In the year since The United Methodist Church launched its “Dismantling Racism” campaign, the U.S. units of the worldwide denomination have laid the groundwork for long-term efforts against white supremacy in both church and society. Whether vigorous institutional action can…
Du Mez sees link between sexual abuse cover up and complementarian theology
The white evangelical inclination to cover up sexual abuse in churches and denominations derives in part from a complementarianism ideology, according to Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured…
‘Southern Baptist whistleblower’ offers audio clips to back Russell Moore’s claims
Calling himself a “Southern Baptist whistleblower,” a Texas Baptist pastor on June 10 accused Southern Baptist Convention leaders Ronnie Floyd and Mike Stone of lying about their previous closed-door comments regarding sexual abuse concerns in the denomination. Phillip Bethancourt, pastor…
BNG webinar this Sunday invites notable SBC exiles to explain what’s going on and why it matters
As the Southern Baptist Convention prepares for its annual meeting in Nashville next week, observers from inside and outside the denomination are watching to see what will happen on a number of controversial issues. To preview those issues and explore…
Southwestern Seminary changes name of its undergraduate college
A Southern Baptist seminary in Texas has changed the name of its undergraduate college for the second time since its founding in 2005. The new name, Texas Baptist College, carries a state feel to it, yet neither Southwestern Baptist Theological…
Biden administration signals intent to defend religious exemption for schools
It appears the Biden administration intends to defend the religious exemptions granted to faith-based schools that allow them to bypass federal laws against discrimination toward LGBTQ students while still receiving federal grants. The Washington Post broke the story June 9…
Transitions for the week of 6-11-21
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Rebecca Driscoll, to First Baptist Church, Attleboro, Mass., as pastor. She has served as a women in ministry…
Majority of Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade
The composition of the United States Supreme Court may have tilted on abortion, but the majority sentiment of the American public has not changed similarly. As with other key social issues most frequently espoused by religious conservatives — including immigration,LGBTQ…
Indiana church ordains transgender minister
Being the first known transgender person ordained by a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship-affiliated congregation, Laura Bethany Buchleiter said she now can live fully into her calling to share the gospel in genuine and counter-cultural ways. “Where I would start is authenticity,…
Kentucky scholar warns the U.S. risks ‘losing its soul’ through hatred
The United States needs a “movement of heart and spirit” to address a moral crisis that places the country in danger of “losing its soul,” warned the leader of a seminary institute dedicated to Black church studies. In an opinion…
Letter to the Editor: Is there another side to Russell Moore’s accusations?
Read our latest Letter to the Editor, from Chris Chambers of Lebanon, Tenn., in response to Layne Wallace’s opinion piece about sexual abuse in the SBC.
As VP Harris heads to Guatemala, evangelical leaders urge U.S. to address root causes of migration
As Vice President Kamala Harris headed to Guatemala this week as part of a campaign to address the root cause of the surge in migration to the United States, she was among recipients of a letter from a group of…