By Bob Allen Churches aligned with the Alliance of Baptists are setting aside Sept. 16 for study and worship focused around issues of human sexuality. The progressive Baptist group formed in 1987 produced resources for worship and Christian formation for…
Faith leaders oppose GOP tax plan
By Bob Allen More than 60 Christian leaders and theologians – including several Baptists – signed an open letter Aug. 1 criticizing a proposal backed by House Republicans to extend Bush-era tax cuts to the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans,…
Historic DC church severs SBC ties
By Bob Allen A 150-year-old church in downtown Washington, D.C., voted July 25 to disassociate from the Southern Baptist Convention. The vote by Calvary Baptist Church followed a letter last February sent to the SBC president at the time, Bryant…
Church expelled after affirming gays
By Bob Allen An American Baptist church in Ohio has been excommunicated from its association and state region after going on record as welcoming and affirming gays. Tommy Faris, pastor of University Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, said the church…
Baptist group supports gay marriage
By Bob Allen A half-day event is scheduled July 30 in Northfield, Minn., to promote Baptist opposition to Nov. 6 ballot initiatives in several states asking voters to define marriage as a legal union of one man and one woman….
CBF Task Force Report: A new way to Collaborate
Sharing. Collaborating. Networking. If I were to summarize the CBF Task Force Report to the General Assembly, specifically about the Ministries Council, then those would be some of the buzzwords that keep rising to the surface. The idea is this:…
U.S. Baptists support Zimbabwe seminary
By Bob Allen Two U.S. Baptist groups that formerly sponsored a Baptist seminary in Zimbabwe have switched loyalty to a new school started since the 2011 firing of a principal who opposed changes in governing documents that included required adherence…
Faith groups tout anti-discrimination bill
By Bob Allen Thirty-seven faith groups wrote senators June 12 urging passage of a bill that would prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism coordinated the letter signed…
Alliance takes aim at gun deaths
By Bob Allen The Alliance of Baptists adopted a statement of support April 14 for the family of Trayvon Martin and others who have experienced similar losses. Citing an article from the Alliance covenant affirming “the calling of God to…