By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist leader criticized for supporting a ministry colleague accused of covering up child sex abuse advised pastors June 10 to immediately dial 911 at the first report of any abuse. “Know beforehand that if you…
American Baptists decry religious conversion law in Burma
By Robert Dilday American Baptists’ top policy-making body has expressed its “strongest concerns” over a restrictive religious conversion law being considered in Burma and has endorsed legislation in the U.S. Congress to withhold security assistance until the country, also known…
Missouri Baptist Foundation may face hefty debt in long-standing court battle
By Vicki Brown If a lower court decision stands, the Missouri Baptist Foundation faces a debt to the Missouri Baptist Convention that could reach more than $5 million. On June 6, Judge Frank Conley issued a final judgment in a…
As SBC meeting wraps up, new president hopes for next ‘great awakening’
By Bob Allen The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention outlined an ambitious agenda during a press conference following his election June 10 in Baltimore. “I believe the greatest need in the Southern Baptist Convention, and quite honesly, the…
Rainer says sale of Glorieta, worth millions but sold for $1, was ‘tough decision’
By Bob Allen Glorieta Conference Center would have been worth millions of dollars to a commercial developer, but it was sold last year for $1 because leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention agency owning the property say they wanted the…
AWAB asks SBC to recant transgender resolution
By Bob Allen A 21-year-old movement advocating full inclusion of gays in Baptist churches voiced concern that a Southern Baptist Convention resolution on transgender identity will spawn methods similar to “ex-gay” ministries harmful to transgender youth. The board and staff…
SBC passes on discipline of gay-tolerant church
By Bob Allen Contrary to a leader’s forecast, the Southern Baptist Convention did not rebuke a church for challenging the denomination’s policy against gay-affirming congregations at the convention’s 2014 annual meeting June 10-11 in Baltimore. Albert Mohler, president of Southern…
Baylor University files lawsuit against alumni association
By Ken Camp About five months after Baylor University’s chief lawyer sent a letter insisting the Baylor Alumni Association “cease and desist” using Baylor’s licensed trademarks, the university filed a lawsuit against the independent organization. Baylor filed the suit in…
CBF staff shifts will align group with organizational recommendations, says leader
By Jeff Huett New shifts and promotions in personnel announced June 12 will align the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship with recently adopted organizational changes, said Suzii Paynter, the group’s executive coordinator. “These shifts are an important part of CBF living into…
Protestors say Southern Baptists not taking clergy sex abuse seriously
By Bob Allen The mother of a child sex abuse victim who is suing a Maryland ministry with ties to leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention said June 11 that a “good-old-boy” network among evangelical preachers is just as effective…
Baptist higher education group approves major reorganization
By Robert Dilday A higher education association representing 47 Baptist-affiliated colleges and universities has approved a reorganization plan that reduces the number of paid staff members, cuts it budget nearly in half, reduces dues by 50 percent and relocates its…
Slender Man stabbings expose ‘prisoners of the moment,’ Baptist educator says
By Jeff Brumley Baptist educator Brian Foreman believes many Americans are living in the moment — only, not in a good way. Rather than being in the present in the spiritual sense, they are narrowly focused on events in a manner…