RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DISMISSED IN NEVADA, ARKANSAS; LEGAL MARIJUANA RESULTS VARY
CARSON CITY, Nev. — Voters in Nevada and Arkansas took steps deemed contrary to and problematic for religious freedom in Nov. 8 midterm elections, while legalized marijuana passed in two of the five states that considered it. Nevada voters added gender identity and sexual orientation to freedoms protected in the state constitution with 57.11 percent […]
CHURCHES ARE OPEN BUT STILL RECOVERING FROM PANDEMIC ATTENDANCE LOSSES
NASHVILLE — Almost every church in the U.S. is holding in-person services again, but some pre-pandemic churchgoers still haven’t returned. In August 2022, 100 percent of U.S. Protestant pastors (rounded to the nearest whole number) say their churches met in person, according to a Lifeway Research study. This continues the increases from the past two […]
RESPONSE TO HALLOWEEN VARIES AMONG CHURCHES
NASHVILLE — This year, as millions of Americans celebrate Halloween, many Protestant pastors in the United States are encouraging their church members to respond to the holiday in specific ways. More than 7 in 10 (71 percent) pastors say they encourage church members to invite friends or neighbors to church events on or near Halloween, […]
IT’S MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER FOR PASTOR APPRECIATION TO EXTEND BEYOND OCTOBER
NASHVILLE — In his career in the ministry and now head of a nationally recognized search firm that has helped some 3,000 churches find pastors, William Vanderbloemen notices patterns. He also joins those saying the American Church is undergoing a historical shift in pastoral leadership. Churches contact Vanderbloemen in the search for a pastor, but […]
GIVING TO AAEO SETS RECORD
CHICAGO — Southern Baptists gave a record $68.9 million to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (AAEO) in 2022, breaking the giving record for a second year in a row. Giving to the offering has exceeded records in five of the last six years. “This is incredible news for our missionaries,” said North American Mission Board […]
HALF OF PASTORS SAY THE ECONOMY IS HURTING THEIR CHURCH
NASHVILLE — Individuals aren’t the only ones facing consequences of inflation and other negative economic factors in the U.S., as many pastors say their churches are being harmed as well. A Lifeway Research study of U.S. Protestant pastors found 52 percent say the current economy is having a negative impact on their churches. For 40 […]
SBC PRESIDENT BART BARBER FEATURED ON CBS’ 60 MINUTES
NEW YORK — SBC president Bart Barber was a guest of Anderson Cooper on CBS’ 60 Minutes program on Oct. 9. The 13-minute segment dealt with issues of sexual abuse in the SBC, political division in the United States surrounding former President Donald Trump, the separation of church and state, abortion, immigration and same-sex marriage. […]
LOTTIE MOON OFFERING REACHES HISTORIC HIGH, PROVES COMMITMENT TO REVELATION 7:9 VISION
The International Mission Board is rejoicing at God’s work through the generosity of Southern Baptists, who gave $203.7 million to the 2021-22 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. This is the largest offering in the 177-year history of the IMB. Missionaries serving on the field are aware of the significance of this record-breaking total and the impact […]
NATIONAL WMU PROVIDES HELP, HOPE AMID CRISIS
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — National Woman’s Missionary Union is responding with help and the hope of the gospel in the midst of the water crisis in Jackson, Miss. While drinking water has been compromised in the area for years, the recent crisis was precipitated by floods and failing water systems. The WMU endowment committee approved emergency […]
GREENWAY NOT GOING TO IMB
NASHVILLE — In a post to Twitter on Sept. 28, former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president Adam W. Greenway announced that he would not be moving to a new position with the International Mission Board. “Carla and I are grateful for the many expressions of care and concern that have come our way since our transition from […]