Why coercive religious politics undermine Christianity and democracy

This is the ninth in a BNG series of articles on Christianity and democracy that will lead toward the July 4 celebration of America’s 250th birthday. The series has been curated by Carol McEntyre, senior minister at First Baptist Church of...

Opinion Juan Garcia

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Helen Graves, wife of one seminary administrator and mother of another, dead at 105

Her great grandmother was a Cherokee who walked the Trail of Tears and she remembered women’s suffrage, but Helen Graves didn’t live long enough to see her dream of a female president. The widow of a longtime seminary dean and mother of a seminary president died Sept. 6, a few months after celebrating her 105th birthday.

Jarrid Wilson’s suicide – and the urgency of pastors being free to be themselves

Who better than a pastor – called to live in a peculiar way on behalf of a group of people unable to live this way most days – to practice the art of prophetically being one’s authentic self, rather than attempting to be one’s best, most marketable self?

Southern Baptist polity on trial in lawsuit appeal

A former Southern Baptist state convention leader claims the separation of church and state does not shield religious organizations from lawsuits over actions that would be illegal if committed by a secular business in a case before the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

I was terrified. Guns were stashed everywhere, right next door to our home

Beneath this star-spangled net of red, white and blue, we are trapped by hate and violence – and entitlement to our weapons.

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.

‘Why do we need mountains?’ A child’s profound question merits a thoughtful response

If we listen carefully to how children ask their questions of God and church, we clergy, parents and other adults might discover ways to “speak Christian” plainly.

Once accused of racial insensitivity, Papa John’s founder gives money to black Baptists

Papa John’s founder and former CEO John Schnatter, who left the pizza company last year amid controversy over comments criticized as racially insensitive, recently donated $1 million to historically black Simmons College of Kentucky.

Prophetic apologies are coming from a surprising source – law enforcement; churches should pay attention

The prophets’ call to “heal the earth” is being awakened in surprising places — like police forces.

In divisive times, can we find ways to let our ‘better angels’ show?

My advice for living faithfully in these troubled times: Listen carefully to others, speak the truth in love and then . . . well, leave the rest to God.

Transitions for the week of 9-13-19

Recent church staff changes, anniversaries, ordinations and deaths within the moderate and progressive Baptist network.

Under pressure, Baptist church drops plans for anti-Muslim program on 9/11

A Baptist church in Michigan has dropped plans to host a controversial 9/11 anniversary event after two members of Congress called it out for spreading Islamophobia.

Think you’re immune to the lures of the ‘prosperity gospel’? Maybe you should think again

We may not spend money on “gifts” to multi-millionaire, prosperity gospel ministers. But we do spend it on expertly-marketed Christian media.