In the US, faith-based organisations are concerned about the immigration policy landscape
United States RNS While congressional Democrats are chiding Republican senators for walking away from a compromise immigration bill that restricts asylum, faith-based agencies that work with refugees and asylum-seekers expressed alarm in recent days about provisions of the bill and the turn that the conversation about immigration has taken. “You’re not going to solve anything […]
Latest candidate to head Southern Baptists’ Executive Committee withdraws
United States RNS The Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, has failed again in its search for a new leader for its Executive Committee, which handles the denomination’s business between annual meetings. The committee announced on Tuesday that the leading candidate for the president and CEO of the Executive Committee has withdrawn. He is the […]
In the US, chaos erupts over SBC legal filing in Louisville abuse lawsuit
United StatesRNS Abuse survivors, along with some members of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee and the SBC’s abuse reform taskforce, have denounced a Kentucky court filing by Southern Baptist entities aimed at limiting their liability for sexual abuse claims. A brief filed earlier this year by lawyers for the Executive Committee, Southern Baptist Theological […]
Despite remaining leaderless, SBC Executive Committee says it had ‘most unified meeting in some time’
Nashville, Tennessee, USRNS The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee lost another leader before he could even get started. Meeting in Nashville, trustees from the Executive Committee had hoped to approve retired Kentucky pastor Dan Summerlin as interim president and CEO. But during an executive session on Tuesday, trustees learned Summerlin had withdrawn as a candidate. […]
In the US, SBC leader Willie McLaurin resigns after admitting he falsified resume
United States RNS Willie McLaurin, the acting president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee, resigned suddenly on Thursday after admitting he had falsified his resume. “While considering McLaurin as a candidate for Floyd’s permanent replacement, the SBC Executive Committee’s Presidential Search Team discovered disqualifying information during their process of vetting and due diligence,” said […]
‘Losing Our Religion’: In new book, Russell Moore urges evangelicals to stop lying and come back to Jesus
BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, speaks with Russell Moore about his new book, ‘Losing Our Religion’…
Texas Baptists affirm women in ‘ministerial’ roles as SBC debate moves to states
United StatesRNS A month after Southern Baptists confirmed the expulsion of churches from their denomination for allowing women to serve as pastors, the Baptist General Convention of Texas adopted a statement on Tuesday urging its staff to continue to affirm women in “ministerial and leadership roles”. After half an hour of debate, the BGCT became […]
Many African American SBC churches have women pastors on staff. Will they be expelled next?
United StatesRNS Earlier this year, Southern Baptists expelled five churches from the nation’s largest Protestant denomination for having women as pastors. Now, the leader of a fellowship of African American Southern Baptist pastors wonders if their churches will be next. Messengers vote during the first day of the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting at the […]
Medical mission: At 79, famed SBC missionary surgeon Rebekah Naylor is about to retire. Again. But she’s not done yet
In India, Rebekah Naylor went from staff doctor to medical director to hospital CEO, treating thousands of patients and delivering a host of babies. BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, reports…
North Carolina megachurch exits Southern Baptist Convention after expulsions over women pastors
United StatesAP Less than a month after finalising the ouster of one of its largest churches for having women pastors, the Southern Baptist Convention has lost another of its biggest congregations. Elevation Church – a North Carolina-based megachurch that draws thousands of worshippers to its multiple campuses and has wielded a strong influence on contemporary Christian worship […]