By Bob Allen The pastor of a historic New York City church with Baptist ties says much of the recent brouhaha over abortion rights has to do with the fact that Planned Parenthood caters exclusively to women. “I think it’s…
SBC ethics head supports ‘First Amendment Defense Act’
By Bob Allen The Southern Baptist Convention’s top spokesman for moral and religious liberty concerns led 30 faith leaders and educators in an open letter urging Congress to pass a Republican-backed bill that would bar the government from penalizing individuals…
Baptists reflect on fellowship as ‘nones’ seek their own brand of community
By Jeff Brumley They may be leaving or avoiding organized religion in droves, but the nation’s “nones” are still craving community — otherwise known as fellowship — recent reports suggest. Known also as the religiously unaffiliated, this growing segment of the U.S….
Pinewood derby races connect children, faith in Slovakia
By Vicki Brown Students yelled as they jockeyed for positions around the racetrack and rooted for their cars as they shot down the track. Cheers followed each heat as winners beamed and losers tried to be gracious. And the pinewood…
ABHMS sponsors service to celebrate ADA
By Bob Allen American Baptist Home Mission Societies was among sponsors of an interfaith worship service in Washington celebrating 25 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Curtis Ramsey-Lucas, managing director of resource development for the American Baptist Churches USA…
Former preacher deemed fit to stand trial for triple murder
By Bob Allen A former Baptist preacher charged with three counts of murder in a 2013 shooting at a pawn shop in Danville, Ky., has been found competent to stand trial. The Lexington Herald-Leader reported July 27 that Kenneth Allen…
Young adults challenging traditional church membership concepts
By Jeff Brumley The value and purpose of church membership is becoming an increasingly hot topic in Baptist and other congregations these days. And that’s “hot” as in controversial and heated, not popular. And it’s one that occasionally pits older…
Houston, you have a problem: State Supreme Court sidelines anti-discrimination law
By Bob Allen The Texas Supreme Court ruled July 24 that Houston must repeal a controversial non-discrimination ordinance or put it on the ballot for voters to decide. A state district judge determined in April that citizens seeking repeal of…
CBF Virginia leader takes job with BTSR
By Bob Allen Rob Fox, field coordinator for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia since 2009, is stepping down at the end of August to become vice president of institutional advancement at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond. Fox, a BTSR…
Deal, disaster response director with ‘a chaplain’s heart,’ leaving CBF
By Jeff Brumley Leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Oklahoma were stunned in the immediate hours after a monster tornado tore through Moore, Okla., on May 20, 2013, killing 24 people. And they were overwhelmed trying to assess damage…
Rwandan peacemaker given human rights award
By Robert Dilday The son of Rwandan refugees who became a catalyst for peace and reconciliation among ethnic rivalries in his east African nation was recognized July 23 for his vision of “the church as a home of peace.” Corneille…
Developing ‘transcongregational’ mindset could be BWA’s gift to Baptists, says Upton
By Robert Dilday The Baptist World Alliance may be the best opportunity Baptists have to embrace a “transcongregational” mindset which balances their historic adherence to congregational autonomy while avoiding the isolation of local church independence. That’s the assessment of outgoing…