By Bob Allen Black and white churches in Louisville, Ky., announced a new working partnership Sept. 23 aimed at tackling urban poverty. The Kentucky Baptist Fellowship joined historically black Simmons College of Kentucky in spearheading the new coalition of urban…
Baptist leaders mark pope’s visit with call to action on climate change
By Bob Allen Leaders of two Baptist groups were among 34 interfaith leaders across the United States sending a letter to Congress in light of the pope’s visit and his call for action to fight climate change. Paula Clayton Dempsey,…
Faith leaders pledge to fight hunger
By Bob Allen Baptist leaders were among nearly 100 top officials from all major faith groups on the eve of Pope Francis’ arrival calling for a shift in national priorities to end hunger and poverty. Faith leaders gathered Sept. 21…
Baptist Standard suspends merger talks with Baptist News Global
By Bob Allen The board of directors of Baptist Standard Publishing voted in mid-September to put on hold talks of exploring a possible merger with Baptist News Global. A year ago the governing boards of the two news agencies entered…
CBF Virginia launches coordinator search
By Bob Allen The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia recognized Rob Fox, who stepped down in August after seven years as field coordinator to become vice president of institutional advancement at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and appointed a search…
Christian colleges group loses 2 members over homosexuality
By Bob Allen Two Christian colleges who added sexual orientation to their non-discrimination policies have dropped out of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Earlier this year, Eastern Mennonite University and Goshen College sparked controversy over membership standards for…
Mission strategy, fundraising are priorities for the year, CBF leadership group hears
By Bob Allen The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Governing Board discussed a forthcoming restructuring of global missions in a two-and-a-half hour executive session during the final afternoon of its Sept. 17-18 fall meeting at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. After…
Florida Baptists downsize, send more money to SBC
By Bob Allen The Florida Baptist State Board of Missions approved a reorganization Sept. 18 reducing the number of statewide employees from 115 to 61. The 47-percent staff reduction implements a proposed 2016 Florida Baptist Cooperative Program budget of $29…
CBF leaders lament SBC missionary recall
By Bob Allen The head of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s global missionary enterprise asked the CBF Governing Board Sept. 17 to pray for Southern Baptists after the news they are cutting their international mission force by 600 to 800 jobs…
CBF head prepares for papal visit
Coming Monday on Baptist News Global: Baptists and Pope Francis’ visit. By Bob Allen Though it isn’t listed on any official calendar, next week is “Pope Week” for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, CBF Executive Coordinator reported Sept. 17 to the group’s…
PNBC elects new general secretary
By Bob Allen Timothy Tee Boddie, a former pastor, university chaplain and divinity school administrator has been named general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Boddie, until recently director of the master of arts in Christian education program at…
Ole Miss honors Will Campbell
By Bob Allen Sixty years after he was forced out of a job for challenging racial segregation on campus, the University of Mississippi is naming a plaza for the late Will Campbell, a renegade Baptist minister and author active in…