By Bob Allen LifeWay Christian Resources is eyeing an acre and a half in downtown Nashville for its new headquarters, according to local media reports. The Metro Development and Housing Agency, a Nashville government agency, is expected on July 21…
Evangelical Christians staunchest supporters of Israel: LifeWay poll
By Bob Allen Christian Zionism — a theological view that God’s promises to ancient Israel in the Old Testament apply today to modern Israel — holds a strong grip on U.S. evangelicals, according to a recent survey by LifeWay Research. The research…
Church joins movement offering hands-on ministry experience to young people
By Linley McCord Pastor Richard Rogers sees young members as vital to the church’s health and survival. So, University Heights Baptist Church in Huntsville, Texas, launched a program to employ young members in leadership roles. Located near Sam Houston State University,…
Appeals court denies Obamacare challenge
By Bob Allen A federal appeals court ruled July 14 that requiring a religious nonprofit to opt out of mandated contraceptive coverage under Obamacare is not a substantial burden on religious exercise. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said…
Fox News personality fills pulpit at Southern Baptist church
By Bob Allen American Christians are on the verge of having their faith criminalized, Fox News pundit Todd Starnes warned a Southern Baptist church in Georgia in a July 5 “Faith, Family & Freedom Celebration” aired on local television. “There is…
Hispanic faith could revive the rest of the church, say speakers
By Jeff Brumley and Kalie Lowrie Hispanic Baptists and other Christians have so much to offer the American church and society that they must avoid the pitfalls of secularism and consumerism, Latino religious leaders say. That was part of the message…
BWA aids U.N. report on Eritrea
By Bob Allen The United Nations recently issued a scathing report on human rights in the northeast African nation of Eritrea researched with input from the Baptist World Alliance. A June 4 report by the U.N. Human Rights Council found…
White House expands religious objections to birth control
By Bob Allen The Obama administration released rules July 10 allowing “closely held” for-profit corporations to claim a religious objection to mandated coverage of contraceptives under Obamacare. Final regulations by the Department of Health and Human Services specify that in…
Social workers struggle to talk religion and spirituality, study says
By Jeff Brumley Licensed clinical social worker Christen Argueta often delved into clients’ religious and spiritual views when she worked for a nonprofit counseling agency for children and families. The Houston-based counselor said it was important to do so because…
Book tells untold story of women in the SBC controversy
By Bob Allen Most histories of the Southern Baptist Convention controversy in the late 20th century downplay or neglect the impact and role of women, a female historian says in a recent book. Elizabeth Flowers, associate professor of religion at…
Former youth minister sentenced in third court
By Bob Allen A former Southern Baptist youth minister has been sentenced in a third Alabama county for sexually abusing young boys in the 1980s. Mack Allen Davis, 74, former youth pastor at Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., was…
Debates on racism, gay rights take toll on pastors
By Jeff Brumley Stressful times for the nation, it turns out, translate into especially stressful times for pastors. That fact was the focus of Tuesday’s Baptist News Global column — titled “A humble plea: Go easy on your pastor” — by Corey…