Secular and faith-based organizations are pressing Congress to enact the newly introduced Afghan Adjustment Act, which would provide permanent legal residency to Afghan refugees a year after Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. Introduced with bipartisan support earlier this month in…
When forced to choose between their ministry and their transgender child, this family chose love
Chris and Lindsay Kinman landed their dream job in Christian ministry and thought they had no greater heights to scale. And then they gave it all up for the love of their son. This is a story about the power…
Frederick Buechner influenced millions with his insightful writing and quotable lines
One of the most prolific Christian authors and most widely quoted writers of the 20th century died Aug. 15 at age 96. Only the late C.S. Lewis might have surpassed Frederick Buechner in writings that made their way into sermons…
Progressive National Convention joins with AFL-CIO to advance racial and economic justice
Combating racism is pointless unless the economic injustice that underlies it is also dealt with, activist and attorney Jennifer Jones-Austin said. She spoke during the recent town hall segment of the Progressive National Baptist Convention’s 61st annual session in Orlando,…
Historic Kentucky church calls gay man as co-pastor
A historic Baptist congregation in Kentucky called a gay man as co-pastor Aug. 14. Jordan Conley will join Andrea Woolley as co-pastor of Crescent Hill Baptist Church in Louisville as Jason Crosby leaves the church staff for a position at…
Department of Justice investigating SBC on sexual abuse
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within the Southern Baptist Convention, the SBC Executive Committee confirmed late Friday, Aug. 12. The scope and focus of the investigation were not made public,…
‘Everything is changing at the same time,’ veteran religion reporter explains
Demographic shifts, rising political polarization and heated debates over sexuality and race pose existential threats to the American church because they cannot be tackled individually, according to veteran religion writer Bob Smietana. “It’s not that one thing after another is…
Tony and Lauren Dungy know something about influence, on the field and at home
The first Black coach to win a Super Bowl title remains a family man as well as a legendary coach. Tony Dungy and his wife, Lauren, are the parents of 11 children — some their biological children and some adopted…
It’s easier to be a bully today, author explains
The rise of social media and hate-based politics has helped transform the United States into a nation of bullies where acts of rage and intimidation have become normative and even celebrated, character educator Elaine Parke warns. “What’s unique about social…
Transitions for the week of 8-12-22
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Eric Ayers, to Pfafftown (N.C.) Baptist Church, as pastor. He had been serving as interim pastor. Dawson Bailey,…
SBC president says he tried to enlist more women for sexual abuse task force but got turned down repeatedly
On the same day Baptist News Global published an analysis showing severe underrepresentation of women on both the first and the second Southern Baptist Convention task forces addressing sexual abuse, the new president of the convention issued a video explaining…
At long last, Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy appears to be dead
The White House is pulling the plug on the Migrant Protection Protocols after a federal judge on Aug. 8 lifted an injunction requiring the continued use of the Trump administration anti-asylum policy. The action by Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk in…