The growing complexity and pervasiveness of digital devices and social media is diminishing our capacity to relate authentically to others and to God, author and cultural sociologist Felicia Wu Song said. “Research is showing (that technology) is creating an inability…
An interview with James MacDonald
Love him or hate him, James MacDonald is one thing for sure: A larger-than-life symbol of the stress and perils of leading a gigachurch — a role he now believes is impossible. Among evangelical pastors, MacDonald is both revered and…
Transitions for the week of 7-21-23
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Tyler Armstrong, to Woodward Avenue Baptist Church, Muscle Shoals, Ala., as senior pastor. He comes from Plymouth Park…
Republicans are becoming more conservative, which is making America skew more conservative
Americans are moving increasingly to the right politically and economically, a trend that has gained significant momentum in 2023, according to new research by Gallup. “The shift is mostly due to increasing social conservatism among Republicans, at a time when…
This church wanted an examination of its history, not just a coffee table book
The Olin T. Binkley Memorial Baptist Church didn’t want the typical chronicle or hagiography when it asked historian Andrew Gardner to write its congregational history. “And we didn’t want a coffee table book of nice pictures,” said Senior Minister Marcus…
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…
Guess who has spoken most frequently at the SBC Pastors’ Conference?
Johnny Hunt has spoken at the Southern Baptist Pastors’ Conference nearly twice as frequently as any other person in the last two decades. The once-disgraced and now controversially “restored” pastor has spoken at the annual preach-a-thon 14 times since 2000…
U.S. charitable giving took an unusual downturn last year
Rising inflation and persistent recession fears helped drive down 2022 charitable giving in the U.S. for only the third time in four decades, researchers behind the latest Giving USA study said. Total giving by corporations, foundations, bequests and individuals dropped…
Haynes to succeed Jackson as leader of Rainbow PUSH Coalition
Dallas pastor Frederick Douglass Haynes III has been named successor to Jesse Jackson as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Haynes has served as pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas for 40 years, a role he will continue. The…
J.D. Greear calls on Southern Baptists to slow down on constitutional amendment
A recent president of the Southern Baptist Convention published a 3,500-word explanation of why he believes the so-called “Law Amendment” is unwise, even though he personally agrees with the theology behind it. That amendment, proposed by Virginia pastor Mike Law,…
He turned 65 in a dorm and was inspired to write a book about the Holy Spirit
The end of COVID prompted Jack Levison to think more deeply about the Spirit-filled life. The result is his latest book, a small volume accessible to laity and clergy alike: Seven Secrets of the Spirit-filled Life. As the pandemic slowed,…
With record levels of loneliness, young men need mentors, research shows
Young men desperately need mentors and safe, understanding communities to help overcome the loneliness they are experiencing at record levels, according to a panel of experts hosted by Springtide Research Institute. “What I’m continuing to hear is they are looking…