A diverse collection of denominational and faith-based organizations are calling on Congress to prohibit usury and end predatory practices of payday lending. While marketed as short-term loans of two to four weeks to get over a financial emergency, the faith…
Battle over LGBT discrimination hits Charlotte
Southern Baptists in North Carolina are upset by a proposed non-discrimination measure they say endangers women and children and could force business owners to support same-sex marriage against their religion. The city council in Charlotte N.C., will vote Feb. 22…
Transitions 02.05.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Richard Buerkle, to First Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tenn., as minister of music and worship. He comes from Memorial…
Ministers preaching humor for Christians, churches
Laughter, fun are signs of a healthy congregation that celebrates the joy and hope of the Christian story, Baptist pastors say. A few years back, after Erin Conaway preached his first sermon as associate pastor at South Main Baptist Church…
Chelsea Clinton says Sunday school lesson made her a former Baptist
The daughter of current presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton says people on both ends of the political spectrum are skeptical about her parents’ faith. Chelsea Clinton said she is tired of people questioning her family’s faith, adding that she chose…
Work underway on sexual misconduct resource
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship is collaborating with partner Baptist Women in Ministry to compile a resource listing best practices. Baptist Women in Ministry and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship are working in partnership to produce a resource addressing sexual misconduct by…
Raising kids in changing times: a new study unpacks the landscape
And finds most Millennial moms think they’re doing a pretty good job of it. It’s not news. Parenting — and the nature of families themselves — has changed in important ways over the past few decades. Finding the best way,…
Baylor under fire for sexual assault response
Critics say the Texas Baptist university has failed to take responsibility for sexual violence on campus. Ken Starr, the Whitewater prosecutor whose investigation of the Monica Lewinsky scandal led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, is on the defensive…
Baptist who led West, Texas recovery becomes ‘disaster pastor’
John Crowder and his First Baptist Church of West, Texas, helped the city recover from a 2013 fertilizer plant explosion. Now he’s taking what he learned from the experience to help other pastors in disaster areas. If anyone knows about…
Congregations cannot manage their way into God’s future for them
Where there is no vision, management drives the sports utility vehicle, which is the image for the spiritual and strategic journey of a congregation that includes vision, relationships, programs and management. Vision, which was driving, is now in the back…
Baptist church challenges noise ordinance
Vintage Church of New Orleans says strict noise restrictions are impeding its ability to worship. A Southern Baptist church plant in Louisiana has filed an appeal challenging enforcement of a noise ordinance that parishioners say hinders their ability to worship….
Act of solidarity
For one Baptist woman in Kansas City, wearing a hijab is a profound — and visible — expression of support for Muslims. Martha DeVries has taken the concept of walking a mile in another person’s shoes to a whole new…