The Georgia Baptist Convention is again lobbying for legislation they say is needed to protect Christians from religious discrimination. The head of the Georgia Baptist Convention led a morning devotional Feb. 2 in the State Senate as pastors rallied in…
Transitions 01.29.16
Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Jan Ballard, now serving as assistant director of the American Baptist Historical Society, Atlanta. She has worked…
Trump ‘just a symbol’ of America’s declining religious literacy, minister says
By Jeff Brumley If you are tempted to laugh — or even gloat — because Donald Trump put money into an Iowa church Communion plate recently, don’t. The same goes for his previous reference to “Two Corinthians,” when he meant to refer…
Jacksonville latest city to grapple with human rights ordinance
Jacksonville, Fla., is the latest U.S. city where clergy are arguing both for and against proposals to bar discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The pastor of one of the largest churches in Jacksonville, Fla., says…
Seminary head says new governor boosting anti-abortion cause in Kentucky
Albert Mohler says “elections matter,” and “sometimes it is a matter of life and death.” A Southern Baptist Convention leader says new abortion restrictions in Kentucky would not have been possible before the election last fall of a governor strongly…
Trump ‘just a symbol’ of America’s declining religious literacy, minister says
Recent surveys document that Americans as a whole — not just presidential candidates — are becoming increasingly less knowledgeable about Christianity and Scripture, and religion in general. If you are tempted to laugh — or even gloat — because Donald Trump put money into an…
Missional focus will assuage congregations’ fears, ministers say
By Jeff Brumley Declining memberships and contributions, shuttered sanctuaries and surging megachurches have generated a lot of fear in U.S. congregations. The problem is that fear is a turnoff to those that struggling churches hope to serve, M. Craig Barnes,…
Baptist journalists want answers about IMB layoffs
Two recent Baptist state newspaper editorials say Southern Baptist leaders aren’t being forthcoming enough about changes affecting the International Mission Board. Two Baptist state newspaper editors criticized the Southern Baptist Convention International Mission Board for lack of transparency after they…
FBC Huntsville announces pastor nominee
A prominent Cooperative Baptist Fellowship church in Alabama will vote on a new pastor Feb. 7. A pastor search committee at First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Ala., is recommending Travis Collins, a veteran pastor now serving on staff with the…
Missional focus will assuage congregations’ fears, ministers say
Declining memberships and closing churches have led some congregations to react with fear, which in turn is a turnoff for potential members, a Christian leader says. Declining memberships and contributions, shuttered sanctuaries and surging megachurches have generated a lot of…
Despite decline, religiously affiliated remain devoted, says survey
By Jeff Brumley While the number of Americans who profess faith is in steady decline, there is evidence suggesting a steady devotion among those who remain religiously affiliated, new research shows. “Among the roughly three-quarters of U.S. adults who do claim…
CBF to vote on new plan for funding global missions
Proposed changes to CBF governing documents include revisions to a 25-year-old open meetings bylaw. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly will vote on a proposal to support the long-term presence of field personnel through its annual offering for global missions….