Faith leaders say a group of bills in the Republican-controlled state legislature “promote discrimination rather than justice and demean the worth of LGBTQ people in our state.”
Appellate court says tax break for clergy housing is constitutional
A federal appeals court on Friday gave its blessing to tax-free housing allowances for ministers of the gospel, overturning a lower court decision that found the 60-year-old benefit unconstitutional.
After health scare, American Baptist leader Lee Spitzer announces early retirement plan
Less than two years on the job and on the heels of medical leave, Lee Spitzer has announced plans to retire as general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA at the end of 2019.
Tax-exempt college admissions scam reaches into the Bible Belt
Wealthy parents caught up in a $25 million college admissions cheating scandal dubbed “Operation Varsity Blues” got a tax write-off for bribes allegedly funneled through the same type of non-profit organization that allows individuals to avoid paying taxes on money they give to their church.
Former LifeWay employee hired to lead fund raising for Baptist World Alliance
As director of advancement and Global Impact Churches, Philip Nation will cultivate donor relationships and oversee a comprehensive fund-raising program, the Falls Church, Virginia,-based BWA announced March 12.
Feds won’t enforce law limiting use of taxpayer funds by private schools
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced March 11 that her department will not enforce parts of a federal law governing the nation’s elementary, middle and high schools deemed unconstitutional in light of a recent Supreme Court decision regarding the separation…
Woman in SBC leadership post says #MeToo
A vice president at LifeWay Christian Resources joined the #MeToo and #ChurchToo moments roiling the Southern Baptist Convention with a statement March 11 claiming she was sexually abused by a seminary professor who resigned last year due to an undisclosed “personnel matter.”
Panel talk turns testy for SBC leader who declined to sign social justice statement
A Southern Baptist Convention leader who comments daily on current events went on defense in a panel discussion about social justice and the gospel after the moderator suggested he ignores topics that hit too close to home. During a Wednesday…
Church fires worship leader five years after sexual abuse confession
A Southern Baptist church in Georgia reportedly fired its music minister after being called out publicly by Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear for suspicion of indifference toward allegations of sexual abuse.