Continuing evangelical support for a scandal-ridden president is undermining the conservative white church and could even spell the death of Christianity in the United States, according to some experts on American culture, politics and faith. But how will anyone be able to tell if that’s true given that religion has been in a well-documented national decline for decades already?
Gushee says LGBTQ hiring policy will weaken CBF
A Baptist scholar who famously changed his mind on homosexuality says a new Cooperative Baptist Fellowship policy allowing the possible hiring of LGBTQ Christians for some, but not all, staff positions “may be the worst of all possible options,” distancing the very voices on both ends of the spectrum that CBF leaders were hoping to appease.
Group says Masterpiece Cake case echoes argument made 50 years ago that religious freedom protected racial discrimination
Maurice Bessinger argued unsuccessfully in a 1968 Supreme Court case that the federal law barring discrimination based race, color, religion and national origin violated his freedom of religion under First Amendment “since his religious beliefs compel him to oppose any integration of the races whatever.”
Former Attorney General says Americans with Disabilities Act facing threat
Former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburg said he opposes what he called attempts to undercut landmark legislation he worked to pass guaranteeing people with disabilities equal protection under the law at an event honoring his work March 13 in Washington.
Transitions for the week of 03.16.18
Staff changes, congregational news and more from across the nation.
Church uses drones to teach youth about life and faith
A West Coast church is attracting science- and adventure-loving students with a new program that prepares them for careers as commercial drone pilots. For the congregation the ministry is about answering the challenge that all churches face in a time of declining attendance and revenues — assessing congregational talents and interests, seeking where God is already at work in the community, and and taking chances on new approaches to ministry.
Church treasurer accused of embezzling CP funds
The long-time treasurer of a rural Missouri Baptist church is suspected of skimming funds that were designated for cooperative missions and the pastor’s retirement fund in a series of alleged thefts that authorities say add up to more than $300,000.
Brian McLaren says Baptists ‘doing harm’ to nation and world
Baptists are doing a lot of harm in today’s society, emergent church leader Brian McLaren said in a podcast posted recently on a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship blog.
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.
Victim to church: Sexual assault is not a sin. It’s a crime.
Bible teachings about sin and forgiveness do not give churches the right to pardon a crime, a woman who claims a Tennessee megachurch pastor sexually assaulted her 20 years ago says in new video published March 9 by the New York Times.
Tragedies like 9-11, Sandy Hook define online devotional effort
Law enforcement agencies, secular and faith-based relief groups, and media are known to instantly pivot and mobilize when tragedy strikes. And while those responses are usually the most visible, there are others who refocus and retool their efforts to comfort thousands during difficult times: the editors and writers of daily and seasonal devotions.
Robert Jeffress: Trump’s alleged affair with porn star ‘totally irrelevant’ to his evangelical base
A Southern Baptist adviser to President Donald Trump says it is “absolutely ludicrous” to call Trump’s evangelical supporters hypocrites for standing by the president amid allegations that he had an adulterous relationship with an adult film star.