I’m not sure if Esther Burroughs and Joy Fenner knew each other, but I suspect they must have. Both were trailblazing women in Southern Baptist life. Now they have died within four days of each other, causing an old-timer like…
Alabama Supreme Court declines to stop Samford from taking house of former fraternity
Samford University has won a 12-year battle for control of a million-dollar property once home to a now-banned fraternity on campus. The latest development in the saga of the Lambda Chi Alpha house came almost 12 years to the day…
Why is Lifeway silent on sexual abuse amicus brief?
Here’s a sure way to know Southern Baptist institutions and some Baptist universities don’t think they’re accountable to anyone outside their inner circle: The perpetual refusal to comment on, or even acknowledge, questions from media. A year ago this fall,…
Samford students mark one-year anniversary with another silent protest for LGBTQ inclusion
One year after Samford University made headlines for its exclusion of LGBTQ-affirming campus ministries, a group of about 100 students, alumni and community supporters held another silent protest outside a campuswide assembly. The Sept. 19 protest outside Wright Center during…
After decade of debate, Whitworth University welcomes LGBTQ faculty
The Presbyterian Church (USA) approved ordaining practicing homosexuals in 2010. Now, the PCUSA-affiliated Whitworth University has joined the small number of Christian colleges welcoming gay faculty and adding “sexual orientation” to its nondiscrimination policy. “Aligning our hiring policy language with…
Two Baptist seminaries among six ‘recommended’ by new Global Methodist Church
Two Baptist-affiliated schools are among six “recommended educational institutions” approved by the new Global Methodist Church. The GMC is a breakaway group from The United Methodist Church created largely over disagreements about LGBTQ inclusion and acceptance. The UMC is perceived as…
Samford denies professional group for LGBTQ law school students
Once again, Samford University has denied a request to allow a group for LGBTQ students — this time excluding students in its highly rated Cumberland School of Law. In 2017, the Birmingham school forfeited $3 million a year in institutional…
The inconsistencies of our ethical declarations: Samford’s dilemma
Editor’s note: Bill Leonard served as professor of church history and chair of the Religion Department at Samford University from January 1992 to June 1996. In his 1995 book, The Stem of Jesse: The Costs of Community at a 1960s…
Samford loves all people but won’t advance ‘other expressions of sexuality,’ president tells students in video
“Each person will be loved unconditionally” but Samford University “will continue to stand on God’s word” and will not “celebrate and advocate for other expressions of sexuality than those historically supported” by the Baptist school, President Beck Taylor told students…