For decades, no Baptist state convention showed stronger resolve in defending historic tenets like soul freedom and autonomy of the local church than Texas. With this week’s vote declaring churches that welcome and affirm LGBT people “out of harmonious cooperation,” some moderate and progressive Baptists are wondering openly where along the way they lost their beloved Baptist General Convention of Texas.
New BNG feature: Letters to the Editor
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Transitions for the week of 11.18.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Daniel Barringer, to First Baptist Church, Seymour, Ind., as interim senior pastor. Dennis Bickers, to First Baptist Church,…
Taking on the gun madness: it’s time to stop it, say faith leaders
Christian clergy are tired, they say, of wringing their hands, of changing their Sunday morning sermon after another Saturday night shooting, of gun advocates’ clichés and — worse — of expecting it to happen again soon.
Religious diversity a reality within churches, research shows
The church, it seems, is experiencing a constant “wake-up call” these days. It needs to wake up about the needs and interests of Millennials and the growth of the “nones.” It needs to wake up about worship styles, ministering outside…
Trump-inspired vandalism at churches follows election
Many feared outbursts from Trump supporters if he lost the election. Armed uprisings were threats common on social media. It turns out that vandalism at churches may also be the reaction to Trump’s Nov. 8 victory at the polls. Among…
Anti-Trump protesters target Southern Baptist church
Anti-Trump protesters marched on a Southern Baptist megachurch whose pastor was among the president-elect’s most vocal evangelical supporters in a fourth night in the streets Saturday night. “This church right here is the mother Mecca of the hate that lives…
They volunteered to help, only to be helped themselves
The cool thing about volunteering to help others is that it’s usually the volunteer ends up being helped. Any nonprofit manager or pastor can tell you that. And so can Robert Buelna and Janeth Wilson. Buelna is a sophomore at…
Pope urges Donald Trump to remember the poor, Italian newspaper reports
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…