Some conservative evangelicals revel in ‘unprecedented’ White House access
While some religious conservatives are granted such intimate contact with President Trump that they literally can “lay hands” on him, other faith leaders are kept at arm’s length.
Editorial: Could Jesus get elected dog-catcher here?
If we’re going to be serious about following Jesus, that means doing everything we can—everything—to care for the weak, the poor, the vulnerable.
Guest editorial: The Cross and the Lynching Tree—a broken gospel
The lynching tree keeps Christ’s cross from becoming “a symbol of abstract, sentimental piety.” But the lynching tree needs the cross, “without which it becomes simply an abomination,” with no sign of hope.
Voices: Honoring diversity, seeking unity
Can the church in this hyper-partisan culture be a community of true diversity—not of socially mandated opinions, not of watered-down beliefs without substance, but an honest-to-God, one-of-a-kind community of unified diversity?
Kyle Streun: 'The church is the hope of the world'
This week’s profile of Texas Baptist ministers features Kyle Streun, pastor of First Baptist Church in Denver City, where he has served for about a year.
Pence roots administration’s support for Israel in faith
Vice President Mike Pence told evangelical supporters of Israel that God had a hand in creating the state of Israel, and Pence said his support for the country is rooted in his faith.
Second Opinion: Trump threatens to change the course of American Christianity
The Trump presidency is only six months old, but it is already beginning to alter long-standing spiritual alignments. It seems as though Christians are not changing Trump, but rather that Trump could be changing Christianity. (Washington Post)
Voices: What does 6.5% have to do with your church?
As churches review candidates for pastor and other staff positions, a leader among Baptist women in ministry encourages search committees to consider women and men the same—and differently.
African-American Fellowship celebrates togetherness
With “Harambee: Bringing Us Together” as its theme and Psalm 133:1 as its inspiration, the 2017 African-American Fellowship Conference celebrated the joy of working and worshipping together during the annual meeting in Tyler.
House committee action opens door to candidate endorsement by churches
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved a spending bill that includes a provision weakening the Johnson Amendment—the law that bars churches and other nonprofit organizations from endorsing political candidates without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status.
Zambia: God uses willing servants in spite of weakness
Student Missions blog: God truly is strong when we are weak. ... I felt discouraged. But God’s word says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Peterson retracts same-sex marriage affirmation
After a conservative outcry—including LifeWay Christian Resources threatening to pull his books from their retails store shelves—popular Christian author Eugene Peterson retracted statements made in an interview in which he seemed to affirm same-sex relations and indicated he would be willing to perform a same-sex wedding.
Trump touts evangelical support, Putin friendship in Robertson interview
President Trump touted his support from evangelical Christians and his friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin in an interview with Pat Robertson on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s The 700 Club.
Muslim refugees to US are declining as Christians overtake them
Christians made up the majority of refugees admitted to the United States in the first five full months of the Trump administration, reversing a trend that saw Muslims entering the country at higher numbers under President Obama, a new Pew Research report shows.
LifeWay may pull Peterson books from shelves over LGBT views
LifeWay Christian Resources—the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention—announced it would discontinue selling any books by Eugene Peterson if he confirms a published interview about same-sex relations accurately reflects his views.
Sam Porter named national director for SBC disaster relief
The Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board named Sam Porter national director for disaster relief. He succeeds Mickey Caison, who will retire Aug. 31.
Editorial: Resist Abbott/ Patrick reverse-Robin Hood approach to education
Texas Baptists and other people of faith must remain vigilant to combat a proposal to create a state education voucher system during the special session of the Legislature.
Family finds encouragement at Buckner Family Hope Center
In spite of setbacks and challenges, the Buckner Family Hope Center at Bachman Lake provided help and encouragement that convinced Tilia Sanchez and her family: "This is our time."
Lankford walks fine line as preacher and politician
In the nation’s capital, Sen. James Lankford's weekdays consist of Senate Intelligence Committee hearings and frequent cable news appearances. But each weekend, the former youth pastor flies home to Oklahoma and worships with the Quail Springs Baptist Church, where he sometimes is called on to preach.
Voices: Will we become cyborg Christians?
Are we really moving toward a time when the future of business and daily life consists of the fusion between people and machines?
Voices: Keys to church revitalization, Part III
For most of the seven revitalized churches that were studied, the shift from focusing on a traditional worship style to a contemporary worship style was an important part of their revitalization.
Bryant Lee: A heart to plant dozens of neighborhood churches
This week’s profile of Texas Baptist ministers features Bryant Lee, lead pastor of Higher Expectations Church in Humble, which he planted and where he has served 10 years.
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