Pope Francis urged President-elect Donald Trump to remember the poor when he takes office next year. Quoting an Italian daily newspaper, Religion News Service reported today that the pontiff offered no judgment about the reality TV star-turned-commander in chief. “I…
Church must leave four walls to heal post-election angst, Baptist leader says
Suzii Paynter didn’t get on Facebook first thing Wednesday morning like so many millions of other Americans did. But Paynter, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, said she didn’t need social media immediately to tell her how people felt…
Two Texas churches face ouster for LGBT policies
Leaders of the Baptist General Convention of Texas have put two churches on notice of expulsion because of their welcoming-and-affirming stance toward LGBTQ people. First Baptist Church of Austin replied publicly Nov. 8 to a letter officially informing the congregation…
Transitions for the week of 11.11.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Anyra Cano, to Texas Baptist Women in Ministry and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Texas, as staffer for outreach…
On social media, laments and hope following Donald Trump election
God surely got an earful Wednesday from Americans emotional about the results of the 2016 presidential election. But God wasn’t alone. Social media heard plenty, too. First thing in the morning, Americans began posting about hopes dashed, dreams fulfilled and…
Oklahoma voters say public money can’t fund religion
Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot item that would have removed the state’s restriction against using public money for religious purposes. Oklahomans struck down State Question 790 — a proposal to remove a constitutional ban on use of taxpayer funds…
White evangelicals don’t heed leaders’ concerns about Trump
Many white evangelicals did not follow their leaders voicing grave concerns about Donald Trump, according to exit polls showing the president-elect winning four out of every five votes cast by a demographic long taken for granted by the GOP. The…
Now, post-election, begins the hard, long work of reconciliation
Donald Trump’s victory at the polls on Tuesday will by no means end the political division and rancor that defined the 2016 election season. Nor will the pain, fear and bitterness between Americans magically disappear because churches around the nation…
Liberia Baptist seminary taps new leader
Trustees of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary have selected a pastor from North Carolina as the school’s next president. The Rev. Terry Henry, senior pastor of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Wilmington, N.C., for 28 years, officially takes office Jan. 1….
BJC lawyer urges defeat of Okla. no-aid repeal
A lawyer who specializes in religious liberty concerns urged Oklahoma supporters on the eve of Election Day to vote against a ballot initiative ending the state’s constitutional ban on using taxpayer funds for religious purposes. Baptist Joint Committee for Religious…
Ministers offer a spiritual word to the stressed on Election Day
Remember 2012, when Obama versus Romney seemed like a contentious presidential election? It was enough for a group of Mennonite ministers, who responded back then by launching the Election Day Communion movement. The idea was to inspire Christians to use…
Arkansas Baptists say transgenderism is in the mind
Southern Baptists in Arkansas opposed efforts by the government to legitimize transgender identity in one of eight resolutions adopted during the Oct. 25-26 Arkansas Baptist State Convention annual meeting in Little Rock. The resolution described “gender dysphoria” — the medical term…