Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley’s recent First Things essay, “Our Christian Nation,” may warm the hearts of Christian nationalists and confound historians and theologians who worry about continuing threats to the separation of church and state. Every nation needs a common…
Transitions for the week of 2-9-24
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Jacob Boyd, concluding his tenure as associate pastor of students and discipleship at First Baptist Church, Springfield, Va.,…
Yes, technology has become more critical for U.S. churches since pandemic
The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 prompted lasting changes in the ways U.S. religious groups use technology in congregational life, according to a new study by Hartford Institute for Religion Research. “The pandemic necessitated innovation in how congregations connect with…
Tomorrow, Supreme Court hears arguments on barring Trump from ballots
On Thursday, Feb. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on a simple question with profound historical consequences: “Did the Colorado Supreme Court err in ordering President Trump excluded from the 2024 presidential primary ballot?” Colorado’s justices ruled in…
Morris Chapman is willing to come off the bench and serve the SBC Executive Committee again
As the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee struggles to find a leader and faces attempts by other agency heads to shutter the central organizing group of the denomination, a former president says he is willing to come back and help…
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…
Saga of Little Rock church’s conflict over sexual abuse claims still making headlines
Conflict over sexual abuse claims at one of the largest Southern Baptist churches in Arkansas continues to make front-page headlines in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which has published 25 articles about Immanuel Baptist Church since December. Seven of those articles have…
New lawsuit against SBC and four churches alleges systemic negligence on sexual abuse
The concept of whether the Southern Baptist Convention is a unified church that can be held liable for sexual abuse that happens in individual congregations will be put to the test yet again in a new lawsuit filed in U.S….
Study finds America’s faithful are philanthropists
People and institutions of faith helped reshape American philanthropy in 2023 despite the nation’s daunting economic, political and social challenges, according to the latest “Giving in Faith” report from Givelify and the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving. The survey…
Immigration advocates offer blistering assessment of Senate immigration bill
Immigrant rights groups responded mostly with blistering condemnations to a new U.S. Senate supplemental funding plan that proposes major changes to U.S. immigration and asylum policies in exchange for military aid to Ukraine and Israel. While the $118 billion measure…
Prayer meets politics at U.S. House of Representatives
Prayers have been ringing out in the halls of Congress, gladdening the hearts of those who believe America was and should be a Christian nation. The latest version of the half-century-old National Prayer Breakfast lacked the scandals and partisan fireworks…
Former county clerk faces trial on election interference while claiming God is on her side
Tina Peters, a crusading promoter of election fraud claims and former Mesa County Clerk, begins her jury trial Friday, Feb. 9, in Grand Junction, Colo. The area is represented by firebrand congresswoman Rep. Lauren Boebert, whose staff has aided Peters’…