Emily McFarlan Miller
Emily McFarlan Miller is a national reporter for RNS based in Chicago. She covers evangelical and mainline Protestant Christianity.
All Stories by Emily McFarlan Miller
Meet the organization preserving and promoting the stories of Black Methodists
By Emily McFarlan Miller — March 1, 2023
(RNS) — After funding from the United Methodist Church General Conference ended and in-person events were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, the AAMHC is looking for donations in order to continue its work.
Bishop Scott Jones moves from ‘extreme center’ of UMC to new Global Methodist Church
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 27, 2023
(RNS) — He isn't the first bishop to leave the United Methodist Church for the fledgling conservative denomination. But his exit has arguably caused the greatest stir.
Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod president calls for excommunicating white nationalists
By Jack Jenkins and Emily McFarlan Miller — February 22, 2023
(RNS) — ‘This is evil. We condemn it in the name of Christ,’ writes LCMS President Matthew Harrison.
Loyola’s Sister Jean captured hearts during March Madness. Now she’s written a book.
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 21, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — At 103, Chicago’s beloved Catholic sister, best known simply as ‘Sister Jean,’ has added publishing a memoir to her list of achievements.
To be ordained, would-be PCUSA pastors had to interpret the worst story in the Bible
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 8, 2023
(RNS) Some are criticizing the mainline denomination’s choice to base its recent winter exegesis exam on the biblical story known as ‘The Levite’s Concubine.’
Lutheran World Federation head Anne Burghardt on historic firsts and helping Ukraine
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 6, 2023
CHICAGO (RNS) — The secretary general spoke to Religion News Service while in Chicago last week visiting the headquarters of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the largest Lutheran denomination in the country and a member of the Lutheran World Federation.
Clergy protest legislation targeting transgender children in Missouri
By Emily McFarlan Miller — February 2, 2023
(RNS) — Jewish and Christian clergy have taken an active role in protesting what one advocacy group has called the ‘most dangerous’ session of the Missouri Legislature for the LGBTQ community it has seen in years.
Faith-based organizations urge Biden not to enact ‘asylum ban’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 23, 2023
(RNS) — The proposed policy 'borders on a wealth test for some of the most vulnerable children and families,' said one advocate.
‘Not a real schism’: Four years later, UMC exodus less a gush, more a trickle
By Yonat Shimron and Emily McFarlan Miller — January 23, 2023
(RNS) — An analysis of departing churches suggests the country’s second-largest Protestant denomination will be weakened, but it is unlikely to break.
Christian persecution higher than ever as Open Doors’ World Watch List marks 30 years
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 17, 2023
(RNS) — North Korea has returned to the top of the World Watch List with its highest-ever persecution score after an increase of arrests of Christians under its ‘anti-reactionary thought’ law.
As smudging goes mainstream, concerns rise over appropriation, overharvesting
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 12, 2023
(RNS) — Along with the popularity of white sage comes concern about cultural appropriation, as well as overharvesting.
Witchcraft isn’t scary on stereotype-busting ‘Comfy Cozy Witch Podcast’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 4, 2023
(RNS) — Jennie Blonde says her message of comfort and coziness appears to be resonating not just with other witches, but with all people ‘who want to find a little bit more magick in their everyday.’
Open Doors USA leaves Open Doors International, relaunches as Global Christian Relief
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 3, 2023
(RNS) — It maintains the same board of directors and CEO, David Curry.
How the war in Ukraine dominated this year’s online searches for Bible verses
By Emily McFarlan Miller — December 28, 2022
(RNS) — YouVersion reported that users' engagement with the Bible rose by 55% this year in Ukraine, which neighboring Russia invaded in February.
UMC’s North Georgia Conference blocks church departures
By Kathryn Post and Emily McFarlan Miller — December 28, 2022
(RNS) — The regional body is alleging the spread of “defamatory” misinformation about the UMC and its disaffiliation procedure.
