By Bob Allen The Southern Baptist Convention agency that provides insurance for denominational employees filed a lawsuit Oct. 11 claiming the Affordable Care Act violates the religious liberty of faith-based organizations that do not meet the government’s narrow definition of…
Book says faith overcomes discrimination
By Jeff Brumley It took about a year of legal action, preaching, public demonstrations and letter writing for religious groups to see most of Alabama’s draconian anti-immigrant law overturned. Now that coalition of faith — which includes Baptists, Catholics, Episcopalians…
BGCT chaplains won’t wed gay couples
By Bob Allen Military chaplains endorsed by the Baptist General Convention of Texas cannot officiate at same-sex marriage ceremonies, according to new guidelines announced Oct. 9. According to a news release, the Texas Baptist Chaplaincy Relations Office issued guiding principles…
Blogger: SBC leaders ignoring abuse decree
By Bob Allen A Georgia pastor and blogger says denominational officials are ignoring a resolution adopted at this year’s Southern Baptist Convention calling for a zero-tolerance policy toward the sexual abuse of children in churches. Peter Lumpkins, who blogs at…
American Baptist staffer elected BJC chair
By Bob Allen Curtis Ramsey-Lucas, managing director of resource development for American Baptist Home Mission Societies, has been elected chair of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty’s board of directors. Ramsey-Lucas’ agency is part of American Baptist Churches USA,…
Alumni voice concern over La. College
By Bob Allen A group of Louisiana College alumni and former students, faculty and staff found high levels of concern about the Baptist school founded in 1906 in an online survey of Louisiana Baptist clergy and college trustees released Oct….
Baptist editors visit Syrian refugee family
By Bill Webb Sitting on cushions in an almost bare apartment in a crowded Palestinian neighborhood in Amman, Jordan, a family of Syrian refugees began to tell their story through an interpreter to a pair of visiting Baptist journalists from…
Alumni voice concern over La. College
By Bob Allen A group of Louisiana College alumni and former students, faculty and staff found high levels of concern about the Baptist school founded in 1906 in an online survey of Louisiana Baptist clergy and college trustees released Oct….
If adopted in November, Mission Board-endorsed proposal will result in significant governance change
LYNCHBURG, Va. — The Baptist General Association of Virginia will undertake what may be the most significant change in its governing structure in at least 75 years, if a proposal is adopted next month at the annual meeting of the…
Waynesboro, Va., pastor David Washburn nominated as treasurer of the BGAV and its Mission Board
LYNCHBURG, Va. — David Washburn, a Waynesboro, Va., pastor and former banker who has chaired the Baptist General Association of Virginia’s budget committee for two years, will be nominated as treasurer of the BGAV and the Virginia Baptist Mission Board…
Proposed budget for BGAV ministries sees slight increase over 2013 with few changes in allocations
LYNCHBURG, Va. — Funding for Virginia Baptist ministries next year will largely remain at 2013 levels if a proposed budget is adopted by the Baptist General Association of Virginia next month. The recommended $12,214,000 budget for 2014, unveiled by the…
Bluefield, W.Va., pastor Ed Fisher to be nominated as BGAV’s second vice president in November
BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Edward Fisher, pastor of First Baptist Church in Bluefield, W.Va., will be nominated as second vice president of the Baptist General Association of Virginia when it meets in Fredericksburg, Va., Nov. 12-13. Bluefield, W.Va., pastor Ed Fisher…