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  2013 in Review: Pope Francis dominates the headlines

  The election of Pope Francis was the biggest religion story of 2013. But shifts in gay marriage, church-state relations and the Boston Marathon bombings all received front-page treatment.

  12/31/2013 - By John Rutledge

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  Texas Baptist pastors testify against payday lending

  Two Texas Baptist pastors raised concerns about payday and car-title lending practices in public hearings before the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Dallas.

  12/31/2013 - By John Rutledge

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  2013: The year in Baptist news

  A changing of the guard both in moderate Baptist life and the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy agency, challenges to Obamacare and the 200th anniversary of Baptist missions in the U.S. topped Baptist newsmakers in 2013.

  12/31/2013 - By John Rutledge

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  Fair trade gains ground at World Cup Café in Waco

  World Cup Café wrapped up 2013 in a unique position. For the first time since its 2006 opening, it didn’t lose money.

  12/30/2013 - By John Rutledge

• BaptistWay: Pride or humility?

  • The BaptistWay lesson for Jan. 12 focuses on Luke 18:9-17.

  12/30/2013 - By John Rutledge

• Explore: Honor Jesus

  • The Explore the Bible lesson for Jan. 12 focuses on John 17.

  12/30/2013 - By John Rutledge

• Life: A Life You Can’t Live on Your Own

  • The Bible Studies for Life lesson for Jan. 12 focuses on Romans 8.

  12/30/2013 - By John Rutledge

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  2013 marked shifts in views on social issues

  The past year passed milestones in American public opinion. Here is a sampling reported by the Pew Research Center.

  12/30/2013 - By John Rutledge

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  Study says race perception gap widening

  Fifty years after Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech envisioned unity between blacks and whites, a new study finds a growing gap in racial attitudes and experiences in America.

  12/30/2013 - By John Rutledge

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  Texas Baptist universities win round against Obamacare

  A federal judge says East Texas Baptist University and Houston Baptist University do not have to include emergency contraceptives in their employee insurance coverage.

  12/30/2013 - By John Rutledge

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  San Antonio church ministers to Burmese in four languages

  In five and a half years, more than 700 Burmese refugees have passed through the international ministries of First Baptist Church in San Antonio.

  12/27/2013 - By John Rutledge

• BaptistWay: Sacrifice or security?

  • The BaptistWay lesson for Jan. 5 focuses on Luke 14:25-35.

  12/23/2013 - By John Rutledge