Baptist News Global

Task force’s proposals may be at odds with goals

By Bill Webb The Great Commission Task Force’s recent progress report to the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee suggests the final report will at the very least be interesting, if not confusing, reading. Chairperson Ronnie Floyd suggests that “envy, strife…

In Texas, Religious Right loses fight with national curriculum implications

DALLAS (ABP) — The Religious Right suffered a surprise setback in Texas when incumbent Don McLeroy — a creationist and critic of church-state separation — narrowly lost his re-election bid for the powerful State Board of Education to challenger Thomas…

African-American Baptist organizations pledge $50 million for Haiti relief

CHICAGO (ABP) — America's five largest historically African-American Baptist organizations are cooperating to raise $50 million to help rebuild Haiti and provide aid to victims of a Jan. 12 earthquake that devastated the area surrounding the capital of Port-au-Prince. Called…

Supreme Court declines Okla. county’s attempt to display 10 Commandments

WASHINGTON (ABP) — The Supreme Court has declined to hear a case that could have allowed it to clarify its rules on displaying the 10 Commandments and other religious artifacts on government property. And, as a result, an Oklahoma county…

Baptist expert says Establishment Clause applies to foreign policy

WASHINGTON (ABP) — A Baptist church-state specialist is voicing concern about a think-tank report urging a new direction for United States foreign policy focused on the role religion plays in world affairs. Writing for the On Faith blog at WashingtonPost.com,…

Former Baptist editor Fletcher Allen dies at 78

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (ABP) — A retired denominational journalist who worked three decades for Baptist newspapers in three states died Feb. 27 after a long battle with cancer. Fletcher Allen Fletcher Allen, 78, of Franklin, Tenn., worked 17 years as associate…

Baylor’s new Starr needs five points

By Marv Knox Like so much about Baylor University, Kenneth Starr’s election as president has been fraught with discord. What is the way forward for Starr and for Baylor? On one hand, many members of the “Baylor family” and others…

ASK THE ARCHITECT: Build now!

Oh my goodness! Nine months ago we covered this urgent topic when the Religious Herald published a feature story emphasizing the unprecedented reasons why a church should build now! Well, if we thought June 2009 was appropriate for such a…

OUT LOUD

“God is in charge. There are some people who say, ‘Oh, you know, Pawlenty, don’t bring that up. You know, it’s politically incorrect.’ Hogwash.” Gov. Tim Pawlenty The Republican governor of Minnesota, a possible presidential candidate in 2012, was speaking…

EDITORIAL: Seeing through Kingdom eyes

In researching for this issue of the Religious Herald, I was impressed again with Virginia Baptists. Pastor Gregory Loewer was willing to sacrifice his career, if necessary, to lead his church to face a glorious end and to live again…

HERITAGE: Return to Pamplin

Elon stands with twin white towers and columned portico shaded by giant trees. The interior looks like a jewel box with its beautiful stained-glass windows and gold carpeting. Last October the church celebrated its 150th anniversary and on the big…

Congregational turnarounds depend on staff leadership, says Baucom

Jim Baucom, pastor of Columbia Baptist in Falls Church, has seen three congregations under his leadership experience renewal. “I think it should be said that growing a church to relevance and vitality from near-death is an extremely rare incidence that…

Republicans push through more unregulated funding for ICE and CBP

Trump admin defying court order on immigration access

What was there left to argue?

Beauty, ashes and the Southern Baptist Convention