Besides preaching and visiting the sick, too many ministers also are skilled at denying themselves vacation days, putting in extreme time at the office and scaling back on family time. “We are well known for overworking,” said Merianna Neely Harrelson,…
British Baptists wrestle with same-sex marriage
Hoping to avoid division over an issue that is dividing religious bodies across the globe, British Baptist leaders are asking churches not to allow their buildings to be used for same-sex weddings. The leadership council of the Baptist Union of…
Former president, now professor, reportedly on way out at Louisiana College
A Baptist college in Louisiana is seeking to remove its controversial former president from a teaching position on the faculty, according to a local media report. The Town Talk in Alexandria, La., quoted unnamed sources March 16 saying that Louisiana…
Packing in the pews
The latest challenge facing some congregations is deciding whether open carry gun laws should extend to church property — including the sanctuary.
Baptist World Aid director steps down
The director of Baptist World Aid, relief-and-development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, stepped down March 16 after three-and-a-half years on the job, according to a news release. Rothangliani Rema Chhangte, former liaison for Burmese refugees with American Baptist Home…
End U.S. embargo on Cuba, faith leaders tell Congress
Two dozen faith communities joined in a letter March 16 urging members of Congress to end the nation’s “long-standing and counter-productive” embargo on Cuba. “We have listened to the call of our partner faith communities in Cuba, with whom we…
DNC head challenged by faith leaders over exploitative payday lending
Several Cooperative Baptist Fellowship ministers were among 36 faith leaders sending an open letter March 17 taking the chair of the Democratic National Committee to task for resisting attempts by the Obama administration to rein in abuses in payday lending….
Free prayer in coffee shops inspires marketplace ministry
Pushing the church and its ministry beyond its four walls requires overcoming the fear and uncertainty that usually block the way, Thomas Rusert says. Rusert, a Lutheran pastor in Doylestown, Pa., learned that lesson last summer when he began making himself available for…
NCAA won’t divest from schools that discriminate
The NCAA will not divest from colleges and universities requesting religious exemptions from Title IX regulations that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the association’s “chief inclusion officer” said March 15. Bernard Franklin, executive vice president of education…
North American Baptist Fellowship seeking new leader
The North American Baptist Fellowship, one of six global regions affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance, is accepting applications for a new general secretary. George Bullard, president of the Columbia Partnership, recently announced he is stepping down July 31 after…
‘Religious liberty’ bill passes Georgia House, Senate
The Georgia General Assembly passed an amended “Free Exercise Protection Act” March 16 that now heads to an uncertain fate with the state’s Republican governor. Capping two years of lobbying efforts by groups including the 1.3-million-member Georgia Baptist Convention, the…
Transitions for this week
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Paul Batson, to First Baptist Church, Elizabeth City, N.C., as pastor. He comes from the pastorate of Nobles…