The intersection of faith and culture often looks less like a four-way stop and more like a mix-master. Faith-based messages have made frequent and bold appearances in film, music, art, theater and other forms of creative expression. This invites the…
SBC needs overhaul, says writer of ‘Great Commission Resurgence’ document
WAKE FOREST, N.C. (ABP) — The lead author of a “Great Commission Resurgence” document circulating among Southern Baptist Convention leaders says a major overhaul of denominational structures must occur if the convention is going to engage younger pastors. Danny Akin,…
Tweeting churches discover the gospel according to Twitter
ORLANDO, Fla. (RNS) — Tweeting during church? Isn’t it rude? David Loveless doesn’t think so. Loveless is lead pastor of Discovery Church, a nondenominational congregation that draws about 4,000 on Sundays to three locations in Orlando. The congregation always has…
Former SBC president embraces creation care
DULUTH, Ga. (ABP) — A former president of the Southern Baptist Convention acknowledged to a group of Christian environmentalists that he is a recent convert to the concept of creation care. “We ought to motivate every follower of Christ in…
Some churches help Christians view culture through spiritual lenses
What does it mean to participate with God in “making all things new”? Many feel the answer to that question is key to the life and liturgy of the church. “We think of ‘creating culture,’” said Winn Collier, one of…
Texas Baptist officials deny bloggers’ report that BGCT held funds for mission board
DALLAS (ABP) — Leaders said blogs accusing the Baptist General Convention of Texas of escrowing funds from the Lottie Moon Offering to improve its cash flow were erroneous and result of a record-keeping glitch. Officials at the Southern Baptist Convention…
Would Jesus sue over WWJD letters?
BECKER, Minn. (RNS) — A Minnesota couple is suing a debt collection agency for putting the initials “WWJD” on its collection letters, arguing that it breaks an anti-harassment law by portraying debtors as hell-bound sinners. Sara and Mark Neill of…
‘National Year of the Bible’ resolution roils Congress, drawing praise and criticism
WASHINGTON (ABP) — A battle over the Bible is brewing in the halls of Congress, and political blogs are buzzing about a Southern Baptist congressman’s desire to designate 2010 as “The National Year of the Bible.” Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.),…
Pop Culture Christianity: What fad would Jesus follow?
HOLLAND, Mich. (ABP) — Looking for a way to help members of her youth group use moral discernment when making life choices, a Lutheran youth minister in Holland, Mich., re-read a copy of Charles Sheldon’s In His Steps, a classic…
FAITH SHAPERS: Parenting in Bizarro World
Our question of the day: “How can I make sure my children don’t make good behavior a habit?” I am so glad you brought this up. So often, parents get excited about good choices and good behavior and make such…
Q & A on American Baptist diversity with Samuel Chetti
Samuel Chetti PASADENA, Calif. (ABP) — Samuel Chetti is the executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles and Congregations of the Southwest and Hawaii — the most diverse region in the nation’s most diverse mainline Protestant denomination….
News analysis: American Baptists celebrate, struggle with diversity
PASADENA, Calif. (ABP) — The makeup of the American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse in American Christianity — ethnically, regionally and ideologically. Gathering for their ABC biennial meeting June 25-28 in a region that embodies that diversity,…