By Bob Allen The Tennessee Baptist Convention elected the first African-American president in its 140-year history Nov. 11. Michael Ellis, 54, pastor of Impact Baptist Church in Memphis, was elected by unanimous vote of more than 940 messengers attending the…
OK Baptists oppose homosexuality, but not gays
By Bob Allen Southern Baptists in Oklahoma passed resolutions both urging compassion for homosexuals and opposing same-sex marriage at the 2014 Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma meeting Nov. 10-11 at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. A resolution on…
Arkansas Baptists oppose medical pot
By Bob Allen Arkansas Baptists urged voters to oppose two medical marijuana law proposals that supporters are trying to get on the state’s general election ballot in Nov. 2014 with a statement calling the idea “poor policy” that is “based…
Alumni voice concern over La. College
By Bob Allen A group of Louisiana College alumni and former students, faculty and staff found high levels of concern about the Baptist school founded in 1906 in an online survey of Louisiana Baptist clergy and college trustees released Oct….
Baptist leader calls for dialogue about race
By Bob Allen It’s time for black and white Baptists to begin honest dialogue about the reality of racial inequality in the United States, says Virginia denominational leader John Upton. Upton, executive director of the predominantly white Baptist General Association…
Baptist camp hosts pistol class
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist camp in Illinois plans to host a National Rifle Association pistol course intended to help participants qualify for permits under the state’s newly passed concealed-carry law. The eight-hour course is scheduled for Saturday, Sept….
Prank backfires at Baptist camp
By Bob Allen Five people were taken to a hospital and multiple medical units were dispatched to a Maryland Baptist campground in a hazardous materials incident that resulted from a prank. The July 23 incident at Camp Wo-Me-To near Jarrettsville,…
Texas Baptists hold ‘family gathering’
Editor’s note: This story was edited after posting to clarify information in the second paragraph. By Ken Camp Business took a backseat to worship and fellowship at this year’s Baptist General Convention of Texas annual meeting. More than 4,000 Texas…
A modest proposal for a fractured Baptist family
By Marv Knox Do you think Baptists ever will get back together again?” a young friend asked over lunch the other day. His question arose naturally, because this is convention season for Baptists. The Southern Baptist Convention is conducting its…