Southern Baptist Convention
Don’t go into a relationship — or institution — thinking you can change them
By Karen Swallow Prior — November 20, 2023
(RNS) — I thought for a long time I could help the church change. How foolish. How prideful.
American Baptist Churches USA to be led by Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain
By Fiona André — November 7, 2023
(RNS) — ABCUSA’s new leader stands out, as only 13% of ABCUSA churches are pastored by women, and 86% of women in Baptist churches still report facing obstacles in their ministry because of their gender.
Chaos erupts over SBC legal filing in Louisville abuse lawsuit
By Bob Smietana — October 26, 2023
(RNS) — A friend-of-the-court filing has led to questions of whether the Southern Baptist Convention has changed its ways in dealing with abuse.
Our Bizarro New World Where Russell Moore Is a ‘Liberal’ + Russell Moore
By Roxanne Stone — October 5, 2023
Katelyn and Roxy talk to Moore about why he left the SBC, how he thinks of his own legacy there, and trying to lead a Christian institution when it’s tearing apart at the seams.
Despite remaining leaderless, SBC Executive Committee says it had ‘most unified meeting in some time’
By Bob Smietana — September 19, 2023
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — An unexpected withdrawal marks the second time this year that a nomination for leader of the Executive Committee has fallen apart.
The SBC was a train wreck 100 years ago and found a way through. Can it do so again?
By Bob Smietana — September 19, 2023
(RNS) — Meeting in Nashville, leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee look for a way past the denomination’s current woes.
Is a pastor’s sin a private matter? Johnny Hunt lawsuit makes that claim.
By Bob Smietana — September 18, 2023
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The former SBC president and longtime megachurch pastor covered up his sexual misconduct for a decade. Now he's suing SBC leaders for revealing his sins.
SBC leader Willie McLaurin resigns after admitting he falsified resume
By Bob Smietana — August 17, 2023
(RNS) — McLaurin is the third Executive Committee leader to resign in controversy since 2018.
What Russell Moore knew
By Tyler Huckabee — August 11, 2023
(RNS) — Prophets have no honor in their own country. Moore’s known that better than anyone for a long, long time.
Former Southwestern seminary trustee calls for forensic audit of troubled school
By Bob Smietana — August 4, 2023
(RNS) — Once one of the largest seminaries in the country, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary has faced a financial crisis and now a feud among board members over a forensic audit of the school's finances.
For Bisi Gbadamosi, fighting racism began with going to therapy
By Bob Smietana — August 2, 2023
(RNS) — The combination of spiritual and racial trauma can be overwhelming, said Bisi Gbadamosi, a Florida counselor and Christian speaker.
Former president of Baptist state convention under investigation for alleged abuse
By Bob Smietana — August 1, 2023
(RNS) — A Madison, Wisconsin, police investigation recommended that the Rev. Bob Stine of Midvale Baptist Church be charged with sexual assault. Stine has a September court date but has not yet been charged.
Some Baptists debate about women preaching, others listen to women preach
By Brian Kaylor — July 24, 2023
(RNS) — Focusing almost entirely on the SBC not only minimizes the theological (and political and racial) diversity of Baptists, but it also privileges a patriarchal body over others.
Texas Baptists affirm women in ‘ministerial’ roles as SBC debate moves to states
By Adelle M. Banks — July 20, 2023
(RNS) — In the same week as the Texas Baptists’ meeting, Black leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention and SBC President Bart Barber met over similar issues in Ridgecrest, North Carolina.
Meet the Christian creators designing chatbots ‘with a biblical worldview’
By Fiona André — July 20, 2023
(RNS) — Since its launch in November 2022 by the research laboratory OpenAI, the chatbot spurred excitement among Christians, forcing leadership to reckon with this technology and adapting their habits.
