By Bob Allen Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary affirmed President Paige Patterson Oct. 22 after investigating concerns about his decision to allow a Muslim student to enroll in the Southern Baptist Convention entity’s Ph.D. program. A statement by the…
New Baptist Covenant gets $1 million gift
By Bob Allen A Texas foundation started by Sysco founder and Baptist layman John Baugh has pledged $1 million over four years for operating expenses of a movement spearheaded by former President Jimmy Carter to unify U.S. Baptists across racial,…
No magic bullet for church survival, Rick Warren and other Baptists say
By Jeff Brumley For years now, some agencies and experts who coach church planters and struggling congregations have tried to steer over-eager or desperate clients away from the quick fix of sizzling worship services or other gimmicks to draw big…
‘Third Way’ pastor says disunity bigger problem than homosexuality
By Bob Allen The pastor of a church recently kicked out of the Southern Baptist Convention says disunity in the church is a bigger hindrance to evangelism than tolerating differing views about homosexuality. Danny Cortez, teaching pastor at New Heart…
SNAP says SBC leader poor choice for prayer chairman
By Bob Allen A national support group for clergy sex-abuse victims called on the National Day of Prayer Task Force to reconsider its choice for 2015 honorary chairman because of unanswered questions about his handling of abuse allegations in the…
Church conflict requires pastoral courage, patience
By George Henson The key to creating or maintaining congregational harmony isn’t for pastors to avoid conflict, but rather to face them squarely, an expert on church conflict told ministry leaders recently. And that’s because conflict is inevitable anywhere human…
U.S. prof on loan to Liberia for 2 more years
By Bob Allen A Mercer University professor’s one-year assignment as interim president of a Baptist seminary in Liberia has been extended through 2016. Richard Wilson, chair of the Christianity department at Mercer’s main campus in Macon, Ga., arrived Jan. 4…
African-American Baptist group protests ‘Black Jesus’
By Bob Allen An African-American Baptist convention born out of the 1960s struggle for civil rights has denounced the television comedy “Black Jesus” and is mobilizing members to join a petition drive asking network officials to take the program off…
Amid wars, rumors of wars, Baptist leaders voice hope
By Bob Allen Rather than speculating about end-times theology, directors of the Alliance of Baptists issued a statement Oct. 17 framing world events like ISIS, Ebola and protests in Ferguson, Mo., in a message of hope. Meeting amid headlines including…
As Ebola crisis depletes food supplies, Baptists find ways to fill the gap
By Robert Dilday A week after Baptists around the world responded to a West African request to pray for victims of Ebola in the region, Baptist groups in Virginia and Texas are addressing another critical aspect of the epidemic —…
Guy Sayles stepping down at FBC Asheville
By Bob Allen The pastor of a flagship Cooperative Baptist Fellowship church announced Oct. 19 he is resigning his pulpit, just short of nine months after telling the congregation he is battling cancer. Guy Sayles, pastor of First Baptist Church…
Youth minister charged with sexual abuse
By Bob Allen A 37-year-old Southern Baptist youth minister is under arrest in Sasche, Texas, on charges stemming from an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old girl. Derek Hutter, minister to students at South Garland Baptist Church in Garland, Texas,…