An independent, outside review of the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board’s past handling of abuse allegations announced in July by IMB President David Platt will continue after he leaves the post next week, officials confirmed Sept. 20. Platt, who…
Preacher Franklin Graham claims Brett Kavanaugh abuse allegation is irrelevant
The son of the late Billy Graham said that even if Christine Blasey Ford’s allegation of sexual assault is true, it shouldn’t matter.
Pastor’s traffic stop prompts talk of racial profiling in Kentucky city
Black and white clergy in Louisville, Kentucky, called for a formal review of police policies after a respected ministry colleague was pulled over Saturday night for what some view as the American slang term for racial profiling “driving while black.”…
Dallas CBF pastor stands with black clergy protesting police shooting of African-American man
A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship pastor in Dallas criticized white churches for not speaking up alongside blacks demanding justice in the killing of an African-American man in his own apartment by a white police officer. On Sunday George Mason, senior pastor…
David Platt steps up schedule to step down at IMB
Southern Baptist Convention leader David Platt is stepping down Sept. 17 as president of the denomination’s International Mission Board to focus on being the pastor of a local church. Platt, 39, announced seven months ago plans to transition out of…
Baptist ethicist says undocumented immigrants deserve more than hospitality
A Cuban-born Baptist ethicist told a recent interfaith audience that the religious obligation in dealing with America’s immigration crisis runs deeper than showing “the virtue of hospitality.” “Hospitality assumes that I own the house, and out of the goodness of…
Franklin Graham meeting resistance to upcoming UK crusade
Gays, Muslims, politicians and progressive Christians are organizing to protest U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham’s upcoming visit to England. The Muslim Council of Britain and three members of parliament recently asked the U.K. government to apply hate-speech criteria to block Graham’s…
Georgia Baptist university cuts ties with Nike over Kaepernick ad
A Baptist university in Georgia is cutting ties with Nike in response to a new ad campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Emir Caner, president of Truett McConnell University, announced Sept. 7 that the Georgia Baptist Convention-owned school will…
Reluctant appeals court says Pensacola cross must go
A federal appeals panel ruled reluctantly Sept. 7 that a 34-foot Latin cross standing in a public park in Pensacola, Florida, since 1941 must come down.
Church-state watchdog says Trump’s evangelical advisory team is against the law
An advocacy group that monitors issues related to the free exercise and government sponsorship of religion says President Donald Trump’s unofficial evangelical advisory board is against the law. Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a Washington-based religious liberty…
Missouri Baptist group opposes Senate candidate’s call for Johnson Amendment repeal
A moderate Baptist organization in Missouri reiterated its support for a provision in the federal tax code barring churches from endorsing or opposing political candidates that has suddenly emerged as an issue in one of the most-watched U.S. Senate races…
Trump treats evangelical supporters to ‘state dinner’
Evangelist Paula White presented President Donald Trump with a Bible signed by more than 100 evangelical Christians with the inscription “History will record the greatness that you have brought for generations,” according to a White House transcript of an event…