By Bob Allen A denominational worker’s tweet over the holidays sparked a social media campaign alleging the Southern Baptist Convention’s bookstore chain values profit more than doctrinal fidelity and that an inner circle of “evangelical intelligentsia” calling the shots doesn’t…
Experts say gratitude generates the generosity needed for sustained giving
By Lori Fogelman and Jeff Brumley A Baylor University professor has been preaching a message some may consider radical in American society — even during the holidays: generosity. It’s also a concept close to the hearts of pastors struggling to convince shrinking…
Christmas mission brings food and Christ to hungry on the border
By George Henson Baptist churches and ministries recently joined forces to provide food and Christmas spirit to impoverished families along the U.S.-Mexico border. Their goal: to prevent as much hunger and despair as possible among the region’s adults and children…
$2 million gift will establish chair in religious freedom at Baylor
By Lori Fogleman Baylor University has announced a $2 million gift from Jerry and Susie Wilson of Dallas that will establish an endowed chair in religious freedom to support the university’s educational mission and its Institute for Studies of Religion….
Baptist groups aid Syrian refugees through winter
By Leah Allen and Jeff Brumley Baptist and government agencies are stepping up efforts to help Syrian war refugees who are facing a brutal winter. With some 9 million Syrians displaced from their homes, and 3.3 million living in refugee…
Georgia Baptists support fire chief suspended over homosexuality
By Bob Allen Leaders of the Georgia Baptist Convention launched an online petition demanding reinstatement of a fire chief suspended for writing a religious book critical of homosexuality. Last month Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed announced a 30-day suspension of Atlanta…
CBF helps sponsor first 5-day spiritual academy in Cuba
By Bob Allen Thirty participants from various denominations convened in November for the first Five-Day Academy for Spiritual Formation ever held in Cuba. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Florida CBF helped sponsor the enrichment event, which is a ministry of…
Arkansas Baptist College gets $30 million to stabilize finances
By Bob Allen A historically black Baptist college in the news of late for financial woes has secured a $30 million funding agreement aimed at restoring fiscal health at the institution with ties to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. A U.S….
Southern Baptists move up summit on race as issue simmers
By Bob Allen The Southern Baptist Convention’s moral concerns agency announced plans Dec. 11 for a March summit on racial reconciliation responding to the deaths of African-American men in clashes with police in Ferguson, Mo., and Staten Island, N.Y. “The…