Signs and Wonders: Another megachurch pastor confesses to behaving badly

Pastors behaving badly. One of America’s highest profile pastors, Bob Coy of Calvary Chapel Ft. Lauderdale, resigned last week. A statement from the church said he stepped down after “confessing to a moral failing in his life which disqualifies him from continuing his leadership role at the church he has led since its founding in 1985.” The church currently has about 18,000 people in attendance each Sunday, making it one of the largest churches in the United States.

Noah at the box office. In a memorable scene in the movie Noah, scoffers try to fight their way onto the ark. Alas for Paramount, moviegoers don’t seem to be fighting their way into theaters to see the $125 million epic. It opened with a respectable but not blockbuster $44 million, but it faded significantly during its second weekend, bringing in just $17 million. Of course, worldwide the movie is doing well, currently at around $180 million. However, when you consider that the theater spent an estimated $100 million on promotion and advertising, the movie is not in the black yet, though it seems likely to get there.

Mickey Rooney’s faith. Mickey Rooney died on Sunday at age 93, and the blogosphere has been heating up with speculation about his faith. Rooney was certainly not raised in a Christian home, and he embraced cultic religious ideas as an adult. But his son—Mickey Rooney Jr.—is widely reported to be an evangelical Christian, though details about his ministry, The Lord’s Link, are hard to find. Still, in a video recorded just a couple of years before his death, Rooney seems to make a clear statement of faith in Christ. You can watch and decide for yourself.

Boy Scouts fading. For more than a century, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) has enjoyed a special place in the minds and hearts of Americans. But following recent controversies, including the decision to allow openly homosexual Scouts into the program, the view of Americans toward Scouting seems to be shifting. According to a survey by Rasmussen Reports, “favorable views of the Boy Scouts of America continue to decline.” According to the polling firm’s latest telephone survey, 59 percent of adult Americans have a favorable opinion of the Scouts. However, Rasmussen says this number is “down six points from 65 percent last May and a 14-point drop from 73 percent in February 2012. Twenty-eight percent now view the Boy Scouts unfavorably.” Perhaps most troubling for the Scouts, even its supporters are wavering. “The latest findings include 21 percent with a ‘Very Favorable’ opinion, down from 40 percent two years ago.” A full 10 percent of adults have a “very unfavorable” view of the BSA.

Signing off. It is with mixed emotions that I report that “Signs and Wonders” is coming to an end. You won’t be getting rid of me. I plan to redouble my efforts on investigative work, and the transition of Listening In from a weekly to a daily program will continue. “Signs and Wonders” has been a happy assignment for me. The best part has been the opportunity to have daily interaction with WORLD members. I hope that interaction continues. If you have story ideas or if you know fascinating people you think we should know, too, please let me know.