Few pastors throw their hat into a political race. But many engage in politics in other ways, both in the public square and in church sanctuaries. W.T. Edmonson, associate pastor at Second Baptist Church in Jefferson City, Mo., sees political…
U.S. churches face big ministry challenge in aging Baby Boomers
As a large group of Americans, the so-called Baby Boomers, have impacted U.S. society, culture, politics and religion for decades. With the oldest members of that famed generation now turning 70, the Baby Boom generation is poised to leave another…
Christian engagement growing as Cuba-U.S. ties improve
The level and frequency of United States-based Christian activity in Cuba has been rising since the normalization process between the two countries began in late 2014. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida has been building on existing relationships with Baptists and…
ERLC says taxpayer funding of recycled tires on church playground not an establishment of religion
Churches should be allowed to participate in government programs on equal footing with other civic organizations, the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy agency argued April 21. The SBC Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission filed a brief in a case before the…
Missouri’s proposed religious freedom amendment sets old allies at odds
The battle over religious freedom and LGBT rights has moved from Arizona and Mississippi to Missouri.
Baptist says ‘religious liberty’ bill threatens … well, religious liberty
A Missouri religious liberty bill passed last month by the state Senate after a 39-hour filibuster once again kept lawmakers up late at night, when a five hour debate April 13 in the Missouri House of Representatives ended after midnight…
Baptists looking to the past to heal modern-day divisions
Some Baptists are looking to Missouri history as a possible source of healing of the divisions between them. The Missouri Plan, which ended a century ago, emerged after the Civil War as a bridge between Southern Baptists and Northern Baptists…
Clergy urge politicians to engage refugees with compassion, not fear
Americans supporting the compassionate treatment of refugees are expressing their conviction in a variety of ways and places. It can include fundraising and ministering directly to “the least of these” to sharing their beliefs across social media. And for churches, clergy…
From microbiology to ministry, veteran leader retires from ABC-USA regional post
By Vicki Brown When asked why he gave up microbiology and academia for a pastor’s life, Dwight Stinnett always responds that God has a tremendous sense of humor. God’s humor not only led Stinnett into the pastorate, but also to…