By Bob Allen Two weeks ahead of a major Southern Baptist Convention discussion about homosexuality and the future of marriage, the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists is collecting signatures for an online petition requesting a place at the table….
Baptist leaders oppose subpoenaing of pastors
By Bob Allen A Baptist minister who leads a national interfaith organization voiced concern about the subpoenaing of church sermons in a lawsuit challenging Houston’s non-discrimination ordinance. Welton Gaddy, president of the Interfaith Alliance, said in an Oct. 15 letter…
Pro-gay Baptists welcome same-sex marriage in N.C.
By Bob Allen A 97-church group that advocates LGBT inclusion in Baptist churches welcomed last week’s ruling legalizing same-sex marriage in North Carolina. “I am overjoyed to see another state remove the barriers to our member congregations being able to…
Maryland high court denies abuse lawsuit appeal
By Bob Allen Maryland’s highest court of appeal declined Sept. 22 to review what has been described as largest evangelical sex-abuse case to date, leaving intact lower-court decisions dismissing the class-action lawsuit on legal technicalities. The Court of Appeals, the…
Baptist editor blasts gay-marriage ruling
By Bob Allen In an Oct. 7 editorial, a Baptist state newspaper editor blasted a ruling by a Kansas City judge that marriages of Missouri gay couples performed legally in other states or countries must be honored in their home…
Faith community challenged to put a face on poverty, hunger
By Ken Camp and Jeff Brumley A politician’s challenge that the faith community put a human face on poverty can happen only if Christians build relationships with the poor and hungry, according to a Baptist minister who lives and works…
Supreme Court sidesteps same-sex marriage, making it legal in five states
By Bob Allen The U.S. Supreme Court declined Oct. 6 to settle once and for all whether same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, denying review of seven petitions from five states involving disputes over the legal recognition of same-sex marriage….
Transgender minister, Baptist theologian headline conference promoting LGBT acceptance
By Bob Allen The week after Southern Baptists complete a national conference on “The Gospel, Homosexuality and the Future of Marriage” in Nashville, Tenn., some other Baptists will gather in a church in Washington to explore an alternative view. Allyson…
on arks and alienation: or why building a 70 million dollar boat in the middle of Kentucky still seems like a bad idea.
These days it doesn’t take much to leave me feeling dismayed and embarrassed by the public image of the faith to which I’ve tethered my hopes, fears, dreams, and abilities to pay my mortgage. Which, is why I’m ever so…