Baptist News Global

School shootings: How can we respond to children, parents, teachers and others affected?

With the recent incidents of school shootings around the country, we may be asking how we can respond. These breaks in our sense of security bring up many feelings, questions and worries. They can make us feel sick as we think…

Part of former student’s case against Patterson and Southwestern dismissed by judge

This headline and story have been updated to reflect the fact that one part of the case was not dismissed. Just six days before a long-awaited trial was to begin on allegations from a former student that Southwestern Baptist Theological…

Why we should amplify women in all roles of church leadership

My first encounter with Baptist Women in Ministry’s Month of Preaching was during my first year of seminary. I was asked to preach in a local congregation — my second sermon ever. It was Transfiguration Sunday, and as part of…

Lent, confession and the ‘no true Scotsman’ fallacy

These 40 days of Lent are designed to be opportunities for sober reflection and acts of confession, both individual and corporate. This period of introspection leads to the high point of Holy Week, the commemoration of the crucifixion of Jesus…

What pastors may not say, but really want us to understand

Your pastor wants you to know, but he or she just can’t tell you. Your pastor knows too much transparency can be vocationally dangerous, depending on the level of honesty allowed in your church. At the same time, if you…

Religious leaders must step up to support our trans siblings

Every November, the Princeton University Chapel would host a vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance, commemorating the lives of trans people worldwide who had been victims of anti-trans violence. As associate dean of the chapel, I welcomed the university and…

Antisemitic-motivated assaults at record levels

For the third time in five years, the Anti-Defamation League has documented record-high cases of assault, harassment and vandalism targeting Jewish individuals, congregations and institutions. “In 2022, ADL tabulated 3,697 antisemitic incidents throughout the United States. This is a 36%…

Peter James Flamming, ‘bridge-building’ pastor in Texas and Virginia

Peter James Flamming, one of the best-known “moderate” Southern Baptist preachers of the 20th century, died in Richmond, Va., March 27, at age 89. In 1986, Flamming joined the Southern Baptist Convention’s Peace Committee to fill the spot vacated by…

New court documents show First Baptist Houston leaders knew of allegations against Pressler in 2004

Leaders of First Baptist Church of Houston knew about Paul Pressler’s alleged inappropriate sexual activity with young men in 2004, according to correspondence from the church to Pressler obtained by the Texas Tribune. Journalist Robert Downen, writing for the Tribune,…

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…

A tragic tale of death on the Mediterranean Sea amid Tunisian and British migrant backlash

February and March have been deadly months for migrants traveling through the Mediterranean Sea, continuing the history of what has been called one of the most dangerous travel routes on earth. Within the past two months, at least 100 people…

To increase congregational health, decrease domestic violence

The physical health of congregants is, of course, a concern for pastors, just as their spiritual health is. If congregants suffer a broken limb, a stroke, a heart attack or cancer, the pastoral staff will be there to walk alongside…

Supreme Court slides into partisanship

Before the fireworks, be careful what you drink

The contemptible case of Clarence Thomas

The permanent paradoxes of Christian thinking about war