Baptist News Global

A surprising window into Black Jesus

Architect and art historian Hadley Arnold knew she was in for some surprises when she began transforming an 1830 Rhode Island church into a second home; but she certainly didn’t expect to discover one of America’s most significant works of…

In biblical truth-telling, we need to mind the gap between clergy and laity

It doesn’t surprise me that new research shows white mainline Protestant clergy are more supportive of LGBTQ rights, abortion rights and racial justice than their congregations. I’ve been there, done that and have the scars to prove it. From my…

Prior explores the origin of evangelicalism’s ‘empire mentality’

The allure of empire is so deeply baked into evangelical culture that it is expressed in compulsive and sometimes unconscious ways, author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior said. “We have this empire mentality,” Prior said during a Sept. 18 webinar…

A ‘sad day’ for America?

Members of the Freedom Caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives have made it clear how strongly disappointed they would be if Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy decides to avoid a government shutdown with support from House Democrats. “It…

In the midst of history-engendered pessimism, don’t forget the hope

History books are full of horror stories. As we look back with perspective, we read embarrassing tales of incompetent and foolish people, fearful and gullible nations, evil and egocentric leaders, entire eras that seem to have been characterized by ignorance, avarice, selfishness, myopia and bigotry. We can…

Sometimes, ‘resignation’ isn’t the reason clergy walk away from their ministry callings

Let me begin this article by acknowledging some truths about myself. I am a cisgender white female who has never been a pastor, though a minister I have been. I also am married to a cisgender white male who has…

Upcoming BNG webinar guests: Matt Cook and Bill Wilson, Emily Smith, Amy Butler

There has been a slight time change for this week’s BNG webinar with Matt Cook and Bill Wilson of the Center for Healthy Churches. The webinar will begin this Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 1 p.m. Central time. Also, two more…

Solidarity Circles program seeks to build a faith-based collaborative economy

What if leaders from different walks of life committed themselves to finding ways to build more collaborative, fairer, more equitable economics? What if they worked together in a virtual peer-to-peer network to confront challenges and learn from one another’s experiences?…

Number of countries with blasphemy laws grows by 13%

A U.S. agency has added 11 nations to its list of countries willing to use fines, imprisonment or the death penalty to punish those accused of insulting religious beliefs or institutions. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Liberty increased its…

Ten benefits of participating in a pastor peer group

In the realm of spiritual leadership, pastors shoulder a weighty responsibility of guiding, supporting and nurturing their congregations. Demands of the role can be both deeply rewarding and incredibly demanding, often leading to isolation and burnout. In the course of…

The SBC’s far-far right believes all members of a Cooperation Group should agree with their views

Some Southern Baptist Convention pastors who are urging final adoption of a constitutional amendment prohibiting females from being called “pastor” are upset because the SBC has appointed a cooperation committee where not all members agree exactly with their views. That…

Ekisa Ministries serves children with disabilities in Uganda

A disproportionate share of disabled children — 10.4% of 240 million worldwide — live in Eastern and Southern Africa, according to a December 2021 UNICEF report. “In some countries, more than 50% of people living with disabilities have experienced discrimination,”…

Theologizing with Larkin Poe, 10 years after Reskinned

Ministry leader with tall tales wins GOP bid for Colorado governor

What Willy Rice once knew

What I learned July 5 at church