Baptist News Global

What we’re learning about ministry in times of crisis

The first week of March 2020, I was making final edits and scheduling articles to be published in The Christian Citizen the following week. Several stories focused on Lenten practices, while others recognized the observance of Women’s History Month. I…

‘Jezebel’ is one of three common racial slurs against all Black women and girls

Another Black woman has been called “Jezebel,” a racial stereotype and slur that historically and persistently has been used to obfuscate the truth, promote and justify racial inequality and sexual violence against Black women. According to Baptist News Global, two…

UCC seminary in Minnesota calls Marshall as interim president

A United Church of Christ seminary in Minnesota has named Baptist theologian and educator Molly Marshall as its interim president beginning March 1. That’s one year to the day from when Marshall stepped down as president of Central Baptist Theological…

Alliance of Baptists chooses restitution and redemption from thief who stole $20,000

The Alliance of Baptists was the victim of a $20,000 theft but chose to follow the biblical admonition to “turn the other cheek” in a redemptive way. The Baptist network’s executive committee released a statement on social media Feb. 9…

Two years after the Chronicle’s expose, has anything changed to prevent clergy sexual abuse in Baptist churches?

Editor’s note: While the issue addressed in this column speaks primarily about the Southern Baptist Convention, the ordination processes referenced are typical of many Baptist bodies in America, which operate with complete autonomy on clergy ordinations. Two years ago, the…

Plans for a new Logsdon Seminary in San Antonio announced

A group of Hardin-Simmons University alumni, former faculty and friends have announced plans to launch a freestanding Logdson Theological Seminary in San Antonio, Texas, and they are seeking the blessing of university trustees for their effort. Those same trustees voted…

The new secretary of education should listen to our teachers

Much of a pastor’s ministry happens in “behind-the-scenes” moments of pastoral care, and much of that care involves deep listening. Listening carefully and intently is a learned skill for many extroverted pastors like myself. But, especially in this moment of…

Church curriculum publishers experience reduced sales due to COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic dealt serious setbacks to many faith-based organizations, and the publishers of Sunday school and other spiritual formation curricula are no exception. For many of them, regardless of denomination, the shuttering of church buildings and other meeting spaces…

Pastors, will you speak up when a Black woman is demeaned?

The recent tweet from Pastor Tom Buck referring to Vice President Kamala Harris as a “Jezebel” invoked a long-standing racist and misogynistic image. Pastor Buck, an East Texas pastor and member of the Southern Baptist Convention, went on to defend…

This week, we witnessed a miracle of immigrant family reunification

There are miracles that happen around us every day. But most of those are ordinary miracles. The fact that the sun rises each day is amazing. But I also believe, each day, that it will happen. Then there are miracles…

Despite COVID restrictions, faith-based agencies continue to improve lives in Africa

U.S-based humanitarian enterprises with long histories of service in Africa are continuing their work despite coronavirus and because of partnerships forged over years of ministry. Field personnel of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, for example, have been restricted in travel since…

I’m fearing the fear of fear itself

The last year has not been good for much, but it has been great for fear. Fear is having a banner year. We have stayed afraid that we will catch COVID-19. We are still processing the news that there are…

The wicked are punished — or not

What Ryan Burge sees in America’s megachurches

We are a nation of immigrants

As worldwide deaths mount, Musk insists DOGE cuts didn’t kill anyone