Baptist News Global

Transitions for the week of 12-20-19

Please submit transitions — including staff changes, ordinations, anniversaries or deaths — to Barbara Francis. This page will be updated weekly. STAFF CHANGES Nathan Adams, now serving as minister of missions and men at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, Abilene, Texas….

Abuse survivors cry foul over ERLC’s end-of-year fund-raising appeal

Leaders of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests criticized a Southern Baptist Convention entity’s fund-raising appeal that touts the denomination’s response to the scourge of sexual abuse in the church as “misleading and insensitive” to victims.

Pastors feel the pain as churches hit ‘another low point’ in American culture

Research once again shows that confidence in organized religion remains at all-time lows. But what the numbers don’t reveal is the toll that the erosion of reputation and relevance has had on churches and ministers throughout the decline. It’s often described as an astonishing and disturbing experience.

Baptist professor claims he was fired for being too anti-gay

A gadfly college professor who clings to the largely discredited practice of “conversion” therapy to change sexual orientation says the Southern Baptist Convention is wavering in its condemnation of homosexuality.

The year in review for thoughtful Christians (you might have missed something)

If you consider yourself a thoughtful Christian, then this is the Year in Review for you.

SBC’s new reporting process again fails clergy sex abuse survivors. What’s needed is an independent review panel

The SBC Credentials Committee has recklessly ignored the long history of churches inflicting dreadful, additional harm on those who report abusive clergy. Its new reporting process is not even a safe process, much less an effective one.

SBC sex abuse investigation voted No. 1 religion story of 2019

An expose by the Houston Chronicle that revealed hundreds of victims of abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention and that spurred calls for the SBC to investigate churches was chosen as the top religion story of 2019 by members of…

Adam Sandler reflects on ‘The Hanukkah Song’ on its 25th anniversary

The “Uncut Gems” star told Ellen DeGeneres he’s ready to share the holiday spirit with any other Jewish songwriters willing to step up.

Do American Christians care about moral character in our political leaders?

Our lack of concern for character in our leaders is impacting our ability to meet the great moral crises of our time.

Nativity scenes, inflatable Santas and creeping secularism: What’s in your yard?

Advent and its expectant incarnational witness doesn’t belong to shopping malls, town councils, Congress or even the U.S. presidency. It abides with the church of Jesus Christ.

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…

Former volunteer convicted of abusing preschoolers at South Carolina megachurch

A South Carolina jury has found 29-year-old Jacop Hazlett guilty of sexually abusing multiple children while volunteering to keep an eye on preschoolers while their parents worshipped at NewSpring Church, a non-denominational megachurch that originated as a church plant sponsored by the South Carolina Baptist Convention.

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