Baptist News Global

Joy to the World? Churches deal with holiday grief

DALLAS (ABP) — Ever since an angel announced good news to shepherds working the night shift, Christians have associated the birth of Jesus with joy. But some people who have experienced significant loss in the recent past find a season…

Joy to the World: Joy, happiness not synonymous

(ABP) — Christians can experience joy even in loss — provided they don’t confuse joy with happiness but accept it as a gift from God, several pastors noted. “Joy is not the same as happiness. It is a deeper contentment…

How to help those who grieve at the holidays

DALLAS (ABP) — Chaplain Mark Grace, vice president of mission and ministry at the Dallas-area Baylor Health Care System, offers suggestions to churches as they seek to minister to people who have sustained loss. • Facilitate communication. “Find ways to…

Belmont center of gay-rights dispute

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A private, historically Baptist Christian college has sparked a national media firestorm over its successful women's soccer coach leaving her job shortly after telling members of her team that she is gay. Lisa Howe Officials at…

Robin Stoops named ABC regional minister for Nebraska

OMAHA, Neb. (ABP) — Veteran Midwestern pastor Robin Stoops has been named the new regional minister for the American Baptist Churches of Nebraska, according to American Baptist News Service. Stoops, currently pastor of First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Neb., will…

As House passes DREAM Act, advocates make final Senate push

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The House of Representatives narrowly passed a bill late Dec. 8 that would offer a path to citizenship for the children of illegal immigrants. Faith leaders are mounting a final push to get the measure through the…

Will CBF make it another 20?

By Bill Leonard “Will the CBF make it another 20 years?” That question is asked frequently these days as individuals inside and outside the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship consider its future. While the question is sobering, it need not be discouraging….

Texas Baptists begin search for new executive

DALLAS — First Baptist Church of Midland, Texas, voted unanimously Dec. 5 to call Baptist General Convention of Texas Executive Director Randel Everett as senior pastor, and he accepted. Everett, 61, a former Virginia Baptist pastor and seminary president, has…

FAITH DIGEST

Clergy have middling reputation. What do nurses, soldiers, pharmacists, elementary school teachers, doctors and police officers have in common? Americans say they all are more ethical and honest than members of the clergy, according to a new Gallup survey. Slightly…

Forgiveness for black church arsons theme of new drama

WASHINGTON (RNS) — For playwright Marcus Gardley, the theater is his pulpit, and plays are his sermons. His latest production, Every Tongue Confess, seeks answers to the questions that swirled around the spate of arsons that hit black churches in…

RIGHT or WRONG? Helping world Baptists

Fifty-seven percent of the world’s Baptists live in North America. U.S. Baptists say we are mission-minded and concerned about social justice. But are we so self-centered and content that we can’t provide major assistance to expand the Baptist movement worldwide?…

Christmas loss: How to help

Chaplain Mark Grace vice president of mission and ministry at Baylor Health Care System, offers suggestions to churches as they seek to minister to people who have sustained loss. • Facilitate communication. “Find ways to help your members talk about…

‘Be careful of Scripture heavy in law but light on grace,’ Wesley warns

‘Show up and do something,’ ACLU leader urges

From the South Side to the South Lawn and back again

Democracy as a moral practice, not just a system