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Pastor Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Brooklyn Pastor Robbed of $1 Million Worth of Jewelry During Sermon

July 26th, 2022

A Brooklyn pastor was robbed of roughly one million in jewelry during a livestreamed Sunday sermon. The robbery has opened a dialogue on just how much money clergy should have, and whether they should flaunt it. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 80 Comments »

Your Pastor Has Had Enough: Clergy Members Join the Great Resignation

May 17th, 2022

Citing stress, politics, and declining church attendance, some 40% of church pastors recently reported wanting to leave the church. Is the Great Resignation going to sweep straight through church pulpits? Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality | 33 Comments »

TN Pastor Purges 'Demonic' Books in Bonfire; Protesters Burn Bible in Response

February 8th, 2022

Is it okay to burn books we don't like? One Tennessee pastor caused a firestorm last week when he held a bonfire for his congregation, burning 'demonic' books like Harry Potter and Twilight in the blaze. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 196 Comments »

Are UFOs Demonic? Evangelicals, Pentagon Officials Say Yes

September 2nd, 2021

Who or what, is to blame for the increased UFO sightings in recent years? While some say they're aliens and others say they're military craft, some evangelicals and military officials are saying that they're demons. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Science & Technology | 34 Comments »

Youth Pastor Apologizes for Controversial 'One Piece Swimsuit' Rule

July 22nd, 2021

Is purity patriarchy? A Christian youth pastor is apologizing for instituting a 'one piece swimsuits only' rule at his youth camps, saying sorry for telling girls to cover up instead of telling boys to be respectful. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 108 Comments »

Pastor-Turned-Stripper: "My Sexuality is Sacred"

September 30th, 2020

Nikole Mitchell's career turn from pastor to stripper might seem a surprising career turn. But there are millions of Millennials who likely relate to her story of sexual repression and shame under 'purity culture'. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Christian | 63 Comments »

Transgender Pastors Struggle to Find Acceptance as Gender Debates Persist

December 19th, 2019

Despite many tangible victories, there is still much progress left to be made in the transgender rights movement. One place where acceptance has proven fleeting is houses of worship, and pastors are speaking out. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Political & Religious Controversy | 33 Comments »

Instagram Account Highlights Hypocrisy of Popular Pastors

April 15th, 2019

A new Instagram account has caught on like wildfire in recent weeks, gaining over 125,000 followers (Christians and non-believers alike) by calling out high-profile pastors for their taste in expensive shoes and swag. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Progressive Spirituality | 45 Comments »

A Cussing, Soul-Shaking Good Time

March 4th, 2019

The controversy-seeking Memphis pastor Thaddeus Matthews, who styles himself as the 'cussing pastor', is in hot water again, this time for hosting a twerking contest in his church. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 37 Comments »

Catholic Priest Fired After Burning "Sacrilegious" Rainbow Flag

October 1st, 2018

A Catholic priest has been removed from his Chicago parish after performing an exorcism on a rainbow flag, cutting it into pieces, and burning it with the help of like-minded parishioners. Did the church have a choice? Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Political & Religious Controversy | 100 Comments »