By Bob Allen Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Controller Larry Hurst is stepping down after 13 years of service to work for the Association County Commissioners of Georgia, a nonprofit organization serving local governments in all 159 Georgia counties. CBF Executive Coordinator…
Merritt, Moore debate Hobby Lobby’s alleged ‘hypocrisy’
By Bob Allen A faith-and-culture writer and Southern Baptist Convention official clashed June 17 about whether it’s hypocritical for Hobby Lobby to call itself a Christian company while doing business in China. Author and Religion News Service blogger Jonathan Merritt…
Church-state group asks court to strike down gay-marriage bans in three states
By Bob Allen A gay Baptist minister suing for the right to wed in Kentucky got support June 17 from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The Washington-based watchdog group filed three separate legal briefs asking the 6th…
Mohler says call 911 at first report of abuse
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist leader criticized for supporting a ministry colleague accused of covering up child sex abuse advised pastors June 10 to immediately dial 911 at the first report of any abuse. “Know beforehand that if you…
As SBC meeting wraps up, new president hopes for next ‘great awakening’
By Bob Allen The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention outlined an ambitious agenda during a press conference following his election June 10 in Baltimore. “I believe the greatest need in the Southern Baptist Convention, and quite honesly, the…
Rainer says sale of Glorieta, worth millions but sold for $1, was ‘tough decision’
By Bob Allen Glorieta Conference Center would have been worth millions of dollars to a commercial developer, but it was sold last year for $1 because leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention agency owning the property say they wanted the…
AWAB asks SBC to recant transgender resolution
By Bob Allen A 21-year-old movement advocating full inclusion of gays in Baptist churches voiced concern that a Southern Baptist Convention resolution on transgender identity will spawn methods similar to “ex-gay” ministries harmful to transgender youth. The board and staff…
SBC passes on discipline of gay-tolerant church
By Bob Allen Contrary to a leader’s forecast, the Southern Baptist Convention did not rebuke a church for challenging the denomination’s policy against gay-affirming congregations at the convention’s 2014 annual meeting June 10-11 in Baltimore. Albert Mohler, president of Southern…
Protestors say Southern Baptists not taking clergy sex abuse seriously
By Bob Allen The mother of a child sex abuse victim who is suing a Maryland ministry with ties to leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention said June 11 that a “good-old-boy” network among evangelical preachers is just as effective…