By Jeff Brumley A lot of names are cropping up as the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida spends 2015 celebrating its 25th anniversary. They include Pat and Carolyn Anderson, the first and second coordinators of the organization formed in 1990. They…
Bluefield unveils half-price tuition plan for qualified students
By Chris Shoemaker Bluefield College in Bluefield, Va., is weighing in on the national debate on affordable higher education with a newly announced plan to reduce its tuition by nearly 50 percent for qualifying students. During a recent press conference,…
Bigger class, new journalism component defines 2015 Mercer On Mission
By Jeff Brumley Mercer University said it will send forth this year its largest Mercer On Mission cohort in the program’s eight-year history. Launched in 2007, Mercer On Mission blends study abroad with research and service. Participants experience a combination…
Popular ‘it’s a God thing’ phrase reveals troubling theology, pastors say
By Jeff Brumley You may have used this popular phrase a few times yourself. Or maybe you’ve heard others say it when some unexpected miracle happens. “It’s a God thing.” Usually it involves some unbelievable circumstances behind that job promotion,…
Religions converge at Mercer’s new interfaith prayer garden
By Jeff Brumley Those dismissive of interfaith ministry and outreach as purely symbolic efforts may have reconsidered during a prayer garden dedication at Mercer University on Thursday. Scores gathered on a shady corner of the school’s Atlanta campus to celebrate…
CBF, SBC unite against payday loans
By Bob Allen The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission joined other faith groups May 14 in announcing a new coalition to combat predatory lending. The new Faith for Just Lending coalition, announced at a press…
Rex Horne stepping down from Ouachita
By Bob Allen President Bill Clinton’s former pastor Rex Horne is stepping down after nine years as president of Ouachita Baptist University. Horne, who came to the Arkansas Baptist State Convention-affiliated school in Arkadelphia, Ark., in 2006 after 16 years…
Former youth pastor sentenced to 15 years for abuse
By Bob Allen A former Southern Baptist youth pastor sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexual abuse of minors criticized his victims for not forgiving him. “If they are unwilling to forgive, then God can’t forgive them,” Mack Allen…
Jesus’ death convicts capital punishment, Baylor prof says in new book
By Brian Kaylor On Good Friday, Christians around the world remember the day a government punished a convicted criminal with the death penalty. For many Christians — including some Baptists — Jesus’ death inspires them to oppose the death penalty…
‘The least of these’ too often taken out of context, says professor
By Bob Allen The “least of these” in Matthew 25 refers not to the poor but rather the Christian baker and florist persecuted because of their Christian faith, says a Southern Baptist Bible scholar. Denny Burk, professor of biblical studies…
IMB drops ban on ‘private prayer language’
By Bob Allen The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has dropped a controversial ban on missionaries who use a “private prayer language” that a decade ago helped stimulate the growth of blogs as a medium for dissent…
Watching wives face criticism toughest part of marriage to ministers, husbands say
By Jeff Brumley The toughest part of being the spouse of a woman minister isn’t assuming a quiet, secondary role at church or even having to take care of the kids while pastor mom is preaching or attending finance committee…