Southern Baptists identify sexual abuse, racism as disqualifying for membership
By Message Staff BIRMINGHAM, Alabama – Messengers took a stand against sexual abuse and racism at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, June 11-12, in Birmingham, Alabama. They voted, overwhelmingly, for amendments to the SBC Constitution to specifically state that sexual abuse and discrimination based on ethnicity are grounds for a church to be deemed as “not in friendly cooperation” with the Convention. Messengers likewise voted to amend the SBC Bylaws to repurpose the Credentials Committee into a standing commit-tee to make inquiries and recommendations for action regarding instances of sexual abuse, racism or other issues that call a church’s relationship with the SBC into question. Ronnie Floyd, president and CEO of the SBC Executive Committee, told messengers the votes constituted a significant moment in the history of the Convention. “May this world know that the Southern Baptist Convention stands against all forms of sexual abuse,” Floyd said. “May this world know that this convention of churches – 47,000 churches, plus a few thousand congregations, just under 52,000 churches and congregations – has given a clear signal not only about what we believe about sexual abuse, but we also stand against … [Read more...]
MH17 crash investigators say four suspects face murder charges
Memorial services scheduled for Jefferson Parish pastor
Details for the memorial service have been announced for Claude Williams, pastor of Celebration Church’s Westbank campus who was killed Sunday, June 16. According to Celebration Church’s website, the first service will take place Friday, June 21, 11 am at Celebration Church, 2001 Airline Dr. in Metairie. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. A second service is scheduled for Saturday, June 22, 11 am at the First Baptist Church, 508 Second St. in Nachitoches. Visitation begins at 9 a.m. Williams was one of three people who died Sunday evening while trying to help a motorist change a flat tire on the upper level of the Westbank Expressway in Marrero. According to WDSU-TV in New Orleans, an Impala struck the disabled Yukon driven by Williams and the two other pedestrians, pushing them over the side of the elevated expressway. The driver of the Impala, Todd Williams, 40, of New Orleans, was arrested. An account on the Celebration Church website has been established to help defray funeral costs. Donations can be given at https://celebrationmla.infellowship.com/OnlineGiving/GiveNow/NoAccount. … [Read more...]
Louisiana Baptists among motion makers at annual meeting
By Staff BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Louisiana Baptists offered three motions among 23 presented by messengers during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, June 11-12, in Birmingham, Alabama, with the Committee on Order of Business including two among 18 referred to entities or committees and another as part of five ruled out of order. Referred to the Executive Committee: -- A motion by Leroy Fountain of the Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans, La., that a comprehensive report be given at the 2020 annual meeting on the progress of 12 recommendations adopted by the SBC in 2011 for expanding ethnic participation in the Convention. The last published information about progress made on the 12 recommendations was included in a 2015 report on racial reconciliation (click here). -- A motion by Pam Richardson of the New Life Baptist Church in Baker, La., to amend the BF&M 2000 Article 6 to state, "While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office and function of the pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture." Her motion adds “and function” to the original statement. -- A motion by Robert Anderson of the Colonial Baptist Church in Randallstown, Md., to add a George Liele … [Read more...]
Minister’s Housing Allowance case over for now; remains constitutional
By Roy Hayhurst, GuideStone Financial Resources DALLAS, Texas - Litigation challenging the constitutionality of the minister’s housing allowance has formally ended after the Freedom From Religion Foundation chose not to appeal a Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decision to the U.S. Supreme Court. The FFRF, which won a challenge to the housing allowance in a district court on December 31, 2017, lost during an appeal to the Seventh Circuit when a three-judge panel ruled unanimously to overturn the lower court’s decision. The minister’s housing allowance was codified in federal tax law in 1954, GuideStone® Chief Legal Officer Harold R. Loftin Jr., who has monitored this and other challenges to the housing allowance, and attended the oral arguments before the Seventh Circuit panel in Chicago, praised the ending of the case. GuideStone has actively engaged in the various challenges to the housing allowance exclusion, filing amicus briefs alongside Southern Baptist and other denominational benefit plans and advocating with legislators and regulators. “The Freedom From Religion Foundation said that they believed given the composition of the Supreme Court that the could not prevail in the case,” Loftin said. “We believe that … [Read more...]
Norway island wants to be world’s first time-free zone
Dow up more than 350 points on trade deal hopes after Trump says he’ll meet with Xi at G-20
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez launches campaign to force Americans to fund abortions
China forces churches to sing Communist anthems, bans Christian hymns
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 428
- 429
- 430
- 431
- 432
- …
- 975
- Next Page »