The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina denounced racism in a resolution adopted at its annual meeting, but stopped short of endorsing the Southern Baptist Convention’s call to refrain from public displays of the Confederate flag or statements by SBC leaders supporting the removal of Civil War monuments.
After church massacre, some Americans say they’re worried about attending worship this Sunday
There may be some sparsely populated pews in American churches this weekend following last Sunday’s church massacre in Texas. Pastors in different parts of the country are hearing from church members worried that the fate of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs — where a gunman murdered 26 and injured 20 — may befall their own congregations.
Will Sutherland Springs be a tipping point for Southern Baptists and guns?
Southern Baptist leaders have reached out in many ways to survivors of the rampage that killed 26 men, women and children last Sunday. Conspicuously absent is any suggestion that lives might have been saved by laws barring civilians from owning weapons designed to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time.
Most spiritual-but-not-religious Americans are younger — and religiously affiliated
New research suggests there may yet be a smidge of good news for churches and other religious groups long assailed by the forces of culture and modernity. Could it be?
Transitions for the week of 11.09.17
Staff changes, congregational news and more from across the nation.
Gun massacre at Baptist church leaves small Texas town — and the nation — reeling
A typical small-town Southern Baptist church in Texas became the scene of the fifth-deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history Nov. 5, when a gunman interrupted Sunday morning worship with gunshots from a military-style rifle, killing at least 26 people and wounding dozens more.
Tennessee Baptists unfriend church with female pastor
Can a church with a female pastor be Southern Baptist? A Tennessee Baptist Convention committee says “no.”
Is there a market for a Christian cryptocurrency? Christ Coin aims to find out.
Emmanuel Ogunjumo’s empathy for the world’s spiritually and financially impoverished has inspired the creation of Christ Coin, which bills itself as the world’s first Christian cryptocurrency.
Transitions for the week of 11.03.17
Staff changes, congregational news and more from across the nation.
BJC head says tax bill would ‘deform,’ not reform, Johnson Amendment
A Baptist church-state specialist criticized the latest attempt by Republican lawmakers to weaken a part of tax law called the Johnson Amendment that prohibits tax-exempt charities including churches from taking sides in political campaigns.
Baptists, others faith groups say religious liberty not a license to discriminate
Baptists were among religious leaders and groups signing on to briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court Oct. 30 opposing the claims of a Christian baker who for religious reasons refused to create a wedding cake for a same-sex couple.
Protestant decline leaves fewer to celebrate Reformation Day
Happy birthday, Protestants. This week marks 500 years since Martin Luther’s actions sparked the Protestant Reformation. But is anyone really celebrating? Church historian Bill Leonard says yes, some are.