By Bob Allen Planners of a conference for Christian counselors about homosexuality distanced themselves from the controversial “reparative” or “conversion” therapy aimed at changing a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, but not because they believe an individual struggling with…
CBF head among faith leaders supporting papal call for creation care
By Bob Allen Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Executive Coordinator Suzii Paynter challenged faith leaders in Washington for this week’s papal visit to “reawaken your actual love of God’s world” during a Sept. 24 service at the National Cathedral focusing on creation…
Canadian Baptists choose leader
By Bob Allen The Canadian Baptist Ministries board of directors announced Sept. 23 the election of Terry Smith, a former missionary to France who has led the 1,000-church organization’s global mission strategy and partnerships, to a five-year term as executive…
CBF Heartland names new leader
By Bob Allen Harold Phillips, longtime coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Heartland, will transition to a new role in January, leaders of the regional CBF affiliate announced Sept. 24. On Sept. 19 the CBF Heartland’s Coordinating Council named Jeff…
KBF, historically black college, join forces to fight poverty
By Bob Allen Black and white churches in Louisville, Ky., announced a new working partnership Sept. 23 aimed at tackling urban poverty. The Kentucky Baptist Fellowship joined historically black Simmons College of Kentucky in spearheading the new coalition of urban…
Baptist Standard suspends merger talks with Baptist News Global
By Bob Allen The board of directors of Baptist Standard Publishing voted in mid-September to put on hold talks of exploring a possible merger with Baptist News Global. A year ago the governing boards of the two news agencies entered…
CBF Virginia launches coordinator search
By Bob Allen The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia recognized Rob Fox, who stepped down in August after seven years as field coordinator to become vice president of institutional advancement at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond, and appointed a search…
Mission strategy, fundraising are priorities for the year, CBF leadership group hears
By Bob Allen The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Governing Board discussed a forthcoming restructuring of global missions in a two-and-a-half hour executive session during the final afternoon of its Sept. 17-18 fall meeting at First Baptist Church in Decatur, Ga. After…
Florida Baptists downsize, send more money to SBC
By Bob Allen The Florida Baptist State Board of Missions approved a reorganization Sept. 18 reducing the number of statewide employees from 115 to 61. The 47-percent staff reduction implements a proposed 2016 Florida Baptist Cooperative Program budget of $29…
CBF leaders lament SBC missionary recall
By Bob Allen The head of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship’s global missionary enterprise asked the CBF Governing Board Sept. 17 to pray for Southern Baptists after the news they are cutting their international mission force by 600 to 800 jobs…
CBF head prepares for papal visit
Coming Monday on Baptist News Global: Baptists and Pope Francis’ visit. By Bob Allen Though it isn’t listed on any official calendar, next week is “Pope Week” for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, CBF Executive Coordinator reported Sept. 17 to the group’s…
PNBC elects new general secretary
By Bob Allen Timothy Tee Boddie, a former pastor, university chaplain and divinity school administrator has been named general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention. Boddie, until recently director of the master of arts in Christian education program at…