SBC

PLANETS’ DISCOVERY SAID TO INCITE MISPLACED HOPE

February 28, 2017

By David Roach Baptist Press NASHVILLE (BP) — At least some of scientists’ enthusiasm over discovery of seven potentially habitable planets seems to reflect the misplaced hopes of a secular worldview. That is the assessment of a Union University physicist and a Gateway Seminary Old Testament professor following NASA’s Feb. 22 announcement that astronomers have detected the first known system of seven Earth-sized planets rotating around a single star.

public restroom signs male female gender bathroom toilet

OBAMA-ERA TRANSGENDER BATHROOM ORDER RESCINDED

February 27, 2017

By Diana Chandler Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) — The Trump administration has reversed an Obama-era directive that advised schools to open bathrooms and locker rooms to students based on their perceived sexual identity or risk losing federal funding. The new ruling leaves bathroom use policies to the discretion of state governments and local school districts, but the issue is already set to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The

PRESTONWOOD ESCROWS CP FUNDS, CITES ERLC ACTIONS

February 22, 2017

By David Roach Baptist Press PLANO, Texas (BP) — A Dallas-area megachurch has decided to escrow Cooperative Program funds temporarily in order to evaluate future support of Southern Baptist Convention causes. At issue are what the congregation calls “various significant positions taken by the leadership of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission that do not reflect the beliefs and values of many in the Southern Baptist Convention,” according to a

PLATT APOLOGIZES TO SOUTHERN BAPTISTS

February 16, 2017

By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector ONTARIO, Calif. – David Platt, president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board issued an apology to Southern Baptists Feb. 15 for the IMB’s involvement in an amicus brief last summer. Platt apologized during a meeting of the Association of State Baptist Publications held in Ontario, Calif. He also apologized to Baptist state convention executive directors during their session on the same day. In

MOSQUE CASE PROMPTS IMB POLICY TWEAK

February 7, 2017

Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Ongoing discussion of a federal court case concerning religious liberty for Muslims has prompted the resignation of an International Mission Board trustee and a revision of the IMB’s process for submitting friend of the court briefs. Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Church in Morristown, resigned from the IMB trustee board in November based on his conviction the IMB should not have joined a friend of

DR LEADERS MARK 50 YEARS OF MINISTRY, EYE FUTURE

February 2, 2017

Baptist Press DENTON, Texas (BP) — Southern Baptist Disaster Relief leaders throughout North America met for their annual “Round Table” meeting and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of SBDR. Representatives from nearly all the state Baptist conventions participated in the Jan. 23-27 event at Camp Copass in Denton, Texas. Portions of the week focused on celebrating five decades of ministry efforts, looking at the present state of

FAKE NEWS HARD TO AVOID, EVEN HARDER TO ERADICATE

January 31, 2017

By Jeff Brumley Baptist News Global Fake news is big news these days, and many want to know how not to be duped by it. On one level, the solutions are a matter of common sense. “First, you look for verification,” said James Black, assistant director of the Center for Collaborative Journalism and professor of writing in the media at Mercer University. Christianity Today published more tips, including not posting

SBC CHILD CARE, CHILDREN, YOUTH REG. OPENS FEB. 1

January 31, 2017

Baptist Press PHOENIX (BP) — Registration opens Feb. 1 for preschool child care, Giant Cow Children’s Ministries and Youth on Mission in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s 2017 annual meeting June 13-14 in Phoenix. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) child care volunteers will care for preschoolers; while Giant Cow Children’s Ministries will lead the 5- to 12-year-olds, and Woman’s Missionary Union will guide the Youth on Mission curricula and

MOST CHURCHES HOLD SUNDAY SERVICES, SUPER BOWL OR NOT

January 26, 2017

Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn.— For churches that have Sunday night activities, most pastors say it’s still “game on” despite the big game next weekend. According to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research, 68 percent of Protestant pastors say their church typically has some activity on Sunday night. And among those pastors, almost 6 in 10 (59 percent) say they will continue as normal on the night of the Super

BAPTISTS TAKE PART IN TRUMP INAUGURATION

January 25, 2017

Baptist Press WASHINGTON — The participation of at least five Southern Baptist pastors in inaugural activities for President Donald Trump continues a tradition of prayer, Scripture and references to God surrounding presidential inaugurations dating back to George Washington. Evangelist Franklin Graham read from I Timothy 1 and 2 at President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.

SBC

PLANETS’ DISCOVERY SAID TO INCITE MISPLACED HOPE

OBAMA-ERA TRANSGENDER BATHROOM ORDER RESCINDED