Baptist News Global

If revivalism isn’t part of your spiritual experience, you’re not defective

It’s likely that mainline United Methodists are only vaguely aware of the “revival” happening at United Methodist-adjacent Asbury University. But it’s an event evangelicals across denominational lines can’t stop talking about, and so I’ll jump in. If “revivals” are not…

A lesson from the Philadelphia Flyers: When inclusion becomes exclusive

To champion sexuality and gender inclusion while denying respectful disagreement reeks of hypocrisy. Take the recent case of National Hockey League player Ivan Provorov, a defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers. For their Jan. 17 game against the Anaheim Ducks, the…

American teenagers prefer to affiliate with congregations that support social justice causes and mental health

A quarter of the world’s teenagers say the church has “definitely” lost its effectiveness as a force against injustice, poverty and environmental challenges, new research shows. But in the United States, Generation Z is more optimistic about organized religion’s role…

What I witnessed this week at the Asbury revival

Not every experience of God occurs in a revival. But revivals are perennial in American Christianity. In the past, they have made their mark upon the social landscape and changed daily Christian habits. There is the “Burned Over District” in…

About the Asbury ‘revival’: Time will tell

“Revival” has got to be one of the most misused, misunderstood and abused words in the language of the church. I grew up singing the old gospel hymn “Lord, Send a Revival,” so I’m well-soaked in the terminology. I’m even…

There’s ‘no evidence’ Johnny Hunt committed sexual abuse, says Florida church that cleared him and invited him to preach

A Florida church that recently platformed Johnny Hunt — and whose pastor chaired Hunt’s self-appointed “restoration” committee — has told the Southern Baptist Convention Credentials Committee it has no authority over them and has no evidence Hunt is guilty of…

The pandemic gave Jim Cymbala a new window on church

As Pastor Jim Cymbala sat looking through the windows of his condo in Florida that day in March 2020, he knew the world never would be the same. “I went down on March 8, 2020, to get away and planned…

Maybe we need God

Sorry for sounding so much like a preacher, but I don’t know where else to turn. I keep hearing we’ve had more mass shootings in the U.S. than days in 2023. We seem out of control, and despite their claims…

What’s driving objections to ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ at the Super Bowl?

I had an interesting conversation yesterday with the Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin about the breathless objections by Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to a pre-Super Bowl performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a song informally known…

Transitions for the week of 2-17-23

Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated bi-weekly. STAFF CHANGES Carlton Allen, to First Baptist Church, Greenwood, S.C., as interim pastor. Ashley Boschen, concluding her tenure as associate…

The birth of Aya: Harbinger of Lent’s staggering promise

Invocation. “When in the dark orchard at night / The God Creator kneeled and prayed / Life was praying with the One / Who gave life hope and prayer.” —English translation of lyrics from “Wa Habibi,” a Christian hymn of…

Rubio says US shouldn’t be held accountable by international court

Demands mount as Trump’s ICE agents kill two more people

The real American religion: A July 4 postmortem

9 months later, schools are paying for firing teachers over Kirk posts