Baptist News Global

Grand Canyon University’s return to nonprofit status approved

Grand Canyon University’s year of very good news continued Monday when the U.S. Department of Education affirmed the school’s nonprofit status, which will increase its access to private scholarships and various partnerships. “This decision removes the cloud of confusion over…

Blue Christmas isn’t just for Elvis

My understanding of Blue Christmas has changed over the years. Growing up, the only version of “Blue Christmas” I knew was the one that involved holding a wooden spoon up to my lips and crooning along to Elvis in front…

Memphis Seminary likely will close

Memphis Theological Seminary, a school affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, likely will close its doors after the spring 2026 semester. The announcement was made Dec. 16 by President Jody Hill, who said trustees met Dec. 11 and recommended the…

The power of story

I was raised on stories. I don’t remember a time when stories were not present in my world. Stories were a foundation for my heart long before I knew what that meant and that has followed me all my life….

An Advent call for advocacy for our Burmese brothers and sisters

When entered into faithfully, Advent is a frustratingly wonderful season of awkwardly waiting for God to act on the promises God has made. Advent is a season firmly planted in kairos time, yet it requires an annual examination of chronos…

Letters to Mary: Women have creative power

Advent shows us something about power that the palace always forgets. Real strength doesn’t powder its face with contempt. The authority that spoke galaxies into being entered the world through a woman’s body and trusted her to say yes. — Derek…

Baptists have learned how to pass the buck on abusive clergy

Sexual predators in our midst have gotten a pass for far too long. While part of this is due to victimology, I believe a larger piece of this equation is a misunderstanding of the perpetrator. How many times will we…

Conflicts of interest and ‘dual roles’ undermined SBC abuse investigation

Across four years of Southern Baptist clergy sexual abuse research, investigations and debate, one name continually rises to the surface: Rachael Denhollander. The woman who began the public accusations against USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar in 2016 has played…

Mary Sills feared ‘disaster’ in family relationship with Lyell

One of the most peculiar claims to arise out of the defamation suit brought by David and Mary Sills is that the former missions professor justified his extramarital relationship with Jennifer Lyell by saying his wife knew about it. David…

Basham was advising Sills while condemning Lyell

In May 2022, Megan Basham wrote to Texas pastor Tom Ascol as an intermediary to seek clarifying information from David Sills about his relationship with Jennifer Lyell and subsequent firing from the faculty of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. That email…

Rich Villodas is waiting for Christmas

Like most of us, Rich Villodas has trouble waiting. His latest book comes from that personal experience he believes will resonate with others in this Advent season of awaiting the birth of the Christ Child. Waiting “is very painful, I…

ICE and empty mangers

This week, The New York Times reported a Catholic parish on a busy street in a wealthy Boston suburb had caused a stir with its Nativity scene. All the familiar elements are there: the shepherds and angels, sheep and hay, the three wise men….

‘Be careful of Scripture heavy in law but light on grace,’ Wesley warns

‘Show up and do something,’ ACLU leader urges

From the South Side to the South Lawn and back again

Democracy as a moral practice, not just a system