Baptist News Global

SBC’s sexual abuse investigation has gathered 4 terabytes of data and already produced about 100 interviews

The outside firm leading an investigation into alleged mishandling of sexual abuse claims by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has received more than 4 terabytes of data and has conducted or scheduled more than 100 one-on-one interviews. These data…

Immigrants help the economy in two ways, experts explain

Market-based appeals for allowing more migrants to legally live and work in the U.S. are critical to achieving economically beneficial immigration reform, a policy analyst said during a Feb. 7 webinar. And the pitch to get American companies and business…

The days after Groundhog Day

If you are like me, then you are still cleaning up candle wax and eating leftover crepes. People who are not as educated as the readers of Baptist News Global may not completely appreciate Groundhog Day, which began — and…

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…

Anonymous group calls for more transparency from SBC’s North American Mission Board

A group that has been dogging the Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board for alleged abuses launched a new “whistleblower” website Feb. 7. The site includes links to previous articles and new content created by a group called Reform…

Reject ‘rule of law’ hypocrisy and demand reparatory justice

On Jan. 8, 2022, the Mail & Guardian (whose masthead asserts that it is “Africa’s Best Read” newspaper) published an opinion column by Lindiwe Sisulu titled “Whose Law Is It Anyway?” that has sparked a deep conversation in South Africa. I learned…

How the church in Maryland became the primary auction block for slaves

The Maryland General Assembly passed the first of a series of race laws in 1664. The first iteration transformed enslavement to a lifelong identity rather than a state of indenture or a condition that could be changed. The Maryland General…

On the spiritual value — and danger — of our trials

I ended my last post for Baptist News Global, one month ago, with this quote from the 16th century Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross: It is better to be burdened and in company with the strong than to…

For Black South Africans, wearing traditional goatskin jewelry can cause bans from white Christian schools

Zandile never forgets the day her overwhelmingly white Christian high school asked her to leave classes. The offense of the 14-year-old from the Zulu tribe was donning the “isiphandla,” a traditional bracelet made out of goatskin and worn by the…

Leaving church, part 3: ‘Opposition to leadership’

In the face of opposition to leadership, successful leaders never give up or walk away. At least, that is what leadership experts tell us. Instead, these experts suggest persistence and dogged determination as appropriate responses to opposition. This viewpoint is…

Biden administration once again assailed over perpetuation of Trump’s Title 42 expulsions

Immigration advocates and human rights groups were appalled to learn Feb. 4 that the White House has decided to continue with Title 42, the Trump-era immigration policy that uses the COVID-19 pandemic as a rationale for immediately deporting asylum seekers…

It’s time to stop the insanity that is killing public education

I am the child of a public schoolteacher. I am the parent of a son who has been a public schoolteacher and who remains a private instructor in a public high school. Many dear friends are public schoolteachers. As a…

3 views on Donald Trump held by American Christians

US megachurches report strong rebound from pandemic

Baptists need to speak up again for religious liberty

What in hell became of heaven?