By Bob Allen A transgender employee of a Chicago-area Hobby Lobby is suing the Oklahoma City-based craft store chain, claiming discrimination because her employer won’t allow her to use the women’s restroom. Meggan Sommerville, frame-shop manager at a Hobby Lobby…
Seminary cuts ties with embattled SGM
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist Convention seminary has broken off its formal relationship with a church-starting network that has become a lightning rod since a former leader admitted under oath that he failed to report child sex abuse to…
Why we need a “third way” on gay rights
Danny Cortez is the pastor of a small Southern Baptist Church in La Mirada, Calif. A few weeks ago, he created a stir in Baptistland by calling for a “third way” on gay marriage. In a letter to his congregation,…
‘Heaven-tourism’ critics welcome SBC resolution
By Bob Allen A former youth minister who claims he was fired by a Southern Baptist church for refusing to support a revival led by 90 Minutes in Heaven author Don Piper said he feels vindicated by a Southern Baptist…
Mohler says SBC not through with ‘third way’ church
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist Convention leader says failure to discipline a pastor and congregation at the recent SBC annual meeting doesn’t mean the nation’s second-largest faith group is wavering in its rejection of churches which “act to affirm,…
Mohler says call 911 at first report of abuse
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist leader criticized for supporting a ministry colleague accused of covering up child sex abuse advised pastors June 10 to immediately dial 911 at the first report of any abuse. “Know beforehand that if you…
As SBC meeting wraps up, new president hopes for next ‘great awakening’
By Bob Allen The new president of the Southern Baptist Convention outlined an ambitious agenda during a press conference following his election June 10 in Baltimore. “I believe the greatest need in the Southern Baptist Convention, and quite honesly, the…
Rainer says sale of Glorieta, worth millions but sold for $1, was ‘tough decision’
By Bob Allen Glorieta Conference Center would have been worth millions of dollars to a commercial developer, but it was sold last year for $1 because leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention agency owning the property say they wanted the…
AWAB asks SBC to recant transgender resolution
By Bob Allen A 21-year-old movement advocating full inclusion of gays in Baptist churches voiced concern that a Southern Baptist Convention resolution on transgender identity will spawn methods similar to “ex-gay” ministries harmful to transgender youth. The board and staff…
SBC passes on discipline of gay-tolerant church
By Bob Allen Contrary to a leader’s forecast, the Southern Baptist Convention did not rebuke a church for challenging the denomination’s policy against gay-affirming congregations at the convention’s 2014 annual meeting June 10-11 in Baltimore. Albert Mohler, president of Southern…
Protestors say Southern Baptists not taking clergy sex abuse seriously
By Bob Allen The mother of a child sex abuse victim who is suing a Maryland ministry with ties to leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention said June 11 that a “good-old-boy” network among evangelical preachers is just as effective…
Southern Baptists resolve to love the transgender sinner
By Bob Allen The Southern Baptist Convention has condemned acts of abuse or bullying against people who identify as a gender different than the one assigned at birth but said the transgender experience is not supported by Scripture. In a…