Anyra Cano has been named chair of the board of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, making her the first Latina chair in the group’s 87-year history. At the same time, Sofi Hersher Andorsky has become the first Jewish vice…
New Wake Divinity dean wants to expand the ‘circle of we’
Friends and colleagues have sometimes considered Corey D.B. Walker, the new dean of Wake Forest University School of Divinity, as somewhat of an academic jack-of-all-trades given his extensive research, writing, teaching and higher education leadership experience. “A lot of people…
Black Gospel Music Preservation Program: Securing the legacy of Black Gospel music
Note: This is the first in a five-part series on the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program made possible by generous funding from the Prichard Family Foundation. Already the largest resource of its type in the world, the Black Gospel…
Phil Wickham seeks to write worship songs that last more than 15 seconds
You may not know Phil Wickham by name. However, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve sung one of his Top Ten chart songs. From “Living Hope” to “This is Amazing Grace,” the many modern-day Christmas songs he’s written place him…
Church gyms keep Zimbabwe female worshippers fit in a country with ailing health care
Ruth Chemubako, 45, likes to jog and do pushups inside the courtyard of a Baptist church at 4:30 a.m. three times a week with a dozen other women. “Our pastor deaconess or pastor leads the body fitness exercises. It’s safe…
Can an exhausted majority find hope in a campaign for dignity?
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is continuing his campaign to try to convince Americans to “disagree better” with a recent series of bipartisan events in New Hampshire. Cox, a Republican and chair of the National Governors Association, and New Hampshire Gov….
With a few improvements, religious liberty still perilous in Iraq, U.S. agency says
A federal agency is urging the United States to be more assertive in pressuring Iraq to improve religious freedom conditions for Christians, Yazidis and other religious minorities. “Although Iraq’s federal government has made some overtures toward the country’s diverse religious…
Transitions for the week of 10-6-23
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Marc J. Boswell, to St. Charles Baptist Church, New Orleans, La., as interim pastor. Linda Browne, retiring after…
‘Pro-family’ groups back 7 of 8 GOP representatives who ousted House speaker
“Pro-family” groups support seven of the eight far-right Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives who made history Oct. 3 by voting to remove Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy in a 216-210 vote. Both Matt Gaetz of Florida,…
‘What is it you women want?’ BWIM speaker has some suggestions
“What is it you women want?” That’s the lingering question most often asked of Baptist women in ministry, Pam Durso told the 40th anniversary gathering of Baptist Women in Ministry Oct. 3. The former executive director of the organization, who…
Baptist Women in Ministry challenged to reach out to women of color
In plenary addresses at the 40th anniversary gathering of Baptist Women in Ministry, two ordained Baptist women of color urged the organization to expand its horizons beyond the predominantly white constituency it traditionally has served. Carolyn Gordon, associate professor of…
BWIM’s 40th anniversary gathering features new documentary
Midwives of a Movement, a documentary that tells the story of the founding of Baptist Women in Ministry and the early years of the organization, premiered Oct. 2 at the organization’s 40th anniversary annual gathering in Louisville, Ky. Produced by…