As we are attempting to keep our 2015 New Year’s Resolutions, do we even remember what our resolutions were last year? If you have short-term memory like me, it’s important to take moments to stop, pause, and reflect on events that have happened in your life, your community, and our world. As 2014 will start to fade away, I’ve compiled some significant stories and articles that would be good to remember, reflect and continue to have conversations about. These issues won’t be going away anytime soon or be resolved in 2015; however, I hope that as the church we can continue to reflect inward and take positive steps forward in love through conversations with our families, communities and churches.
If you also have any interesting articles to share, please send them my way! I’d love to read.
1. Same-Sex Marriage and the Church
This topic is one of the most divisive issues in the church right now. There is a range of evangelical perspectives as more states are legalizing same-sex marriage.
US Now Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage in 33 States, Including DC
World Vision’s Same-Sex Marriage Reversal Shows Divide Within Evangelical Church
Christian Singer Vicky Beeching Appeals to God’s Love to Justify Her Lesbianism
2. Racism and Policing
In a time where one would assume that we have made great strides on the racism issue, 2014 showed us that we still need to be talking about this. Here are some great articles on how we need to respond.
‘I honestly don’t know what to say’; Jon Stewart gets serious on Eric Garner
A Decision in Ferguson: How Should Evangelicals Respond?
NFL player’s Facebook post on Ferguson decision goes viral
3. Worldwide Crisis: Ebola and ISIS
Ebola and ISIS rocked the world in 2014. We all felt the impact of both issues domestically and it was a good reminder that global crises should matter to us. Time Magazine’s Person of the Year was the Ebola fighters to honor their battle against the disease. The conflict surrounding ISIS was also littered with many misconceptions, apathy, or disillusionment.
The 9 Biggest Myths About ISIS Debunked
4. Christian Persecutions around the world
There are estimated 200 million Christians that are persecuted worldwide. 2014 highlighted the continual need for prayer and support of our brothers around the globe.
Sudanese Christian woman who once faced death penalty arrives in U.S
Pastor Saeed Abedini in ‘Severe Pain’ in Iranian Prison
Scores Killed, Thousands Flee Christian Town in Boko Haram Rampage in Nigeria
5. Air Travel Tragedy
This was a year of tragedy for many from the mysterious disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 to Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 being shot down in eastern Ukraine, and Air Asia Flight QZ8501 which went down into the sea. But 2014 was still considered a safe year of travel comparatively to the volume of travels.
Other views: A difficult year for air travel
Is 2014 the deadliest year for flights? Not even close
6. Mega Church Mars Hill Closes its Doors
A church of 13,000 closed its doors in 2014 with a mixed range of emotions from tears to cheers.
Goodbye, Mars Hill: Mark Driscoll’s Multisite Empire Will Sell Properties and Dissolve
7. Pope Francis as a beacon of hope for the younger generation
The Pope has been one of the most influential leaders in 2014 and the younger generation is paying attention.
Why is Pope Francis so popular?
8. Christian Films
2014 has been dubbed as the “Year of Biblical Movies” with a plethora of movie choices ranging from Son of God, Noah, Alone Yet Not Alone, Mom’s Night Out, Irreplaceable, Heaven is for Real, When the Game Stands Tall, Calvary, In Plain Sight, The Remaining, Left Behind, Ragamuffin, The Good Lie, The Song, Exodus: Gods and Kings, Unbroken and Saving Christmas. Even with some controversial portrayals of movies like Noah and Exodus: Sons of God, there seems to be a growing niche for faith based movies
Is 2014 the year of the Christian film?
Lights! Camera! Jesus! How Christians Are Building Their Own Hollywood
9. Immigration Reform and the Church
Immigration reform seems like a political issue that the church shouldn’t address, but there are evangelical positions on why this issue is a faith related matter.
Why Immigration Reform is a Christian Cause
Evangelical opinion split on Obama’s immigration reforms
10. North Korean reality
North Korea was a hot topic during the recent the Sony Hack and there was no lack of opinions about the releasing of the movie The Interview and whether or not the movie should have been made in the first place. In the midst of the controversy, it is easy to forget the human rights issues rampant in North Korea.
North Korean reality isn’t funny for Christians: Column
For the NK section, you can mention this praise report:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/09/world/kenneth-bae-matthew-todd-miller-released-by-north-korea.html
That’s true! It was such great news and an answered prayer! Thanks for that reminder.
Also:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/04/ryan-bell-atheist_n_6397336.html
That’s really sad! Need to pray even more! Thanks again for the article.