A diverse group of 272 Georgia clergy have signed an open letter opposing so-called “religious liberty” bills before the state legislature, saying the U.S. Constitution already safeguards their religious liberty. Twenty-nine Baptists, 32 Episcopalians, 31 Jewish rabbis, 42 Methodists and…
Baptists aid Syrians who escaped war only to freeze in refugee camps
The terror and violence became unbearable. At 4 a.m. some two years ago, Yusuf and Fatima Assad gathered their nine children and abandoned their home, possessions and comfort to search for a better life, away from bombings and turmoil. The…
Transitions 02.26.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Blake Benge, to First Baptist Church, Pensacola, Fla., as coordinating pastor of missions and ministries. He previously served…
Baptists aid Syrians who escaped war only to freeze in refugee camps
By Leah Reynolds The terror and violence became unbearable. At 4 a.m. some two years ago, Yusuf and Fatima Assad gathered their nine children and abandoned their home, possessions and comfort to search for a better life, away from bombings…
Charlotte approves measure to halt LGBT discrimination
The city council in Charlotte, N.C., passed an ordinance Feb. 22 to prevent businesses from discriminating against LGBT customers, setting the stage for a battle with the Republican-controlled state legislature. Council members voted 7-4 in favor of a measure expanding…
Self-described ‘Catholic Baptist’ leaves Ohio church, embarks on writing career
Self-described “Catholic Baptist” Rod Kennedy preached his last sermon Sunday as pastor of First Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio, ending a 12-year tenure that landed him frequently in the media spotlight — and often at odds with some in the larger…
In the wake of Flint, Baptist Peace Fellowship calls for water justice
The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America released a statement Feb. 24 on the recent water crisis in Flint, Mich., urging peace-loving Baptists to advocate not only for the people of Flint but also for others dealing with water crises…
Charlotte approves measure to halt LGBT discrimination
By Bob Allen The city council in Charlotte, N.C., passed an ordinance Feb. 22 to prevent businesses from discriminating against LGBT customers, setting the stage for a battle with the Republican-controlled state legislature. Council members voted 7-4 in favor of…
IMB regains financial footing, president says
More than enough Southern Baptist Convention missionaries and International Mission Board staff accepted incentives to step down voluntarily to balance the IMB budget without any forced termination of overseas personnel, board president David Platt announced Feb. 24. Addressing IMB trustees…
SBC boots church for allowing pastor to officiate gay wedding
A representative body authorized to act on behalf of the Southern Baptist Convention between annual meetings voted Feb. 23 to remove a South Carolina church for allowing its pastor to conduct a same-sex wedding. The SBC Executive Committee, an 83-member…
Catholics and Jews move closer together, leaving evangelicals to ponder
Some evangelical leaders say Christians should avoid the Catholic lead in not proselytizing Jews, but a rabbi and Baptist minister say sincere relationship building is essential. Catholic and Jewish leaders recently exchanged documents affirming the authenticity of each other’s faiths….
Preaching expert James Cox dies
Baptist professor James W. Cox, recognized as a leading authority on preaching and one of the most influential teachers in the field of homiletics, died Feb. 21 in Louisville, Ky. He was 93. Cox, author and editor of dozens of…