Baptist News Global

Transitions for the week of 4-14-23

Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Bryan Crouch, to Lynn Haven Baptist Church, Vinton, Va., as lead pastor. He has served there since 2004…

Expelling dissent: America from Roger Williams to the ‘Tennessee Three’

On March 29 in the year of our Lord(?) 2023, hundreds of young people, many of junior and senior high school age, descended on the Tennessee state house in Nashville to demand government action to reduce the threat of school…

Three encounters of Jesus with women that should change us and our evangelism

It’s a lofty goal, to be sure, but we must continue to learn from Jesus how to approach people as individuals who have their own sacred history. Today’s social sciences are teaching us about the complexity of each one of…

New book on Kentucky’s oldest Baptist association finds the more things change, the more they stay the same

A recent book about the first Baptists in Kentucky reveals present-day Baptists face many of the challenges that vexed their 18th and 19th century ancestors, Aaron Coyle-Carr said during an online discussion presented by Baptist History and Heritage Society. “The…

Lighthouse Congregations guide individuals who want to ‘stay UMC’

Piercing the gloom of multiple churches leaving the United Methodist Church, a light emanating from North Carolina brightens the present and shines on a new future for church members who want to stay in the denomination when their congregations vote…

Why such a need for literalism?

Why does a literal reading of the Bible hold such attraction for Christians? More to the point: How has belief in literalism led to Christian nationalism, to such awful ideas about how immigrants should be treated, to discrimination against women…

A toolbox for evangelism

I am notoriously bad at do-it-yourself projects. Indeed, it is something of a longstanding joke in our household. Among my litany of DIY failures are the sloping shelf my kids’ LEGO figures use as an indoor ski run, the time…

A Baptist’s guide to disaffiliation in other Christian traditions

While the Southern Baptist Convention — the nation’s largest non-Catholic denomination — has been in the news lately for removing churches from its fellowship, The United Methodist Church — the nation’s second-largest non-Catholic denomination — keeps making headlines as churches…

Enduring lessons from Holy Week

The sanctuary is still and the lights are out. The afternoon sunlight filters in through the ample windows along each side of the church. Every few minutes someone enters quietly and begins the journey of these seven stations. This has…

Ministry jobs and more

Baptist News Global provides a free listing of ministry-related jobs for Baptist churches, theological institutions and organizations across the United States. Each free posting is for 30 days and is limited to 150 words. Postings may be extended another 30…

Stephen A. Smith shoots straight about his life and faith

Say the name Stephen A. Smith to just about any sports enthusiast, and you will likely see a wide range of emotions or hear a variety of comments. This may explain why Smith wants to set the record straight in…

Bar fights and honest conversations: How do we bridge the gap?

Confession: I’m a drinkin’ Baptist. That’s a dangerous combination, because Baptists love to argue, and alcohol loosens our tongues. Recently I almost got into a fistfight at my favorite bar with three guys — count ’em, three — at a…

‘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