Baptist News Global

Increasingly, Baptists turning to observance of Lent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — Though traditionally viewed as a Catholic rite, increasing numbers of Baptists are discovering the discipline of Lent. Growing from the free-church branch of Protestantism, Baptists traditionally have been highly suspicious of virtually all of the rituals…

FAITH DIGEST

Compared to Christians, fewer Jews switch faiths. Jews are less likely than Catholics or Protestants to change faiths, though religious switching nationwide has increased since 1965, according to a study released by the American Jewish Committee. Most who leave Judaism…

No opening day dogs for Catholic fans

CLEVELAND (RNS) — Major League Baseball’s opening day schedule has thrown Catholic fans a curveball this year. Seven teams are hosting their home opener on April 10 — Good Friday, when faithful Catholics abstain from meat. That means no ballpark…

Southern Baptists, Catholics show membership decline, yearbook notes

NEW YORK (ABP) — The nation’s two largest Christian denominations are experiencing slight but statistically significant membership declines, according to the latest edition of the National Council of Churches’ Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches. The 77th annual compilation of…

Parachurch groups not feeling pinch

WINCHESTER, Va. (ABP) — Faith-based charities haven’t been hit as hard by the economic downturn as expected, a new survey by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability indicates. The ECFA, established in 1979 to accredit Christian non-profit organizations that model…

Church finances begin to feel impact of economic crisis

DALLAS (ABP) — Churches that aren’t cutting their budgets due to the economic downturn are, by and large, taking measures to curb expenses, according to a survey the National Association of Church Business Administration has done of its members. The…

John Leland center to offer leadership degree

Beginning in the fall, Leland Center for Theological Studies will offer a master of arts degree in Christian leadership (MACL). Mark Olson According to Leland’s president, Mark Olson, the new degree will focus on the particular leadership issues facing church…

Through a glass darkly: Churches struggle to know how to respond to people with mental illness

Living with depression — or any other form of mental illness — is like viewing life “through a glass darkly,” according to Jessy Grondin, a student in Vanderbilt University’s Divinity School. “It distorts how you see things.” Like one in…

Gift of $2 million to fund new chapel on Central Seminary campus

SHAWNEE, Kan. (ABP) — Central Baptist Theological Seminary will be able to build a chapel on its new Shawnee, Kan., campus thanks to a $2 million gift from a prominent Baptist family foundation. The John and Eula Mae Baugh Foundation…

Widow of slain pastor says she isn’t angry at accused killer

MARYVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — The widow of slain Baptist pastor Fred Winters says she harbors no anger toward her husband's alleged murderer. "I do not have any hatred or even hard feelings toward him," Cindy Winters said March 16 on…

Church gathers week after pastor slain

MARYVILLE, Ill. (ABP) — One of a select fraternity of pastors who has experienced a church shooting consoled and challenged an Illinois Baptist congregation one week after its popular pastor was fatally shot while preaching his Sunday sermon. "You are…

PNBC plans ‘Freedom Sunday’ this weekend

Christian nationalism is neither Christian nor patriotic

High court says feds can deny reentry to Green Card holders

BNG introduces ‘Bible Divas’ podcast