“The city is simply wiped off the face of the earth. It is completely destroyed. There is no electricity, all the wires are on the ground. There is no gas, as the gas pipeline is blown up. We have a…
As a pastor serves bread to the elderly in Ukraine, he prays to retain his humanity
As Ukrainian theologian and pastor Fyodor Raychynets serves bread to the elderly imprisoned in bomb shelters, his prayer is to retain his humanity. “I have to remind myself on a daily basis that we are humans and we are —…
Half of U.S. congregations led by solo pastor but that’s not what most churchgoers experience
The iconic Americana image of a solo pastor faithfully tending the flock of a local congregation remains a reality for more than half of U.S. congregations, but that is not the reality most American churchgoers experience. Combined with the report…
Another major study confirms: Most American congregations are small, but most churchgoers attend large congregations
One of the largest ongoing studies of communities of faith in the United States has confirmed a key finding reported by other researchers: The vast majority of American congregations are small, but the vast majority of American worshipers attend larger…
Transitions for the week of 3-18-22
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Danny Back, to First Baptist Church, Hillsville, Va., as youth and worship leader. He comes from RiverRock Church,…
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…
After 30 years, the NRSV gets an update: Here’s what that means
In a nation where the 1611 King James Version of the Bible still holds tremendous sway, imagine the challenges of updating one of the modern English translations of the Good Book. That’s why Friendship Press, the National Council of Churches…
The God Bless the USA Bible is back — but back-ordered
The God Bless the USA Bible has been resurrected from the dead but still faces some supply challenges due to “woke” companies that refuse to participate in the project, its publisher announced March 1. News of the Lee Greenwood project first…
BNG dinner will bring together Anthea Butler and Beth Allison Barr for a conversation on race and gender
Two of the most prominent voices speaking to the American church about race and gender will appear together at a Baptist News Global event during the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly in Dallas this June. Anthea Butler of the University…
Good news and bad news on prevalence of hate groups
There’s good news and bad news about hate groups in America today, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The good news is that the SPLC tracked 105 fewer hate groups and 78 fewer anti-government groups last year than in…
It’s now a war of LGBTQ labels: ‘Don’t Say Gay’ versus ‘Grooming’
As the nation turns its attention to the controversial Florida bill critics have labeled “Don’t Say Gay,” two competing ideas are being amplified in the debate over LGBTQ rights. Gallup reports that the percentage of U.S. adults who self-identify within…
As Ukrainian Baptists continue to shelter and feed neighbors, a CBF ministry center is bombed
A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship foster family ministry serving street children has been bombed by the Russian military, according to CBF Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley. Located outside Kyiv, the Village of Hope is a ministry supported by CBF Global Missions and…