By Bob Allen The “Francis effect” is real for U.S. Protestant pastors, according to LifeWay Research. Half of Protestant pastors polled by the research firm housed within the Southern Baptist Convention’s publishing arm said Pope Francis has affected their opinions…
Baptist leaders mark pope’s visit with call to action on climate change
By Bob Allen Leaders of two Baptist groups were among 34 interfaith leaders across the United States sending a letter to Congress in light of the pope’s visit and his call for action to fight climate change. Paula Clayton Dempsey,…
The Pope who caught us unawares
By Amy Butler My whole city is abuzz with energy around the arrival of a special guest this week. Whether devout Catholic desperate for a once in a lifetime glimpse of the Holy Father or annoyed commuter already well aware…
Baptists excited and hopeful about papal visit
By Jeff Brumley Think Catholics are pumped about Pope Francis’ U.S. visit this week? Turns out some Baptists are pretty excited, too. And those who aren’t, probably should be for a number of reasons, said Curtis Freeman. One reason is…
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…
A final commentary on the day’s news
By David Gushee Follow David: @dpgushee This is my last regular column for Baptist News Global. Beginning July 1, I will take up an offer from Religion News Service to become one of their 12 regular bloggers/columnists. I offer reflections on…
Baptist leader applauds papal message on environment
By Bob Allen A Baptist ethicist welcomed Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical on the environment as “a hinge moment” not only for Catholics. “The environment needs to be at the heart of the Christian moral agenda, and it isn’t,” Robert Parham…
Rick Warren says church cannot compromise on sex
By Bob Allen Southern Baptist megachurch pastor and Purpose Driven Life author Rick Warren urged participants in a Vatican conference on marriage and the family “to never give up and to never give in” on the defense of sexual morality….
SBC leader speaks at Vatican conference on the family
By Bob Allen The Southern Baptist Convention’s top ethicist, speaking at a Vatican interfaith conference to support traditional marriage, said Christians cannot afford to capitulate to demands of the sexual revolution. “Many would tell us that contemporary people will not…