By George Henson Baptist churches and ministries recently joined forces to provide food and Christmas spirit to impoverished families along the U.S.-Mexico border. Their goal: to prevent as much hunger and despair as possible among the region’s adults and children…
As economy sours and tension persists, Russian Baptists ‘bind wounds’
By Robert Dilday Despite economic woes and continuing tension with Ukraine, Baptists in Russia are “busy binding up wounds, both the physical and the spiritual ones,” leaders said in a statement Dec. 22. “We thank God when the guns in…
Bellevue Baptist in Memphis evacuated, searched in police manhunt
By Jeff Brumley A pair of robbers being chased by police turned Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis into the scene of more than Christmas drama on Monday. According to media reports, the Southern Baptist Convention megachurch was evacuated and searched…
Bodies in motion: Some Baptists are recovering the physical in worship, prayer
By Jeff Brumley Baptists have historically minimized bodily movement in worship and prayer out of concern for appearing too charismatic or Catholic, scholars and spiritual formation ministers say. Baptisms and altar calls and the occasional layings-on of hands are accepted,…
$2 million gift will establish chair in religious freedom at Baylor
By Lori Fogleman Baylor University has announced a $2 million gift from Jerry and Susie Wilson of Dallas that will establish an endowed chair in religious freedom to support the university’s educational mission and its Institute for Studies of Religion….
Nashville church, developer ‘disappointed’ over failed real estate deal
By Jeff Brumley No one speaking to the press reportedly understands why a proposed deal has fallen through between First Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., and a developer of a hotel project. Neither side could explain why the multi-million-dollar deal…
U.S. Baptists welcome thaw in relations with Cuba
By Bob Allen Most Baptists in the United States with personal connections to Baptist communities in Cuba applauded President Obama’s surprise announcement Dec. 17 of plans to normalize relations between two nations separated by only 90 miles of water but…
Religion and politics do mix, Baptist author says, but not always in healthy ways
By Bob Allen Jesus’ command to “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” sounds straightforward, but a new book by a Baptist scholar says the line between religion and politics isn’t…
BJC lawyer examines church’s role in civil marriage
By Bob Allen A Baptist religious-liberty lawyer says recent debate over the definition of marriage reveals a long-overlooked mingling between church and state. Hollyn Hollman, general counsel of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, noted in a recent article…
Baptist leaders ponder if protests are a social movement or a moment
By Jeff Brumley Frustrating to social activists, both inside and outside of churches, is how many protest campaigns last about as long as the average American attention span. “I think about Rodney King and moments in our history when we…
Group asks Louisiana governor to drop endorsement of prayer rally
By Bob Allen Americans United for Separation of Church and State criticized Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Dec. 18 for using his official letterhead to invite residents to an evangelical prayer rally. “These are historic and defining times, a new world…
Baptist groups aid Syrian refugees through winter
By Leah Allen and Jeff Brumley Baptist and government agencies are stepping up efforts to help Syrian war refugees who are facing a brutal winter. With some 9 million Syrians displaced from their homes, and 3.3 million living in refugee…