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, such as a fall festival, trunk-or-treat or judgment house, according to a Lifeway Research study.

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 pastors also reach out to his company. This typically happens when they arrive at a

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 percent, the economic circumstances aren’t having any effect. Fewer than 1 in 10 pastors (7

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 every dollar has on reaching the lost. “We want to thank you for giving to

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 grants from its Pure Water, Pure Love ministry to provide three tractor-trailer loads of bottled

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 service at @SWBTS was first announced,” he wrote. “While we initially thought our path would

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) — Following a special-called meeting of the Board of Trustees of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Chairman Danny Roberts today announced that trustees have invited O.S. Hawkins and David S. Dockery to provide joint leadership to the seminary during the interim period. Dockery will serve as interim president, while Hawkins will serve as senior advisor and ambassador-at-large. The actions of the board were with no opposition and