Baptist News Global

‘White identitarians’ draw bipartisan rebuke in Missouri

News of a whites-only group seeking to establish a private community in Missouri is generating mounting opposition from a broad range of religious, civic and political leaders. “Return to the Land is a white-supremacist group that wants to create a…

Retired pastor invites community to advocate for immigrants

Retired United Methodist pastor Jerry Eckert knows a lot about advocating for folks who may not have someone to stand up for their rights. Eckert was a co-founder of a volunteer group, Associates in Advocacy, that provides advocates — usually…

UMC’s racial monitoring agency awards undisclosed grants to immigration ministries

The United Methodist Church’s racial monitoring agency is awarding grants to what it calls “bold ministries” aiding immigrants. But it’s not telling who’s getting the money to protect the safety of the ministries and their locations. The UMC’s Washington, D.C.-based…

We have time to …

In 49 C.E., Seneca wrote a book on time management. In On the Shortness of Life, he came down hard on his fellow Romans for pursuing political careers they didn’t really care about, holding elaborate banquets they didn’t especially enjoy…

You’ll hear no endorsements from this pulpit

The IRS recently announced it would no longer enforce the Johnson Amendment. The amendment, passed in 1954, bears the name of then-Senate Majority Leader Lyndon Johnson. The Johnson Amendment prohibited churches, religious organizations and other nonprofits from participating in electoral…

Anger and the animating presence of God: Where do you put the anger?

Given the state of public affairs in these riven United States, I too frequently find myself in a foaming-at-the-mouth froth of anger. Utter disgust, flinging foul imprecations and anathemas — mostly under my breath. I catch myself, with James and…

‘Justice’ and ‘transparency’ with caveats? Epstein victims deserve better

In August 2017, author Michael Wolff conducted research for his book Fire and Fury. He spoke at considerable length with Jeffrey Epstein. On Aug. 10, 2019, the notorious sexual predator was found dead in his prison cell. Authorities ruled his…

Can mainline liberals get their story back?

In my most recent column I drew attention to the certainty gap between American evangelicals and mainline Protestants. While 85% of evangelicals and 82% of Black Protestants believe in God without a shadow of a doubt, the same can only…

Where seldom is heard a Christian word: A reflection on the Beatitudes

Early in my ministry in South Louisiana, I was pastor of the only Baptist church in a town of about 6,000 people. This was Jimmy Swaggert territory, and many Pentecostals and charismatic/nondenominational churches dotted the area. You were most likely…

Court counters Homeland Security move to lift protection for 60,000 immigrants

A federal judge in San Francisco has extended Temporary Protected Status for approximately 60,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal, at least until November. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem decided last month to revoke the status, saying conditions…

Southern Seminary alumni reunion to include lamentation, celebration

Former students, staff, faculty and friends of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary will remember their school and celebrate its unanticipated broad influence during a reunion at Wake Forest University’s School of Divinity in Winston-Salem, N.C., Aug. 15-16. “From Seminary to Society:…

Everything is connected: A snapshot of Dallas, ICE and gerrymandering

For the last three months, I have been part of a weekly clergy and faith leader’s prayer vigil that holds space and bears witness to the plight of our immigrant neighbors. The vigil takes place outside of the Dallas Immigration…

The wicked are punished — or not

What Ryan Burge sees in America’s megachurches

We are a nation of immigrants

As worldwide deaths mount, Musk insists DOGE cuts didn’t kill anyone