Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Rhonda Blevins, to Chapel by the Sea, Clearwater Beach, Fl., as pastor. She comes from the Cooperative Baptist…
Progressive clergy oppose ‘bathroom bills’ in Texas
Faith leaders across the country and in Texas wrote letters May 3 urging state legislators to reject proposed “bathroom bills” similar to North Carolina’s controversial HB2, a measure partially repealed due to pressure from economic boycotts. Clergy gathered Wednesday morning…
How the Human Genome Project changed this professor’s reading of Genesis
Genetic evidence suggesting that humans descend not from an individual pair but from a large population changed the way Scot McKnight interprets the first three chapters of Genesis.
Does breastfeeding in church cross a line? Not for these ministers.
The notion that men will be distracted by breastfeeding may say more about the over-sexualization of women’s bodies than about the alleged inappropriateness of breastfeeding in public.
‘Faith-inspired social justice’ is continued theme as Wild Goose festival expands geographically
The Wild Goose Festival held its first-ever regional event on Saturday — and not in one of the major urban centers its leaders originally envisioned. Cities like Atlanta, Chicago and Nashville were initially considered to host the one-day events. But a passionate…
Alliance of Baptists encourages churches to welcome transgender persons
Meeting in North Carolina April 27-29, members of the Alliance of Baptists called on affiliated churches to engage in “political activism grounded in a compassionate theology” in opposition to laws restricting access to public gender-segregated restrooms and other facilities based…
Alliance Baptists protest ‘fake’ N.C. bathroom bill repeal
Representatives of a progressive Baptist group that decided last year to protest rather than boycott North Carolina’s controversial “bathroom bill” said April 28 the so-called repeal of HB2 may have helped the state’s economy but does nothing to protect people…
Transitions for the week of 04.28.17
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Mary Alice Birdwhistell, to Calvary Baptist Church, Waco, Texas, as pastor. Previously she served as associate pastor. Adam…
Immigrant survived border crossing to find challenges, faith in U.S.
For one immigrant, challenges have included a treacherous journey north, an uncertain destination and a devastating auto accident that left him using a wheelchair. Luis Juárez has overcome them all.
Seminary professors’ rapper photo roils social media
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has apologized for a photo which has circulated on Twitter of five white faculty members posing as black gang members. The photo has been criticized as racist.
AWAB leader among clergy, groups, speaking up for fired transgender mortician
The chair-elect of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists joined 74 other faith leaders and religious and civil-rights organizations in a legal brief filed April 24 supporting a former transgender funeral home employee in Michigan who claimed she was…
Survey shocker: music dead last, sermons first, as worship draws
Americans who attend church say the sermons – not the music – keep them coming back. In fact, music finished in last place among every category of church life – from volunteer opportunities to children’s programs – in Gallup’s April 14…