Leonardo Blair

Latest

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  Mar 1, 2019

  Counseling recommended for Bill Hybels, changes for Willow Creek after sexual misconduct investigation

  An independent group convened to investigate sexual misconduct allegations against Bill Hybels, founder of the Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago, called them “credible” and recommended counseling for him as well as a raft of changes to improve the organizational culture at the church and Willow Creek Association, rebranded as the Global Leadership Network.

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  Feb 28, 2019

  Highpoint Church denies allegation Chris Conlee fired for physical attack on female staffer

  Less than a year after losing founding Pastor Chris Conlee and Teaching Pastor Andy Savage in the wake of a sex abuse scandal, Highpoint Church in Memphis, Tennessee, fended off allegations Thursday that Conlee’s resignation was triggered by a physical attack on a female staffer who quit her job at the church around the same time Conlee departed.

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  Feb 27, 2019

  ‘Cussing Pastor’ defends twerking contest held at church, tells critics ‘f*** you’

  Thaddeus Matthews, a controversial Memphis pastor better known as the “Cussing Pastor” for his profanity-laced messages which have attracted millions of viewers online, is defending his decision to host a sexually provocative twerking contest at his church, telling his critics  “f*** you.”

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  Feb 27, 2019

  In wake of church sex abuse, California bill seeks to force clergy to break seal of confession

  In the wake of multiple clergy sexual abuse scandals, a California lawmaker is seeking to pass legislation in that state that could force Catholic priests and other clergy to violate the seal of confession to report child sex abuse.

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  Feb 26, 2019

  Word Network aware of ‘Jesus’ prophet Joshua Holmes’ sex tape, won’t say if he’s now banned

  The Word Network confirmed Tuesday that they are aware of a sex tape featuring Joshua Holmes, but would not say if he would continue to appear on their platform.

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  Feb 26, 2019

  Michael Hodges, son of Alabama megachurch founder, returns to public ministry after ‘moral failing’

  Michael Hodges, son Chris Hodges, founder and senior pastor of the nearly 40,000-member Church of the Highlands in Alabama, returned to the pulpit this month in what appears to be his first public engagement since he was removed as pastor of the church’s Greystone campus for a “moral failing” just over a year ago.

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  Feb 26, 2019

  'Shocking,' 'inhumane,' 'extreme': Senate Democrats block bill to protect babies born alive

  President Donald Trump and prominent conservative politicians and advocates reacted with dismay Monday after Senate Democrats blocked the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act that would have required health care professionals to protect the life of babies that survive an abortion attempt.

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  Feb 25, 2019

  Texas ‘prophet’ followers call ‘Jesus in the flesh’ shown in sex tape with multiple women

  Self-styled Texas prophet and internet preacher Joshua Holmes, who went viral in recent months for his ministry theatrics that led many of his female followers to start calling him “Jesus in the flesh," has been captured in leaked video recordings indulging in explicit sexual activity with two women who are not his wife.

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  Feb 25, 2019

  Community Bible Church pastor ‘pissed’ after worker confesses ‘inappropriate’ behavior with multiple children

  Lead Pastor Ed Newton of Community Bible Church, which draws some 27,000 worshipers each week in San Antonio, Texas, said Sunday that he was “pissed” after learning that a youth ministry worker who has already been fired and reported to authorities, confessed to “inappropriate” behavior with multiple minor children.

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  Feb 24, 2019

  As churches struggle to help Christians with mental illness, many flee

  As studies continue to show how ill-equipped many churches are in ministering to Christians who struggle with mental illness, some who were once among the faithful are now speaking out about how the spiritualizing of their conditions in church culture forced them to flee.