Few pastors left the pulpit despite increased pressure
NASHVILLE (BP) – Pastors faced increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, as churches were frequently forced to adapt overnight. More felt their role was overwhelming at times, yet very few pastors decided to actually leave the ministry in recent years.
IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Why pastors support CP
The following quotes were compiled from monthly Baptist Press stories featuring churches that give at least 10 percent of undesignated receipts through the Cooperative Program.
Gulledge, ‘average pastor,’ receives ERLC’s religious liberty award
MADISON, Ga. (BP) – Griffin Gulledge doesn’t think he did anything special to gain the John Leland Religious Liberty Award from the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. He did what any Baptist can do, he said.
Daniel Darling named director of SWBTS Land Center
FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) – Southern Baptist thought leader Daniel M. Darling has been named director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, President Adam W. Greenway announced today (Oct. 25). He will also serve under presidential appointment as assistant professor of faith and culture at Texas Baptist College, Southwestern Seminary’s undergraduate school.
Workplace chaplaincy can be a place for healing, growth
HAZLEHURST, Ga. (BP) – Just as it goes with the church, life has a way of impacting the workplace. Employees deal with personal struggles, family issues, addiction and myriad other distractions that can impact their performance.
Texans to vote on amendment prohibiting government from limiting worship services
Allen, Texas (BP) – Texans will vote during their election day Tuesday, Nov.2, on a proposed amendment to their constitution that would forbid the government from limiting or prohibiting religious services.
FBC Fairdale takes church into community with love at every turn
FAIRDALE, Ky. (BP) – Instead of waiting for the community to come to them, First Baptist Church Fairdale is meeting the community on their turf. It has become a model ministry that has flourished with connections being made, literally, on every corner.
Gang boss in Haiti threatens to kill abducted missionaries
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The boss of a notorious Haitian gang accused of kidnapping 17 members of a U.S.-based missionary group last weekend is warning that the hostages will be killed if his demands aren’t met.
ERLC urges Supreme Court to protect coach’s religious freedom
WASHINGTON (BP)—The Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission is again asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review and overturn a lower court decision it and other organizations contend violates the First Amendment rights of public school teachers and coaches.
FIRST-PERSON: Who will lead the SBC forward? The messengers. They already are.
“Since 2018, the Southern Baptist Convention has lost a series of high-profile leaders whose tenures ended due to controversy or misconduct,” began the recent RNS article, “Can anyone lead the Southern Baptist Convention forward?” by Bob Smietana. But maybe the author is looking for leaders in all the wrong places.
