Few pastors throw their hat into a political race. But many engage in politics in other ways, both in the public square and in church sanctuaries. W.T. Edmonson, associate pastor at Second Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., sees political…
Baptist children’s home reaps reward after bad press
Negative headlines and criticism on social media for turning down a donation from an atheist group turned into a windfall for a Baptist ministry serving Native American children in Oklahoma. Officials said the recent fifth annual Murrow Indian Children’s Home…
Former SBC president standing by Donald Trump
A former president of the Southern Baptist Convention named to Donald Trump’s evangelical executive advisory board reiterated his support for the Republican nominee after the release of damaging video showing the candidate making lewd remarks about women. Jack Graham, pastor…
Baylor student continually relives Paris attacks — even in Waco
Baylor University senior Olivia Gambelin is a passionate advocate for international travel and study abroad. She highly recommends it after spending last fall studying in Rome. “A great way to open your mind to other world views is to travel,”…
Christian women say Trump’s ‘locker room’ talk harms women
More than 60 Baptist women in ministry joined hundreds of Christian women Oct. 13 in an open letter denouncing remarks by presidential candidate Donald Trump they believe disparage women and condone sexual assault. The letter, spearheaded by Jennifer Butler, CEO of…
CBF unveils program to aid with ministerial debt
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship announced Oct. 12 it is accepting applications for grants up to $10,000 to aid pastoral leaders burdened with personal debt. The Ministerial Excellence Initiative, funded with a $1 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.’s National Initiative…
Oklahoma Baptist official supports ‘no-aid’ repeal
Oklahoma’s top Southern Baptist official is disputing a recent newspaper headline implying that many Baptist clergy oppose a proposal to repeal a prohibition in the state constitution against using taxpayer funds for religious purposes. Anthony Jordan, executive director of the…
‘Alabama Baptist’ announces editor succession plan
Veteran Baptist journalist Jennifer Davis Rash has been named editor-elect of the Alabama Baptist. Rash, who has worked nearly 21 years at the Alabama Baptist Convention news journal and the last six years as executive editor, was designated to follow…
Transitions for the week of 10.14.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Alyssa Aldape, to First Baptist Church, Washington, D.C., as associate pastor for young adult and youth ministries, effective…
Oklahoma governor urges prayer for oil industry
Oklahoma’s governor is asking citizens to pray Oct. 13 for the state’s oil industry, a major contributor to the economy recently in a downturn as crude oil prices dropped to the lowest levels in 15 years. Gov. Mary Fallin proclaimed…
Bridging divides in post-election season will be challenging for churches
While sociologists slice the population into thinner and thinner samples for examination, columnist and radio host Byron Williams says the most neglected — and dangerous — segment is “the Bob Dylan demographic.” Quoting a famous Bob Dylan song, Byron said,…
Focus must be on behavior, not age, in shaping relevant ministry
For years now, Christian communities have been intensely focused on serving Baby Boomers, Millennials and other groups demarcated by age. But that focus alone is no longer going to cut it for churches genuinely interested in being relevant to the…