By Aaron Earls As inflation and other economic issues may be stretching most Americans’ budgets, Southern Baptist pastors may be feeling the pinch more than most. A study conducted by Lifeway Research along with GuideStone and Baptist state conventions found compensation for full-time Southern Baptist senior pastors has remained flat over the past four years, while the … [Read more...] about SBC Pastor Pay Stuck at Same Level Since 2018
Church
First Leesburg’s ‘No Vacancy’ Exhorts Churches to ‘Stay on Mission’
By Diana Chandler LEESBURG, Fla. (BP) – The blighted motel adjacent to First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Fla., attracted people who were homeless and addicted to drugs. The church envisioned buying the motel to house a ministry to the very people lingering there. Area property owners objected. The church didn’t have the funds. Amid the Great Recession of 2008, hundreds of … [Read more...] about First Leesburg’s ‘No Vacancy’ Exhorts Churches to ‘Stay on Mission’
Hillsong Interim Pastor Phil Dooley Addresses Lawsuit Against Church; Brian Houston Preaches Comeback Sermon at Seattle Church
On the same weekend that former Hillsong Church global senior pastor Brian Houston preached his first sermon since his resignation, Hillsong’s interim pastor Phil Dooley publicly responded to a lawsuit against the global megachurch, which was filed by a former employee who alleged that Hillsong misled donors and evaded taxes. Dooley Responds to Lawsuit Over Hillsong’s … [Read more...] about Hillsong Interim Pastor Phil Dooley Addresses Lawsuit Against Church; Brian Houston Preaches Comeback Sermon at Seattle Church
LGBTQ+ Liaisons Won’t Restrict Religious Liberty, Mobile Mayor Assures Pastors
By Diana Chandler MOBILE, Ala. (BP) – Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson has assured Southern Baptist pastors that his appointment of two LGBTQ+ liaisons will not impede religious liberty enjoyed there, Mobile Baptist Association (MBA) Executive Director Thomas Wright told Baptist Press. The assurance is the result of a meeting between six MBA pastors and Stimpson after the … [Read more...] about LGBTQ+ Liaisons Won’t Restrict Religious Liberty, Mobile Mayor Assures Pastors
Rick Warren Successor Andy Wood Apologizes for 2021 Mark Driscoll Interview; Critics Push Back
Andy Wood, named as Rick Warren’s successor at Saddleback Church after Warren retires, has apologized for inviting Mark Driscoll to speak at the 2021 Echo Leadership Conference. In July, Saddleback said Wood was cleared of allegations of abusive leadership, but critics say there are still too many unanswered questions. “In the past I interviewed Mark … [Read more...] about Rick Warren Successor Andy Wood Apologizes for 2021 Mark Driscoll Interview; Critics Push Back