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,…
2 seminaries with Baptist ties join others adding science curricula
By Jeff Brumley As high-profile, science-versus-faith debates rage across the nation, a handful of American seminaries, including two with Baptist ties, are pursuing the notion that reason and religion are compatible and even complementary. Andover Newton Theological School and Wake…
Broad Baptist coalition asks Houston mayor to withdraw subpoenas for sermons
By Bob Allen Moderate and conservative Baptists set aside differences in an Oct. 15 letter opposing subpoenas ordering five Houston pastors to turn over sermons as evidence in a lawsuit seeking repeal of the city’s non-discrimination ordinance. Top leaders of…
LGBT leaders open to dialogue with SBC
By Bob Allen Two weeks ahead of a major Southern Baptist Convention discussion about homosexuality and the future of marriage, the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is collecting signatures for an online petition requesting a place at the table….
Sisters mourned husbands with different emotions, same Baptist faith
By Bill Webb It was one tragic event involving two siblings and two different reactions of grief, spirituality and faith. Sisters Heather Gilion and Holly Snell recently shared with Baptists in Missouri how the deaths of their husbands in a…
Baptist leaders oppose subpoenaing of pastors
By Bob Allen A Baptist minister who leads a national interfaith organization voiced concern about the subpoenaing of church sermons in a lawsuit challenging Houston’s non-discrimination ordinance. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, said in an Oct. 15 letter…