An ad hoc committee appointed in July is getting ready to enter a phase of listening to diverse voices within the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship on matters of human sexuality, according to a report of last week’s meeting of the CBF…
Common missionary and military lives prepared Baptist chaplains for marriage
As a couple, Jim and Jo Kirkendall take the concept of “having things in common” to a whole new level. Both grew up overseas as children of missionaries with the then-Foreign Mission Board. Both became Navy chaplains – and met…
European Baptist leaders protest escalation in Syrian conflict
Leaders of the European Baptist Federation strongly condemned the recent increase in violence in Syria, as government forces and their allies push to reclaim rebel-held neighborhoods in Aleppo, once the nation’s largest city and a key battleground since fighting broke…
Alabama Baptist spokesman critical of ouster of Roy Moore
Alabama Southern Baptists’ public policy spokesman criticized the Sept. 30 suspension of Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore for defying federal court orders on same-sex marriage, calling it part of a larger effort to silence Christian voices in the…
How a prayer meeting ‘accidentally’ turned into an intentional Christian community
In some faith circles, the term “living in intentional community” is a buzz phrase akin to “being missional” or “doing life together.” But what does the practice actually entail? And are Christians called to do it? For many in the…
Court strikes down Nevada voucher plan
The Nevada Supreme Court has struck down the most extensive school-choice plan in the country, finding the legislature failed to appropriate enough money to sufficiently fund the state’s public schools before implementing the voucher plan. The court rejected arguments raised…
Churchnet announces leadership change
Columbia, Mo., pastor Brian Ford has been elected executive director of Churchnet, a ministry network of churches and individuals also known as the Baptist General Convention of Missouri. Pastor of Little Bonne Femme Baptist Church in Columbia, Mo., since 2003,…
El Paso congregation seeking nones and dones who call the border home
From the outside, the nondescript building in downtown El Paso doesn’t look much like a church. But the converted gymnasium does in fact serve as home to Mesa Place Church. And Christian Gurrola may not look like a pastor to…
Uzbek Baptist fined for possessing Christian literature
A Baptist in Uzbekistan has been punished for the second time within a year for having religious books at home, according to Forum 18, an international news service based in Norway that monitors religious freedom violations. Stanislav Kim, a Baptist from…
Publisher reverses decision on ‘unchanging’ Bible translation
The publisher of the English Standard Version (ESV) Bible has reversed a highly discussed decision last month that the current text would remain unchanged in future editions. Crossway, a Christian nonprofit publisher established in 1938, said the reason for making…
Transitions for the week of 09.30.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Catherine “Katie” Chapman, to the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, as executive director. She is CEO and…
Mission work takes on legal dimensions for Va.-based field personnel
Mission work and ministry are taking on a dizzying array of new looks in the 21st century. Just ask Greg and Sue Smith, Baptist missionaries who spent years performing traditional mission work in Latin America before opening a ministry serving…