The Southern Baptist Convention has lost more members in the last two decades than many other denominations have in total membership, according to religion data analyst Ryan Burge. “The convention is down nearly 3.6 million members since its peak in…
‘Rattle in Seattle’ adds fuel to the evangelical anti-gay fire
Ultra-conservative evangelicals continued their quest to provoke anger from Seattle’s LGBTQ community May 27 by holding another rally outside City Hall. They came to protest comments made by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell two days before when the city shut down…
As SBC debates authority of women, WMU sets a standard in transparency
When the Southern Baptist Convention holds its annual meeting in Dallas in two weeks, the role of women in ministry will take center stage — again. An issue many thought was settled 25 years ago just won’t go away for…
Faith leaders decry ‘big beautiful bill’ as immoral and un-Christian
Apart from evangelicals and die-hard Trump supporters, America’s religious leaders find the president’s “big beautiful bill” adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives to be immoral, unkind and un-Christian. “Page for page, the ‘big beautiful bill’ championed by Mr. Trump…
Duane Rollins, who sued Pressler for sexual abuse, dies
Gareld Duane Rollins, whose allegations of abuse by Houston judge Paul Pressler were ignored for decades by leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention, died May 23, according to Robert Downen, the journalist who reported on his case more than anyone…
SBC annual meeting may be deja vu all over again
Note: For more discussion on the upcoming SBC annual meeting, check out the latest episode of BNG’s podcast “Stuck in the Middle with You.” In less than three weeks, messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting will descend…
Israel bears no responsibility for 50,000 dead Palestinians and those now starving, Huckabee says
Israel bears no responsibility for the 50,000 Palestinians — one-third of whom are minors — killed in Gaza, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee told National Public Radio May 21. Huckabee, a former Southern Baptist pastor, has been described as…
AU warns agencies not to believe Trump’s view on Supreme Court rulings
Don’t be misled about U.S. Supreme Court decisions on religious liberty, Americans United warned 18 federal agencies in a May 15 letter. The letter cited a recent presidential memorandum issued by President Donald Trump that “encourages the unlawful repeal of rules…
Georgia school expels senior who brought transgender date to prom
An Atlanta-area Christian school expelled a high school senior 12 days before graduation because she brought a transgender date to prom. Fox5 Atlanta broke the story May 19 in an interview with the student, Emily Wright, and her mother, Tricia…
Are you offering a ‘kids’ table’ for single adults at your church?
My best friend here in Dallas got dressed up and went to a church dinner this weekend in someone’s home. He paid $300 for his seat at the 10-course meal as part of a church fundraiser. You need to know…
Here’s the back story on the 26 people Trump named to Religious Liberty Commission advisory boards
A Southern Baptist megachurch pastor and a controversial Baylor University professor are among 26 people named by President Donald Trump to serve on three advisory boards of his Religious Liberty Commission. Two weeks ago, Trump named members of the main…
For this Atlanta church, being on mission means a real estate deal
Before there were megachurches, Wieuca Road Baptist Church stood on a prestigious corner of Atlanta as one of the most prominent tall-steeple Baptist churches in the American South. Its longtime and legendary pastor Bill Self urged everyone to show up…