Bishop elections in The United Methodist Church are typically the kind of institutional politics only those with a major stake in the organization care about. This year, however, delegates to the UMC’s jurisdictional conferences coming July 10-12 face a new…
Accused youth pastor now faces potential federal child sex trafficking charges
Luke Cunningham, a former youth pastor at four Texas churches who was arrested June 19 by United States marshals, now faces a probe by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for alleged international and interstate sex trafficking. The investigation concerns allegations…
Louisiana now allows castration for convicted child sex abusers
Not to be outdone by themselves, Louisiana’s culture-war politicians recently passed a new law making the state the first in the nation to permit surgical castration for some people convicted of sex crimes against children. When the act goes into…
PC(USA) continues protest against Israel with more divestment
The Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly has continued its decade-long protest of Israeli occupation of Palestine by voting to divesting from Israeli bonds. The unanimous consent vote of the 500-member assembly marks a continuation of a protest begun in 2014…
Democrats and Republicans are miles apart on social issues
Supporters of Joe Biden and Donald Trump see the world in almost polar opposite ways, according to new data from Pew Research. From gun violence to slavery to gender equity to religious liberty and sexual orientation, Democrats and Republicans express…
New book collects 150 essays on the life and faith of George H.W. Bush
For 25 years, Jean Becker had a front row seat into the life of former President George H.W. Bush as his chief of staff. Her work was a calling she enjoyed, not just a job serving one of the world’s…
Dispelling myths about HIV/AIDS is part of this center’s faith calling
Major stereotypes about HIV/AIDS and its victims persist despite decades of advancements in the knowledge and treatment of the virus and disease, said Stacy W. Smallwood, new executive director of the Faith COMPASS Center at Wake Forest University Divinity School….
Call to prayer issued for minority religions in Republic of Georgia
American Baptist leaders in Wisconsin have launched a prayer and social action campaign to support beleaguered faith, humanitarian and LGBTQ groups in the Republic of Georgia. The effort follows the May passage of a law requiring Georgian organizations that receive…
Supreme Court says cities may fine or arrest homeless people for sleeping
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling frees municipalities to fine or arrest homeless people who camp on sidewalks or in parks and other public spaces. Justices ruled 6-3 along ideological lines that an ordinance in Grants Pass, Ore., prohibiting public…
The starting point for discussing immigrants is Scripture, CBF field personnel say
The Christian response to migrants must be shaped by Scripture, especially in “purple churches” home to both conservative and progressive believers, Greg Smith said during a recent webinar on biblical responses to immigration. “We start from Scripture and not from…
Court transcripts show former professor charged in FBI probe may seek plea, suppression or dismissal
Court transcripts obtained by Baptist News Global in the federal case USA v. Queen indicate Matthew Queen, former Southwestern Seminary provost and evangelism professor, may seek a plea deal with the government, file motions to suppress evidence or make motions…
Nazarene Church cracks down on LGBTQ-welcoming leaders
The Church of the Nazarene is cracking down on three longtime leaders who seek to minister to LGBTQ people, charging them with disobeying the denomination’s 2019 ruling that same-sex individuals must remain celibate and that clergy cannot bless or perform…