Traditional religious liberty advocates applauded a move by the Biden administration to undo rules created by the Trump administration that allowed faith-based organizations receiving federal fundings to discriminate against clients. Due to the complex nature of changing federal policies —…
‘Religicide’ a growing threat worldwide, authors warn
Right-wing extremist groups in the United States exhibit the same language and behaviors that have stoked attempts to exterminate entire religions and populations around the world, according to Georgette Bennett, co-author of the new book, Religicide: Confronting the Roots of…
Suburban Dallas UMC congregation withholds funds in protest of former pastor’s ‘scapegoating’ by the local bishop
A congregation in suburban Dallas is withholding about $15,000 in dues to the United Methodist Church’s North Texas Annual Conference to protest the “scapegoating” of a former pastor there who is gay. As if the schism in the UMC weren’t…
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…
Middle Church wins fight with New York Landmarks Commission to raze burned-out facade
Middle Collegiate Church in New York City cleared a major municipal hurdle Jan. 10 that clears the way for construction of a new building at the site where fire destroyed its historic East Village facility just over two years ago….
Fellowship Southwest adds immigration legal aid component
A ministry that provides low-cost legal services to immigrants has found a new home with Fellowship Southwest. Immigration Service and Aid Center, known as ISAAC, has been housed in the Baptist General Convention of Texas Christian Life Commission since 2010….
Bernice King: We must win freedom in every generation
“Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.” So says Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and director of the King Center in Atlanta. There, the theme of this new year is…
Martin Luther King preached freedom in Africa too
At the height of his fame in the 1950s and ’60s, Martin Luther King Jr. waged a two-front struggle, battling segregation and racial injustice and inequality in America and drawing attention to the challenges in Africa caused by colonialism. His…
As climate changes, South Africa’s river baptisms spell danger
Climate change is intensifying river flooding across South Africa. For indigenous Christian churches that conduct unlicensed, open-river baptisms, tragedies are mounting too. Nomusa Bandile lost a teenage daughter Dec. 7 when, during an open-river baptism by an unlicensed pastor, 14…
Young adults and those who attended church infrequently before pandemic are most likely to be missing from church today
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant disruptions to American religious life by accelerating ongoing downward trends in religious attendance, with the biggest decreases occurring among young adults and those with previously infrequent levels of participation, new research shows. The January survey…
Passport gets $1 million Lilly grant
Passport, a national student ministry, has received a $1 million grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to support The Growing Faith Initiative. The grant will expand and enhance Passport’s daily devotional site, d365.org, and allow Passport to more readily connect…
Hunger alleviation program developed at Baylor adopted as federal program
A summer meals program created by the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty has transitioned from a demonstration project into a full-blown federal strategy to combat childhood hunger. Meals-To-You was included in the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations Bill signed into law…