If the coronavirus outbreak has proved anything, it’s that hunger and poverty must be addressed through creative and collaborative efforts between government, private-sector and faith-based individuals and organizations, according to Jeremy Everett, executive director of the Baylor University Collaborative on…
Trump administration expands ability of employers to discriminate on religious grounds
To supporters, it is a “clarification” that protects religious expression. To critics it is yet another misuse of religious liberty language to promote discrimination. The “it” in this case is a U.S. Labor Department rule issued in the last days…
Pulling off a wedding during a pandemic requires creativity and simplicity
If the COVID-19 pandemic is accelerating the pre-existing trend away from church weddings, some ministers say it’s also inspiring a surge in intimate ceremonies with faith as a driving force. “I have done twice as many off-campus weddings in alternative…
Opposition to capital punishment reportedly growing among conservatives
Opposition to capital punishment isn’t just for liberals anymore. There’s a growing concern about the inequity and ineffectiveness of the death penalty among Republicans, independents and libertarians, according to Hannah Cox, senior national manager of Conservatives Concerned About the Death…
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…
House passes bipartisan resolution against blasphemy, heresy and apostasy laws
It turns out there is something Republicans and Democrats can agree on about religious liberty in the current lame-duck session of Congress. On Monday, Dec. 7, the House of Representatives passed on a 386-3 bipartisan vote House Resolution 512, calling…
‘We need Advent more than ever’ this year
Marci Wilson-Boggs grew up in a church that promoted the King James Version as the only valid biblical translation and in which liturgical seasons, like Advent, were rarely if ever mentioned. “I was raised Independent Baptist,” the Nashville resident said….
Remaining BTSR assets granted to two new initiatives in Virginia
The final distribution of assets from Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond will help launch a new Center for Faith, Justice and Reconciliation and a Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond. As previously reported, Union Presbyterian Seminary…
Fire destroys historic home of Middle Collegiate Church in New York
A six-alarm fire destroyed the historic building of Middle Collegiate Church in New York City on Saturday, Dec. 5. The church, affiliated with the United Church of Christ and the Reformed Church in America, has several Baptist connections through staff…
Holidays 2020 may evoke a darker shade of grief and isolation, panelists say
The COVID-19 pandemic has imbued grieving and isolation with deeper, darker shades during the 2020 holiday season, a panel of experts said during a Dec. 3 webinar hosted by Baptist News Global. The pain of suffering loss or, for LGBTQ…
Is attacking a candidate’s sermon different than attacking a candidate’s speeches?
Attacking a political candidate for something said in a speech is different than attacking a candidate for something preached in a sermon, according to Amanda Tyler, executive director of Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty. Tyler and BJC Director of…
Southern Baptist leaders amplify Trump’s lies about election fraud
Prominent Southern Baptist leaders were among those taking to social media Dec. 2 to affirm and defend Donald Trump’s 46-minute video in which he repeated blatantly false accusations that the 2020 election was rigged against him and should be overturned….