This story now includes significant updates below. After weeks of making national headlines, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has gone virtually silent about its internal workings and its relationship to the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force. The two top…
William Richard Tolbert III, Liberian Baptist leader, murdered in Monrovia
William Richard Tolbert III, 68, the last-born son of the late William R. Tolbert Jr, Liberia’s 20th president, died Nov. 1 in his apartment in Monrovia, Liberia, after being assaulted by a yet-not-known assailant. The Ministry of Justice in the…
Terrorism experts say U.S. faces even greater danger from domestic religious extremism
The United States is in greater danger of politically, religiously and racially fueled violence now than it was when supporters of Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol in January, a panel of security experts said during a recent webinar. “I’m…
Supreme Court appears skeptical of Texas Death Row inmate’s appeal for Baptist pastor to be present with him at execution
A U.S. Supreme Court that increasingly views freedom of religious expression as an absolute right even amid a global pandemic appears to feel differently about the religious rights of a condemned inmate. On Tuesday, Nov. 9, the high court heard…
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…
Baptism is a call to social action, not a genteel ceremony, Braxton says
Baptism services should not be polite affairs or genteel ceremonies. Instead, they should be provocative political statements that agitate more than comfort and call believers to action, according to Brad Braxton. “Baptism services should not be polite. On the contrary,…
Samford’s fine arts dean named president of Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University has named a fine arts administrator 12th president of the Baptist-founded liberal arts school. Joseph “Joe” Hopkins, dean of the School of the Arts at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., will become president at the central Kentucky school…
Southern Seminary and Asbury Seminary work with noted anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ legal group to claim federal vaccine mandate intrudes on ‘personal health decisions’
A Southern Baptist Convention seminary and a Wesleyan seminary in Kentucky are jointly challenging the Biden administration’s federal mandate on COVID-19 vaccination by claiming a religious liberty violation. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky, which is the largest of…
BNG’s November webinar will feature John Pavlovitz in dialogue with Mark Wingfield
John Pavlovitz will join BNG Executive Director Mark Wingfield for a lively conversation about faith, church, politics and culture Tuesday, Nov. 16, at noon Eastern time. The “Change-making Conversations” webinar is free and open to the public, but advance registration…
‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ echoes in pleas of African leaders at climate conference in Glasgow
Africa is the least aggravator for climate change yet has borne the most consequences for it, leaders from the continent declared at COP 26, the United Nations conference on climate change currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland. According to the Center…
Louisiana College changes name to boost academic reputation while hosting creationist conference
A Louisiana Baptist institution preparing to host a conference by creationist Ken Ham has announced a new name intended to boost its academic reputation and Christian witness. Louisiana College is set to become Louisiana Christian University, the Baptist institution announced…
Six days after BNG report, Georgia convention finds new funds for retiree health benefits
Less than a week after a Baptist News Global report about Georgia Baptist retirees unexpectedly losing promised lifetime medical benefits, the head of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board announced a reversal of plans. During an inspirational rally Sunday night, Nov….