By Bob Allen Wesley M. (Pat) Pattillo, a long-time communications and development executive for both Baptist and ecumenical organizations, died Dec. 22 after a six-month battle with leukemia. Pattillo, 75, retired in 2011 after 10 years as associate general secretary…
Christians must model grace and love in time of fear, ministers say
By Jeff Brumley ’Tis the season to be … fearful? It’s not what the lyrics actually say but they may as well given the politically induced hysteria surrounding Muslim immigration and Syrian refugees. A lot of churches and evangelical leaders…
Baptist Standard announces cutbacks
By Bob Allen The Baptist Standard, long the largest and one of the most influential of state Baptist newspapers, is reducing staff at the end of the year as part of a series of cost-cutting measures. Founded in 1888, the…
Baptist missionaries hope song may soften hearts toward Syrian refugees
By Ken Camp After his wife and son witnessed the plight of Syrian refugees firsthand during a mission trip to the Middle East, Rick Brown wrote the words and music to For the Refugee both as a petition to God…
Baptist leader supports Planned Parenthood defunding
By Bob Allen The Kentucky Baptist Convention’s top leader is urging state lawmakers to pass legislation to defund Planned Parenthood in the coming year. Paul Chitwood, executive director of the state’s largest religious organization, voiced support on Kentucky Today, a convention-owned…
Faith groups join White House in targeting religious bigotry
By Bob Allen The Obama administration announced a new initiative to fight religious discrimination in communities at a White House forum Dec. 17 about upholding America’s tradition of religious pluralism. Vanita Gupta, head of the Civil Rights Division of the…
Christians and Muslims don’t worship same God, SBC leader says
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist seminary president says not only do Christians and Muslims not worship the same God, neither do Jews who refuse to believe that Jesus is the Son of God. In Dec. 18 article on his…
Baptist leaders help draft call to respond to refugees with compassion
By Bob Allen Southern Baptist Convention leaders helped draft a statement released Dec. 17 calling on evangelical Christians to respond to the Syrian refugee crisis with compassion rather than fear. The statement, approved by about 100 denominational, network and nonprofit…
Seminary heads ask governors to support Syrian refugees
By Bob Allen Three Kansas City seminary presidents joined Dec. 15 in a letter asking governors of Kansas and Missouri to welcome Syrian refugees to their states. President Molly T. Marshall of Central Baptist Theological Seminary joined the presidents of…
BJC part of new ‘Know Your Neighbor’ campaign
By Bob Allen A coalition of 15 civil-rights and faith-based nonprofits including the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, is launching a new project to foster dialogue about America’s religious diversity. The “Know Your Neighbor” initiative, brainchild of Gurwin Singh…
Don’t be so quick to copy megachurches, experts tell smaller congregations
By Jeff Brumley Most any pastor of a congregation located near a megachurch has heard suggestions of how to emulate the worship, technology or hospitality ministry of a fast-growing neighbor. “Yes, I get those,” said Shaun King, senior pastor at…
Baugh Foundation gives $1 million to CBF
By Bob Allen The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship announced Dec. 16 a $1 million gift from the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation to support projects including long-term support of global mission field personnel. CBF Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter expressed appreciation…