The Southern Baptist Convention’s new Ministry Check website will operate on the same principle that binds the denomination together — cooperation — according to the task force overseeing it. On Feb. 27, the SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force released…
Northern Seminary names acting president
A Nazarene administrator with a doctorate from a Baptist seminary has been named acting president at Northern Seminary while the seminary’s president is on administrative leave pending an investigation into charges of bullying and retaliation. John C. Bowling served as…
BGCT will not change its relationship with Baylor
Despite indications to the contrary six months ago, the Baptist General Convention of Texas will not change its relationship with Baylor University. Last August, Baptist News Global reported the BGCT would “review and consider changes” to its 1990 agreement with…
The Texas conservative pipeline put a judge on the federal bench who will singlehandedly determine the fate of medication abortion in America
A judge who could determine the future accessibility of a common early-term abortion medication has risen to the federal bench through a conservative Christian pipeline custom-made for such a time as this. Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk (kaz-MARE-ik) was nominated to the…
In the SBC, a cord of three is not easily broken: Debates about sexuality, gender and abuse all twist together
There’s only one thing Southern Baptist Convention conservatives get more upset about than women serving as pastors: The slightest affirmation of LGBTQ persons. This truth was borne out in the SBC over the last week as leaders sought to put…
Want to understand why the SBC expelled its largest church? Listen to W.A. Criswell
W.A. Criswell would be so proud of the Southern Baptist Convention this week. The man who once was the spokesman for why women should not — cannot — be pastors has reached peak influence 114 years after his birth. About…
Benkert resigns SBC task force amid criticism for reporting two churches that platformed accused sexual abuser
An Indiana pastor who reported two congregations to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Credentials Committee for platforming accused sexual abuser Johnny Hunt has resigned from the SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force. Todd Benkert’s sudden resignation from the task force came…
Jacksonville church isn’t the only SBC congregation requiring members to affirm statements on sexuality
When First Baptist Church of Jacksonville, Fla., announced all members would have to sign a statement on “biblical sexuality” or be kicked out, the idea sounded novel to most Baptists. Baptists in America are not accustomed to being required to…
About the Asbury ‘revival’: Time will tell
“Revival” has got to be one of the most misused, misunderstood and abused words in the language of the church. I grew up singing the old gospel hymn “Lord, Send a Revival,” so I’m well-soaked in the terminology. I’m even…