N.C. Mission Volunteer Dies in Puerto Rico
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (BP) -- Paul Fisher, the leader of a North Carolina Baptist mission team repairing roofs in Puerto Rico, died Feb. 28 in a swimming accident near San Juan. He was 36.
Compassion International’s Roadshow Tour Combines Music and Ministry
(RNS) — For many of Compassion International's one million US child sponsors, there’s another person in the sponsor-child relationship: the musician — usually a Christian artist — who introduced them to Compassion at a concert.
Why Churches Should Not Measure Their Growth Against the Economic Boom
(RNS) — Despite the fact we are living through a truly epic economic boom, the average congregation in the U.S. has 70 regular participants. But anyone who understands congregations will recognize at once why market solutions will not really work here for struggling churches: Most
MBU Board of Trustees Vote to Forego Further Appeals
SAINT LOUIS — The Missouri Baptist University Board of Trustees voted Feb. 28, 2019 to forego further appeals in the ongoing litigation related to the University’s governance following a Missouri Western District Court of Appeals ruling in favor of the Missouri Baptist Convention on Feb.
40 Christians Killed in Attacks in Nigeria
JOS, Nigeria (BP) -- At least 32 people were killed in a Muslim Fulani herder attack on a Christian area of north-central Nigeria on Tuesday (Feb. 26), sources told a Morning Star News correspondent.
What Drives the Appeal of ‘Passion of the Christ’ and Other Films on the Life of Jesus
(The Conversation) Church isn’t the only place people go to learn about Jesus. Fifteen years ago, at the beginning of Lent, devout evangelical Christians thronged to theaters to watch a decidedly Catholic film to begin the Lenten season: Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ,”
The Baptist Home Board Votes to Cease Further Appeals
IRONTON, Mo. — The Baptist Home board unanimously voted February 26, 2019 to cease further appeals in the 17-year civil case over the issue of governance. The board action to not appeal ends one of the longest civil cases in Missouri jurisprudence.
United Methodists Pass Traditional Plan, Keep Ban on LGBTQ Clergy, Same-Sex Marriage
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — A special session of the United Methodist Church decided Tuesday (Feb. 26) to strengthen the denomination’s ban on the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ people, by a delegate vote of 438-384.
Churches Named by SBC President in Abuse Report Respond
NASHVILLE (BP) -- After a workgroup of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee released a statement Feb. 23 on 10 churches noted by SBC President J.D. Greear in a report on sexual abuse, Baptist Press attempted to contact the churches for their response.
United Methodist Committee Rejects One Church Plan, Which Would Allow LGBT Clergy
ST. LOUIS (RNS) — In a surprise, the plan recommended by the United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops was rejected Monday (Feb. 25) by the denomination’s decision-making body.