SHREVEPORT, La. (ABP) — Jinny Henson, a native of Houston, began doing stand-up comedy when she was a student at Baylor University. While working on a master’s degree at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, she began touring nationwide. Against the advice…
A time to laugh: What’s the role of humor for Christians?
“For every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven … a time to weep and a time to laugh,” according to the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes. What is the role of laughter and…
FAITH DIGEST
Who is responsible for tackling poverty? A phone survey of 1,002 adults revealed 66 percent of Americans believe the United States has an obligation to assist poverty-stricken children around the world. The survey asked respondents whose responsibility it is to…
Fewer than half of Americans link Easter to the Resurrection
WASHINGTON (RNS) — While most Americans describe Easter as a religious holiday, fewer than half of the adults surveyed link it specifically to the Resurrection of Jesus, a Barna Group study shows. Seven in 10 respondents mentioned religion or spirituality…
Veteran humorist recommends paint a picture with words
SAN ANGELO, Texas — The secret to being humorous is the same as most things in life, Bill Thorn believes — take what God has entrusted to you, work hard to polish it and be the individual you were created…
Secular Jew writes about two years spent undercover in conservative church
LYNCHBURG, Va. (RNS) — Evangelical Christians were a mystery to Gina Welch. All she really knew about conservative evangelicals was that they were trying to change the country in ways she didn’t like. When she found herself living among them…
After condemning greed, what should Christians do about the economy?
NEW YORK (RNS) — Ever since the Great Recession began in the fall of 2008, Christians and other faith leaders have criticized the specuative excess and greed that led to the crisis. A consensus on what to do about it,…
Once more, Georgia Baptists poised to cut ties to church with woman pastor
ATLANTA (ABP) — For the second straight year, the Georgia Baptist Convention is poised to cut ties with a church over the issue of women in ministry. Graham Walker, co-pastor of Druid Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta, said March 18…
Most church websites ineffective, British technology firm’s study finds
DIDCOT, England (ABP) — Churches, by and large, still haven’t entered the digital age when it comes to evangelism — but those who have are reaping huge rewards, according to a new survey. A poll conducted by Christian technology company…
Texas Baptists take action against church suspected of affirming gays
DALLAS (ABP) — The Baptist General Convention of Texas said March 17 it was asking Royal Lane Baptist Church in Dallas to remove mention of its affiliation with the state convention from church publications and would hold any funds received…
Virginia Baptist educator named CBF field rep for Tennessee affiliate
ATLANTA (ABP) — The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has hired a Richmond, Va., minister its third "field coordinator," a shared staff position designed to promote cooperation and communication between state and national CBF organizations. The Atlanta-based CBF and Tennessee Cooperative Baptist Fellowship…
Great Commission Task Force head surprised at backlash to report
MONROE, Mich. (ABP) — The head of a task force appointed last summer to recommend ways to make the Southern Baptist Convention more effective in reaching the lost said March 16 he was surprised by negative reaction to parts of…