Telling the Story of Tennessee Baptists Since 1835
February 27, 2017
By Diana Chandler Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) — The Trump administration has reversed an Obama-era directive that advised schools to open bathrooms and locker rooms to students based on their perceived sexual identity or risk losing federal funding. The new ruling leaves bathroom use policies to the discretion of state governments and local school districts, […]
February 22, 2017
By David Roach Baptist Press PLANO, Texas (BP) — A Dallas-area megachurch has decided to escrow Cooperative Program funds temporarily in order to evaluate future support of Southern Baptist Convention causes. At issue are what the congregation calls “various significant positions taken by the leadership of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission that do not […]
February 15, 2017
By Lonnie Wilkey Editor, Baptist and Reflector ONTARIO, Calif. – David Platt, president of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board issued an apology to Southern Baptists Feb. 15 for the IMB’s involvement in an amicus brief last summer. Platt apologized during a meeting of the Association of State Baptist Publications held in Ontario, Calif. He also […]
February 7, 2017
Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Ongoing discussion of a federal court case concerning religious liberty for Muslims has prompted the resignation of an International Mission Board trustee and a revision of the IMB’s process for submitting friend of the court briefs. Dean Haun, pastor of First Baptist Church in Morristown, resigned from the IMB trustee board […]
February 2, 2017
Baptist Press DENTON, Texas (BP) — Southern Baptist Disaster Relief leaders throughout North America met for their annual “Round Table” meeting and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of SBDR. Representatives from nearly all the state Baptist conventions participated in the Jan. 23-27 event at Camp Copass in Denton, Texas. Portions of the […]
January 31, 2017
By Jeff Brumley Baptist News Global Fake news is big news these days, and many want to know how not to be duped by it. On one level, the solutions are a matter of common sense. “First, you look for verification,” said James Black, assistant director of the Center for Collaborative Journalism and professor of […]
January 31, 2017
Baptist Press PHOENIX (BP) — Registration opens Feb. 1 for preschool child care, Giant Cow Children’s Ministries and Youth on Mission in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention’s 2017 annual meeting June 13-14 in Phoenix. Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) child care volunteers will care for preschoolers; while Giant Cow Children’s Ministries will lead the […]
January 26, 2017
Baptist Press NASHVILLE, Tenn.— For churches that have Sunday night activities, most pastors say it’s still “game on” despite the big game next weekend. According to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research, 68 percent of Protestant pastors say their church typically has some activity on Sunday night. And among those pastors, almost 6 in […]
January 25, 2017
Baptist Press WASHINGTON — The participation of at least five Southern Baptist pastors in inaugural activities for President Donald Trump continues a tradition of prayer, Scripture and references to God surrounding presidential inaugurations dating back to George Washington. Evangelist Franklin Graham read from I Timothy 1 and 2 at President Donald Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration.
January 23, 2017
By David Roach Baptist Press HATTIESBURG, Miss. (BP) — An EF3 tornado that ripped through southern Mississippi Jan. 21 in the wee hours of the morning damaged nearly all of the 30 buildings on William Carey University’s Hattiesburg campus and left seven students injured. William Carey is affiliated with the Mississippi Baptist Convention and has […]
January 19, 2017
By Tom Strode Baptist Press WASHINGTON (BP) — The abortion rate in the United States declined to an all-time low, while the number of lethal procedures dropped below a million for the first time since 1975, according to a new report. The Guttmacher Institute reported Tuesday (Jan. 17) the rate fell to 14.6 abortions per […]
January 12, 2017
Baptist Press NASHVILLE — Ohio Baptists approved the largest increase in the portion of Cooperative Program receipts sent beyond the state next year, moving from the current 59.75/40.25 ratio to a 50/50 split. “Supporting missions from Ohio to the ends of the earth is the heartbeat of Ohio Southern Baptists,” said Ohio Executive Director Jack […]