with His, we exude fruit in the form of: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self control.”

Fileta believes that such characteristics can enable married couples to have a “romantic relationship on an every-day basis.”

“I believe it’s important to draw close to God and prioritize Him in our lives in order to allow those characteristics [from Galatians 5] to be cultivated. … Any counselor will tell you that two people displaying those qualities in their life on a consistent basis are two people who are sure to have a healthy relationship.”

Email me: [email protected]
Follow me on Twitter: @kevindonporter

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Source : Christian Post

Muyiwa to release New Album ‘Eko Ile’

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Muyiwa to release New Album ‘Eko Ile’

Listen again: UK’s most prominent gospel artist Muyiwa has released of his first all-African album Èko Ilé. The dynamic 10-track offering follows the success of Live at the Apollo (2012), the live CD and DVD recorded at his sold-out Hammersmith Apollo show with Riversongz, his charismatic Afro-gospel band.

Eko Ile is a return to his roots. Translating to ‘Lagos my home’ which harks to a Nigerian folk song of the same name- Muyiwa channels a myriad of African music styles via gospel. Written alongside Kwame Yeboah (Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Ms. Dynamite) and Eddie Martin (Whitney Houston, Neyo, Chris Brown) and produced by the former, the album is a journey from east to west of the continent, stopping off at highlife reminiscent of fellow countryman Fela Kuti, refreshed takes on traditional African praise, and African reggae. It makes sense then, that the album was predominantly recorded in Ghana, that it frequently features Muyiwa’s native Nigerian tongue of Yoruba and that it’s peppered with Swahili, Zulu, and Pidgin English.

The ode to Africa sidesteps the tried and tested formula of ‘all-big, all-bright’ gospel and instead takes the listener on an emotional journey of highs and lows that’s God-inspired, but everyone can relate to. “It’s not about agreeing with my religion,” he says. “If you just lost your job, there’s hope… If your child has lost his way, there’s hope. That’s what I sell.” Muyiwa’s songs and spoken-word stories recount his search for freedom, identity and hints at his own loss. Nigeria – and Africa as a whole – is painted as a land of civil wars, corruption and crime and more personally, it’s the country of his father’s unfortunate assassination and his mother’s untimely death six years later. Despite this, his faith overrides them with themes of hope, gratitude, solidarity and colourful celebration. It’s the African way.

The “UK Face of Gospel” has come a long way from the Forest Gate council flat where he taught himself the piano. After studying Music at Westminster University, he landed himself positions at Channel 4 and subsequently Sony’s International Promotions, where he ultimately fell into voiceover work. In 2003, he began his recording career with Restoration, which gave him a focus for the “unspeakable grief and pain” of his parents’ passing, and established him as UK gospel’s first crossover artist. He has since sold upwards of 200,000 albums, including his last studio album with Riversongz, Declaring His Name All Around the World (2011).




The album, produced by Grammy winning producer Kevin Bond (Donnie McClurkin, Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams), stormed to No. 5 in Amazon’s World Music best-sellers chart. In 2010 Muyiwa became the first UK Gospel act to sell out the Indigo O2 London, while in 2012 he performed to a sold out crowd at London’s Hammersmith Apollo. While his deep rich voice has reached millions in Europe, Africa and the USA, he has popularised the genre with his role as Premier Christian Radio’s Gospel station manager and has won numerous awards, including Best Presenter at the Oasis Awards (2006), Best Radio Show and Best Contribution to Gospel Music at the Gospel Music Awards (2009).

Pre order album on Amazon | iTunes (coming soon) | Proper Music

Seven Steps TO Avoid Sexual Sin and Stay in Ministry!

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Seven Steps TO Avoid Sexual Sin and Stay in Ministry!

Some time ago, a good friend of mine disqualified himself from ministry due to an inappropriate relationship with a woman in his church.

I want to try to redeem this tragedy by offering the following seven thoughts in an effort to spare us, our families and our churches from a similar fate.

1. Don’t say it can’t happen to you.

While most of us readily nod our heads in agreement, in our hearts we can still live in functional unbelief of this fact. We need to constantly remind ourselves of Paul’s warning to the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 10:12:

Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

That means it can and could happen to us, and we must be vigilant in this area and all others. The world is broken, our enemy is against us and our flesh is weak.

2. Repent of your pride and self-righteousness in this area.

The Bible clearly teaches:

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (Prov. 16:18).

Every pastor I’ve ever known who has fallen into sexual sin was one who at one point believed he never would.

So often, it is our pride that allows us to “push the envelope” and think we are the exception to the rule. It is also pride that can keep us from getting the help we need so we could have avoided this particular fall in the first place.

Most affairs don’t begin on a whim. The seeds are sown in the soil of an unhappy or tumultuous marriage.

Brothers, if there are currently problems in your marriage, please reach out to someone and deal with them now so you don’t become a statistic later.

3. Put all the needed safeguards in place—and keep them there.

The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives (Prov. 16:17).

All of us know this is true, but are we living as if it is true?

We know we shouldn’t be alone with a member of the opposite sex, but do we keep our rule faithfully?

We know we should have working porn filters on our computers, but do we?

We can all agree that any of our practices can be cumbersome at times, but situations like this remind us that they are more than worth it.

Please, brothers, for the sake of the Gospel and our churches, heed the warning today and employ whatever specific practices you need to keep yourself pure and your ministry intact.

4. Don’t just have a plurality in place—have one in practice.

Far too many churches have a plurality of elders on paper, but, in reality, have a senior pastor surrounded by “yes-men.” This kind of unhealthy leadership system only aids in the conducting and concealing of sexual misconduct.

If you are concerned about a member on your team, even if it is the most senior leader, please have the courage to sound the alarm. Of course, this should be done personally, honorably and hoping the best for all parties involved, but silence is often exactly what allows deeds done in secret to remain in secret for so long.

Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. Too much is on the line.

On a similar note, this means we also have to practically “have the backs” of our teammates in ministry.

I saw this in action a few years ago when our church was still meeting at a local high school. After our gathering, I got “cornered” by a single girl who had questions about our church. Seeing what was unfolding, one of my elders came and stood (conspicuously) next to me until our conversation was finished. He protected us all that day, and I am thankful for his friendship.

How well are you protecting your team in this area?

5. Make your wife your partner in purity.

This is a tricky issue, and there is some legitimate debate over how “in the loop” she needs to be. My perspective is:

Your wife needs to know enough to be prayerful, but not so much that she is paranoid.

Practically, this means your wife needs to know that emotionally needy women are often attracted to pastors, and those pastors don’t notice what is happening right before their eyes. It also means she needs to know that regular intimacy with her is a helpful practice that can keep you from looking for it elsewhere.

It may also mean she may periodically check out your phone or Facebook page for anything inappropriate. At a minimum, protecting each other’s integrity should be a topic of regular conversation.

How are you and your wife partnering together for the sake of each other’s purity?

6. When in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Most practically, this may mean you simply don’t hire a female assistant.

Some guys do it and things are fine, but plenty of guys do it and that is exactly where everything begins to unravel. For most lead pastors, their assistant works more closely with them than nearly anyone else in their lives and, in my view, that role being held by a member of the opposite sex is a risky endeavor. I do not recommend it.

Also, unless there is some kind of extreme circumstance, I avoid traveling alone. In addition to the obvious accountability, it also affords extra mentoring time on the road for my younger pastoral or church-planting residents.

7. Never forget we are in a spiritual battle with real winners and losers.

Though we may try to ignore it, we have three very real enemies (the world, the flesh and the devil) who are all more than happy to play their part in helping us flame out of ministry.

In my experience, it also seems that the kingdom of darkness is particularly benefited when a pastor goes down because of moral failure because, like a grenade, it does damage on so many levels at once.

To help me in my own struggle for purity, I reflect on this painful truth often. I picture what would happen to my wife, children and church if I chose pride and pleasure over Jesus in a moment of weakness. It drives me to the Scriptures, my wife and my ministry team to help me stay the course.

When is the last time you stopped to remind yourself of the battle we are fighting?

Brothers, time and time again, the Scriptures are clear: Sexual sin is both damaging and deadly to all it affects—especially pastors.

For the sake of all of us, please don’t become a statistic.

Please pray for me and those closest to you that we don’t become statistics. Please take the steps necessary to walk in integrity, and let’s cross the finish line strong together for the glory of God and the good of our families, churches and the world around us.

By Pastor Dustin Neeley

Getting the Most Out of Life – Joyce Meyer

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Getting the Most Out of Life – Joyce Meyer

Joyce shared a story about her daughter and the opportunities she had when she finally kissed condemnation goodbye.

Joyce Meyer daily broadcast – Enjoying Everyday Life has a television broadcast that is designed to preach the gospel to every nation, every city, every day. Joyce can be seen daily and weekly on over 433 stations worldwide. Because of this transmission, we are able to reach millions of hurting people around the world with the love of Jesus Christ.

 

Divorce : Major Reason Millennials are Leaving the Church

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Divorce : Major Reason Millennials are Leaving the Church

A new study has revealed that divorce is a major reason for why many millennials have left the church.

Boundless.org notes that there are a number of factors millennials often name when explaining why they have left church and the Christian faith, including the church’s stance on sexuality, science, or politics, but one factor that is often overlooked is divorce.

A recent study from the Public Religion Research Institute has revealed that:

“Americans who were raised by divorced parents are less likely than children whose parents were married during most of their childhood to report attending religious services at least once per week (21% vs. 34%, respectively). This childhood divorce gap is also evident even among Americans who continue to be religiously affiliated. Roughly three in ten (31%) religious Americans who were brought up by divorced parents say they attend religious services at least once a week, compared to 43% of religious Americans who were raised by married parents.”

According to the Boundless article, this speaks to the church’s failure to minister to “some of our most vulnerable and innocent members.”

An article in The Washington Post quotes Andrew Root, a college professor who has written a book on the spiritual consequences of divorce for children:

“Root said churches are not doing enough to speak directly to the concerns of children in those situations, so the kids lose faith in the ability of the church to help them. He said that when the divorce rate climbed in the 1980s, many members of the clergy, especially mainline Protestant pastors, stopped speaking out against divorce so as not to alienate struggling congregants. But by going silent on the subject, they didn’t offer any comfort to the kids.”

Source : Christian Headlines

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