Frustration transformed into innovation for a Washington State youth minister tired of losing young people to other activities and smartphones. His solution: pay them. It all started for Matt Overton with a growing trend of absenteeism in his youth group…
Supreme Court schedules case involving church-state dispute
The U.S. Supreme Court has set oral arguments in one of the year’s most anticipated cases involving religious liberty and the separation of church and state. Trinity Lutheran Church v. Pauley, set for arguments April 19, involves a Missouri church…
Southern Baptist leader apologizes for legal brief supporting mosque
The president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board has apologized for his agency’s decision to file a legal brief supporting Muslims seeking to build a New Jersey mosque. “I grieve how the amicus brief in the recent mosque…
Faith leaders support death-row inmate’s religious discrimination claim
More than 500 faith leaders across the country have endorsed a statement calling for a new trial for a Texas death row inmate claiming religious discrimination in the selection of his jury. National faith leaders including Tony Campolo and Shane…
Waco attorney, minister answers calling with new nonprofit legal services firm
A Waco, Texas, attorney long accustomed to taking on long-odds cases is betting that his latest cause — a new nonprofit legal services firm — has a good chance of success. Kent McKeever said he knows from experience that low-income clients will…
Church aids refugee family after dog attack
A North Carolina Baptist church’s ministry to Syrian refugees took a frightening turn Feb. 14 when a 19-month-old son in one of two families sponsored by the congregation suffered critical injuries in an attack by two pit bulls. The toddler,…
For ministers, lean finances sometimes means stronger marriages and families
Ministers yearning for higher salaries may be wealthier than they think, a new study suggests. The tighter a pastor’s financial situation is, the fuller her or his relationships will be, according to the Barna Group. The organization says it finds…
Transitions for the week of 02.17.17
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Sean Brown, to Wedgwood Community Church, Seattle, Wash., as pastor. Dennis Burton, to Wingate (N.C.) Baptist Church, as…
Russell Moore affirms effort by Congress to block DC death-with-dignity law
The Southern Baptist Convention’s top spokesman for moral concerns applauded a rare attempt by Republicans in Congress to block a District of Columbia law that would make assisted suicide legal in the heavily Democratic district. Russell Moore, president of the…
Ministers in high demand in China, where Christianity has outpaced Communism
There are already thought to be more Christians in China (100 million) than members of the Communist Party (87 million). In fact, over the next 15 years, China is on course to become the nation with the world’s largest Christian…
Religion students petition Baylor to become sanctuary campus
A group of doctoral students in Baylor University’s religion department recently launched an online petition asking the administration to join the growing “sanctuary campus” movement, appealing to the private Baptist school’s Christian identity. Co-authored by six members of Baylor’s Graduate…
What’s love got to do with it?
As couples everywhere celebrate Valentine’s Day, Baptist News Global writer Greg Warner explores the whole issue of marriage and how it evolved from a mostly contractual agreement to a sacred institution of love and romance, and how even that has evolved…