Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Profiles in Goodwill: Erica Whitaker
Erica Whitaker is senior pastor of Buechel Park Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.
Reparations Talk Emerges During Global Baptist Meeting
Jamaican Baptist leaders raised the topic of reparations for slavery in multiple sessions of the annual gathering of the Baptist World Alliance. While no vote was taken, a commission will study the issue and report next year.
3 Ways to Respond Positively to Trump’s Racist Tirade
President Trump once again spewed racism during a weekend Twitter tirade. Rather than become numb to his latest racist rant, Christians can choose to be part of the national dialogue about racism in a way that honors Christ.
July 17, 2019
Texas Church Had Special Influence on Apollo 11 Astronaut Before Moon Landing (Explore2Houston) There’s a Sobering Truth to Trump’s Racist Tweets That We Don’t Like to Admit (CNN) White Supremacists Cheer Trump’s...
21 Observations When Your Pastor Stays Put at Your Church
While many pastors may jump to greener pastures every few years, the congregation whose pastor stays put for a couple decades or more will reap numerous advantages. Check out these 21 truths.
The Incredible Immigration Journey of Yevgeniy Yudin
Born in Russia in the 1920s, Yevgeniy Yudin endured countless hardships yet persevered until he and his family immigrated to the US. In this time of discord about immigration, it is incumbent to remember stories such as Yevgeniy’s.
Emerging Voices | Why I’m Excited to Help with the HLPF
What is the HLPF, you ask. Not many have heard of it. It’s a United Nations conference for nongovernmental organizations to meet and discuss the Sustainable Development Goals. And here’s why I’m excited to be part of it.
July 16, 2019
Global Baptists Speak Out on Women, Tolerance (Ethics Daily) Government Restrictions on Religion Increasing Worldwide (Associated Press) Trump’s Religious Freedom Conference Creates Awkward Alliance (Politico) The...
Global Baptists Speak Out on Women, Intolerance
Baptist leaders from about 40 nations voted to affirm women in ministry and to condemn religious-based intolerance during the annual gathering of the Baptist World Alliance in the Bahamas last week.
Emerging Voices | How Christianity Grows in China Despite Restrictive Conditions
Christianity in China is growing at a rate not seen since the 1930s. Despite political restrictions and regulations on constructing church buildings, Christians adapt to meeting in hotels or private premises for worship services.
Many US Protestants Rarely Read Their Bibles Daily
Barely one out of three Protestant and nondenominational adults in the US who attend church at least monthly read their Bible each day, a report says. Nearly nine out of 10 read their Bibles at least monthly.
July 15, 2019
Amy Butler’s Supporters at Riverside Church Petition to Reinstate Her as Pastor (Washington Post) Christian CBD Changes Its Name (Christianity Today) Pence Views Overcrowded, Bad-Smelling Facility for Detained Migrants...
Baptists By the Sea
Representing 50 million Baptists around the globe, the Baptist World Alliance’s yearly meeting zeroed in on three themes: missions and evangelism, women in ministry, and the need for a theoretical and pragmatic hermeneutic.
More Than 1 Million Refugees Will Need Resettlement in 2020
An estimated 1.44 million refugees will need to be resettled in 2020, a U.N. agency report said. Africa is projected to have the highest resettlement needs for 2020 with more than 667,000 people.
Look Back | More to Loving Neighbors Than Being Neighborly
Some of us admirably keep the greatest commandments – loving God and loving your neighbor – but most of us fail to do these Christian ethics. Loving your neighbor means more than being neighborly. It’s hard but not impossible.
July 12, 2019
‘Those F---ing Evangelicals’: Trump Gloated About Duping Religious Conservatives (Washington Post) Trump Invites Right-Wing Extremists to White House for ‘Social Media Summit’ (CNN) Christian Nationalism, the Border...
BWA Affirms Women, Decries Religiously-Motivated Violence
It has been my privilege (not always an easy one!) to serve as chair of the Resolutions Committee for the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) during the 2016-2020 quinquennium. Since we won't do resolutions at the BWA World...
How to Deal with People in Power, Courtesy of Esther
Power dynamics exist throughout society, even within our churches. How do you use the power you have? How do you assess the character and fitness of those holding positions of power in society? Esther has some answers for us.
Emerging Voices | Baylor Loves LGBTQ+ Students – To a Point
Baylor University leaders say they love LGBTQ+ students yet continue to separate them from student life. While the love of Christ has no conditions, Baylor presents love to their queer students with an asterisk.
Pope: Migrants Symbolize All Who Are Rejected by Society
At a Holy Mass for Migrants, Pope Francis said migrants “are the symbol of all those rejected by today’s globalized society,” emphasizing that Christians should offer their support to migrants.
July 11, 2019
Support for Legal Abortion Matches Its 24-Year High: Poll (KXXV) Time for Deeper Conversations About ‘Heartbeat’ Bills (Religion and Politics) MSNBC’s Morning Joe Traces the ‘Shameful’ Degradation of Evangelical...