Parents have the right to keep their children from any instruction on LGBTQ themes in public schools, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 27. The 6-3 decision found the constitutional right to free exercise of religion was violated by a…
Update: Michael Tait now accused of drugging a woman for rape
A woman who previously worked with Newsboys alleges she was drugged by Michael Tait, who watched as she was raped by lighting technician Matthew Brewer during their 2014 pre-Christmas tour, according to The Roys Report. At the time, she worked…
Supreme Court ruling on birthright citizenship: ‘Its bark is worse than its bite’
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to limit the extent of lower court injunctions issued to protect birthright citizenship and other constitutional rights. The June 27 decision in President of the United States v. CASA bars district court judges from…
‘White Jesus’ poses threat to men and boys, Denker warns
Worship of “white Jesus” helps explain why American boys and men are simultaneously struggling and dangerous, author and pastor Angela Denker stressed during a Baptist Women in Ministry luncheon. The June 26 event in St. Louis was held during the…
How to talk about polarizing topics at church
Churches can talk about polarizing topics — even politics — if they enter those conversations seeking transformation rather than conformity, church consultant Matt Cook told participants at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in St. Louis June 26. Cook, director…
What’s the best thing to say to a person facing a tough time?
Many people struggle with knowing how to support others who are enduring tough times, but empathy — the kind, thoughtful key to that support — can be learned, Christy Edwards told participants at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship General Assembly in…
‘Great white Christian freakout’ shifted America, Jones says
The U.S. was just beginning to come to terms with the effects of racial injustice when the “great white Christian freakout” ushered in the era of Donald Trump and empowered religious nationalism, said Robert P. Jones, president of Public Religion…
SACS continuing to monitor Southwestern Seminary
In a technical move, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools has extended sanctions against Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary for another year to achieve “a pattern of financial stability.” The Southern Baptist Convention school in Fort Worth, Texas, was issued…
Dissent against injustice inflicted upon ‘the least of these,’ García warns
“Dissent against any ideology that seeks to replace Christ … with political power, nationalism, lies or fear,” outgoing Moderator Juan García urged the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship during its annual General Assembly in St. Louis June 26. “As true Baptists, we…
The time is now to preach justice, Blackmon urges CBF
“Now is the time” to proclaim a gospel that sets people free, activist and theologian Traci D. Blackmon told participants at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s Dr. Emmanuel McCall Racial Justice Trailblazer luncheon June 25 in St. Louis. The annual event…
High court allows exclusion of Planned Parenthood as Medicaid provider
A South Carolina woman does not have the right to sue the state over its exclusion of Planned Parenthood as a Medicaid provider, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled June 26. Writing for the conservative majority in a 6-3 decision, Justice…
CBF session explores responses to sexual abuse in congregations
One learning lab at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s General Assembly asked attendees to consider what their church would do if abuse happened in their congregation. Jay Kieve, CBF’s abuse prevention and response advocate, joined attorney David Cooke to talk through…