By Bob Allen Southern Baptist leaders say World Vision’s decision to hire gay Christians in legal same-sex marriages puts fundraising ahead of doctrinal fidelity for the Christian humanitarian organization started in 1950 by Youth for Christ evangelist Bob Pierce. World…
Chick-fil-A CEO seeks to get beyond gay marriage debate
By Bob Allen Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy says it was a mistake for him two years ago to involve his company in controversy over same-sex marriage. Cathy, 61, recently told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he hasn’t changed his mind about the…
Petition asks gender-role group to repent
By Bob Allen An online petition posted recently at Change.org challenges the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood to apologize for what the sponsors say is the misuse of Scripture to keep women in their place. “At a time in…
Former WMU leader Willene Pierce dies
By Bob Allen Willene Pierce, a former leader in Woman’s Missionary Union and the Baptist World Alliance, who in 1997 launched a full-time ministry with Native American women, died March 18. Pierce, 71, accepted Christ in 1952 during a revival…
Director of gender-roles council denies scrubbing article
By Bob Allen The head of an organization that advocates wifely submission in the church and home denies removing a web page containing an article being compared to Mormonism. Julie Ann Smith, who writes for a blog on spiritual abuse…
Glorieta case remains in federal court despite challenge
By Bob Allen A judge in New Mexico ruled March 20 that a federal court has jurisdiction over a lawsuit challenging last year’s sale of Glorieta Conference Center and lifted a stay so that the case can proceed. U.S. Magistrate…
Alban Institute, consultant for mainline congregations, shuttering after 40 years
By Bob Allen The Alban Institute is closing shop after 40 years as an independent consulting, educational and publishing firm catering to mainline Protestants, directors of the Herndon, Va.,-based nonprofit announced March 19. As of March 31, Alban Institute consultants…
Fred Phelps, dead at 84, leaves behind legacy of hate
By Bob Allen Fred Phelps, founding pastor of Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., is dead at age 84, family members confirmed to local media. Phelps’ son, Timothy, told Topeka television station WIBW that his father died late Wednesday night….
CBF leaders remember Tom Cleary
By Bob Allen Cooperative Baptist Fellowship leaders shared fond memories of Tom Cleary, one of the first field personnel appointed by the Decatur, Ga.-based CBF, who died March 19 in Tampa, Fla., after emergency surgery for a ruptured aneurysm the…