by Bob Smietana NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) Four churches were disfellowshipped by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee on Tuesday (Feb. 23). The denomination’s credentials committee determined that four congregations are “no longer in friendly cooperation" with the denomination. Those churches are Towne View Baptist Church in Kennesaw, Georgia; St. Matthews … [Read more...] about Southern Baptists Expel Four Churches for Abuse and LGBTQ Membership
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Fewer Churches Held In-person Services in January
(Lifeway Research) Most churches have found a way to continue meeting despite the ongoing pandemic, but fewer met in person in January as COVID-19 cases spiked across the country. A new study from Nashville-based Lifeway Research found 76% of U.S. Protestant pastors say their churches met in person in January, down from 87% who said the same in September. Even among those … [Read more...] about Fewer Churches Held In-person Services in January
J.D. Greear: Closet Racists Should Not Feel More at Home with us Than People of Color
(ChurchLeaders) J.D. Greear admonished leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) not to let their political leanings or arguments over critical race theory (CRT) distract them from the gospel. Greear said he sees behavior in the SBC similar to that of the Pharisees, whom Jesus harshly rebuked. “Let me state this very clearly, as clearly as I can,” said Greear in … [Read more...] about J.D. Greear: Closet Racists Should Not Feel More at Home with us Than People of Color
Church in ME Emboldened to Renew Restriction Fight After SCOTUS Ruling
(ChurchLeaders) Following a pro-church Supreme Court ruling for California earlier this month, an evangelical church in Orrington, Maine, is renewing its fight against pandemic-related restrictions in that state. Calvary Chapel Bangor says in its new legal filing—a motion for injunctive relief—that Democratic Gov. Janet Mills has imposed “draconian and unconscionable … [Read more...] about Church in ME Emboldened to Renew Restriction Fight After SCOTUS Ruling
Canadian Baptists Push Race Conversation Beyond Black History Month
(Christianity Today) Rhonda Britton typically gets invited to preach at white churches one month of the year—February. She’s happy to accept those invitations during Canada’s African Heritage Month, but it’s also clear to her that annual sermons from one black person are not enough to address the problems of racism in the country or in the church. “My job is to prepare … [Read more...] about Canadian Baptists Push Race Conversation Beyond Black History Month