U.S. Prison Population Drop Continues; Racial Disparities Remain
While the U.S. prisons population declined in 2017, according to a Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) report published in late April, the imprisonment rate for black adult males was still six times the rate of white adult males.
Longtime Baptist Journalist Jim Burton Dies at 63
CUMMING, Ga. (BP) -- Jim Burton, 63, Southern Baptist international photojournalist and storyteller and Baptist Press contributor, died on May 10 after living with ALS for six years.
Southwestern Seminary Turmoil Leaves Stained Glass Artists Picking Up the Pieces
FORT WORTH, Texas (RNS) — Stained glass is fragile. So, too, are the fortunes of a stained glass artist. Don Young and his wife, Debora, were reminded of that lesson last month with the abrupt cancellation of a lucrative, once-in-a-lifetime commission.
Jewell Receives $5 Million Gift for New Sports Center
The Sunderland Foundation has provided a $5 million lead gift for construction of a new Center for Sports and Fitness at William Jewell College in Liberty, Mo.
Sowing Division, Islamists Target Christians in Burkina Faso
(RNS) — A rash of attacks on churches in Burkina Faso is exposing the growing challenge of containing Islamist violence across Africa’s Sahel region.
For Houses of Worship, Interfaith Collaboration Is the Future of Security
(RNS) — According to religious leaders, virtually no faith community has been spared violence. In response, faith leaders across the country are putting their heads together to help protect their congregations — and to do so, they’re increasingly crossing denominational lines.
Church Ordination Study Notes ‘Room for Improvement’
PIKEVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- The ordination process of Southern Baptist churches is a weak spot when it comes to protecting congregations from sexual predators, according to a report released May 9.
Whom Do U.S. Christian Teens Seek for Encouragement, Advice? Mostly Mom.
Christian teens in the U.S. turn to their moms more than others when in need of guidance, advice or spiritual conversation, according to a Barna Group report published May 7.
Baptist Home Announces Chapel Gift for Ashland Campus
COLUMBIA, MO -- The Baptist Home Corporate Office announced on Friday (May 10) a gift of $150,000 from The Baptist Foundation of Mid-Missouri. The donation will be used for the construction of a new chapel on The Baptist Home-Ashland campus, slated to open this year.
Vatican Law: Priests, Nuns Must Report Sex Abuse, Cover-Up
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis issued a groundbreaking law Thursday (May 9) requiring all Catholic priests and nuns around the world to report clergy sexual abuse and cover-up by their superiors to church authorities.