Staff changes, congregational news and more from across the nation.
CBF-trained pastor making LGBT history with Mennonites
A Truett Seminary graduate has become the first openly LGBTQ person to be called as a solo pastor in the Mennonite Church USA. Albuquerque (N.M.) Mennonite Church voted overwhelmingly Sept. 10 to call Erica Lea, currently pastor-in-residence at Calvary Baptist…
Longer church commutes OK with Christians wary of ‘evangelical gimmicks’
Most churchgoers — almost 70 percent, according to new research — drive 15 minutes or less to get to Sunday worship. That does not describe Todd and Marcia Putney of Macclenny, a rural community located along Interstate-10 in Northeast Florida. The Putneys —…
Pastor charged with failure to report child abuse
A Baptist pastor in Alabama faces misdemeanor charges for allegedly failing to report suspicion of child sex abuse to legal authorities. Michael Walker, 51, pastor of Southside Baptist Church in Huntsville, Ala., was booked into Madison County Jail Sept. 21…
American Baptists raising money to help rebuild in hurricane-struck Puerto Rico
American Baptist Home Mission Societies has announced a goal to raise $1 million within the next three to six months to support the rebuilding of homes and churches in hurricane-devastated Puerto Rico. The national ministries arm of the American Baptist…
ACLU challenges law allowing faith-based child services providers to turn away LGBT parents
The American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit Sept. 20 challenging a Michigan law allowing faith-based child placement agencies receiving taxpayer funds to deny services to same-sex couples because of religious objections. The 2105 law is similar to legislation…
Second judge challenges secrecy of drugs used in capital punishment
A second Arkansas judge has ruled the state must reveal more information about drugs used in lethal injections for capital punishment. Pulaski County Circuit Judge Mackie Pierce ruled Sept. 19 that officials must disclose the labels on its new supply…
Transitions for the week of 09.22.17
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Cynthia Aulds, concluding her tenure as missions coordinator at Sugar Land (Texas) Baptist Church. Danielle Bridgeforth, to First…
Church celebrates 25 years welcoming Hooter’s, schizophrenics and Pharisees
Worshiping with drug addicts and sometimes-disruptive schizophrenics wasn’t the way Jimmy Dorrell envisioned his calling while growing up in Conroe, Texas, in the 1960s.
Language weakening Johnson Amendment survives House of Representatives vote
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a massive spending bill Sept. 14 that includes a provision consonant with President Trump’s stated desire to “get rid of and totally destroy” a decades-old law requiring that churches and other charities accepting tax-exempt benefits stay out of partisan politics.
SBC president, CBF pastors join in call to remove Confederate statue
The president of the Southern Baptist Convention joined more than 170 black and white clergy, including Cooperative Baptist Fellowship pastors, in Memphis, Tenn., in an open letter Sept. 13 seeking permission from the state or local officials to remove a Confederate monument from a city park.
Harvey, Irma cleanup poses challenges for faith-based recovery
Faith-based disaster response groups are admittedly feeling the major challenge faced in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. “There’s a lot of chaos out there,” said David Harding, international disaster response coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Devastation in…