Baptist News Global

OU joins a Hall of Shame

The University of Oklahoma is the latest school to debase itself in deference to Donald Trump and evangelical Christians’ false claims of religious persecution. Trump and white evangelicals have this in common: Both claim persecution when they are instead the…

Letters to Mary: Women are open to the impossible

“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” — Maya Angelou Dear Mary, This is my final letter to you this season of Advent. Lest we journey too…

Baptist church finds home with UCC and sells to Chinese Presbyterians

Vienna Baptist Church has moved in with a nearby United Church of Christ congregation after selling its Northern Virginia property to a Chinese Presbyterian fellowship earlier this month. Affiliated with the Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Churches in the USA…

Is Wicked: For Good the gospel story we all need this Advent?

An unconventional Christmas tree sits in our living room this year. Sparkly pink trimming wraps around its breadth. Green and white striped candy canes hang from the branches, and twinkling jade lights glow in their midst. A thin gold ribbon…

Trump administration targets Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande

The Trump administration has suspended federal funding to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande pending the outcome of an investigation into alleged “incomplete and inaccurate” record keeping by the faith-based agency. The ongoing review also could result in a period…

12 things a pastor should not say Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is one of my favorite services of the year. As a pastor, I’ve had a few more verbal gaffes than I care to admit. It’s a busy season for everyone, including church staff. For some, in addition to…

I’ll side with the Catholics on this one

ICE came to Baton Rouge for Christmas, and at least one Southern Baptist pastor welcomed them. Lewis Richerson, pastor of Woodlawn Baptist Church, told The New York Times, “I would not knowingly extend Communion to an illegal immigrant who is…

We need to remember the real meaning behind these carols

Christmas carols I have been enjoying at church, on my devices and in my car are lifting my spirits once again. The familiar lyrics and melodies blanket my consciousness like a snow shower I wish we could experience in my…

The carol that won’t stop singing a subversive song of hope

It tends to be the same every year: Soon after the last of the Thanksgiving leftovers is consumed, I sit down at the piano to plunk through an archaic collection of Christmas carols. Without fail, “O Holy Night” has long…

Anxiety versus gratitude

Ask me what my superpower is and I’ll answer with no hesitation: It is gratitude. I have a rich spiritual life supported by many practices including labyrinth-walking, prayer, Scripture memorization, active participation in my faith community, and meditation — especially…

Upside Down Advent: Unloved versus loved

Editor’s note: This column includes strong language near the end that may be offensive to some readers. Of all the four themes of Advent, love is the one that seemingly ties a bow around the others — both positively…

New Orleans clergy organize interfaith opposition to ICE raids

Faith groups in Louisiana are mobilizing along multiple fronts in response to an ongoing surge in federal immigration actions targeting New Orleans. Clergy and congregations from across the religious spectrum are organizing protests and know-your-rights training for citizens as more…

Eradicating DEI hasn’t made anything better

How Christian nationalism shows up in patriotic worship services

Dear Trump-supporting Christians, are you really OK with this?

‘Every Student. Every State’ campaign promotes school tax credit