SUPREME COURT SUPPORTS COACH’S RIGHT TO PRAY ON FIELD
By Tom Strode Baptist Press WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court delivered what most religious liberty advocates declared an important victory June 27 in ruling the post-game, midfield prayer of a high school football coach did not violate the First Amendment’s ban on government establishment of religion. In a 6-3 opinion, the justices decided the […]
KEY QUOTES FROM DOBBS. V. JACKSON DECISION
By ERLC staff NASHVILLE — In a monumental case that strikes down a constitutional basis for abortion, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Dobbs v. Jackson on June 24 that the issue of abortion is returned to the states. Specifically, the court held that “Roe and Casey are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion […]
RESPONDING TO PROTESTS: ACTION STEPS TO HANDLE DEMONSTRATIONS AT YOUR CHURCH
Brotherhood Mutual / The Baptist Paper Protests occur at worship centers across the country for a number of reasons. Hate groups, social activist organizations, and others spread their message by staging events that provoke confrontation and attract media attention. If demonstrators responding to the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade were to appear on […]
SBC COVERAGE: TWO TENNESSEANS NAMED TO SBC COMMITTEE
Baptist and Reflector ANAHEIM, Calif. — The 2022 Committee on Committees has released its report. Appointed by the SBC president, the Committee on Committees nominates the Committee on Nominations and any special committees that are authorized during Convention sessions.
SBC COVERAGE: LAMENT, REPENTANCE FOR SEXUAL ABUSE UNDERSCORE RESOLUTIONS
By Erin Roach Baptist Press ANAHEIM, Calif. — Southern Baptists publicly lamented the harm their “actions and inactions have caused to survivors of sexual abuse” in a resolution adopted by messengers to the 2022 SBC annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif. Messengers, during the second report of the Resolutions Committee, agreed sexual abuse is an abomination […]
SBC COVERAGE: LIST OF OFFICERS INCLUDES NEW RECORDING SECRETARY
Baptist Press ANAHEIM, Calif. — In addition to new president Bart Barber of Texas (see story HERE), Southern Baptists elected a new slate of other officers, including the first new recording secretary in 25 years. Victor Chayasirisobhon, pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Anaheim, Calif., and president of the California Southern Baptist Convention, was […]
SBC COVERAGE: MESSENGERS DERAIL EFFORT TO ABOLISH ERLC
Baptist & Reflector ANAHEIM, Calif. — Messengers voted June 15 to continue funding the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. North Carolina messenger Joshua Scruggs made a motion June 14 to “abolish the ERLC, with the first of the two necessary votes taking place during the 2022 annual meeting and, upon […]
SBC COVERAGE: MESSENGERS INTRODUCE VARIETY OF MOTIONS
By Scott Barkley Baptist Press ANAHEIM, Calif. — Southern Baptists dealt with a variety of motions presented at the annual meeting ranging from sexual abuse care and prevention to the Baptist Faith and Message and more. One required extended discussion by messengers. That motion, brought by Joshua Scruggs of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Jacksonville, N.C., […]
SBC COVERAGE: NAMB’S ROLE IN BCMS LEADS DISCUSSION TOPICS
By Scott Barkley Baptist Press ANAHEIM, Calif. — A motion regarding the North American Mission Board’s ministry assignments dominated the SBC Executive Committee’s report of its recommendations during the June 15 morning session of the SBC annual meeting. Last year, messengers to the annual meeting in Nashville rejected a request for collegiate ministry to be […]
SBC COVERAGE: CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE WITHDRAWS RECOMMENDATION
By Timothy Cockes Baptist Press ANAHEIM, Calif. — After much discussion, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Credentials Committee chose to withdraw its recommendation related to Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. A decision on whether or not to disfellowship Saddleback for ordaining three female staff members as pastors in May 2021 will be delayed until […]