Browse Archives
Check out news and opinion posts across the years
Dying for Rebirth
A sermon by Michael Cheuk, Pastor, University Baptist Church, Charlottesville, Va. June 22, 2014. Matthew 10:24-39 This morning’s New Testament lesson from Matthew is a challenging word. I didn’t choose it. It was...
Newness of Life
A sermon by Randy Hyde, Pastor, Pulaski Heights Baptist Church, Little Rock, Ar. June 22, 2014 Psalm 86:1-10; Romans 6:1-11 This is an odd passage of scripture for this time of year. What I mean is, Paul refers to...
God of the Outcasts
A sermon by Keith Herron, Pastor, Holmeswood Baptist Church, Kansas City, Mo. The Second Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 21:8-21 June 22, 2014 Jeremiah 20:7-13; Romans 6:1b-11; Matthew 10:24-39 Before this story turns...
Does Standing Up for Convictions Enhance Your Witness?
The World Cup matches currently being held in Brazil started on June 12 and the final match will be in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. Perhaps, like me, you don't know or care a lot about soccer. And many of you may be more...
Moldovan Baptist Recognized for Human Rights Work
Baptists from around the world recognized Ilie Coada, a Baptist pastor and social justice worker in Moldova, during the annual gathering of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA) in Izmir, Turkey. Soft-spoken and almost...
Human Trafficking: European Baptists’ Anti-Trafficking Network
In 2015, the European Baptist Federation (EBF) Anti-Trafficking Network will celebrate its 10th birthday. Initially, a core working group was formed to help Baptist churches throughout Europe respond to the problem of...
Hanging with Junia
Do you remember Junia? Tryphena? Persis? All were active women in the early church -- active enough for Paul to call them by name -- but they are little known today, and that's a shame. The role of women in the early...
July 10, 2014
The Evangelical Crusade Against Immigration (Mashable) Christian Bookstores are the Next Gay-Marriage Battleground (The Week) Legal Battle Over North Carolina Town's Sectarian War Memorial to go to Trial (Americans...
Newsblog: BWA gets down to business
As Turkish news reported (erroneously) that global Baptists were in Izmir to discuss "religious tourism," the Baptist World Alliance's General Council got down to business, and its various commissions met to discuss a...
Speaker: Baptists Must Advocate for Displaced, Stateless People
An American Baptist involved in refugee and immigration advocacy urged Baptists from around the world to get involved in issues concerning displaced and stateless persons. Another Baptist scheduled to speak on the...
What Has Happened to All the Cults?
There has been a sharp decline in public concern (or panic) about dangerous religious cults in the United States in recent years. I believe this might mark a significant social trend, and perhaps even a bellwether for...
Human Trafficking: BMS World Mission’s Permanent Solutions
Vulnerable, naïve, poor and desperate. Many of those that find themselves trafficked could be described as such, tricked by someone they trusted—shockingly by family members sometimes—and ending up far from home...
July 9, 2014
Turkey: Baptist Church Leaders From 120 Countries Gather in Izmir for Congress (Hurriyet Daily News) Poll: GOP 'Support Wealthy/Business/Not for the People' But 'Religious'; Democratic Party For 'the People' and...
Global Baptists visit the old home place … Turkey
More than 300 Baptists from about 60 countries have converged on the city of Izmir (ancient Smyrna) this week, carrying on the business of the Baptist World Alliance's (BWA) annual gathering while encouraging the very...
Global Baptists Meet in Ancient Biblical City to Plan Future
Baptists from 59 countries are converging in Turkey this week for the annual gathering of the Baptist World Alliance (BWA). As the leaders of various Baptist conventions, schools and ministries meet to consider future...
Human Trafficking: Global Women’s Global Partnerships
It has earned the label "modern-day slavery" and affects virtually every country in the world. Human trafficking is rapidly growing because of the worldwide demand for cheap labor and services, including commercial...
Central American Children Challenge Church, U.S. Border
Undocumented, Central American children flooding across the Rio Grande Valley border and being messily relocated by the federal government across the United States is unsettling. It's a humanitarian calamity and a...
July 8, 2014
Man Dies After Walking into Dallas Church (NBC DFW) Billionaire Pastor Farris Wilks and Brother Throw Fortune Behind Getting Bible Back in Schools and Other Conservative Causes (Christian Post) Many Members of a NY...
July 7, 2014
The New Law of Religion: Hobby Lobby Decision Supersedes First Amendment (Slate) Where Will the Slippery Slope of 'Hobby Lobby' End? (The Nation) Protestors Picket Madison Hobby Lobby Over Supreme Court Ruling (Madison...
Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther: The First African Bishop
The 150th anniversary of Samuel Ajayi Crowther's ordination in England's Canterbury Cathedral as the first African bishop was June 29. While this is worth celebrating, it is important to understand Samuel's life and...
Should You Chow Down on In-Vitro Meat?
According to the Los Angeles Times, scientists are producing meat by in-vitro cell growth, with the prospect that it will replace raising livestock. If it becomes commercially affordable, there will be no greenhouse...