RNS Morning Report: Reports of forced retirement prompt defiance from Bishop Strickland

Top Stories Reports of forced retirement prompt defiance from embattled Bishop Strickland (RNS) — In an email, the East Texas bishop told RNS that he ‘cannot voluntarily abandon the flock that I have been given charge of as a successor of the apostles.’   At Sing! Global, a faithful pushback to the spread of megachurch praise music NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — Keith and Kristyn Getty's hymn conference brings Christians together to sing tunes from historic hymnals, from Celtic traditions and new creations — and to share a common love and culture of sacred music.   In new Bob Jones University podcast, former students and faculty blast ‘insular’ culture (RNS) — 'Surviving Bob Jones University: A Christian Cult' aims to show how alleged patterns of conformity, isolation, information control and surveillance impacted members of the Bob Jones ecosystem.   Hindu and Jewish Americans foster kinship through shared traditions, connections to homeland (RNS) — Hindu and Jewish organizations hope interreligious dialogue will aid in the broader goal of allyship between India, Israel and the United States. RNS Opinion Three anniversaries will force issues of religious persecution at the UN General Assembly (RNS) — Whether world leaders grapple with interconnecting issues of religion and global affairs remains to be seen, but they cannot afford to ignore them.      What do Jews want to hear on the High Holy Days? To my rabbinical colleagues: Just when you thought you were done with your sermons..... ICYMI After accusations by top Ukrainian official, Vatican Bank denies receiving funds from Russia VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A high-ranking Ukrainian official accused the Vatican of taking money from Russia and called Pope Francis a ‘Russophile.’   Meet the pastor behind that ‘quitting the church’ essay (RNS) — A pastor's last thoughts on leaving the ministry sparked a national conversation about clergy health and the future of the church. In Other News New Yorkers watch as their only evangelical colleges close Christian groups send emergency aid to Morocco as earthquake death toll nears 3,000   Talk to Us We want your feedback on the RNS Morning Report — what you think we're doing right and what we should be doing differently. Send us an email at Comments@ReligionNews.com Subscribe to other RNS Newsletters. Forward this email to a friend. View the archive of past newsletters. Religion News Service is free to read, but it's not free to produce. If you value our reporting, please consider making a donation today at religionnews.com/donate. If you prefer to mail a donation, please address to: Religion News Foundation, PO Box 1808, Columbia, MO 65205. Yes, I support the work you're doing! Forward this email to a friend