By Bob Allen GuideStone Financial Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention had a day in court Dec. 8, arguing before the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver that required coverage of contraceptives under Obamacare substantially burdens its religious…
Brewton-Parker regains accreditation
By Bob Allen The college commission of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools voted Dec. 9 to reaffirm the accreditation of Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Ga., reversing a decision in June to strip the Georgia Baptist Convention-related school…
Struggles prepared her for ministry, says pastor of Hispanic congregation
By Jeff Brumley By all accounts, nothing rattles Alina Carbonell. She has survived communism in Cuba, the leukemia death of a beloved sister, an abusive marriage and a nasty divorce. Throw in a near-bankruptcy while raising two boys on her…
American Baptist, NYC clergy protest Eric Garner decision
By Bob Allen National and regional leaders of the American Baptist Churches USA called for an examination of the U.S. criminal justice system, while interfaith leaders in New York City said a special prosecutor should investigate police misconduct in light…
Baptist church holds same-sex wedding
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist Theological Seminary alumna who went on to become the first openly gay elected official in Louisville, Ky., walked the aisle Nov. 29 with her partner of more than 15 years in a wedding ceremony…
Interfaith dialogue requires hard work of forging relationships, Baptist pastor says
By Jeff Brumley Interfaith dialogue is about much more than symbolism, say those committed to the process. That’s because effective interfaith conversations require relationships, and relationships require more than annual prayer breakfasts or worship services that rotate among churches, mosques…
BJC program will equip young professionals for religious liberty advocacy
By Bob Allen Next year the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty will launch a new advocacy program for young professionals, the Washington-based church-state watchdog group announced Dec. 8. The BJC Fellows Program is for people from diverse educational, professional…
Triple-murder suspect captured as Baptist church mourns
By Bob Allen An estimated 350 people attended worship Dec. 7 at Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton, Fla., to pay respects to 31-year-old Pastor Tripp Battle, who died at the church Dec. 4 in what police believe is a triple…
After five-month delay due to Ebola, Liberian Baptist leader returning home
By Robert Dilday When Liberian Baptist leader Emile Sam-Peal traveled to the United States last July to touch base with American mission partners, he expected to stay six weeks. Instead, as flights to the Ebola-ravaged country were cancelled, Sam-Peal and…
Triple slaying touches three Florida Baptist churches
By Bob Allen The pastor and the children’s director of a small Southern Baptist church in Bradenton, Fla., died Dec. 4 in a triple homicide. Police say James “Tripp” Battle III, 31, lead pastor of Bayshore Baptist Church in Bradenton,…
Should churches ditch the stand-and-greet?
By Bob Allen LifeWay Christian Resources President Thom Rainer says he wasn’t trying to be controversial when he posted a blog Nov. 1 on things that churches inadvertently do to drive away first-time visitors. The No. 1 on the list…
Authors say worship’s revival could be key to revitalized churches
By Jeff Brumley Worship wars have existed throughout Christian history — the experts will tell you that. They’ll also tell you that the debate has increased in significance as the modern church struggles to attract and retain members in a postmodern…