Donald Trump’s November victory and January inauguration cast many into despair about the nation’s future and into doubt about its values. But Trump’s presidency so far has also produced at least one upside: to inspire tens of thousands, if not…
Baptist entrepreneur David Cassady named president of Kentucky seminary
Baptist Seminary of Kentucky, a theological education partner of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, has named longtime moderate Baptist educator and entrepreneur David Cassady as its second president. Cassady, 56, will succeed founding president Greg Earwood, who retired last year. He…
Impact of Trump refugee cuts felt by churches, nonprofits and internationals
The limit President Trump has placed on the number of refugees who can enter the U.S. has devastated those who have languished in overseas refugee camps for years. While the travel-ban portion of Trump’s second executive order has been placed…
Engaging the immigration debate: Ethicist, pastor differ on New Sanctuary Movement
A Baptist ethicist says flaws in America’s immigration system don’t rise to the level of a moral issue to justify the use of civil disobedience, but a Washington, D.C., pastor believes churches should do everything in their power to renounce language of criminality in the immigration debate.
Transitions for the week of 03.24.17
Clergy and organizational staff moves, church news, obituaries and more, updated weekly.
Prior to health care replacement bill being pulled, range of Baptist leaders said ‘no’
A Baptist minister joined hundreds of interfaith clergy and community leaders in a Capitol Hill rally March 22 opposing the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act as legislation moved to an expected showdown vote on March 24.
Trump returning to Liberty University as commencement speaker
President Donald Trump will deliver the spring commencement address at Liberty University, returning to the scene of an appearance in January 2016 that helped put him on a path to winning widespread evangelical support in last year’s election. The school…
Are public attitudes toward clergy changing? It’s complicated.
Few ministers need coaches or surveys to tell them what Americans think of clergy these days. They can rely on their own experiences for that. Amy Butler does. Based on interactions with strangers on flights, at parties and in other…
ERLC officers affirm Russell Moore
Officers of the Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty have affirmed the leadership of agency head Russell Moore, amid media reports that he might be fired. In an unusual statement March 20, the ERLC executive committee said Moore, under…
AWAB leaders empathize with ‘unambiguously gay’ Disney character
Controversy over the “exclusively gay moment” in the live-action musical remake of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast offers a glimpse of what many gay people experience growing up in church, leaders of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists commented…
Single adult numbers are soaring. What does that mean for congregations?
Churches may want to take a hard look at what they’re offering young, single adults — and then boost it. “Many churches are built around a family model,” Roxanne Stone, editor and chief of the Barna Group, said in remarks published…
Transitions for the week of 03.17.17
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Taylor Bell, to Baptist Church of the Covenant, Birmingham, Ala., as ministries coordinator. Troy Freeman, to First Baptist…