By Jeff Brumley A new study reports that American churches are increasingly less willing to make changes to worship, programs and ministries needed to best reflect and meet the needs of the communities around them. Oak Grove United Methodist Church…
Lilly grant will assist CBF pastors enhance financial skills
By BNG staff The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship has received a $1 million grant as part of Lilly Endowment’s National Initiative to Address Economic Challenges Facing Pastoral Leaders. The grant will allow the CBF to develop financial literacy programs for congregations…
Texas churches grapple with open-carry firearms policies
By Ken Camp Some Texas Baptist congregations rang in the New Year by posting signs prohibiting openly carried handguns inside their church buildings — or updating signs already banning concealed handguns. Effective Jan. 1, Texans with firearms licenses are allowed…
Bomb scare prompts evacuation at church
By Bob Allen Nearly 150 children were evacuated Jan. 4 from a day-care center at a Baptist church in Winston-Salem, N.C., while police investigated a suspicious package later determined to pose no threat. According to local media, authorities evacuated First…
Don’t be so quick to copy megachurches, experts tell smaller congregations
By Jeff Brumley Most any pastor of a congregation located near a megachurch has heard suggestions of how to emulate the worship, technology or hospitality ministry of a fast-growing neighbor. “Yes, I get those,” said Shaun King, senior pastor at…
Neighbors’ concern with noise prompts dispute over worship
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist church in Louisiana investigated numerous times for noise complaints has filed a lawsuit claiming intimidation by police and violations of religious liberty under both state and federal law. The lawsuit filed Dec. 10 in…
Church remembers the violence inherent in Advent
By Brian Kaylor On the second Sunday of Advent, the lawn of Highland Baptist Church in Louisville, Ky., was covered with wooden crosses like one sees in a military cemetery. Each cross — about 75 of them — will represent…
Church adopts Kenyan woman’s cause to fight female mutilation
By George Henson Carolyne Gachibi left Kenya to escape a nightmare only to find a Texas church willing to make her dreams come true — and help other girls attain an education and avoid female genital mutilation. But she has paid…
Duke study quantifies ‘stained-glass ceiling’
This story was updated Dec. 9 with additional information. By Bob Allen Despite well-publicized reports of women making inroads as pastors of large churches and leaders of religious organizations, the percentage of congregations led by a woman is about the…