The Church of England will not allow same-sex marriage, despite renewed debate and calls for change in the state church. Bishops met Jan. 17 to finalize a recommendation after five years of debate on the issue that already has ripped…
Transitions for the week of 1-20-23
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Carlton Allen, to First Baptist Church, Greenwood, S.C., as interim pastor, effective Feb. 1. Steve Battaglia, to New…
Class-action suit against Department of Education alleging discrimination in Title IX exemptions dismissed
A challenge of the U.S. Department of Education granting religious exemptions to faith-based schools that allow them to discriminate while receiving federal funding has been dismissed by a U.S. District Court judge. Judge Ann Aiken of the U.S. District Court…
Supreme Court will hear former postal employee’s appeal that he shouldn’t have to work on Sundays because he’s a Christian
After denying three similar requests in recent years, the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a case that challenges a 1977 court ruling defining what constitutes an “undue hardship” for an employer faced with a religious accommodation request….
New survey: Republicans and white evangelicals are outliers in fear of immigrants invading U.S.
The gap between Americans on immigration is steadily widening as conservatives increasingly embrace anti-immigrant attitudes that include a belief that migrants are invading the United States to displace white citizens, according to new research by Public Religion Research Institute. The…
Religious liberty advocates applaud Biden administration rollback of Trump policies allowing faith-based discrimination
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…