WORLD’s Top 25 articles for 2018
Our year-end countdown of the stories that generated the most reader traffic
In 2018, WORLD’s online readers were drawn to major cover stories and timely features from the magazine, daily news reports from The Sift, and insightful Saturday Series essays. But issues related to marriage, family, and sexuality were often foremost in the minds of our readers this past year, as the website’s weekly Relations roundup makes multiple appearances in our countdown of the 25 articles that grabbed your attention the most.
25. A long way from home
Before getting lost in a cave, Adul Sam-on found direction for his future at a Thai church and school
by Angela Lu Fulton July 13 | WORLD Magazine | Features
24. Moody Bible Institute leaders resign amid turmoil
Moody Bible Institute announced Wednesday the resignation of President J. Paul Nyquist and Chief Operating Officer Steve Mogck amid ongoing turmoil following staffing cuts
by Leigh Jones Jan. 11 | WORLD Digital | The Sift
23. Willow Creek elders respond to new Hybels accusations
The elders of Willow Creek Community Church in suburban Chicago said in a letter Saturday they could have done a better job holding former Senior Pastor Bill Hybels accountable for inappropriate behavior toward women
by Lynde Langdon April 23 | WORLD Digital | The Sift
22. Facing cultural storms
Six trends that are rapidly reshaping the lives of American Christians
by John S. Dickerson Nov. 24 | WORLD Digital | Saturday Series
21. Turkey seeks life sentence for U.S. pastor
Turkish prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for a U.S. pastor accused of participating in the 2016 coup that attempted to oust Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
by Leigh Jones March 13 | WORLD Digital | The Sift
20. Boards back SOGI compromise
Major Christian groups endorse framework to expand LGBT rights in exchange for religious protections
by J.C. Derrick Dec. 12 | WORLD Magazine | Features
19. Multiple fatalities in Houston-area school shooting
Local media are reporting multiple deaths in a shooting at a Houston-area high school
by Lynde Langdon, Leigh Jones & Mickey McLean May 18 | WORLD Digital | The Sift
18. Numerous dead in Florida school shooting
There are “numerous fatalities” from a shooting at a South Florida high school on Wednesday afternoon, according to the school superintendent
by Kiley Crossland & Leigh Jones Feb. 14 | WORLD Digital | The Sift
17. The end of international adoption?
New State Department regulations could strangle an endangered industry
by Kiley Crossland March 2 | WORLD Digital | Relations
16. Dare to be different
Ten reasons why parents should offer the gift of a smartphone-free childhood
by S.J. Dahlstrom Dec. 8 | WORLD Digital | Saturday Series
15. He comes, the old man
A short story lesson on respect for the aged
by John R. Erickson Jan. 20 | WORLD Digital | Saturday Series
14. The hidden risks of at-home DNA testing
The popular tests pose security concerns and may reveal hard-to-handle truths
by Kiley Crossland Jan. 5 | WORLD Digital | Relations
13. Convictions and consequences
The backstory of Isabella Chow’s stand for Biblical sexuality before the UC Berkeley student senate
by Sophia Lee Nov. 20 | WORLD Magazine | Features
12. What’s behind the surge in transgender teens
Experts cite the mass marketing of transgenderism to youth
by Kiley Crossland Feb. 9 | WORLD Digital | Relations
11. A tale of two worldviews
How Ta-Nehisi Coates is tearing down what Martin Luther King Jr. built up
by Scott Allen Feb. 10 | WORLD Digital | Saturday Series
10. Billy Graham’s legacy
Remembering the evangelist to millions after his death at age 99
by Edward E. Plowman Feb. 21 (March 17 issue) | WORLD Magazine | Features
9. Hidden violence
Spousal abuse is a widespread sin that many churches ignore at their—and their members’—peril
by Sophia Lee May 10 (May 26 issue) | WORLD Magazine | Features
8. A slanderous charge
The American Library Association’s criticism of Little House entirely misses the mark
by Megan Basham June 29 (July 21 issue) | WORLD Magazine | Television
7. Chinese police raid prominent house church
Officials have taken into custody more than 100 members and leaders of Early Rain Covenant Church in a crackdown that began Sunday night
by June Cheng Dec. 10 | WORLD Magazine | Features
6. Crouching at every door
Sexual abuse is a problem in both Roman Catholic and Protestant churches—and here are three environments in which Protestants are especially vulnerable
by Marvin Olasky, Sophia Lee, & Emily Belz Aug. 30 (Sept. 15 issue) | WORLD Magazine | Features
5. Moody blues
Financial errors, insider dealings, and theological concerns force a change at an evangelical powerhouse
by Paul Butler & Marvin Olasky Jan. 17 (Feb. 3 issue) | WORLD Magazine | Features
4. Boy Scouts crumbling
Critics say moral collapse preceded financial one
by Kiley Crossland Dec. 21 | WORLD Digital | Relations
3. Papered over
Biblical truth-telling at college newspapers can sometimes conflict with the way administrators want to portray the school. Here’s a case study of how Liberty University handled the tension last spring
by Charissa Crotts, Elizabeth Rieth, & Isaiah Johnson Aug. 16 (Sept. 1 issue) | WORLD Magazine | Features
2. Hard times at Harvest
Former elders, pastors, and staffers from Chicago’s Harvest Bible Chapel accuse the church of financial mismanagement and a culture of deception and intimidation
by Julie Roys Dec. 13 (Dec. 29 issue) | WORLD Magazine | Features
1. Joni Eareckson Tada diagnosed with cancer
Joni Eareckson Tada, a Christian author and advocate for people with disabilities, announced Monday she has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time
by Lynde Langdon Nov. 19 | WORLD Digital | The Sift
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