By Bob Allen While news media have long moved on to other stories like the pro-democracy Arab Spring and U.S. presidential election, the Jan. 12, 2010, earthquake remains a present reality in Haiti, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field workers reported on…
Supreme Court upholds ‘ministerial exception’ to employment discrimination laws
By Bob Allen A unanimous U.S. Supreme Court ruled Jan. 11 that churches can fire their ministers for reasons that for other employers would be job discrimination. The decision marks the first time the high court has recognized a “ministerial…
Youth minister arrested
By Bob Allen A Louisiana man was arrested Jan.11 after police reportedly traced the IP address of a computer used to solicit minors for sexual purposes to his workplace at a Baptist church. Mitchell J. Rousse, 33, of Patterson, La.,…
Two churches join Alliance of Baptists
By Bob Allen Two churches disciplined by Baptist bodies for affirming gays have joined the Alliance of Baptists, a theologically progressive organization formed by churches and individuals separating from the Southern Baptist Convention in 1987. The Alliance’s e-mail newsletter announced…
Baptist sexuality conference program released
Jenell Paris By Bob Allen Scholar and author Jenell Paris headlines A [Baptist] Conference on Sexuality and Covenant program scheduled April 19-21 at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. Paris, professor of cultural anthropology at Messiah College and author of…
Former youth pastor, teacher charged with molestation
By Bob Allen Residents of a Birmingham suburb expressed shock at sexual abuse charges filed against a popular school teacher who faced similar allegations, but avoided arrest, 20 years ago while he was youth minister at a Baptist church. Police…
Documentary claims age-graded Sunday school harms families
By Bob Allen A controversial new documentary movie contends age-graded Sunday school and youth ministry are doing more harm than good. In Divided, young filmmaker Philip Leclerc sets out to discover why so many people of his generation are leaving…
Can Sunday School be saved?
By Bob Allen Sunday school, a staple of Protestant church life in the United States in the 20th century, is in decline, prompting some scholars to question whether the institution has a future. The Southern Baptist Convention has reported declines…
Sunday school an evolving institution
By Bob Allen Sunday school plays such an important role in Baptist life a typical churchgoer might be tempted to think it always has been around. In fact, it is a relatively modern and evolving invention. While some debate its…