The economic, racial and social injustices exposed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic have called progressive Christians to bolder-than-ever action on behalf of the oppressed, pastor and writer Aurelia Dávila Pratt said during her opening keynote address to the Alliance…
‘Pandemic acknowledges no religious exemption,’ interfaith group warns state legislatures
“The pandemic acknowledges no religious exemption,” a group of faith leaders wrote to state legislators across the nation April 12. The interfaith group — which includes the Alliance of Baptists, American Baptist Home Mission Societies, Baptist Joint Committee for Religious…
With $1 million grant, 25 Alliance of Baptists congregations are working to understand systemic racism and overcome it
Twenty-five churches associated with the Alliance of Baptists are participating in a five-year national scholarly study of how to expose and address systemic racism in their local contexts. The “Churches that THRIVE for Racial Justice” initiative is funded by a…
Alliance of Baptists chooses restitution and redemption from thief who stole $20,000
The Alliance of Baptists was the victim of a $20,000 theft but chose to follow the biblical admonition to “turn the other cheek” in a redemptive way. The Baptist network’s executive committee released a statement on social media Feb. 9…
William Barber: 100 million eligible voters did not participate in the 2016 general election
Churches must help rally marginalized voters to reverse America’s political and moral decline, activist Bishop William J. Barber II said during the Alliance of Baptists’ online fall gathering Oct. 10. “Galvanizing poor and low-income voters isn’t an act of charity,…
The ‘new sanctuary movement’ shifts gears in Trump context
There is something liberating for Serena Buckner about shielding immigrants from persecution by the federal government, even if it means running afoul of the law. What would be scary about the sanctuary movement instead is inspiring because it’s a way…
Alliance offers online watercolor series with reflections on racial injustice
Kathy Manis Findley made a career pursuing justice as a Baptist minister, and she is up to it again with a virtual watercolor exhibit offered as both a clarion call and lament for racial inequity in a time of pestilence….
BPFNA will host online Summer Conference due to COVID-19
The Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America announced April 7 its Summer Conference will be going virtual in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual event was to be held July 6-10 in San Diego, California. But the spread of…
Coronavirus ripples turn to waves for faith-based groups
“Event participants who show any cold or flu symptoms will be asked to go home, and the area they were occupying should immediately be disinfected.”