Faced With Declining Numbers, Southern Baptists Focus on Evangelism
PHOENIX (RNS) Faced with continuing declines in membership and baptisms, Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines implored delegates to the denomination's yearly meeting to turn to God and put their emphasis on evangelism.
“I want to encourage you to be a soul-winner. I want to encourage you to be evangelistic,” said Gaines, who plans to appoint a task force for more effective personal evangelism.
SBC Meets in Phoenix June 13-14
This year's Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting will be held in Arizona at the Phoenix Convention Center, June 13-14. The theme for 2017 is "Pray! For such a time as this." The meeting will open Tuesaday morning and conclude Wesdanesday afternoon.
Report: Southern Baptist Churches up in 2016; Baptisms, Membership Decline
NASHVILLE (BP) -- While Southern Baptists experienced growth in the number of churches that cooperate with the SBC in 2016, other key measures declined for the year, including membership, baptisms, average worship attendance and total giving, according to the ACP compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions.
To Escape Abusive Marriages, Many Christians in Pakistan Convert to Islam
LAHORE, Pakistan (RNS) For a Pakistani Christian like Shameela Masih, divorcing her abusive husband meant two choices — both nearly as bad as staying in the marriage.
“I have to prove adultery allegations against him," said Masih, a 34-year-old mother of two. "The other option I have is to convert to Islam.”
London Attacker’s Mother Blames Internet for Son’s Radicalization
ROME (Reuters) The mother of the Italian-Moroccan jihadi who helped carry out a deadly attack in London last week said on Tuesday she had tried to keep her son from falling under the sway of Islamic State ideology, but the internet and his London friends changed him.
Q&A Interview with Wendell Griffen
Wendell Griffen recently made headlines as some state politicians seek to remove him from the bench. Griffen serves as pastor of New Millennium Church (a Cooperative Baptist Fellowship congregation in Little Rock, Ark.) and as a Pulaski County circuit judge.
Midwest Churches Hit by Flooding
Record Midwest flooding in late April and early May damaged multiple Baptist churches — while even more Baptist churches became key centers of aid for their flooded communities. At least eight Baptist churches in Missouri and two in Arkansas were flooded, along with an Arkansas Baptist campground.
Religious Leaders Shocked by Attack on Ramadan and Pentecost
LONDON (RNS) Religious leaders prayed for London after another terrorist attack in Britain left seven dead and scores injured on the eve of the Christian holiday of Pentecost and during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Mich. Congressman on Climate Change: God Will ‘Take Care of It’ if It’s Real
WASHINGTON (USA Today) Michigan GOP Rep. Tim Walberg isn’t concerned about the effects of climate change — if it exists — because God will “take care of it.”
As Major Cities Crack Down on Panhandling, People of Faith Wrestle With Their Consciences
OKLAHOMA CITY (RNS) Driving to his downtown clothing business, Hans Herman Thun finds it impossible to ignore the beggars.
They catch his attention with handwritten, cardboard signs such as “Homeless and hungry,” “Anything helps! God bless” and even “I’ll be honest — I could really use a beer.”