By Alliance Defending Freedom staff WASHINGTON – Fourteen briefs have been filed with the U.S. Supreme Court that encourage it to weigh in on Washington state rules that force pharmacy owners and pharmacists to stock and dispense drugs contrary to their religious beliefs instead of allowing them to refer customers to other pharmacies and pharmacists as they are allowed to do in all 49 other states. The state allows referrals for a variety of reasons but singles out religiously motivated referrals as prohibited. Among the briefs in support of the petition that a Washington state pharmacy and two pharmacists filed with the high court last month are ones signed by 43 members of Congress; 13 state attorneys general; 29 notable legal scholars; more than 4,600 individual health care professionals; and 38 professional pharmacy associations, including the nation’s largest, the American Pharmacists Association. “No one should be forced to choose between following their deepest religious beliefs and following an unjust, unneeded government mandate that targets only people of faith. The state of Washington allows referrals for nearly any reason but does not allow referrals motivated by faith. The briefs filed with the Supreme Court … [Read more...]
Cooper requests prayer, names search committee for WMU executive director
By Julie Walters, National WMU communications BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – National WMU President Linda Cooper has issued a call to prayer for those serving on the national search committee charged with identifying the woman God would have as the next executive director for national WMU. On Jan. 11, Wanda Lee, who has served as executive director since 2000, announced to the WMU board her intention to retire, giving ample notice for a search committee to be formed and seek a new leader. Cooper said she prayed earnestly for God’s direction as she selected search committee members who have extensive experience in WMU and represent various geographical locations. The committee members are Joy Bolton, executive director of Kentucky WMU, who will serve as chairperson; Debby Akerman, former national WMU president (2010-2015); Jill McNicol, president of Illinois WMU; Kathy Sheldon, president of Pennsylvania/South Jersey WMU; and June Tate, president of Colorado WMU. “Above all, I am confident these women will take this task very seriously, seeking the Lord’s guidance in all they do in every step of this process,” Cooper said. “I encourage every Southern Baptist to pray intentionally and daily for the committee, for me, and for the … [Read more...]
Colo. school ends speech for all rather than allow former football player to have Bible reference on nameplate
By Alliance Defending Freedom staff DENVER – The Colorado School of Mines has removed all donor nameplates from its football locker room rather than allow a former football player to include a Bible reference on his nameplate. Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys had filed a lawsuit, Lucas v. Johnson, against the school on behalf of the player, Michael Lucas, but withdrew it Friday from the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado due to the school’s decision to end the fundraising program associated with the nameplates. The school had allowed donors to the school’s new athletic facility to include an inscription of the donor’s choosing on personalized nameplates that were placed in the new football locker room and had not provided any restrictions on content. When alumnus Michael Lucas, a former defensive nose tackle for CSM, requested “Colossians 3:23 and Micah 5:9,” the school rejected the inscription because one of the verses refers to “Lord” even though the text of the verses would not appear on the nameplate itself. “Public colleges are supposed to be a marketplace of ideas, but the School of Mines has indicated it prefers anti-religious hostility,” said ADF Senior Counsel Tyson Langhofer. “It’s ridiculous … [Read more...]
Washington floral artist’s freedom firmly rooted in federal, state constitutional law
By Alliance Defending Freedom staff OLYMPIA, Wash. – Alliance Defending Freedom filed a brief Friday with the Washington Supreme Court that answers arguments the state and the American Civil Liberties Union have made in favor of government discrimination against a floral artist, whom they sued for acting consistently with her faith. ADF attorneys asked the state high court to take up the case in June of last year after a lower state court ruled that Stutzman, owner of Arlene’s Flowers in Richland, must pay penalties and attorneys’ fees for declining to use her artistic abilities to design custom floral arrangements for a long-time customer’s same-sex ceremony. Rather than participate in the ceremony, Stutzman referred the customer, whom she considers a friend and had served for nearly 10 years, to several other florists in the area who would provide high-quality arrangements and wedding support. “Barronelle and many others like her around the country have been more than willing to serve any and all customers, but they are understandably not willing to promote any and all messages,” said ADF Senior Counsel Kristen Waggoner. “No one should be faced with a choice between their freedom of speech and conscience on one hand and … [Read more...]
California forces churches to cover abortion, church sues
By Alliance Defending Freedom staff SAN DIEGO – Alliance Defending Freedom attorneys filed a lawsuit in state court Thursday against the California Department of Managed Health Care for forcing churches to pay for elective abortions in their health insurance plans. ADF attorneys represent a San Diego–area church in the state suit, which is similar to a lawsuit ADF filed in federal court in October of last year on behalf of three other California churches. “Churches should not be forced to pay for the killing of innocent human life,” said ADF Senior Counsel Erik Stanley. “The government has no right to demand that church health insurance plans include coverage for elective abortions – something that violates the most sincerely held religious beliefs of this church and nearly all churches throughout the state. California is violating its own laws and constitution, as well as the U.S. Constitution, by strong-arming churches into having this coverage in their plans.” ADF filed the lawsuit, Skyline Wesleyan Church v. California Department of Managed Health Care, in the California Superior Court for the County of San Diego on behalf of Skyline Wesleyan Church in La Mesa. It cites violations of the church’s rights and freedoms … [Read more...]
Prompt by God provides catalyst to powerful movement at crusade
By Philip Timothy, Message Managing Editor BASTROP – A prompt by God proved to be the catalyst for a powerful movement by Him in this small northeast Louisiana town. Over a four-day period (Jan. 31-Feb. 3), the city-wide Morehouse Crusade, which took place at the Morehouse Activity Center just outside of Bastrop, drew more than 4,600 people, had 117 decisions, including 50 first-time salvations, 50 rededications and 10 who committed to serve in ministry. It was the culmination of eight months of planning, prayer and preparation. “We were very pleased with how everything went this week. It was so encouraging to see how so many pulled together to make this Crusade happen,” said Bodie Spicer, pastor of Faith Baptist Church and one of the crusade’s main organizers. “We have a lot of follow ups to do but just talking with everyone we all would like to make this an annual event. “God showed up and showed out,” said Spicer. “I believe this crusade was good for this community. As I told everyone in my closing prayer, it didn’t matter what denomination this person sitting next to you was, it was the fact we, as God’s people, were there for the same reason to worship God. It was evident God’s hand was all over this from start to … [Read more...]
Church bells ring for the past, present and future
By Message Staff SHREVEPORT – The 96-year-old steeple bells at First Baptist Church in Shreveport have seen their share of history, including renovations at their original structure and a move from downtown Shreveport to the current facility in the south side of town. In November 2015, the steeple bells experienced a renovation of their own. For three months, crews worked on improvements to the historic bells that were purchased from the McShane Bell Foundry in Baltimore, Md., and donated by Mrs. EM Layne in memory of her husband, Robert Thompson Layne. Repairs and updates include new clappers, improved audio for hearing the bells in the worship center, and computerized control of the ringing of the bells with a Schulmerich Electronic system. The cost for the renovation was $68,615. The congregation gathered with others from the community and state to celebrate the steeple bell renovations during a special service on Jan. 24. “We have discovered that our restored steeple bells are a great outreach tool for our church,” said Glen Adkins, minister of music at First Baptist Shreveport. “People both in the church and outside the church tell us how much they enjoy hearing the hymns at noon each day, as well as the … [Read more...]
Emerging Regions collegiate leaders meet in New Orleans to dialog, learn from each other
By Gary D Myers, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS – Southern Baptist collegiate ministry groups outside the South are as unique and diverse as regions in which they are located. Ministries in these emerging regions use a wide variety of strategies to accomplish their goal of raising up discipled believers who make disciples themselves. When the Emerging Regions State Collegiate Leaders working group met at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Jan. 19-23, the participants included 25 leaders from places like Alaska, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and even Canada. The leaders represented a wide range of approaches from campus-based to church-based college ministries – each with a unique context and a unique approach. Robert Turner, state director of collegiate ministry with the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey, facilitated the meeting as the leaders shared ideas and looked for new ways accomplish their work. Mark Whitt, collegiate and young adult ministry specialist for LifeWay Church Resources provided additional leadership for the meeting. Despite the wide range of contextual differences represented, the leaders share a … [Read more...]
Kelley : SBC’s ‘Great Commission Resurgence’ initiative a Great Commission regression
By Gary D Myers, NOBTS communications NEW ORLEANS - Chuck Kelley issued an urgent call to personal evangelism and intentional discipleship when THE New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's president addressed the first chapel of the new semester. He also decried that Southern Baptists “are closer to losing the South than reaching North America” and called for greater emphasis on witnessing and disciple-making in North America. Kelley, speaking in Leavell Chapel Jan. 19, read Jesus' Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20, calling it one of the most important passages of Scripture for Southern Baptists and for New Orleans Seminary. Missions and evangelistic zeal, flowing from the Great Commission, have been defining characteristics of the Southern Baptist Convention since its inception in 1845. When the SBC established the Baptist Bible Institute (now NOBTS) in 1917, the Great Commission was selected as the guiding verses for the new ministry training school. To this day, Kelley said, "Matt. 28:18-20" is prominently featured on New Orleans Seminary's official seal. In the passage, Jesus shares that He alone has been given authority over the church, Kelley said. Jesus then gives the church its assignment -- to go make … [Read more...]
Lead advocate for gay rights reverses position in cake baking case
By Gregory Tomlin, Christian Examiner BELFAST (Christian Examiner) – A gay rights activist at the center of a fight against a family of Christian bakers in Northern Ireland that refused to bake a gay-themed cake has publicly reversed his position now that the family has been found guilty of discrimination. Same-sex marriage remains illegal in Northern Ireland, but the country's discrimination laws still left Ashers Baking Company in a lurch when it declined to bake the cake for gay rights activist Gareth Lee nearly two years ago, the BBC reported. To read the rest of the article, click here. … [Read more...]
