James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family, has endorsed Colorado GOP Chairman Dave Williams, who is making anti-LGBTQ rhetoric based on “biblical values” a centerpiece of his campaign for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives from the…
After UMC lifted bans on homosexuality, U.S. churches report calm while African churches see conflict
United Methodists in the United States are reporting their annual meetings are calmer and more joyful this year after the denomination’s top lawmaking body, the General Conference, removed the UMC’s 52-year-old policy holding “the practice of homosexuality is incompatible with…
Human rights groups accustomed to condemning Biden praise his ‘family values’ action
Humanitarian rights groups accustomed to condemning President Biden’s immigration policies are extolling his June 18 order granting protections to Dreamers and to undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens. The presidential action allows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to grant…
Biden order aims to ‘keep families together’ but ‘pro-family’ groups aren’t applauding
President Joe Biden announced new protections for immigrant families and children Tuesday. Undocumented immigrants who are married to United States citizens will be allowed to live together legally in the U.S. instead of remaining separated as they seek citizenship, a…
New book makes a case for why conflict can be good for a church
Striving to avoid congregational conflict can backfire in churches where members feel unable to live and worship authentically within their own fellowships, according to the author of a new book on addressing divisions within Baptist churches. “What happens in many…
In post-Christian Germany, Taylor Swift music brings people to church
Grossing more than a billion dollars in ticket sales and crossing five continents, Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is a juggernaut of a production. Although the university town of Heidelberg, Germany, didn’t make the list of tour stops, fans could still…
Ministry jobs and more
Baptist News Global provides a free listing of ministry-related jobs for Baptist churches, theological institutions and organizations across the United States. Each free posting is for 30 days and is limited to 150 words. Postings may be extended another 30…
AWAB and CBF’s Affirming Network merge
The Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists and the Affirming Network of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship have merged, AWAB announced June 17. Moving forward, the consolidated organization will operate under the AWAB name and will strive to meet the rising…
Paxton is attacking religious freedom, Catholic attorney warns
Attorney General Ken Paxton is attacking religious freedom in the entire state of Texas, according to an attorney for Annunciation House in El Paso. Paxton, a prominent member of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas, has been after the Catholic…
Focus on the Family says SBC didn’t vote to ban IVF
The Southern Baptist Convention didn’t actually vote to ban IVF, Focus on the Family says in a June 13 article posted to its Daily Citizens newsletter site. The comment comes in response to a resolution adopted by messengers to the…
Trump stirs evangelical crowd to shout ‘Bullshit!’ on Biden’s immigration order
Cries of “Bullshit!” “Bullshit” rang out at a packed Phoenix megachurch June 6 as Donald Trump held his first campaign rally since his conviction on 34 felonies in New York. Trump said the charges against him were “made up” and…
America’s hard right is fine-tuning hate tactics, SPLC warns
The far right dedicated 2023 to fine-tuning and expanding hate-spreading tactics to fuel one of the most bitter and dangerous presidential contests in U.S. history, according to a new report by the Southern Poverty Law Center. “Extremists and those opposing…