Bob Smietana
Bob Smietana is a veteran religion writer and national reporter for Religion News Service.
All Stories by Bob Smietana
Calvin University President Wiebe Boer resigns after misconduct complaint
By Bob Smietana — February 26, 2024
(RNS) — 'The report did not include allegations of sexually explicit communication or physical contact, but the alleged conduct is concerning and inappropriate,' the trustees said in their statement.
Trump promises a revival of Christian power in speech to National Religious Broadcasters
By Bob Smietana — February 23, 2024
(RNS) — In a packed hotel ballroom in Nashville, the former president pledged to bring God back into the public square and restore a country he said has fallen apart since he left the White House.
Matthew Slater, a Super Bowl champ with his eye on higher things, retires from football
By Bob Smietana — February 22, 2024
(RNS) — The player’s longtime coach, Bill Belichick, once referred to him as a ‘perfect player.’ Teammates and opponents alike praised Slater for his leadership skills, which he says were built on his faith.
Heads of SBC mission boards say they will not fund new abuse reform nonprofit
By Bob Smietana — February 21, 2024
(RNS) — Leaders of Send Relief, an SBC-related humanitarian group, say funds earmarked for abuse response have to be used within the SBC.
Southern Baptist leaders expel two churches for allegedly mismanaging abuse
By Bob Smietana — February 20, 2024
(RNS) — The committee also voted out a church in Kentucky for having a woman pastor.
SBC task force plans to start nonprofit to oversee abuse database and reforms
By Bob Smietana — February 19, 2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The new nonprofit is designed to get past the SBC Executive Committee’s ongoing financial and legal challenges.
Will the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program crumble?
By Bob Smietana — February 19, 2024
(RNS) — For nearly a century, Southern Baptist churches have banded together to raise funds for mission in the US and around the world, raising more than $20 billion through their Cooperative Program. But the trust that once held the program together is fraying.
Henry Blackaby, author of ‘Experiencing God,’ has died at age 88
By Bob Smietana — February 10, 2024
(RNS) — Blackaby turned his experiences reviving a dying church into a spiritual bestseller.
Super Bowl viewers can meet Jesus, boost their prayer life and confront antisemitism
By Bob Smietana — February 9, 2024
(RNS) — Ads for the He Gets Us campaign, the Hallow prayer app and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism will be among the groups running faith-related ads at the Super Bowl.
I am not going to hate you
By Bob Smietana — February 8, 2024
(RNS) — Hate drives so many of Americans' attitudes today. Can a yard sign help?
Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee faces more abuse lawsuits
By Bob Smietana — February 7, 2024
(RNS) — A pair of new lawsuits, including one that includes civil RICO claims, come at a time when the SBC Executive Committee faces a fiscal and leadership crisis.
Why faith leaders lost the battle against online sports betting
By Bob Smietana — February 5, 2024
(RNS) — Legalized sports gambling now represents billions of dollars. Faith leaders in the few holdout states know the odds are against stopping it.
Are the Five Love Languages helpful? Yes, say researchers, but not the way people think
By Bob Smietana — February 1, 2024
(RNS) — A new study looks at the real reason the bestselling book on love and relationships is a success.
Radio preacher Alistair Begg won’t back down from advice to attend LGBTQ wedding
By Bob Smietana — January 31, 2024
(RNS) — Begg told a woman she should attend her grandchild’s wedding to a trans person, leading to a Christian radio network dumping his program.
Judges say lawsuit against CBN pastor Brad Jurkovich, a Mike Johnson ally, should go forward
By Bob Smietana — January 29, 2024
(RNS) — Former church members allege that Jurkovich and other church leaders illegally changed the church's articles of incorporation to require unquestioned loyalty to the pastor.