Two United Methodist clergywomen face expulsion from ordained ministry for officating the wedding of a nonbinary couple. Elder Paige Swaim-Pressley and deacon Elizabeth Davidson performed the legal ceremony for Matty and Myles Cafiero because they ministered with them while chaplains…
David Platt hopes for a biblical gospel instead of an American gospel
David Platt is not just a three-time New York Times bestselling author, he is the former president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board and current pastor of McLean Bible Church in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C. He…
Nine ‘Mama Bears’ testify how anti-LGBTQ legislation is harming their families
Loving and supporting LGBTQ children does not make Christian parents bad Christians, Mama Bears founder Liz Dyer said during a roundtable presented by the Human Rights Campaign. “I like to emphasize that my faith led me to become affirming of…
Sudan’s worsening conflict raises alarm of another humanitarian crisis
More than 400 people have been killed and 3,500 injured after fighting broke out between Sudanese armed forces and a paramilitary unit in Khartoum and other parts of the northeastern African country. The violence has claimed the lives of three…
Brumley named chair of BNG board; Peoples new board member
A veteran Baptist communications executive has been named chair of the Baptist News Global board of directors. Larry Brumley, senior vice president for marketing communications and chief of staff at Mercer University, succeeds Chris Caldwell, professor at Simmons College of…
High court hears arguments in case that could redefine employers’ required religious accommodation
It appears the United States Supreme Court could look for common ground in ruling on a major religious liberty case heard by the high court last week, according to two Baptist authorities on the subject. Amanda Tyler, executive director of…
Tennessee Baptists and Methodists join in call for gun legislation
As the Southern Baptist Speaker of the House in Tennessee continues to stall attempts to address gun violence, some Southern Baptist leaders and United Methodist leaders in the state are calling for more to be done. Speaker of the House…
Patterson and Southwestern settle with Pressler’s accuser
For the second time in two weeks, Paige Patterson and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have been set free of legal action against them. Writing for the Nashville Tennessean, religion writer Liam Adams reported April 20 that both Patterson and Southwestern…
Oklahoma Baptist University hit by tornado
Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, Okla., took a direct hit from tornadoes that blew through Central Oklahoma Wednesday evening, April 19. According to published news reports and photos posted online, the campus sustained significant damage, but no person was harmed….
Texas is first step in a national plan to install ‘chaplains’ in public schools instead of professional counselors
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…