Church /tags/church Church en-US SAąúĽĘ´«Ä± Mon, 27 Oct 2025 18:36:39 GMT As Black churches close across South Florida, some find new ways to thrive /south-florida/2025-10-27/as-black-churches-close-across-south-florida-some-find-new-ways-to-thrive Across South Florida, congregations are confronting a hard numbers problem: rising costs, shifting demographics, aging facilities, and, in some cases, fewer people in the pews. A wave of foreclosures, property sales and mergers has put the issue in sharp relief. At the same time, pastors and church leaders say new tactics — from housing development and nonprofit partnerships to online giving — are helping churches remain anchors of community life. Mon, 27 Oct 2025 18:36:39 GMT /south-florida/2025-10-27/as-black-churches-close-across-south-florida-some-find-new-ways-to-thrive Amelia Orjuela Da Silva | Miami Times Can states, and a little bit of faith, convert church land into affordable housing? /government-politics/2025-10-16/can-states-and-a-little-bit-of-faith-convert-church-land-into-affordable-housing Florida’s new law is part of a growing movement known as YIGBY — Yes in God’s Backyard. Touted by many faith leaders, lawmakers and developers, the movement imagines a connection between a religious mission to serve and the very real hurdles of building affordable housing. Thu, 16 Oct 2025 16:30:00 GMT /government-politics/2025-10-16/can-states-and-a-little-bit-of-faith-convert-church-land-into-affordable-housing Robbie Sequeira | Florida Phoenix Coconut Grove’s oldest Black church celebrates 130 years of service /arts-culture/2025-10-15/coconut-groves-oldest-black-church-celebrates-130-years-of-service Founded by Bahamian settlers in 1895, the historic congregation continues to uplift Miami’s Black community through education, worship, and resilience. Wed, 15 Oct 2025 17:05:00 GMT /arts-culture/2025-10-15/coconut-groves-oldest-black-church-celebrates-130-years-of-service Amelia Orjuela Da Silva | Miami Times Recovery Church, launched by a Jupiter pastor, is booming /arts-culture/2025-07-11/recovery-church-launched-by-a-jupiter-pastor-is-booming In 2011, an alcoholic pastor felt called to start a new kind of church: One run by addicts for addicts. Called Recovery Church, it blended the teachings of two life-changing books: The Bible and “The Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous. Fri, 11 Jul 2025 12:00:00 GMT /arts-culture/2025-07-11/recovery-church-launched-by-a-jupiter-pastor-is-booming Janis Fontaine | Stet News A Florida pastor spoke out against ICE. A dozen patrol cars showed up at his church days later /immigration/2025-06-25/a-florida-pastor-spoke-out-against-ice-a-dozen-patrol-cars-showed-up-at-his-church-days-later The pastor at a St Petersburg church whose congregation includes immigrants and minorities is calling out law enforcement officers who showed up in force at his carpark after he had protested against their partnership with ICE. He invoiced them $10k and said he is considering legal action. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:12:04 GMT /immigration/2025-06-25/a-florida-pastor-spoke-out-against-ice-a-dozen-patrol-cars-showed-up-at-his-church-days-later Lily Belcher As attendance dips, churches change to stay relevant for a new wave of worshippers /religion/npr-breaking-news/2022-12-10/as-attendance-dips-churches-change-to-stay-relevant-for-a-new-wave-of-worshippers A longtime pastor says the question used to be how can the church change the culture? Now, it's how do they change the culture of the church? Ways range from gardening to food giveaways to fire pits. Mon, 12 Dec 2022 18:00:00 GMT /religion/npr-breaking-news/2022-12-10/as-attendance-dips-churches-change-to-stay-relevant-for-a-new-wave-of-worshippers John Burnett 2 women are killed at a church in Iowa, hours after a shooting near Milwaukee /news/2022-06-03/2-women-are-killed-at-a-church-in-iowa-hours-after-a-shooting-near-milwaukee The Story County Sheriff's Office in Ames, Iowa, received multiple 911 calls about shots being fired outside of Cornerstone Church at about 6:51 p.m., it said. Fri, 03 Jun 2022 11:33:43 GMT /news/2022-06-03/2-women-are-killed-at-a-church-in-iowa-hours-after-a-shooting-near-milwaukee Ayana Archie Suspect faces multiple charges in a deadly California church shooting /news/2022-05-18/suspect-faces-multiple-charges-in-a-deadly-california-church-shooting A prosecutor said the man charged with opening fire on a Taiwanese church congregation in Southern California wanted to "execute in cold blood as many people in that room as possible." Wed, 18 May 2022 11:00:59 GMT /news/2022-05-18/suspect-faces-multiple-charges-in-a-deadly-california-church-shooting The Associated Press California church shooter was motivated by hate for Taiwanese people, officials say /news/2022-05-17/california-church-shooter-was-motivated-by-hate-for-taiwanese-people-officials-say A gunman killed a 52-year-old man and wounded five others in an attack at a Southern California church on Sunday, authorities said. Tue, 17 May 2022 09:43:29 GMT /news/2022-05-17/california-church-shooter-was-motivated-by-hate-for-taiwanese-people-officials-say The Associated Press California churchgoers hog-tied gunman in deadly attack /news/2022-05-16/california-churchgoers-hog-tied-gunman-in-deadly-attack Four others were critically wounded and another person suffered minor injures, officials said. Mon, 16 May 2022 13:36:37 GMT /news/2022-05-16/california-churchgoers-hog-tied-gunman-in-deadly-attack The Associated Press