Kate Shellnutt
- Principal, Managing Editor, Praxis
As seen in:
The New York Times,
The Washington Post,
NDTV,
The Toronto Star,
Vox,
Chron,
Flipboard,
The Boston Globe,
Miami Herald,
The Charlotte Observer
and
editor. ✍️ proud night owl and baseball fan. tweeting about faith and whatever else.
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Kate Shellnutt
May Cause a Spontaneous Outburst of Festive Joy - Crossmap News
To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how. If your browser does not redirect you there, please click here to continue.
What Broke the Evangelical Women’s Blogosphere - Crossmap News
To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how. If your browser does not redirect you there, please click here to continue.
After Hurricane Melissa, Jamaican Baptists Look to Rebuild from the Ruins
Churches step in as shelters, aid sites, and sources of hope after the island's strongest storm. A map hangs in the office of the Jamaica Baptist Union, with colored thumbtacks marking each of its 340 member churches: white for those that remained intact, yellow for those that suffered damage, and red for buildings hit hard or destroyed by Hurricane Melissa.
FDA Approves Generic Abortion Pill
Students for Life leader calls the move "a stain on the Trump presidency." iStock Editorial / Getty Images Plus Today's primary abortion battleground is the prescription pad. Now that most abortions are chemical rather than surgical, pro-life advocates have amped up pressure on lawmakers and officials to restrict access to abortion pills-but the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week approved another generic version of the drug mifepristone.
Survey: Evangelicals Contradict Their Own Convictions
A new State of Theology report shows consensus around core beliefs but also lots of confusion. When American evangelicals affirm the Trinity but don't see the Spirit as a personal being, when they consider Jesus as the sole source of righteousness but insist that people are still inherently good, either not enough churches are teaching sound doctrine or not enough churchgoers are listening.
A Sudden Death: Voddie Baucham, Who Warned the Church of Fault Lines
Known for confronting critical theory, moral relativism, and secular ideologies, Baucham died a month into leading a new seminary in Florida. Popular Reformed speaker and author Voddie Baucham Jr. died suddenly after suffering a medical emergency on Thursday. He was 56.
From Dialogue to Devastating Murder
Russell Moore and Mike Cosper discuss Charlie Kirk's alternative to civil war. Here are edited excerpts of a conversation between Russell Moore and Mike Cosper on CT's The Bulletin podcast. Mike Cosper: Look, his murder has really bothered me. If you're a dad-I don't care how you feel about Charlie Kirk-look back on the days of your life, the days of your marriage, when your kids were little.
Charlie Kirk fue asesinado en un evento de Turning Point USA - Christianity Today en espaƱol
El activista y comentarista conservador fue asesinado mientras hablaba ante un grupo de estudiantes en Utah. Cristianos y políticos han hecho un llamado a la oración después de que el activista conservador Charlie Kirk perdiera la vida tras recibir un solo disparo el miércoles por la tarde.
Charlie Kirk Fatally Shot at TPUSA Event
The 31-year-old conservative activist and commentator was targeted while speaking to students in Utah. Andri Tambunan / AFP via Getty Images Christians and politicians called for prayer after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot Wednesday afternoon. Within hours, they learned Kirk, the 31-year-old executive director of Turning Point USA, had died, and their prayers for recovery turned to mourning the leader and decrying the violence that killed him.
ERLC President Steps Down Amid Southern Baptist Discord
After four years under Brent Leatherwood, SBC pastors look for a leader to rebuild trust in its public-policy arm. Pamphlets with a photo of Brent Leatherwood alongside House Speaker Mike Johnson dotted thousands of gray chairs in the Dallas meeting hall where the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) gathered in June.
Kentucky Church Shooter Killed Pastor's Wife and Daughter
Domestic violence and family disputes remain a top cause for violence on church property. Michael Swensen / Getty Images A Kentucky man looking for the mother of his children shot a state trooper, stole a car, drove to a small Baptist church, and opened fire on her relatives as they prepared lunch after the service on Sunday.
Trágicas inundaciones en Texas se cobran la vida de decenas de niñas de un campamento cristiano - Christianity Today en español
Los equipos de rescate continúan la búsqueda después de que el río Guadalupe se desbordara y arrasara las cabañas del campamento Mystic, un campamento no denominacional situado en Hill Country. La unida comunidad que se ha construido en torno a los campamentos en la región de Hill Country en Texas nunca volverá a ser la misma.
Texas Flood Washes Away Dozens Of Young Girls From Christian Camp
The close-knit camp community in the Texas Hill Country will never be the same. Early morning on the Fourth of July, record-setting flash floods swept away 27 girls at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, and washed through campgrounds where generations of young Texans have spent their summers along the Guadalupe River.
Texas Flood Washes Away Dozens of Young Girls from Christian Camp
Rescue teams continue their search after the Guadalupe River overtook cabins at Camp Mystic, a nondenominational camp in the Hill Country. The close-knit camp community in the Texas Hill Country will never be the same. Early morning on the Fourth of July, record-setting flash floods swept away 27 girls at Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, and washed through campgrounds where generations of young Texans have spent their summers along the Guadalupe River.
SBC Proposals to Abolish ERLC, Amend Constitution Don't Pass
After the Southern Baptist annual meeting, some messengers are still holding out for change. Southern Baptists didn't enact major reforms at their annual meeting this week. They didn't vote to shut down their long-standing public policy arm, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). They didn't go ahead with a constitutional amendment barring churches with women as pastors. They didn't adopt sweeping new requirements for financial transparency.
Southern Baptists Vote to Denounce Sports Betting, Endorse Bans on Online Porn
Southern Baptists remain united in their long-standing opposition to gambling, pornography, abortion, and same-sex marriage, and they're putting out stronger calls for the US government to ban what they see as sinful and harmful practices. On Tuesday at the annual meeting, a slate of resolutions-positional statements meant to represent the position of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)-all passed by huge majorities with little to no debate.
Southern Baptists to Vote on Financial Disclosures, Legal Fees, ERLC
On the 100th anniversary of its cooperation, the convention faces slipping trust and calls for greater accountability. Ask Southern Baptists their favorite part of their annual meeting, and nearly everyone will tell you: the missionary-sending presentation. Couples and individuals getting ready to serve abroad introduce themselves from the convention stage, with those bound for sensitive countries hidden in silhouette, and the crowd prays for them.
10 Women Who Are Changing the Southern Baptist Response to Abuse
Meet the survivors and advocates whose voices spurred "holy rumblings" in the nation's largest Protestant denomination. For many years, even as revelations of sexual abuse by clergy had been coming to light for decades in the Catholic church, the evangelical church had not had "eyes to see" or "ears to hear" the extent of its own abuse crisis.
Despite Burnout, Just 1% of Pastors Leave Each Year
Pastors face unique challenges in their role and often feel overwhelmed, but few decide to step away from the pulpit and pursue another career. Only around 1 in 100 pastors leave the ministry each year, according to a Lifeway Research study of evangelical and Black Protestant pastors. The percentage of pastors who leave for reasons other than retirement or death has remained statistically unchanged over the past decade: 1.3% in 2015, 1.5% in 2021 and 1.2% in 2025.
Died: 'Duck Dynasty' Patriarch Phil Robertson
The founder of the successful family duck-call business was also a Bible teacher and champion for conservative causes. Phil Robertson, the no-nonsense patriarch of the Louisiana family who founded the Duck Commander brand and starred in Duck Dynasty, died Sunday at 79. His family shared last December that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The Robertsons became Christian reality-TV stars when the series chronicling the antics at their family duck-call business took off in 2012.
G3 Ministries: Founder Used Fake Profiles to Slam Fellow Christians
Pastor Josh Buice has resigned, and the organization canceled its upcoming conference, after his church uncovered "sinful" and "deeply divisive" online behavior. The Reformed Baptist ministry G3 has called off its biennial conference after discovering that its president, Josh Buice, ran multiple anonymous online accounts to insult fellow Christian leaders.
Southern Baptist Membership Lowest in 50 Years
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) continued its 18-year membership skid last year, while churches in the country's largest denomination saw bigger crowds at Sunday services and small groups as well as more believers proclaim their faith through baptism. Once again, SBC's Annual Church Profile, released on Wednesday, brings mixed news.
Trump Task Force Hears Out Christians Who Challenged Biden Administration
An evangelical litigator and the provost of Liberty University spoke at the kickoff meeting to address claims of anti-Christian bias in the federal government. Oliver Contreras / AFP via Getty Images The Justice Department lent a listening ear on Tuesday to conservative Christians with stories of investigations, fines, and bitter clashes with the Biden administration.
Faith Isn’t a ‘Shiny Add-on’ to Baseball Fame - Crossmap News
To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. Please click here to learn how. If your browser does not redirect you there, please click here to continue.
Most Who Switch Religions End Up with None
Global study finds Christian decline, especially in high-income countries. Around the world, millions of people have traded the religious traditions of their upbringing for no religion at all. In countries across Europe, the Americas, and East Asia, between 20 percent and 50 percent of the population has switched religions, according to a report out this week from the Pew Research Center. In most cases, they are now unaffiliated.
Most Who Switch Religions End Up with None
6 hours ago As physicians, we're pleading with you to get a little angrier Anger is usually looked down upon, even pathologized, but we're living in a moment where getting angry is necessary.
Gateway Church Founder Robert Morris Indicted on Child Sex Abuse Charges
Less than a year after resigning over allegations dating back to the 1980s, the former megachurch pastor faces a criminal case in Oklahoma. The former pastor of one of the biggest churches in Texas now faces criminal charges over allegations of child sexual abuse that took place in the 1980s. On Wednesday, a grand jury in Oklahoma indicted Gateway Church founder Robert Morris on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.
Apologist Wesley Huff Goes to Modern-Day Mars Hill: Joe Rogan's Podcast
The even-keeled Canadian scholar is amassing a growing platform to defend and explain early biblical texts after a viral debate and popular interview. Apologist Wesley Huff's modest YouTube following of around 1,200 surged to 450,000 this month. Hundreds have reached out to say they have picked up a Bible, started going to church, or professed faith because of something he said. His parachurch organization, Apologetics Canada, is fielding record levels of interest.
Mike Pence Shares the First Thing He Said to Trump in Four Years
The day after Jimmy Carter's funeral, the former VP spoke to CT's Russell Moore about what happened in the presidential pews and his prayers for his former running mate. Jacquelyn Martin / AP Images Though Mike Pence hadn't seen Donald Trump since leaving the White House, the former vice president said he was grateful to get a moment to speak with him at Jimmy Carter's state funeral this week.
What Verses Anxious Bible Readers Turned to in 2024
Bible platforms see Philippians and the Psalms rise in popularity as stressed-out readers look for comfort. In a year marked by economic stress and election anxiety, many turned to the Bible for comfort-particularly to the Pauline Epistles and the Psalms.
As Malibu Burns, Pepperdine Withstands the Fire
The sky glowed orange and smoky through the floor-to-ceiling library windows at Pepperdine University, where students spent two nights in a row as flames licked over the hilltops along the Malibu campus. During the final days before winter break, a 2,800-acre wildfire forced the Christian university to issue shelter-in-place orders Monday night and again Tuesday.
Mozambique Drops Terrorist Case Against Missionary Pilot Helping Orphans
MAF's Ryan Koher plans to return to the country where he was imprisoned now that investigators have cleared charges related to "suspicious" cargo. November 8 started off as a normal Friday for Ryan Koher. The 33-year-old missionary pilot was at his desk in a hangar at Mission Aviation Fellowship's (MAF's) headquarters in Nampa, Idaho, where he had been working for several months.
With Giving Down Again, Churches Wait on the Lord-and the Economy
ECFA reports that 70 percent of its member churches struggle to keep up with inflation. Just because Christmas services are fuller this year doesn't mean the offering plates will be. Church giving has not kept up with inflation for two years in a row, according to the State of Giving report released on Tuesday by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). "It's the best of times and the worst of times.
Florida's Abortion Amendment Becomes the First to Fail Since Roe's Reversal
On election night, pro-lifers cheered the news that a 6-week ban enacted under Gov. Ron DeSantis will get to stay. Pro-life evangelicals across the country celebrated the defeat of Florida's proposed constitutional amendment on abortion on Tuesday night and thanked Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose 6-week ban will remain in effect. Florida's Amendment 4 is the first abortion-rights ballot measure to fail since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and sent the issue to the states.
Conservative Anglicans Call for Archbishop to Repent Over Same-Sex Relationships Stance
As the issue continues to divide the Church of England, Justin Welby spoke on a popular podcast about how his views have "evolved." Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby's recent remarks affirming sexual activity in same-sex relationships have disappointed conservative Anglicans and British evangelicals who want to see the Church of England retain a traditional sexual ethic.
Charlie Kirk Aims to Expand Turning Point USA to Evangelical Campuses
But not all Christian campuses have embraced the conservative group. Just eight days shy of Election Day, 31-year-old political activist Charlie Kirk addressed a sea of college students in glaring-red MAGA hats at Grand Canyon University, near downtown Phoenix.
Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law Blocked in Court
Shall thou display them in thy classrooms? Federal judge orders education officials to not enforce the requirement that schools put up posters with the biblical directives. Louisiana's law requiring that public school classrooms display the Ten Commandments is "discriminatory and coercive" and "unconstitutional on its face," a federal judge ruled on Tuesday. US District Judge John W.
How Priscilla Shirer Surrenders All
The best-selling Bible teacher writes about putting God first in her life and how healthy Christian discipleship requires sacrifice Priscilla Shirer remembers the advice she got earlier in her ministry career: You cannot do a thousand things to the glory of God, but you can do one or two. "I've never forgotten that," she said. Each season of life, she prays and discerns what priorities she believes God has laid out for her.
Evangelicals for Harris Asked to 'Cease and Desist' Billy Graham Ad
Franklin Graham says the campaign is "trying to mislead people" by positioning his father's preaching in contrast to Donald Trump. The ad begins with a clip of Billy Graham, wearing glasses, a gray suit and tie, leaning in toward a pulpit. "But you must realize that in the last days, the times will be full of danger," Graham declares. "Men will become utterly self-centered and greedy for money." Suddenly, a clip of former president Donald Trump is spliced in.
UK Regulators Investigate Barnabas Aid over Reports of Misused Funds
The charity is under an "unprecedented level of scrutiny on our financial processes" after founders and top leaders were suspended. One of the biggest Christian charities in the United Kingdom is being investigated by regulators following reports of financial mismanagement, conflicts of interest, and escalating internal tensions.
The Gettys' Modern Hymn Movement Has Theological Pull
Yet even at their annual worship conference, there's room for multiple styles of music to declare the stories of the Bible. The success of "In Christ Alone" established Keith Getty as one of the leading songwriters in what he refers to as the modern hymn movement.
More Christians Are Watching Porn, But Fewer Think It's a Problem
Ministries expand to reach the 54 percent of churchgoers who say they view online pornography. Pornography use has continued to climb over the past decade, especially among young people who are exposed to explicit images earlier than ever. Yet most Americans today don't see porn as a bad thing for society, and many Christians say they aren't worried about its effects. That's according to a new report released this week from Barna and Pure Desire, a ministry for people with pornography addictions.
With Drug Abuse Raging, Zimbabwe's Churches Turn from Punishment to Mercy
Christian leaders can no longer defer the widespread addiction crisis to schools and prisons. A drug abuse crisis is raging in Zimbabwe, with experts and medics warning that a staggering 57 percent of Zimbabwe's youth are involved with illicit drugs, from cocaine and ecstasy to tainted cough syrup and illegally brewed beers. The church hasn't been spared, and many leaders say they're unsure how to respond.
Brenna Blain: 'Suffering Clarified My Theology'
Gnarly and honest, the rising author and teacher ditches small talk and Christian platitudes to share from Scripture and her own suffering. The first thing you notice about Brenna Blain is probably her tattoos, a patchwork of ink stretching from her shoulders to her hands. A death's-head hawkmoth spreads its wings around her neck, with a marking at its center that resembles a human skull.
SBC to Sell Nashville Headquarters to Cover Cost of Abuse Cases
Southern Baptists have spent down reserves with over $12 million in legal fees over the past three years. An investigation into how leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) have dealt with sexual abuse by clergy has cost more than $12 million over the past three years, causing the nation's largest Protestant denomination to put its Nashville, Tennessee, headquarters up for sale, the SBC's Executive Committee announced on Tuesday.
Half of Pastors Plan to Vote for Trump, Nearly a Quarter Wouldn't Say
The former president receives the most support from Pentecostal, Baptist, and nondenominational leaders. Like other Americans, pastors are deciding who they'll vote for in the November election. Compared to previous elections, however, they're much more hesitant to share their preference. Almost all US Protestant pastors (97%) plan to vote in the 2024 presidential election, according to a Lifeway Research study conducted August 8-September 3, 2024.
Pro-Life Voters Find Trump Disappointing-but Harris Even Worse
At the debate, Donald Trump didn't take a strong stand and continued to defer to the states, while Kamala Harris championed expansive abortion rights. During the first presidential debate between former president Donald Trump and vice president Kamala Harris, both candidates spent a few minutes discussing abortion policy, yet pro-life Christians didn't get the conviction or clarity they were hoping to hear.
Bethany Sues Michigan for Denying State Contracts Due to Faith-Based Hiring
The Christian ministry says it is being blocked from helping hundreds of refugee children and families, despite its decades-long history of service. Mike Kline (notkalvin) / Getty Images After decades of resettling refugee families and placing unaccompanied refugee children in foster homes, Bethany Christian Services announced Tuesday that it is suing the state of Michigan for denying its contracts due to long-standing faith-based hiring practices.
China Ends International Adoptions, Leaving Hundreds of Cases in Limbo
The decision shocked dozens of evangelical families in the US who had been in the process since before the pandemic. Chris Hondros / Getty Images The Chinese government has officially ended its international adoption program, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced Thursday, ending hopes for hundreds of US families who were matched with children before the COVID-19 pandemic but had adoptions put on hold in 2020.
Evangelical Broadcasters Sue Over IRS Ban on Political Endorsements
Now that some nonprofit newspapers have begun to back candidates, a new lawsuit asks why Christian charities can't take sides. A group of evangelical broadcasters who hosted Donald Trump at their national conference earlier this year are suing the Internal Revenue Service over the so-called Johnson Amendment, a tax law that bars nonprofits from supporting political candidates.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Kate
Contact Kate, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack