Fundamental woes
plague megachurch
SEATTLE — Seattle megachurch Mars Hill is closing some of its branches and plans to lay off dozens of employees amid controversy surrounding its lead pastor.
The Seattle Times says financial problems tied to falling attendance are forcing the cutbacks.
Since 1996, the church has grown quickly to reach 15 branches in five states. Now, Mars Hill leaders say they plan to cut 30 percent to 40 percent of paid staff, numbering about 100. These cuts will follow other departures in recent weeks by pastors who say they are angry or uneasy about the church’s direction.
The cuts are happening weeks after Mars Hill’s lead pastor, Mark Driscoll, announced he was stepping down for six weeks amid questions about his management and leadership style. Driscoll has been accused of bullying members who disagree with him.
A church spokesman says combined attendance at all Mars Hill branches has dropped from more than 12,000 a week at the start of the year to less than 9,000.
— The Associated Press
Imams to use pulpit
against Islamic State
PARIS — French Muslim leaders are urging imams to preach against the Islamic State group and offer a message of support for Christians in the Middle East.
Christians there are fleeing the militant organization by the thousands as they face a choice between conversion to Islam or death.
On Tuesday, moderate Muslim leaders called on French mosques nationwide to offer prayers for endangered Christians and send a message to young people that the Islamic State group is neither Muslim nor a state.
— The Associated Press
Cardinal hopes to go
to Rome in November
CHICAGO — Cardinal Francis George says a new clinical trial of an experimental drug to treat cancer has left him feeling good, but not great.
The head of the Archdiocese of Chicago spoke to reporters Monday after blessing a newly expanded religious retirement center. George, who is 77, started the trial to treat a recurrence of cancer near his right kidney.
George, the spiritual leader of the Chicago area’s more than 2 million Roman Catholics since 1997, said he would travel to Europe in November to meet with archbishops in Barcelona, Spain, and then go to the Vatican. George canceled a trip to Rome in October because of medical treatment.
The archdiocese said earlier this year that a successor to George should be chosen this fall.
— The Associated Press
Street preacher strikes
deal with Springfield
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A Baptist preacher who has been ticketed repeatedly for disturbing the peace in downtown Springfield has reached an agreement with city leaders that could lead to the charges being dropped.
The Springfield News-Leader says Aaron Brummitt of Lighthouse Anabaptist Church has agreed to a deferred prosecution deal. As long as Brummitt abides by the restrictions on his street sermons, he will no longer face up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for each ticket.
— The Associated Press