Fred Luter

Three years after George Floyd’s death, faith groups quietly advance racial healing
By Adelle M. Banks — June 9, 2023
(RNS) — A range of Christian groups are working separately to continue to address the often-fraught divisions along racial lines among their members and in the wider society.

Alabama pastor Ed Litton, known for racial reconciliation work, joins SBC presidential race
By Bob Smietana — January 21, 2021
(RNS) — So far, four Southern Baptist leaders, each representing a different segment of the SBC, plan to run for president of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.

The SBC’s critical race theory debacle
By Mark Silk — December 29, 2020
(RNS) — Once the SBC sees systemic racism, it’s a slippery slope to feminism, climate change and LGBTQ rights.

SBC seminary president: Recent race statement not about ‘preserving whiteness’
By Adelle M. Banks — December 24, 2020
(RNS) — Adam Greenway, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, defended Southern Baptist seminary presidents’ determination about critical race theory.

Luter, Greear latest Southern Baptist leaders to weigh in as turmoil over race theory grows
By Adelle M. Banks — December 19, 2020
(RNS) — The fallout from a statement on critical race theory by six seminary presidents continued, as prominent Black leaders and their churches answer with objections or quit the SBC.

Southern Baptists warm to alternate moniker ‘Great Commission Baptists’
By Adelle M. Banks — September 16, 2020
(RNS) — ‘The farther we get from 1845, the more clear we need to be with our mission,’ said a South Carolina Baptist official.

Paige Patterson feared backslide after election of first black SBC president
By Adelle M. Banks and Yonat Shimron — November 18, 2019
(RNS) — A newly discovered letter from one former prominent leader of the Southern Baptist Convention to another reveals a depth of mistrust and suspicion toward the denomination’s first black president.

Paige Patterson feared backslide after election of first black SBC president
By Adelle M. Banks and Yonat Shimron — November 14, 2019
(RNS) — A newly discovered letter from one former prominent leader of the Southern Baptist Convention to another reveals a depth of mistrust and suspicion toward the denomination's first black president.

COMMENTARY: An honest assessment of the Southern Baptist Convention
By Jacob Lupfer — June 10, 2014
BALTIMORE (RNS) I once assumed the worst of Southern Baptists: anti-intellectual, homophobic and possibly even racist authoritarians who cared mostly about their own power. Then I got to know some of them.

Southern Baptists push for more black missionaries
By Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2013
(RNS) Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter’s recent overseas missions trip is being hailed by black and white Southern Baptists as a catalyst to change a long-present reality: very small numbers of black missionaries.

Southern Baptist Richard Land passes baton to Russell Moore
By Adelle M. Banks — May 28, 2013
WASHINGTON (RNS) “Jesus is convictional,” Russell Moore said in an interview as he began to adjust to his Washington office just off Capitol Hill. “He speaks clearly about sin, righteousness and judgment but Jesus is not panicked or outraged.”

Southern Baptist leader Richard Land to retire after ethics probe
By Adelle M. Banks — August 1, 2012

(RNS) After nearly a quarter century as the Southern Baptist Convention's top public policy guru, Richard Land will step down in 2013 after a rough-and-tumble spring. By Adelle M. Banks. 

Southern Baptists approve alternate name, but barely
By Adelle M. Banks — June 20, 2012

NEW ORLEANS (RNS) In a close vote, members of the Southern Baptist Convention have voted to accept the alternate unofficial name of “Great Commission Baptists.” Their two-day meeting ends Wednesday (June 20). By Adelle M. Banks.

Southern Baptists elect Fred Luter as first black president
By Adelle M. Banks — June 19, 2012

NEW ORLEANS (RNS) Pointing heavenward and wiping away tears, the Rev. Fred Luter was elected Tuesday (June 19) as the first black president of the predominantly white Southern Baptist Convention. By Adelle M. Banks.

Black Southern Baptists try to keep expectations in check for first black SBC president
By Adelle M. Banks — June 13, 2012

RANDALLSTOWN, Md. (RNS) As the Southern Baptist Convention is poised to elect its first black president, the mostly African-American flock at Colonial Baptist Church is equal parts excited and astonished. "The denomination has come from 180 degrees,'' said Vernon T. Gaskins, 83. "I am quite shocked to see it but I’m glad to see it.'' By Adelle M. Banks.

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