Top religion stories of the year include an interview with Mama Bear podcaster Alisa Childers who discussed her fundamentalist beliefs, a look at diversity within evangelical Christian publishing, and more.
10. Christian Publishing Veterans Launch Consulting Firm
David Moberg, formerly group publisher of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, and Byron Williamson, former president and CEO of Worthy Publishing announced the launch of Moberg | Williamson Consulting in February. The firm supplies publishers and other mass media clients with new growth strategies, creative content development, sales opportunities, and management.
9. A Look at Diversity in Evangelical Christian Publishing
PW asked evangelical Christian publishers what they are doing to better represent people of color on staff and in books. Responses varied, and many industry members acknowledged more work needs to be done.
8. Six Books on Faith, Whiteness, and Racism
As racial inequality persists in American institutions, society, and even the church, six new books are taking a closer look at the role white Christians can play in healing the division.
7. New Books on Paul Raise Fresh Questions
The latest scholarship, including an increasing number of Black and women New Testament experts, adds new ideas to age-old debates about the apostle's theology.
6. Faith-Based Books for Parenting During the Pandemic
New parenting books from religion publishers are looking at ways readers can maintain peaceful, anxiety-free households, all while establishing strong levels of engagement and connection with their children in a time of uncertainty.
5. Christianity Confronted with New Ideas of Identity
PW asked reformation historian Carl Trueman about where Christianity is headed and why the hottest topic in identity politics today—transgender identity—is so fraught for the faithful.
4. Paraclete Signs NY Media Celeb's Holiday Novel
John Gray, an anchor and Emmy-winning TV newsman in the Albany, N.Y. area for 25 years, sold a novel, Manchester Christmas, which is slated for publication by Paraclete on Dec. 20, 2020.
3. United Methodist Publishing Plans for Church Split
Leaders of the United Methodist Church leaders proposed a split to the denomination over same-sex marriage and LGBTQ clergy after years of division in January. The proposed agreement was to be voted upon during another United Methodist general conference in May, but the event has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. If the proposal is approved, the church’s publishing arm, the United Methodist Publishing House (UMPH), has a plan in place for its publishing operations going forward.
2. Faith-Based Books Multiply Amid Covid-19 Crisis
Publishers are meeting demands for uplifting content and spiritual guidance due to the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic. These include existing titles with timely notes added and drop-in titles that directly address the novel coronavirus, God, and faith.
1.Throwing a Red Flag on Progressive Christianity: PW talks with Alisa Childers
PW talked to blogger and podcaster Alisa Childers about her fundamentalist Christian beliefs, progressive Christianity, and her new book, Another Gospel.
