A Texas Baptist ethicist compared the Lone Star State’s obsession with football to idol worship in the wake of the unfolding sexual assault scandal at Baylor University. “Football has become one of our false gods,” Ferrell Foster, director of ethics and…
Victims’ group asks Southern Baptists to create ‘safe place’ for reporting sexual abuse
As the Southern Baptist Convention prepares to gather for its annual meeting June 14-15 in St. Louis, leaders of a support group for survivors of institutional sex abuse called on denominational leaders to take action to prevent the next “Spotlight”-style…
Reins on payday lending called good start
Consumer advocates welcomed new rules proposed by the federal government to rein in abuses in payday lending, a nearly $40 billion industry currently regulated by the states. Regulations released June 2 by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a five-year-old federal…
Candidates rebuff ‘say something nice’ challenge
A South Carolina Baptist layman voiced disappointment after the three remaining candidates for U.S. president rebuffed his challenge to a one-day moratorium on incivility. For the 10th anniversary of Say Something Nice Day, founder Mitch Carnell asked presidential candidates to…
Transitions for the week of 06.03.16
Staff moves, church news and more, updated weekly.
Is music a religion — and should the church be worried if it is?
If the fans of Star Wars and Dr. Who can have religions based on those franchises, then why can’t music be a faith tradition? That’s what country singer Maren Morris explores in her top-10 hit “My Church,” in which she…
Baylor shakeup continues with Starr’s resignation as chancellor
Days after being demoted as president of Baylor University over the university’s mishandling of sexual assault among its students, former Whitewater special prosecutor Ken Starr told ESPN June 1 he is resigning as chancellor. Starr, elected president of the world’s…
State convention wins case against breakaway agency
A state appeals court has upheld a lower court’s decision voiding the Missouri Baptist Foundation’s 2001 decision to move to a self-perpetuating board of trustees. A three-judge panel of the Western District Court of Appeals in Kansas City, Mo., ruled…
Big questions lead to big answers for woman, son living in camper
Angel Hardy knew living in a camper parked in the backyard of her friend’s house was no way to live — for her or her son. The shower never worked; the toilet never worked. Eventually, the water in the kitchen stopped…
As racial healing seems elusive, New Baptist Covenant plans next summit
Former President Jimmy Carter, who has long put religion and racial reconciliation at the center of his life, is on a mission to heal a racial divide among Baptists and help the country soothe rifts that he believes are getting…
Mississippi pastors support law widely-described as anti-gay
More than 50 Southern Baptist ministers in Mississippi recently issued an open letter supporting a new law which purports to protect religious liberty but is widely-described as the country’s most aggressive anti-LGBT legislation. Baptist pastors including current and past presidents of the…
Getting back to gospel basics is the systemic cure for Baylor’s woes, pastors say
The sexual assault scandal that exploded at Baylor University last week has generated waves of heartbreak, disbelief and outrage. And now add theological reflection to the litany of responses. “For me this underscores the depth of human sin and that…