The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is expanding its advocacy work with the addition of two new staff members announced Nov. 30. Jennifer Hawks, associate general counsel for Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C., has been named CBF’s director…
30 years ago, RFRA passed with support from a broad coalition unimaginable today
It’s difficult to imagine in today’s bitterly divided America the political, religious and civic alliance that helped pass the Religious Freedom Restoration Act in 1993, said Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. “This coalition was…
Even on January 6, family was important to Mike Pence
Family is so important to Mike Pence that his wife and daughter were by his side the entire day of January 6, as insurrectionists sought to take his life at the U.S. Capitol. “Not very many people know my wife,…
Transitions for the week of 12-1-23
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. The next posting of Transitions will be 12-29-23. STAFF CHANGES Amantha L. Barbee, to PneuMatrix and the Center for…
‘Pastor Johnny’ wins a bid to unseal Guidepost documents
Of the more than two dozen legal cases currently pending in courts against the Southern Baptist Convention or its entities, one takes particular aim at the work of Guidepost Solutions, the independent researcher that produced the scathing report of mishandled…
Tougher border policies will not stop the flow of migrants, immigration experts say
Republicans in Congress are mistaken in believing harsh asylum policies will stem the tide of migrants swelling at the Southern border in search of refuge in the United States, a panel of immigration experts said. It is equally wrong to…
Professors defend Thomas Jefferson from Christian nationalism
The evangelical narrative of one of America’s Founding Fathers continues to be so historically inaccurate that a duo of authors has released an updated version of their book defending the real legacy of Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson definitely was not a…
Judge rules discovery may continue in Sillses’ lawsuit against SBC parties
One of the multiple lawsuits currently pending against the Southern Baptist Convention and its various agencies got a green light to continue Nov. 22, despite objections that the case is “frivolous” and legal discovery could cause harm. U.S. District Judge…
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…
She was the only Baptist and only woman fraternal delegate at a Vatican synod
For two weeks in October, Elizabeth Newman served as the only woman and only Baptist representative to the Vatican’s international Synod on Synodality. One of the many lessons the ethicist and theologian learned in Rome was how to explain to…
Darius Rucker dedicates this one to the faith of his mother
Darius Rucker is well-known as the lead singer for Hootie and the Blowfish, but with his latest album, he wants fans to meet his mother, whose Christian faith shaped him. “My mom was awesome,” he said in an exclusive interview…
Virginia church took the grief group outside the church
Residents of a retirement community are no strangers to grief. They have lost parents and siblings. Sometimes their spouses have died, sometimes a child. Sometimes the move meant leaving a beloved family home. Their trusted neighbors in the old neighborhood…