Blessing in a Schism
This issue of A Public Witness attends multiple disaffiliation blessings — from Southern Baptist to United Methodist and Mennonite — to consider different models for denominational partings.
Vatican Confirms Synod Topics Will Address Questions of LGBTQ+ and Women Deacons
The document addresses inclusivity toward LGBTQ+ faithful, the issue of female ordination, and welcoming toward divorced, remarried, or polygamous couples.
SBC Saved From … Hearing a Woman Preach God’s Love
This issue of A Public Witness adds historical context to the contentious meeting of the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S. to consider what the debate about women in ministry means for that body and the broader Christian witness.
Southern Baptists Refuse To Take Back Megachurch Because It Has Women Pastors
Saddleback had been the denomination’s second-largest congregation and until recently was widely touted as a success story amid larger Southern Baptist membership declines.
Before Advocating for Women in Ministry, Rick Warren Split With SBC Over Global Fellowship
Rick Warren has been mounting a public campaign as he urges Southern Baptists to not kick out churches for ordaining women ministers. While his advocacy sparked recent profiles, that coverage leaves out an earlier time when Warren publicly broke with the SBC over its attempt
Rick Warren Campaigns for Southern Baptist Reinstatement of Saddleback Church
Warren argues that the debate is far larger than what might happen to the church he founded.
Saddleback Church Appeals Southern Baptist Convention Ouster Over Woman Pastor
It is one of three churches appealing decisions recently made by the denomination’s Executive Committee to remove eight congregations from official affiliation.
Review: What Jesus Learned from Women
In "What Jesus Learned from Women" author James F. McGrath fleshes out the nature of Jesus’s person and helps us recognize the role of women in the biblical story.
Nijay Gupta on Tell Her Story
In episode 101 of Dangerous Dogma, Nijay Gupta, a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, talks about his book Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He also discusses issues related biblical translations, importance of historical context, and
Pope Allows Women to Vote at Upcoming Bishops’ Meeting
Pope Francis has approved an historic reform that reflects his hopes to give women greater decision-making responsibilities and laypeople more say in the life of the Catholic Church.