As a new academic year dawns at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, the new administration reported a slight increase in enrollment during the previous academic year just ended. That indicates a hopeful correction to two decades of decline in what once…
Allies of Greg Abbott appeal to Genesis to defend governor’s buoy border wall
Twenty-two Republican members of Congress have turned to the book of Genesis for justification on why the State of Texas and not the federal government should have control of the Rio Grande River that serves as a border between the…
SBC president urges churches considering leaving to ‘press pause’
The president of the Southern Baptist Convention has urged churches considering leaving the SBC to “press pause” until they hear from a new task force on cooperation that has not yet been named and will have less than nine months…
Transgender community living in fear, two trans pastors testify
The American transgender community is becoming increasingly panic-stricken by the surge in anti-trans legislation and rhetoric sweeping the nation, a trans minister said during a webinar hosted by the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists. “All the trans folks I…
It’s not like there’s trans surgery happening everywhere, doctor explains
Trans medical expert Fan Liang said there are way too many misconceptions about gender-affirming health care to share during a single panel discussion about the mistreatment of transgender people in the United States. “So, I’m just going to hit on…
Ohio voters reject conservative Christians’ effort to limit constitutional changes
On Aug. 8, voters in ruby-red Ohio rejected a measure supported by politically conservative Christian groups that would have made it more difficult for citizens to change the state’s Constitution. Ballot Issue 1 lost by 56.5% to 43.5% in a…
Fellowship Southwest plans first-ever conference on compassion and social justice
Come to Fellowship Southwest’s first-ever conference on compassion and social justice and you won’t be asked to wear a lanyard. That’s perhaps a selling point compared to most conferences plagued by the ever-present plastic nametag holder and fabric lanyard around…
Kenya’s latest cult tragedy highlights a deeper problem with religious worship in Africa
At last count, more than 400 corpses of people linked to a cult in Kenya called Good News International Church have been exhumed from where they were buried in the Shakahola forest of Kilifi County. The human remains were exhumed…
As seminary enrollment dropped and expenses rose, trustees gave Patterson a $25,000 ‘vacation fund’
In 2008, as enrollment was declining and expenses were skyrocketing, trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary gave Paige Patterson a gift for his fifth anniversary as president. That gift was a $25,000 “vacation fund” to be used at the discretion…
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…
Americans think more highly of their religious practice than those looking from afar see
Most of the world doesn’t consider the United States to be nearly as religious as many Americans do, new research shows. According to data from Pew Research Center, 41% of U.S. adults describe faith as essential to them while only…
Luke Russert looks for his father and finds himself
For years, the name Tim Russert was synonymous with thoughtful political commentary. When the Meet the Press anchor died suddenly of a heart attack in June 2008 — just before Father’s Day — viewers on both sides of the political…