Trustees of Berkeley School of Theology have approved creation of the J. Alfred Smith Sr. Endowed Chair of Theology in the Public Square. This new academic chair coincides with creation of a new Center for Truth, Racial Healing and Restorative…
Wife of vocal SBC pastor claims suffering emotional and verbal abuse was not grounds for divorce, but for ‘greater hope’ in God
Jennifer Buck, wife of outspoken Texas Southern Baptist pastor Tom Buck, has published her story of being mistreated and misunderstood — perhaps even abused — early in her marriage to communicate to other couples “God’s ability to bring about repentance,…
There’s a third candidate for SBC president you may not have heard about
Easily overlooked in the midst of a presidential race that already has featured several unusual twists is the presence of a third, lesser-known candidate to lead the Southern Baptist Convention. Robin Hadaway does not come to the race with the…
Ohio’s death penalty opponents take their case to the court of public opinion
Activists seeking to abolish the death penalty in Ohio took their case to the court of public opinion April 7 with virtual testimony from the family and friends of homicide victims about the immorality and futility of capital punishment. “Even…
Religious leaders appeal to American church to see ReAwaken America tour as dangerous Christian nationalism
High-profile Christian leaders issued a plea to the American church April 7 to speak out against the ongoing ReAwaken America tour and the Christian nationalist, anti-democratic, pro-violence and Q-Anon-inspired ideology it is spreading. The tour led by Eric Trump, Michael…
SBC presidency is a three-way race again with Barber announcement
It took less than 24 hours to fill the gap left when Florida pastor Willy Rice pulled out of the race for Southern Baptist Convention president April 6. The three-way race became a two-way race and now once again is…
Against the odds, the SBC is experiencing a double-digit increase in giving
On the heels of a global pandemic and amid its own multi-faceted schism, the Southern Baptist Convention is experiencing something few could have predicted: Financial gifts to the SBC for the 2021-2022 fiscal year are up — way up. The…
End of Title 42 is popular with immigration advocates but not so much with voters
Immigrant rights groups continue to praise a White House and Centers for Disease Control decision to end Title 42, the anti-COVID health provision used to conduct mass deportations of asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. The American public, on the…
Willy Rice no longer a candidate for SBC presidency
Three days after preaching a sermon in which he defended a deacon recently removed from church leadership because of confessed sexual abuse 17 years ago, Willy Rice announced April 6 he no longer will stand as a candidate for the…
Don’t become complacent to the needs of Ukrainians, BWAid leader urges
Christians mustn’t become complacent about the spiritual and physical needs of Ukrainians and those ministering to them as the war with Russia grinds on, said Marsha Scipio, the leader of global aid efforts for the Baptist World Alliance. “Even though…
Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility celebrates 50 years of faith-based shareholder advocacy
“Sometimes quitting is the courageous act,” said Traci Blackmon. “Sometimes the courage that is needed is to stop doing what is expected in order to start doing what is necessary.” Blackmon, associate general minister of justice and local church ministries…
Smaller churches are both endangered and resilient, panel reports
The pandemic shoved most small American churches further into a post-denominational reality but also demonstrated their capability of surviving in a post-Christian culture, according to congregational consultant and coach Deborah Wright. She spoke during a recent webinar on the challenges…