For some Christians, going vegan may be a sudden thing after attending a church talk about factory farming and animal cruelty. Like Paul on the road to Damascus, they are struck with a life-changing conviction — this one to give up…
Leaders report progress on task force addressing sexual misconduct by clergy
A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship task force developing guidelines for responding to a wide range of sexual misconduct by clergy is in place and compiling best practices to be shared with churches and partner ministries, according to an update Jan. 11. Pam…
Congregations urged to stand for people’s rights in face of ‘authoritarian messages’
Fifty Christian leaders from across the nation called on congregations to stick up for the rights of all people in light of “threatening, authoritarian messages” accompanying the recent election of Donald Trump. “If such talk is not opposed, we open…
Despite criticism from conservatives, faith leaders bless new Planned Parenthood facility
While leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention and Republicans in Congress called for defunding Planned Parenthood, more than 20 local faith leaders came together Jan. 10 to pronounce blessings on the organization’s newest health clinic in Washington, D.C. Planned Parenthood…
With 1 ‘none’ and a slew of Christians, Congress fails to reflect society
Church consultants and researchers for years have warned churches that they need to reflect the communities around them. Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources, said he discovered that while conducting research for his book Autopsy of a Deceased Church….
Senate bill would block Muslim registry
A Baptist senator introduced legislation Jan. 5 to prevent President-elect Donald Trump from creating a federal registry for Muslims entering the United States. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and eight fellow Democrats introduced the Protect American Families Act to “prohibit…
CBF minister joins anti-Sessions march
A Cooperative Baptist Fellowship minister said Jan. 9 that Sen. Jeff Sessions’ anti-immigration record makes him unfit to serve as U.S. attorney general. Alyssa Aldape, associate pastor at First Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., joined nationally known clergy including Moral…
Religion little more than ‘politics in drag,’ rabbi says ahead of inauguration
The lineup of ministers selected to pray at Donald Trump’s inauguration reaffirms the divisions within American Christianity. Conservatives view the selections of, say, Franklin Graham and Paula White, as affirming biblical and patriotic values and as support of unfettered capitalism….
Same-sex married couple to lead historic Baptist church
A historic Baptist church in the nation’s capital has called a legally married lesbian couple as co-pastors. Calvary Baptist Church in Washington announced Jan. 9 the hiring of Sally Sarratt and Maria Swearingen as the congregation’s new senior ministers. The couple,…
Visit to Metro Baptist in NYC transforms children into missionaries
A homeless man knocked on the door of Metro Baptist Church to ask for a drink. Ronnie Adams, Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel, and Katie Hillhouse, a fourth grader from Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson, S.C., delivered a glass of…
Advocate says preaching opportunities changing landscape for Baptist women in ministry
A decade-old emphasis encouraging moderate Baptist churches to invite a woman to preach one Sunday in February has contributed to a shift in how people in the pew think about women in ministry, a longtime advocate for pulpit inclusiveness said…
Couple continues legal fight against Glorieta sale
An Arkansas couple who lost a lease on property on which they purchased a vacation home with the sale of Glorieta Conference Center in 2013 say they aren’t giving up on their legal battle to invalidate the deal after losing…