The U.S. Supreme Court issued a watershed decision on gay and transgender rights June 15 by finding that longstanding, non-discrimination protections in federal workplace law cover “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.” The justices ruled in a 6-3 opinion that the category “sex” in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act applies to homosexual and […]
New CDC report shows abortions continue to decline
The latest statistics demonstrate once again reported abortions in the United States have continued to decline. The number of abortions fell in one year by more than 13,000 to 623,471 in 2016, the latest year for which data is available, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a Nov. 29 report. […]
‘Caring Well Challenge’ on abuse launched
The Southern Baptist effort to address sexual abuse in churches took another step with the launch of the “Caring Well Challenge,” a joint call for congregations to become equipped to prevent predatory behavior and to care for survivors. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission and the Sexual Abuse Advisory Study have issued an invitation to […]
SBC resolutions contend for vulnerable, Gospel
Messengers to the 2019 Southern Baptist Convention advocated for the vulnerable against abortion, sexual abuse and religious persecution in approving 13 resolutions Wednesday, June 12. The resolutions also addressed a variety of other noteworthy issues in the convention and the world, including local church autonomy, same-sex attraction, justice, women in the military draft and gene […]
Baptist leaders praise housing allowance ruling
Southern Baptist entity leaders applauded a federal appeals court decision March 15 upholding the constitutionality of the ministerial housing allowance. A three-judge panel of the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago ruled unanimously the long-standing clergy allowance does not violate the First Amendment clause that prohibits government establishment of religion. The decision reversed a […]
Abortion decline calls for ongoing pro-life effort
The continued drop in the number, rate and ratio of abortions in the United States is a cause for celebration but also for further efforts to protect children and assist women in need, Southern Baptist pro-life advocates say. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Nov. 23 the total, rate and ratio of abortions […]
Edisto Beach church plant sues town for rental ban
A Southern Baptist church plant in South Carolina has sued the town of Edisto Beach for prohibiting it from use of its civic center. Redeemer Fellowship of Edisto Island filed suit Aug. 27 in federal court in Charleston because of a policy it says violates its free speech and religion rights guaranteed in the First […]
SBC resolutions affirm women, denounce abuse
Messengers to the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention affirmed the dignity and worth of women, denounced all forms of abuse and called for sexual purity among Christian leaders in adopting 16 resolutions Tuesday (June 12). Passage of the resolutions on women, abuse and pastoral purity by nearly unanimous votes late in the afternoon session came after […]
Housing allowance defense joined by ERLC & GuideStone
The Southern Baptist Convention’s religious freedom entity will maintain its effort to preserve the ministerial housing allowance because pastors are crucial “for flourishing, vibrant communities,” Russell Moore said Oct. 10. The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) stands alongside GuideStone Financial Resources — the SBC’s health and financial benefits entity — in opposing an Oct. […]
Newbell helps children put diversity in Gospel focus
Trillia Newbell required only one experience from teaching a Sunday school class to be convinced she should write a children’s book about God’s view of diversity. She had taught a children’s class on “the image of God and racial harmony” about a year before, Newbell told Baptist Press in an email interview Sept. 26. “It […]