As a pastor, even in the free-church, priesthood of believers, Baptist tradition, I feel a need to respond and minister in a profound way when tragedy strikes. If I’m being honest, part of that tug comes from my understanding of…
Pastor says Sandy Hook more than politics
By Bob Allen The atrocity of last December’s Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings transcends politics, raising gun violence to a moral issue that needs to be addressed from pulpits, a pastor said in a dialogue near the end of an…
When the church is at its best
Hardly a day goes by that I do not read some criticism of the church—whether in its local, national, or global expressions. I acknowledge that there is much to criticize but there is much to praise as well. As I worshiped last…
Boston is about us
When I recovered from the initial shock and horror of the Boston Marathon bombing, I automatically switched into advocacy mode. “Please, God,” I thought, “don’t let the perpetrators turn out to be foreigners or immigrants.” I am not proud of…
The fence through Friendship Park
A fence runs through Friendship Park at the western end of the U.S. border with Mexico. A 20-foot tall steel structure begun in late 2011 and completed in early 2012, it begins at the very spot where (without barriers) it…
My Boston take-aways
These posts are truly difficult to write; partly because if you want to be real then you have to confess some things and partly because events such as occurred last week are not easy to process. I am not sure…
Proposed Ala. law targets illegal casinos
By Bob Allen A Baptist minister who leads an interdenominational ministry that self-describes as “Alabama’s moral compass” is urging voters to support legislation to deter illegal casinos from popping up across the state. State Sen. Bryan Taylor (R-Prattville) introduced legislation…
Texas Baptists back revised lending bill
By Bob Allen The Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission dropped opposition to a payday lending bill in the state Senate after additional consumer safeguards were added during debate April 22. Senators voted 24-6 to approve amended legislation put forward by…
SBC leader says life begins in vitro
By Bob Allen The newly elected leader of the Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission says couples who conceive children through in-vitro fertilization are morally responsible for extra embryos created in case the first round of treatment doesn’t…