India's president under pressure to protect Christians

India’s president is being pressed to protect Christians in the country’s northern Kashmir region after a mob burned down the oldest school there and also attacked other Christian institutions nearby.

“I am pained to state that though the local authorities were informed about a possible attack … no protection was provided,” stated the Rt Rev Pradeep Kumar Samantaroy in a message to President Pratibha Patil.

“You are aware that the Christians in the State of Jammu and Kashmir are a tiny minority who always live and serve under stressful and sometimes threatening situations,” the Church of North India bishop added Wednesday. “The present situation has made the Christians in Jammu and Kashmir feel very insecure.”

Muslims shout slogans as they burn a placard bearing the name of US President Barack Obama in Jammu, India, on Tuesday in protest of the reported desecration of Korans in the US.

Christian human rights group urges Indonesia to protect religious freedom

Christian Solidarity Worldwide has called upon the Indonesian Government to safeguard religious freedom and pluralism in the wake of attacks on Christians and Ahmadiyya Muslims in the country.

The Setara Institute for Democracy and Peace says that at least 30 attacks on churches have been reported so far this year, with extremist Islamist groups targetting churches in West Java in particular.

In one attack earlier this month, an elder of the Batak Christian Protestant Church in Bekasi was seriously injured when he was stabbed in the heart and stomach while on his way to a service. In another incident, a pastor was beaten with a wooden block.

Bishop Eddie Long to Address Sex Abuse Claims

Bishop Eddie Long, the prominent Atlanta pastor accused of sexually abusing three former members of his congregation, said he will wait until Sunday services to speak publicly about the charges against him.

The news comes one day after the 57-year-old pastor "categorically" denied claims that he coerced two men - 20-year-old Maurice Robinson and 21-year-old Anthony Flagg - into a sexual relationship when they were teenagers

"Bishop Eddie Long adamantly denies the allegations," Long's attorney Craig Gillenand said in a statement Wednesday. "It's unfortunate the two young men have chosen to take this course of action."

The two filed separate civil lawsuits Wednesday saying Long showered them with cars, clothes, jewelry, and electronics, took them on trips in private jets, and put them up in luxury hotels.

United Methodists Start to See Uptick in Young Clergy

The United Methodist Church has begun to see an increase in the number of young clergy after decades of decline, a new report reveals.

There are now more young local pastors than at any time in recent history, according to the Lewis Center for Church Leadership.

Up from 3.4 percent in 1985, local pastors under the age of 35 now make up 5.8 percent of all 7,341 UMC clergy, including part-time pastors.

At the same time, however, the median age of local pastors is still 55.

CrossRoads United Methodist Church in Phoenix is seen here in a Feb. 13, 2010 photo.

Megachurch Pastor Preaches 24 Hours Straight on Audacious Faith

One of the youngest megachurch pastors in the country preached what may have amounted to half a year's worth of sermons in 24 hours.

Executing what he called the craziest, most asinine ideas he's ever had, Pastor Steven Furtick stood in front of a live Web audience on Tuesday and Wednesday, teaching from the Bible for 24 hours straight.

Though hours of sermons may have easily sounded like a snooze fest for some, the online event was a big draw for thousands who were familiar with the young pastor's passionate preaching.

"Audacious faith" was the main message he proclaimed.

It's the same message found in his newly released book, Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible.

"There's so many people living with the ache of the ordinary; nothing seems to ever happen supernatural in their lives," he said.

Steven Furtick, senior pastor of Elevation Church in Charlotte, N.C., preaches to a live Web audience for 24 hours straight, Sept. 21-22, 2010.