Baptist News Global

Trump administration targets Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande

The Trump administration has suspended federal funding to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande pending the outcome of an investigation into alleged “incomplete and inaccurate” record keeping by the faith-based agency. The ongoing review also could result in a period…

12 things a pastor should not say Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite services of the year. As a pastor, I’ve had a few more verbal gaffes than I care to admit. It’s a busy season for everyone, including church staff. For some, in addition to…

I’ll side with the Catholics on this one

ICE came to Baton Rouge for Christmas, and at least one Southern Baptist pastor welcomed them. Lewis Richerson, pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, told The New York Times, “I would not knowingly extend Communion to an illegal immigrant who is…

We need to remember the real meaning behind these carols

Christmas carols I have been enjoying at church, on my devices and in my car are lifting my spirits once again. The familiar lyrics and melodies blanket my consciousness like a snow shower I wish we could experience in my…

The carol that won’t stop singing a subversive song of hope

It tends to be the same every year: Soon after the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers is consumed, I sit down at the piano to plunk through an archaic collection of Christmas carols. Without fail, “O Holy Night” has long…

Anxiety versus gratitude

Ask me what my superpower is and I’ll answer with no hesitation: It is gratitude. I have a rich spiritual life supported by many practices including labyrinth-walking, prayer, Scripture memorization, active participation in my faith community, and meditation — especially…

Upside Down Advent: Unloved versus loved

Editor’s note: This column includes strong language near the end that may be offensive to some readers. Of all the four themes of Advent, love is the one that seemingly ties a bow around the others — both positively…

New Orleans clergy organize interfaith opposition to ICE raids

Faith groups in Louisiana are mobilizing along multiple fronts in response to an ongoing surge in federal immigration actions targeting New Orleans. Clergy and congregations from across the religious spectrum are organizing protests and know-your-rights training for citizens as more…

‘Trey’s Law’ pre-filed in Alabama Legislature

Following this past year’s passage of Trey’s Law in both Texas and Missouri, Sen. Matt Woods and Rep. David Faulkner have pre-filed legislation to make the law apply in Alabama. Filed as SB-30 and HB-93, also known as “Trey’s Law,” the legislation…

Travel ban expansion will do more harm, advocates warn

The expansion of President Donald Trump’s travel ban will subject more refugees and immigrants to grave danger and diminish opportunities for foreign professionals and students to work and study in the U.S., immigration and education advocates warn. “With the U.S….

Trump administration can’t block Congress from ICE inspections

A federal court ruling temporarily blocks the Trump administration from preventing members of Congress from conducting unannounced inspections of immigration detention facilities. U.S. District Court Judge Jia Cobb in Washington D.C. ruled Dec. 17 that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement…

Kirk Cameron’s Growing Pains vs Al Mohler’s Arrested Development

I laughed to keep from crying as I read Al Mohler’s response to Kirk Cameron’s recent podcast in which he discussed the doctrine of hell. Annhilationism is the notion that hell is not a place of eternal conscious torment for…

Trump’s war on ‘woke’ targets federal grants and foreign relations

Reflections on In the Twilight of the Christian West

Why rural families need support now

Why do we keep sounding the alarm?