Lifeway Christian Resources announced the sale of its three-year-old office building in downtown Nashville for $95 million and its plans to move to a downsized space reflective of its transition to a nimble and remote workforce. A combination of declining…
Baylor surpasses $1 billion mark in current fundraising campaign
Baylor University has joined an elite group of American universities that have raised more than $1 billion in a single fundraising campaign. The Waco, Texas, school announced May 13 that a $7 million gift to fund a basketball pavilion put…
21Wilberforce ranks members of 116th Congress on support for international religious freedom
A nonpartisan group has released its annual rankings of Congressional action relating to international freedom of belief, conscience and religion during the 116th Congress, finding “strong bipartisan support” continues. The IRF Congressional Scorecard, a project of 21Wilberforce, commends 63 members…
How one Vietnamese convert sparked a church-planting movement that defied the odds
The afternoon Bible study in what was then called Saigon began as most others, with a group of curious Vietnamese nationals walking into a small, nondescript home. They attended for a variety of reasons, but primarily to learn English and…
Evangelical leaders explain why skeptical evangelicals should get vaccinated
Evangelical Christians can overcome their suspicion of COVID-19 vaccines through a renewed focus on missions and a form of patriotism that engenders unity instead of division, Russell Moore said during a recent webinar hosted by the Facebook for Faith learning…
In a COVID world, seminaries prepare pastors for new digital realities of ministry
While churches have adapted to new digital realities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, seminaries also have adapted to train ministers how to lead in new ways, both online and in-person. “I think it behooves us in terms of faculty…
Transitions for the week of 5-14-21
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Courtny Davis-Olds, to Point Pleasant (Pa.) Community Church, as interim pastor. Ayanna Franklin, to Ray of Hope Baptist…
Free webinars address five hot-button issues for churches in a post-pandemic world
A new webinar series aims to provide ministers with tools to nurture resilience in the face of congregational challenges such as political toxicity, declining attendance and financial pressures, said Matt Cook, assistant director of the Center for Healthy Churches. “The…
With Idriss Déby gone, can Chad military win the war against terrorists and earn the trust of the people?
In the past couple of weeks since the passing of Chadian leader Idriss Déby, the country has become a subject of local and international discourse unlike anything people remember of the West African nation in recent decades. The discussions center…
White evangelical leaders who repress women are revered as saints, author says
White evangelical leaders are revered as modern-day saints by followers supportive of efforts to suppress the voice and visibility of women in the church, Beth Allison Barr said during a May 11 webinar hosted by Baptist News Global. That constellation…
For Zimbabwe’s Christian LGBTQ refugees, Montreal city is a sanctuary
In Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, Tyron*, 27, recites “Bonjour” five times. They are refining their French. France and the U.S. are not on their mind. “I switched two (Christian) mission schools in 10 years,” Tyron said. “I feared to…
More churches plan reopenings cautiously, joyfully and with flexibility
New CDC guidelines and a growing number of church members being vaccinated are suddenly opening new possibilities for churches that have been closed to in-person gatherings for 14 months. “The arrival and availability of the vaccine has been a welcomed…