An American Kingdom
A new and rapidly growing Christian movement is openly political, wants a nation under God’s authority, and is central to Donald Trump’s GOP. Read full piece
How Christian Migrants in South Africa Battle COVID, Xenophobia
While aggression has heightened in the pandemic, South Africa has a history of xenophobic attacks toward non-locals in South Africa — often aimed at those from Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Lesotho, or Malawi. Read full piece
Global Church Must Confront Gender-Based Violence with Honest View of Scripture, BWA Told
Christians must join efforts to combat the plague of gender-based violence around the world, but not without the church also repenting for its historic and ongoing role in perpetuating abusive attitudes and behaviors toward women, the Baptist World Alliance was told. Read full piece
New Resource for Combating Christian Nationalism Sees it as a ‘Distortion of the Gospel’
A new three-session adult study curriculum called “Responding to Christian Nationalism” is designed to help pastors who want to educate church members. It is published by the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and Vote Common Good.
Preaching Politics
The Pew Research Center released its results of a massive study looking at sermons preached ahead of the 2020 election. In this bonus issue of A Public Witness, we will briefly outline what Pew discovered and what it could teach us about preaching politics.
Controversial Priest Prays at CPAC After Being Sacked by Bishop
Just two days after being removed from his parish by his bishop for controversial political rhetoric, a Catholic priest prayed and spoke at the influential Conservative Political Action Conference in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday.
COVID Cluster Linked to Southern Baptist Meeting
Health officials in Tennessee have linked a small coronavirus cluster to a meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention last month. It was Nashville’s first large-scale conference after lifting restrictions on gatherings.
She Lost Her Husband in a Beach Accident. Her Book Tackles What it Takes to Heal.
In her new book, Shannon Dingle writes about leaning into grief, accepting uncertainty, connecting to feelings, expressing hard truths, and getting psychological help.
Southern Baptist Convention Sparks Small COVID-19 Cluster in Nashville
A small but worrisome coronavirus cluster has been linked to the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Nashville, the first large-scale conference held in the city after it lifted restrictions on gatherings, according to the Metro Public Health Department. Read full piece
‘Wasting My Breath’: Southern Faith Leaders Wary of Promoting Vaccines
Exhausted by backlash over pandemic restrictions, some faith leaders see little upside in urging skeptical congregants to get vaccinated. Read full piece