Demolition of the facade that survived the 2020 Middle Collegiate Church fire will begin Nov. 20, Senior Minster Jacqui Lewis said in an email to her New York City congregation. “It’s deeply sad, but I’m also filled with hope and…
Transitions for the week of 11-17-23
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Jordan Asbury, to West Hampton (Va.) Baptist Church, as associate pastor of youth and worship. Sheree Bagley, to…
Grand Canyon University president calls massive DOE fine ‘government overreach’
Grand Canyon University notified the U.S. Department of Education Nov. 16 it is appealing the record $37.7 million fine imposed on the Christian school for allegedly lying to students about the true cost of doctoral education. GCU President Brian Mueller…
Three weeks later, four SBC entities are standing by their legal brief against a sexual abuse survivor
Three weeks after the Southern Baptist Convention and three of its entities were discovered to have signed an amicus brief in Kentucky arguing against the rights of sexual abuse survivors seeking justice, nothing has changed on the legal front. Neither…
Baptist congregation in Tbilisi dedicates space for Jewish synagogue
Dedication of a synagogue within the confines of a Baptist church in the Republic of Georgia exemplifies the peacemaking potential of interfaith dialogue and relationships, said Paul Hayes, a retired Baptist pastor and former Alliance of Baptists board member. Hayes…
Lawsuit says True the Vote sought voter intimidation, not ‘election integrity’
True the Vote, a conservative Texas organization embraced by many evangelicals, claims its 2020 “Validate the Vote” effort in Georgia was “the most aggressive election integrity operation in American history.” But a lawsuit says the group’s only goal was intimidating…
‘Detransitioners’ file lawsuits against doctors and groups involved in transgender treatments
Four women who sought to transition to males when they were younger are now suing the doctors involved in their treatments with the help of a new law firm established this year to pursue such cases. Dallas-based Campbell Miller Payne,…
Georgia Baptists were unable to pay retirees’ supplemental insurance but found $2 million ‘surplus’ to give to SBC
A state Baptist convention that has not been able to pay its retirees’ promised medical supplements for two years made a $2 million extra gift to the Southern Baptist Convention’s two missions agencies Nov. 14. That extra giving — $1.7…
Wrongful death suit is latest challenge for former Agape Boarding School
Jason Britt’s parents hoped Agape Boarding School could help their troubled son Jason, but the abuse he suffered there led to his death, according to the latest of two dozen lawsuits filed against the now-closed school, also known as Agape…
Effective social justice ministry needs relationships first, UMC pastors say
Pastors who want to inspire their congregations to social justice action will be more effective when they follow John Wesley’s model to establish relationships with church members and learn their needs, say experienced preachers. Stephanie Arnold and Kendall L. McBroom…
Percentage of unauthorized immigrants in U.S. population continues to decline
The number of unauthorized immigrants living in the United States edged up slightly in 2021, following a decade of declines, the Center for Migration Studies said in a new report. The nation’s undocumented immigrant population increased from 10.2 million in…
Saddleback and Fern Creek churches have left their state conventions
The two churches at the center of last summer’s debate over women in ministry in the Southern Baptist Convention have left their respective state Baptist conventions, which have heavy ties to the SBC. Saddleback Church, previously the largest church in…