Baptist News Global

Southern Seminary and Asbury Seminary work with noted anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ legal group to claim federal vaccine mandate intrudes on ‘personal health decisions’

A Southern Baptist Convention seminary and a Wesleyan seminary in Kentucky are jointly challenging the Biden administration’s federal mandate on COVID-19 vaccination by claiming a religious liberty violation. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky, which is the largest of…

How 29 syllables changed my heart about God and gay people

“For the last 20 years, I thought if there was a God, he probably hated me for making me the way I am.” I can’t communicate the destructive power those words had on me. Back then, I was a conservative,…

BNG’s November webinar will feature John Pavlovitz in dialogue with Mark Wingfield

John Pavlovitz will join BNG Executive Director Mark Wingfield for a lively conversation about faith, church, politics and culture Tuesday, Nov. 16, at noon Eastern time. The “Change-making Conversations” webinar is free and open to the public, but advance registration…

‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ echoes in pleas of African leaders at climate conference in Glasgow

Africa is the least aggravator for climate change yet has borne the most consequences for it, leaders from the continent declared at COP 26, the United Nations conference on climate change currently underway in Glasgow, Scotland. According to the Center…

Understanding the evangelical civil war

According to Peter Wehner, “the evangelical church is breaking apart.” The primary culprit, he says, is Donald Trump. In a feature-length piece in The Atlantic, Wehner acknowledges the historic tensions within the evangelical camp but argues that the advent of…

Advice for parents wondering about COVID-19 and child vaccinations

The following Q-and-A with three health care professionals who have experience with pediatrics and parenting was created by Heather Mustain, associate pastor at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas. Heather is the parent of two young children, and her husband, Chad,…

Louisiana College changes name to boost academic reputation while hosting creationist conference

A Louisiana Baptist institution preparing to host a conference by creationist Ken Ham has announced a new name intended to boost its academic reputation and Christian witness. Louisiana College is set to become Louisiana Christian University, the Baptist institution announced…

It’s the culture, stupid

In the politico world, all eyes were on Virginia last week. Despite obsessing over every pattern in the tea leaves left from the expended campaign strategies and discernible in the exit polls, one striking finding was almost entirely missed by the…

Six days after BNG report, Georgia convention finds new funds for retiree health benefits

Less than a week after a Baptist News Global report about Georgia Baptist retirees unexpectedly losing promised lifetime medical benefits, the head of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board announced a reversal of plans. During an inspirational rally Sunday night, Nov….

Advice for churches after the pandemic: Stop believing capitalism will save you

Several years ago — at a stuffy denominational gathering with bad ballroom catering where the chicken breasts all tasted like PowerPoint presentations — a progressive pastor admitted to me the church where he works wouldn’t be “open and affirming” to…

Manufactured homes and just zoning laws can transform working poor

“It’s been a long, a long time coming. But I know a change is gonna come, oh yes it will.” The refrain from Kathy Manis Findlay’s Oct. 21 op-ed is significant. However, bringing about change will require the Christian community to…

Lifelong calling leads Merritt Johnston to lead BWA Women

Merritt Johnston surrendered her life to ministry as a high school senior, although her options may have seemed limited, growing up in a small-town Baptist church in Texas. “On that day, I had people asking me, ‘Does this mean you…

Molly Marshall announces 2027 retirement

She preached anyway

It’s time to listen to the prophets

‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is no more