A Texas proposal to allow unlicensed “chaplains” to take the place of public school counselors undermines religious liberty, according to Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and others. The Texas Legislature is considering House Bill 3614 and Senate Bill 763,…
Southwestern trustees told previous administration made ‘imprudent’ and ‘unwise’ financial decisions
The former president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary made some “imprudent” and “unwise” financial decisions, including “some activities contrary to institutional policies, seminary trustees were told this week. “These findings, however, did not rise to the level of requiring further…
Dockery named Southwestern Seminary’s 10th president
The interim leadership at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has been made official, trustees announced April 19. David Dockery, 70, was named 10th president of the Southern Baptist Convention seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. O.S. Hawkins, 75, was named to a…
Political gap on environment versus economy at widest point ever
On this year’s Earth Day, the gap between Republicans and Democrats on environmental protection is wider than the ozone hole in the earth’s atmosphere. Gallup reports “the gap between the parties has never been larger” when asked to consider tradeoffs…
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…
Evangelical university president seeks to raise money by casting blame on transgender people
The president of Trinity International University this week sent out a fundraising letter complaining about cultural acceptance of transgender people and linking this acceptance to the recent mass shooting that left six people dead in Nashville, Tenn. Some alumni of…
Online petition calls for Tennessee Speaker of the House to resign
Nearly 20,000 people have signed an online petition calling on Tennessee’s Speaker of the House to resign because of his “shameful and unlawful power grab” in leading the expulsion of two Black members of the House of Representatives. Reps. Justin…
Review of research underscores harms of conversion therapy and importance of family affirmation
So-called “conversion therapy” or “reparative therapy” for children and teens within the LGBTQ community is “harmful and should never be provided,” according to new research released by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The terms refer to…
Americans United takes a different view on today’s Supreme Court hearing about religious accommodation by employers
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has taken a different approach to a U.S. Supreme Court hearing today than its frequent ally, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. In the case of Groff v. DeJoy, BJC joined the…
Charles Marsh has a story to tell of evangelical anxiety
Charles Marsh knows something about evangelical anxiety. He grew up in the middle of it as the son of one of the most prominent pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention. The SBC of Marsh’s childhood was the racially tinged Mississippi…
Young BIPOC have not abandoned religious belief, new study finds
Contrary to popular opinion, young people of color have not abandoned religious belief and in fact are praying, meditating, reading Scripture and building sacred fellowship on their own terms, youth ministry expert Megan DeWald said. This reality escapes or frightens…
Jemar Tisby will headline BNG event at CBF General Assembly
Historian and author Jemar Tisby will be the featured speaker at this year’s Baptist News Global gathering during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly. Tisby is a New York Times bestselling author, public historian and professor at Simmons College of…