“A bridge for two sides”: Ukrainian evangelicals emerge as a potent lobby for US support of their country

TIFFANY STANLEY, of Associated Press, reports on the work of Ukrainians like Baptist Pastor Yaroslav Pyzh in reaching out to American evangelicals about the need for continued US support…
Southern Baptist trustees back agency president but warn against needless controversy

Nashville, Tennessee, US AP Less than two months after the Southern Baptists’ policy arm issued an embarrassing retraction of an announcement of its leader’s firing, it gave him a strong vote of confidence this week — but with a caution against stirring unnecessary controversy. Trustees for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission affirmed both their president, […]
In US state of North Carolina, nearly 1,200 Southern Baptist churches participate in week of service

Raleigh, North Carolina, US RNS Friday morning by 9am, about 100 mostly homeless men lined up outside Oak City Cares, a multi-service non-profit on the downtown’s edge. Anne Bazemore was there by the door to offer them a hot cup of coffee. Bazemore, 25, was one of a handful of volunteers from Imago Dei Church […]
Southern Baptists: After a slew of controversies, the SBC turns to a low-key leader to keep things cool

YONAT SHIMRON, of Religion News Service, reports that Clint Pressley does not have a national following or a big social media presence. As SBC president, his goal is to tone down the acrimony…
Southern Baptist Convention: What is the ERLC and why do Southern Baptists keep getting mad at its leader?

Turmoil at the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission has increased calls to disband the denomination’s public policy arm, but some SBC pastors say it can and should be saved. BOB SMIETANA, of Religion News Service, reports…
Oops. Southern Baptist agency announces firing of its leader, then retracts that announcement

United States AP In under 48 hours, the head of the staunchly conservative public-policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention rankled fellow Baptists by applauding President Joe Biden’s “selfless act” of withdrawing his candidacy for re-election. Then, his agency reported he was fired – and now they have reaffirmed his leadership. The head-spinning series of […]
California Baptists cut staff, citing decline in Cooperative Program giving

United States RNS The California Southern Baptist Convention, one of 41 regional groups that make up the Southern Baptist Convention, announced last week that it had cut six staff jobs, citing an ongoing decline in giving. Donations to the state’s Cooperative Program, which funds national, international and state-specific ministries, fell short by $US170,000 in the […]
Explainer: Alarmed by embryo destruction, Southern Baptists urge caution on IVF by couples and government

Indianapolis, US AP Southern Baptist delegates expressed alarm on Wednesday over the way in vitro fertilisation is routinely being practiced, approving a resolution lamenting that the creation of surplus frozen embryos often results in “destruction of embryonic human life.” They urged members to carefully weigh the ethical implications of the technology while also expressing sympathy with couples […]
Southern Baptists don’t get votes to add “only men” pastors language to constitution

Indianapolis, US RNS Southern Baptists failed to adopt a change in their constitution that would explicitly state that “only men” can be “any kind of pastor” in affiliated churches. The Wednesday vote, 61.45 per cent in favour and 38.38 per cent against, did not receive the two-thirds tally required during the second day of the […]
The future of SBC abuse reform is now in the hands of denominational committee

Indianapolis, US RNS Leaders of a volunteer taskforce charged with implementing abuse reforms in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination say they were given an impossible task. In the end, the task proved too much. Messengers vote at the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, on 11th June, 2024. PICTURE: […]