Controversies involving church and denominational leadership, an impending denominational split, sexual abuse and the contentious figure behind a U.S. Supreme Court ruling approving public prayer led by government officials make up a large share of Baptist News Global’s top 15…
What have we learned about Matt Chandler’s sin and restoration? Not much
Among the many reasons people are leaving institutional churches, there is one that runs deeper than them all. John MacArthur says it’s because “they deconstruct the Bible to give room for their pet sins and tolerances.” The Gospel Coalition says it’s…
A friend defends Matt Chandler, the elders issue a statement, and nothing else is any clearer
If you thought the Matt Chandler situation couldn’t get more peculiar, guess again. Chandler’s Aug. 28 announcement that he would take an indefinite leave of absence from preaching and teaching at The Village Church north of Dallas has generated endless…
What transactional sexuality could teach us about Matt Chandler’s odd leave of absence and confession
Matt Chandler, pastor of The Village Church north of Dallas, has recently taken an indefinite leave of absence after exchanging direct messages on Instagram with a woman who is not his wife. Although he states that the messages were not…
The problem of fandom in churches
In a media-saturated world filled with choices, some people have turned to what is known as “fandom” to find identity, meaning and purpose for life. In churches, some have substituted being a fan for being a follower of Jesus. Fandom…
Matt Chandler takes indefinite leave of absence after exchanging ‘unwise’ online messages with a woman
One of the most prominent voices for Reformed theology and church planting among Southern Baptists announced Aug. 28 he is taking an indefinite leave of absence from preaching and teaching due to what he called inappropriate online chats with a…
Disgraced pastor Mark Driscoll is back on the speaking circuit, and he’s sharing a virtual platform with Matt Chandler
Disgraced and combative pastor Mark Driscoll is back on the speaking circuit, and he’s about to share a stage with the high-profile Baptist pastor who presumably has been cleaning up the reputation of the Acts 29 Network Driscoll helped found…
Acts 29 ups the ante by offering church planters $50,000 apiece
In yet another sign of how church networks are replacing denominational identity, the Acts 29 network announced Jan. 11 that it will provide up to $50,000 apiece for new churches started through its sponsorship. Leaders of Acts 29 insist it…
SBC president blacklists former leader accused of enabling abuse
Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear says that local church autonomy does not excuse Southern Baptists from holding one another accountable in a mild rebuke of churches giving platform to Paige Patterson, a disgraced former leader accused of enabling sexual abusers.